MONITORING, SAMPLING, REPORTING, AND NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.

Austin City Code tit. 15, ch. 15-13, art. 4

in effect

Austin City Code § 15-13-41 PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISM CONTROL LOG REDUCTION CREDITS AND CONTINUOUS MONITORING.

§ 15-13-41 - PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISM CONTROL LOG REDUCTION CREDITS AND CONTINUOUS MONITORING. (A) A project applicant shall design and construct an OWRS to meet the requirements in this section. (B) A permittee shall maintain and operate an OWRS to meet the requirements in this section. (C) Each treatment process used to meet a log reduction target must include continuous monitoring using the pathogenic microorganisms of concern or a microbial, chemical, or physical surrogate parameter(s) that verifies the performance of each treatment process's ability to achieve its credited log reduction. (D) An engineering report must include evidence that the treatment unit process can reliably and consistently achieve a specific log reduction value. The engineering report must also include information about the required operating conditions and the type of continuous monitoring to be utilized. (E) Table 4 identifies the log reduction credits that will be granted for different unit processes and includes examples of required supporting information. (F) For unit processes that require a validation report, the permittee shall submit a validation report that includes: (1) evidence of the treatment technology's ability to reliably and consistently achieve the log reduction value; (2) information about the required operating conditions and surrogate parameters that require continuous monitoring; and (3) a letter that demonstrates a state public health official previously accepted the report. Table 4: Treatment Process Log Reduction Credits Treatment Process | Maximum1Log Reduction Credits Virus/Protozoa/Bacteria | Information to be Included in an Engineering Report | Continuous Monitoring Requirements Microfiltration or Ultrafiltration | 0/4/0 | Description and calculation of how the system defines an acceptable pressure decay test value per the EPA's Membrane Filtration Guidance Manual to detect 3.0 µm breach | Daily pressure decay test Effluent Turbidity Membrane Biological Reactor (MBR) | 1.5/2/4 | Operation within the Tier 1 operating envelope 2 | Effluent Turbidity Reverse Osmosis | 2/2/2 (Dependent on surrogate parameter) | Manufacturer's information indicating ability to reject sodium chloride and description of/rationale for surrogate parameter used to calculate log removal credits | Influent and Effluent Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Or Influent and Effluent Electrical Conductivity Ultraviolet (UV) Light Disinfection | 6/6/6 (Dose Dependent) | UV reactor's Validation Report following state-approved procedures 3 or NSF/ANSI 55 Class A validated | UV intensity Flow rate Chlorine Disinfection | 5/0/0 (CT dependent) Bacteria credit equivalent to virus credit can be granted if free chlorine is preceded by membrane filtration and up to 4-log removal for other filtration processes | Calculations demonstrating CT disinfection (CT = Chlorine Residual Concentration × Contact Time) Specifics on how concentration and contact time will be determined | Free chlorine residual Flow rate Ozone Disinfection | 4/3/4 4 (CT dependent) | Calculations demonstrating CT disinfection (CT = Ozone Residual Concentration × Contact Time) Specifics on how concentration and contact time will be determined | Ozone residual Flow rate 1 Projects may seek higher credit with site-specific validation, alternative surrogates, or other approved methods. 2 Tier 1 operating envelope is defined in the AWRCE Membrane bio-reactor WaterVal validation protocol, Australian Water Recycling Center of Excellence (AWRCE), Brisbane. 3 UV Log Reduction Credits are reactor-specific and dose dependent. UV Validation Reports shall be prepared by a licensed engineer. Validation reports must provide evidence of reactor's ability to reliably and consistently achieve the log reduction value, including information on the required operating conditions and surrogate parameters that require continuous monitoring. The Validation Report shall document results based on validation testing finished utilizing one of the following: EPA UV Disinfection Guidance Manual (USEPA 2006), German UV Devices for the Disinfection for Drinking Water Supply Standard (DVGW 2006), or NWRI UV Disinfection: Guidelines for Drinking Water and Water Reuse, 3rd edition (NWRI 2012). Submitted validation reports must include a letter demonstrating the report has been accepted previously by a state public health official. 4 Bacteria credit can be obtained for ozone according to the Tier 1 framework in the AWRCE Ozone WaterVal Validation protocol, which includes CT tables for waters with turbidity <0.15 NTU. Source: Ord. No. 20201210-006, Pt. 2, 12-21-20.

