Okla. Admin. Code § 252:656-3-4

Current through Vol. 41, No. 19, June 17, 2024

Section 252:656-3-4 - Engineering report

(a) Applicants shall submit to DEQ two (2) copies of the engineering report for proposed new construction or modifications to sewage collection systems, or treatment works at least thirty (30) days prior to the submittal of plans and specifications. Applicants shall also submit a letter in which the applicant endorses the contents of each engineering report submitted to DEQ. For line extension and lift station construction, the submission of an Engineering Report Form, developed by DEQ, signed and sealed by an engineer licensed by the State of Oklahoma, may be submitted to meet the requirements of the necessary engineering report, unless a full engineering report is required by DEQ. Engineering reports shall include:

(1)Volume and strength of sewage flow. Establish the existing and anticipated design average and design peak flows and waste load for the existing and ultimate conditions. Include the basis for projecting initial current and/or future dry and wet weather flows and waste load for the existing, or initial, service area, and the anticipated future service area. For discharging facilities, the report must demonstrate that the proposed project complies with the design flow in the 208 Plan and other applicable OPDES permit limits.

(2)Existing system. Describe the existing system, including the need for the project related to health and safety, system operations and maintenance, and population growth. Issues that must be addressed include, but are not limited to, suitability of existing facilities for continued use, adequacy of water supply, history of compliance with state and federal requirements, and comparison of existing treatment units with state and federal design requirements.

(3)Project description and alternatives. The report must contain a description of the alternatives that were considered to meet the identified need. Provide a service area and project site maps showing the existing and proposed systems. The information must describe legal and natural boundaries, major obstacles, elevations, and any other information necessary to properly evaluate the project. Describe the proposed project and, where two or more solutions exist, discuss the alternatives including cost analysis and discuss the reasons for selecting the one recommended. For each alternative considered, the report must provide the following:

(A)Description. A description of the collection system, pumping systems, treatment, and discharge facilities associated with each alternative as applicable.

(B)Design criteria. The design parameters used for evaluation purposes.

(C)Schematic. A schematic diagram(s) of all existing and proposed treatment processes.

(D)Land requirements. The identification of sites and easements that will be used and whether the sites:

(i) are currently owned or leased by the applicant, or

(ii) will be acquired or leased by the applicant.

(E)Construction problems. A discussion of concerns such as subsurface rock, high water table, limited access, or other conditions that may affect the cost of construction or the operation of the facility.

(F)Advantages and disadvantages. A description of the ability of each alternative to meet the owner's needs, address violations cited in any enforcement orders, satisfy public and environmental concerns, and comply with regulatory requirements. The report must demonstrate the compatibility of each alternative with existing, comprehensive, and area-wide development plans. Provide a short description of environmental impacts that may preclude any alternatives.

(G)Selected alternative. A complete description of the proposed project based on the general description presented in the evaluation of alternatives. The report must show that the proposed project will comply with all the requirements of this Chapter. At a minimum, the following information must be included:

(i)Treatment. A description of the processes, including biosolids management, in detail and the identification of the location of the plant and the site of any discharges; a status of compliance with the 208 Plan, and if applicable, include current revisions with copy of DEQ approval letter, if approved in the current 208 Plan.

(ii)Pumping stations. The size, type, location and any special power requirements, including provisions for emergency operations, of all pumping stations.

(iii)Collection system layout. Identify general location of line improvements, including: lengths, sizes and key components.

(iv)Calculations. Provide supporting calculations in sufficient detail to demonstrate compliance with DEQ design requirements to assure adequate capacity for the collection and treatment system as a whole to transport and treat the wastewater or reclaimed water. For collection system projects, the submittal must include a map with a list of manholes and pipes and the associated characteristics, such as elevation of inverts, pipe diameter, pipe segment length, and other information necessary to evaluate the project. The report must provide assurance that the receiving collection and treatment systems have adequate capacity.

(4)Construction sequence. A description of the sequence of construction and steps needed to maintain compliance during construction. If the project is not to be completed in one sequence, then provide details of the phases.

