C. Non-Conventional Technology

Steps to obtain a Construction Permit & a Certificate to Operate for a Sewage Treatment Works with Non-Conventional Processe(s)

1. The owner obtains an application form from DEQ and follows steps one (1) through six (6) in Procedure A. - Treatment Works.
2. If necessary, the owner submits a Preliminary Engineering Proposal in accordance with information discussed and conclusions developed during the Preliminary Engineering Conference. The owner must submit a request for an exemption from the Manual of Practice requirements, to the Area Engineer, prior to the installation of any equipment or processes not previously determined to be a conventional design by the OWE staff in accordance with the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations.
3. If submitted, the Preliminary Engineering Proposal shall include a copy of the Testing Agreement and a contract between the owner and the manufacturer/supplier of the non conventional process, or equipment. The contract shall specify the financial arrangements required to fund the monitoring and testing of the process or equipment. The contract shall stipulate the methods for reserving funds in an amount required to replace the non conventional process or equipment with approved conventional processes or equipment. Either the Testing Agreement, the owner/supplier contract, or the provision of assurance resources, or all of these arrangements, may be waived upon submission of such a request by the owner together with approved operating and performance data.
4. The construction or installation of non-conventional equipment or unit operations may commence upon issuance of authorization by the Area Engineer as described in Procedure I - Treatment Works.
5. The OWE staff will evaluate the Statement of Completion of Construction, conduct inspections, as necessary, and a Provisional Certificate to Operate may be issued. The owner may then operate the treatment works. It is the owner's responsibility to comply with all permit and certificate requirements at all times the treatment works is in operation.
6. The DEQ staff will evaluate the operational data and conduct inspections as necessary. If the DEQ staff determines that the results of monitoring/testing program indicates that modifications to, or replacement of, the non conventional process or equipment are necessary, then a new contract specifying modification or replacement of the process or equipment shall be developed and additional monitoring may be required.
7. If the DEQ staff substantiates that the testing program verifies that the non conventional process or equipment can reliably provide the required degree of treatment, issuance of a Certificate to Operate can be recommended. The owner may continue to operate the treatment works in accordance with the permit or certificate issued.
8. If a treatment works is unable to comply with the issued permit or certificate, the Provisional Certificate to Operate will be amended to reflect the modification or replacement of non conventional processes or equipment, with conventional technology. Requirements established for compliance with the certificate issued by DEQ will be included in the amended Certificate to Operate.
9. Upon completion of operation in compliance with all permit requirements, non conventional processes or equipment can be established as conventional technology under the monitored operating conditions.