Austin City Code § 15-13-42 MONITORING AND SAMPLING.

§ 15-13-42 - MONITORING AND SAMPLING. (A) A treatment system manager must perform all water quality sampling required by Table 5 and the annual permit. (B) A permittee violates this section if someone other than the treatment system manager performs water quality sampling required by this section. (C) A treatment system manager shall collect water samples in a manner that complies with U.S. EPA Wastewater Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater Method 9060B. (D) A water sample required by this section must be analyzed: (1) in a certified laboratory that uses the methods described in Table 3; or (2) through an approved in-line monitoring devices that is as detailed in the approved engineering report. (E) A treatment system manager shall collect and transport each sample in a manner that meets quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) standards of the labs, including maintenance of required hold times and temperatures. (F) To measure total coliform, BOD or TSS, a water sample must be collected from disinfected effluent. (G) To measure chlorine residual, a water sample must be collected at or after entry to the plumbing of the distribution system. (H) The director may request to be present during required water quality sample collections or require that the permittee use a third-party who is not the treatment system manager to take water quality sample collections. (I) A project applicant shall install instrumentation with continuous monitoring capabilities. (J) If a pathogen LRT or total coliform exceeds the limits in Tables 1 and 2, the permittee shall notify the director in accordance with Section 15-13-45 (Malfunction Notification). Table 5: Water Quality Sampling Requirements Parameter | Rain/Condensate | Stormwater/Foundation Drain | Graywater Conditional | Operating | Conditional | Operating | Conditional | Operating Total Coliform 1 | Weekly for Rainwater | Monthly | Weekly | Monthly | Weekly | Monthly Chlorine Residual | Continuously at entry to end-use plumbing LRTs | Continuously as specified in the approved engineering report BOD 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Weekly | Monthly TSS | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Weekly | Monthly Flow | Continuously measuring alternative water treated by the OWRS 1 Total coliform monitoring requirement may be eliminated after 12 consecutive months of consistent compliance. Source: Ord. No. 20201210-006, Pt. 2, 12-21-20.

Austin City Code § 15-13-43 DIVERSION TO SEWER.

§ 15-13-43 - DIVERSION TO SEWER. (A) A conditional permittee shall: (1) divert treated graywater to the sanitary sewer or to another approved discharge location; (2) divert treated condensate water to the sanitary sewer or to another approved discharge location; (3) divert treated rainwater, stormwater and foundation drainage to the storm sewer; and (4) operate all fixtures in the building using the municipally supplied make-up water source. (B) When operating an OWRS pursuant to a conditional permit, the director may allow: (1) condensate water treatment systems to forego or end bypass conditions prior to the end of the conditional startup mode; and (2) rainwater treatment systems to forego or end bypass conditions prior to the end of the conditional startup mode. (C) An operating permittee shall: (1) ensure that the OWRS is always be capable of diverting to sewer as prescribed in this section while still supplying makeup water to the users in the event of a malfunction or water quality problem; and (2) divert to the sewer if a system fails to meet the required LRTs or limits for total Coliform in Tables 1 and 2. Source: Ord. No. 20201210-006, Pt. 2, 12-21-20.

Austin City Code § 15-13-44 REPORTING FREQUENCY.

§ 15-13-44 - REPORTING FREQUENCY. A permittee shall submit monitoring reports to the director in accordance with Table 6 and this section. Table 6: Routine Reporting Frequency Alternative Water Source | Routine Reporting Frequency1 Conditional Permit | Operating Permit Rainwater/ Condensate | Monthly | Annually Stormwater | Monthly | Annually Foundation Drain Water | Monthly | Annually Graywater | Monthly | Annually 1 Operational changes, system malfunctions, and/or monitoring results which are outside of the applicable water quality limits shall be reported within 24 hours. Source: Ord. No. 20201210-006, Pt. 2, 12-21-20.