(5)Site. Describe the topography, soils, geologic conditions, depth to bedrock, groundwater level, floodway or floodplain considerations, and other pertinent site information. The project must be constructed on the site consistent with approved plans. Include 6 months of data on the groundwater level. Provide soil boring information pursuant to OAC 252:656-11-3(a) for projects that include lagoons or other non-industrial impoundments.

(6)Water supply. Identify surface water intakes within five (5) miles of the discharge and known public and private water wells within three hundred feet (300').

(7)Receiving stream. Identify the receiving stream and its wasteload requirements according to the Water Quality sections of OAC 252:606 and Oklahoma's Water Quality Management Plan (208 Plan).

(8)Disposition of biosolids. Discuss the available alternatives for biosolids reuse and/or disposal (OAC 252:606 and OAC 252:515). Submit a sludge management or sludge disposition plan to DEQ for approval. All biosolids that will be land applied and/or disposed in a landfill must comply, at a minimum, with the Class B pathogen reduction requirements contained at 40 CFR, Part 503 , adopted by reference at OAC 252:606.

(9)Industrial wastes. Discuss the characteristics and volume of anticipated industrial wastes.

(10)Collection system. Describe the area to be served by existing and proposed sewers. Sewer capacities must be designed for the estimated ultimate population that will be served. Similarly, consideration must be given to the maximum anticipated loadings from institutions, industrial parks and other similarly situated facilities.

(11)Financing. Provide itemized cost estimates to build, operate and maintain the proposed project including, but not limited to:

(A) development, construction, land and rights-of-way, legal services, engineering services, contingencies, refinancing, and any other factors associated with the proposed project;

(B) discuss financing methods;

(C) provide information regarding rate structures, annual operating and maintenance (O&M) cost, tabulation of users by monthly usage categories and revenue received for the last three fiscal years; and

(D) give status of existing debts and required reserve accounts. Include a schedule of short-lived assets and a recommended annual reserve deposit to fund replacement of short-lived assets such as pumps, paint and small equipment.

(12)Enforcement orders. Discuss all applicable enforcement orders, including the violations cited in the orders and how the project will eliminate said violations.

(13)Conclusions and Recommendations. Provide any additional findings and recommendations that must be considered in development of the project. This must include:

(A) recommendations for a specific course of action to be undertaken;

(B) any special studies to be developed;

(C) highlight the need for special coordination, include a recommended plan of action to expedite project development, etc.

(14)Project Schedule. The report must propose a schedule to:

(A) obtain funds to complete the proposed project;

(B) submit construction plans, specifications, and permit application(s);

(C) start construction;

(D) complete construction, and

(E) attain compliance with applicable OPDES discharge permits.

(b)Water reuse treatment and reclaimed water distribution systems. Applicants shall submit to DEQ two (2) copies of the engineering report for proposed new construction or modifications to water reuse treatment and reclaimed water distribution systems. Engineering reports shall be submitted at least thirty (30) days prior to the submission of plans and specifications and all engineering reports submitted to DEQ shall be signed and sealed by an engineer licensed by the State of Oklahoma. Applicants shall also submit a letter in which the applicant endorses the contents of each engineering report submitted to DEQ. For line extension and lift station construction, the submission of an Engineering Report Form, developed by DEQ, signed and sealed by an engineer licensed by the State of Oklahoma, may be submitted to meet the requirements of the necessary engineering report, unless a full engineering report is required by DEQ. Engineering reports shall include the following, as applicable:

(1)Volume and quality of reclaimed water flow. Describe anticipated flow from wastewater treatment works to the water reuse treatment facility. For discharging facilities, the report must demonstrate how the proposed project impacts the design flow in the 208 Plan and other applicable OPDES permit limits.

(2)Existing system. Describe existing wastewater treatment and water reuse systems. Descriptions shall include: the suitability of existing facilities for continued use, adequacy of water supply and the facility's history of compliance with state and federal requirements.

(3)Project description. Provide service area and project site maps showing the existing and proposed systems. The information shall describe legal and natural boundaries, elevations, major obstacles and any other information necessary to properly evaluate the project. Project descriptions shall include the following:

(A)Description. A description of the wastewater treatment system preceding the water reuse treatment facility.

(B)Design criteria. The design parameters used for evaluation purposes.

(C)Schematic. Schematic diagrams of all existing and proposed treatment processes.

(D)Land requirements. Identification of the sites and easements that will be used and whether the sites:

(i) are currently owned or leased by the applicant, or

(ii) will be acquired or leased by the applicant.

(E)Treatment. A detailed description of the treatment processes, including biosolids management, identification of the location of the plant and the site of any discharges:

(i)Pumping stations. Identify the size, type, location, any special power requirements and provisions for emergency operations of all pumping stations.

(ii)Reclaimed water distribution system layout. Identify the general locations of line improvements, including lengths, sizes and key components.

(iii)Calculations. Provide supporting calculations in sufficient detail to demonstrate compliance with DEQ design requirements.

(6)Biosolids handling. If the proposed project will increase the production of biosolids and/or residuals, provide a description of any modifications necessary to properly treat and dispose of biosolids. All biosolids that will be land applied and/or disposed in a landfill must comply, at a minimum, with the Class B pathogen reduction requirements contained at 40 CFR, Part 503 , adopted by reference at OAC 252:606. Submit a sludge management or sludge disposition plan as appropriate to the DEQ for approval.

(7)Reclaimed water distribution system. A description of the following:

(A) The location, size, and direction of flow of all existing and proposed reclaimed water distribution lines from the point of connection with the existing or proposed treatment works or storage locations to the end user.

(B) A summary of quantities that includes, at a minimum, pipe size, materials and linear feet of piping, types of testing and number and size of pumps.

(C) The disinfection system design based on one of the following criteria:

(i) maintaining a chlorine residual to end-of-pipe pursuant to Appendix A of OAC 252:627; or

(ii) a DEQ approved calibrated model of chlorine decay rate in the distribution system to demonstrate that adequate chlorine residual will be maintained to prevent slime growth and regrowth of pathogens to end-of-pipe.

(8)Financing. Itemized cost estimates to build, operate and maintain the proposed project including, but not limited to:

(A) development, construction, land and rights-of-way, legal services, engineering services, contingencies, refinancing, and any other factors associated with the proposed project;

(B) financing methods;

(C) information regarding rate structures, annual operating and maintenance (O&M) cost, tabulation of users by monthly usage categories and revenue received for the last three fiscal years; and

(D) the status of existing debts and required reserve accounts. Include a schedule of short-lived assets and a recommended annual reserve deposit to fund replacement of short-lived assets such as pumps, paint and small equipment.

(9)Enforcement orders. A discussion of all enforcement orders, identifying the violations cited in orders and explaining how the project will eliminate those violations.

(10)Conclusions and Recommendations. All engineering reports shall include a recommendation for a specific course of action to be undertaken. The conclusions and recommendations shall also include any additional findings, identify any special studies to be developed, and any other recommendations that must be considered in development of the project.

(11)Project Schedule. A proposed schedule to obtain funds to:

(A) complete the proposed project;

(B) submit construction plans, specifications, and permit application(s);

(C) start construction;

(D) complete construction; and

(E) attain compliance with applicable OPDES discharge permits.

(c) Authorized design-build projects may use the flexible permitting process as approved in the engineering report, including:

(1) Label cover documents prominently as "Design-build;"

(2) Provide completed attestation form from applicant certifying that project is design-build;

(3) Description of design packages, including the number (maximum of six), scope of each package, expected schedule of each package, and expected schedule of completion for major construction items;

(4) The engineering report will address the entire scope of the project at 100% completion.

Okla. Admin. Code § 252:656-3-4

Added at 17 Ok Reg 1140, eff 6-1-00; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 2019, eff 6-11-01; Amended at 23 Ok Reg 937, eff 6-15-06; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 1282, eff 7-1-11; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 1061, eff 7-1-12

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 32, Issue 23, August 17, 2015, eff. 9/15/2015

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 40, Issue 24, September 1, 2023, eff. 9/15/2023