Austin City Code § 15-13-45 REPORT REQUIREMENTS.

§ 15-13-45 - REPORT REQUIREMENTS. (A) Conditional Permits. (1) Except as required by Section 15-13-45 (Malfunction Notification), a conditional permittee shall submit monitoring reports that comply with this section on or before the 15 th day of each month. (2) Each report must include: (a) laboratory results for the samples described in Section 15-13-41 (Monitoring and Sampling); (b) surrogate parameter instrumentation summaries from the previous month; (c) attachments that describe any breakdowns, upsets, bypasses, odors, complaints, or other system operation anomalies; and (d) if an OWRS fails to meet the LRT or other water quality requirements of this chapter, an analysis of the feasibility of implementing changes to the existing treatment design or instrumentation to meet LRT and other water quality standards. (B) Operating Permits. (1) Except as required by Section 15-13-45 (Malfunction Notification), a permittee shall submit monitoring reports with the renewal application required in Section 15-13-13 (Permit Renewal). (2) Each report must include: (a) laboratory results for the samples described in Section 15-13-41 (Monitoring and Sampling); (b) surrogate parameter instrumentation summaries from the previous 12 months; and (c) attachments that describe any breakdowns, upsets, bypasses, odors, complaints, or other system operation anomalies. (C) Each laboratory result required by this section must be signed by the laboratory director or designee. (D) Each monitoring report required by this section must be on a form approved by the director and signed by permittee and treatment system manager. Source: Ord. No. 20201210-006, Pt. 2, 12-21-20.

Austin City Code § 15-13-46 MALFUNCTION NOTIFICATION.

§ 15-13-46 - MALFUNCTION NOTIFICATION. (A) A permittee shall notify the director of any malfunction that results in, or is likely to result in, environmental harm, or increased public risk. Malfunctions include, but are not limited to overflows, unanticipated bypasses, or monitoring results outside of water quality requirements for any of the parameters monitored. (B) A permittee shall notify all users immediately of any circumstance that indicates the effluent may not meet the standards established in this chapter. (C) Within 24 hours from the time the treatment system manager becomes aware of the circumstances, a permittee shall provide an initial email notification that describes: (1) the malfunction, including location description; (2) each component involved in the malfunction; (3) the suspected causes; (4) planned diagnostic or mitigation steps; and (5) when the malfunction or the effects of the malfunction began and stopped or will be stopped. (D) Within five calendar days of the initial email notification, a permittee shall provide follow-up email notification that describes the cause or suspected cause of the malfunction and the steps taken or planned to: (1) reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence and a schedule of major milestones for those steps; (2) mitigate the effects and schedule of the major milestones for those steps; and (3) notify users and anyone else who may be at risk due to the malfunction. Source: Ord. No. 20201210-006, Pt. 2, 12-21-20.

Austin City Code § 15-13-47 RECORDKEEPING.

§ 15-13-47 - RECORDKEEPING. (A) A permittee shall maintain system records on premises in a manner that make them readily available for inspection by the director. (B) System records includes: (1) current permit; (2) current treatment system operations and maintenance manual; (3) signed results delivered by the certified laboratory and evidence of chain of custody; (4) monitoring reports; (5) annual reports; (6) notifications as described in section 15-13-45 (Malfunction Notification); (7) a log of all calibrations, maintenance, and major changes in operation; and (8) a log of all system auto-generated alarms, causes, and corrective actions. (B) A permittee shall maintain system records for at least two years. Source: Ord. No. 20201210-006, Pt. 2, 12-21-20.

Source: City of Austin, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT15UTRE_CH15-13REONWARESY_ART4MOSARENOREFetched: 10/27/2026