PROPOSED RULES
Supplemental Notice to WSR 01-13-062.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 00-03-076.
Title of Rule: Rules relating to fertigation, chapter 16-202 WAC, WAC 16-202-2004, 16-202-2013, 16-202-2016, 16-202-2017, 16-202-2018, and 16-202-2020.
Purpose: To clarify rules and address issues and concerns raised since implementation of the original rules. These rule revisions address the proper operation and system configuration required to protect the environment and human health from fertigation applications.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapters 15.54, 15.58, and 17.21 RCW.
Statute Being Implemented: Chapters 15.54, 15.58, and 17.21 RCW.
Summary: As provided in RCW 34.05.310 (4)(d), we are refiling these sections to correct typographical errors, and clarify the language without changing the effect of the rules. These changes are in response to stakeholder testimony.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: To provide clarification per stakeholder request.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Ann Wick, 1111 Washington Street, Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 902-2051; and Enforcement: Cliff Weed, 1111 Washington Street, Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 902-2036.
Name of Proponent: Department of Agriculture, governmental.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The proposed rules contain backflow prevention requirements for the purpose of protecting the environment and ground water from contamination. These rules also address the proper operation and system configuration required to protect the environment and human health from fertigation applications.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: The change to section 2004 allows tank contents to be listed using industry accepted identifiers; section 2013 changes "irrigation water delivery system" to "irrigation water distribution system"; section 2016 adds the word "product" to the sentence "Alternative technology used for PRODUCT injection must fulfill the provisions of this chapter"; section 2017 changes "irrigation application system" to "irrigation water distribution system"; section 2018 changes the sentence "Alternative technology used for injection must fulfill the provisions of this chapter" to "Alternative technology used as a system interlock must fulfill the provisions of this chapter"; and section 2020 numbers two paragraphs.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW.
Section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, does not apply to this rule adoption. Washington State Department of Agriculture is not a listed agency in section 201.
Hearing Location: Three DIS Interactive Technologies sites simultaneously via teleconference: 15 West Yakima Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902; 710 Sleater-Kinney Road S.E., Suite Q, Lacey, WA 98503; 1101 North Argonne, Suite 109, Spokane, WA 99201, on September 25, 2001, at 7:00 p.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Laurie Maurerman by September 17, 2001, TDD (360) 902-1996.
Submit Written Comments to: Ann Wick, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, fax (360) 902-2093, by September 26, 2001.
Date of Intended Adoption: November 9, 2001.
August 21, 2001
Bob Arrington
Assistant Director
OTS-5093.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 01-13-063, filed 6/18/01,
effective 11/9/01)
WAC 16-202-2004
What are the identification requirements
for application tanks?
The purpose of identification
requirements is to minimize the potential for human exposure and
to facilitate remediation in the event of component malfunction
or a contamination event.
(1) An application tank must:
(a) List tank contents, using the industry-accepted identifier for the principal product(s);
(b) Display its maximum net capacity;
(c) Display a contact name and telephone number; and
(d) Display an owner-derived numeric or alphanumeric tank identifier.
(2) This information must be visibly recorded and securely affixed to each application tank. The distinguishing information shall be designed to remain intact and legible throughout the active use of the container.
(3) Lettering that displays the contact name, telephone number, and tank identifier shall be a minimum of two inches in height and in a color contrasting to the background.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.54, 15.58, and 17.21 RCW. 01-13-063, 16-202-2004, filed 6/18/01, effective 11/9/01.]
(1) Injecting product with a pressurized metering pump.
(a) The metering pump must be of a positive displacement design.
(b) Water-powered injection pumps can only be used when no other power source is available to operate the injection unit.
(c) The metering pump must be interlocked to the irrigation system in the event of an irrigation system malfunction or failure.
(2) Injection into nonpressurized section of an irrigation system.
(a) Application rate may be accomplished with an adjustable valve, flow control device, or other metering mechanism.
(b) The metering device must also control application quantity by employing a slide metering device or by placing a predetermined quantity into a batch tank.
(3) Venturi system as a metering device.
(a) A venturi system may be used as a metering device, except where variable pressure may contribute to a variable injection rate.
(b) The chemical injection line must contain either a normally closed, solenoid-operated valve connected to the system interlock or a normally closed hydraulically operated valve that opens only when the main water line is adequately pressurized. The valve must be placed on the intake side of the injection pump, immediately adjacent to the application tank.
(c) The chemical injection line between the application tank and the venturi must contain an automatic, quick-closing check valve to prevent the flow of liquid back toward the application tank. The check valve must be placed immediately adjacent to the venturi chemical inlet.
(d) In bypass systems, the check valve may be installed immediately upstream of the venturi water inlet. Either the normally closed solenoid or hydraulically operated valve may be installed immediately downstream of the venturi water outlet.
(e) If a booster or auxiliary pump is used in conjunction with a venturi system, the normally closed solenoid must be electrically interlocked with the source pump for the irrigation system.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.54, 15.58, and 17.21 RCW. 01-13-063, 16-202-2013, filed 6/18/01, effective 11/9/01.]
(1) Injection with barometric loops.
(a) Barometric loops can only be used on systems pumping from a surface water source.
(b) The barometric loop must be located in the water line immediately downstream of the irrigation water pump.
(c) A barometric pipe loop must be designed with sufficient elevation differential to compensate for backflow.
(d) The bottom of the barometric loop apex must be at least thirty inches above the highest water-emitting device or of any portion of the irrigation application system.
(e) The barometric loop must contain a vacuum relief device at the loop apex that allows air into the pipeline immediately upon loss of pressure. The orifice size must comply with current American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) standards.
(f) The injection point on a barometric loop must be located downstream of and at least thirty inches below the bottom of the barometric pipe loop apex.
(2) Solenoid and check valve.
(a) The chemical injection line must contain either a normally closed solenoid-operated valve connected to the system interlock or a normally closed hydraulically operated valve that opens only when the main water line is adequately pressurized. A normally closed, solenoid-operated valve must be placed on the intake side of the injection pump, immediately adjacent to the application tank.
(b) The chemical injection line between the application tank and the metering device and the injection point must contain an automatic, quick-closing check valve to prevent the flow of liquid back toward the application tank. The check valve must be placed immediately adjacent to the venturi chemical inlet.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.54, 15.58, and 17.21 RCW. 01-13-063, 16-202-2016, filed 6/18/01, effective 11/9/01.]
(1) Pressurized injection systems or injection into a pressurized portion of the irrigation system requires either an electrical, hydraulic, or mechanical system interlock device.
(2) When the injection point is at a nonpressurized section
of ((the)) an irrigation ((application)) water distribution
system, a slide metering scale or batch tank may function as the
system interlock.
(3) With venturi systems.
(a) Booster or auxiliary water pumps must be connected with the system interlock such that when pressure in the mainline changes to the point where product distribution is adversely affected automatic shutoff of product supply will occur.
(b) The supply line must contain either a normally closed solenoid-operated valve connected to the system interlock or a normally closed hydraulically operated valve that opens only when the main water line is adequately pressurized. If a booster or auxiliary pump is used in conjunction with a venturi system, the normally closed solenoid must be electrically interlocked with the source pump for the irrigation system.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.54, 15.58, and 17.21 RCW. 01-13-063, 16-202-2017, filed 6/18/01, effective 11/9/01.]
(1) Human interlock. In lieu of an automatic interlock, a person may serve as a system interlock. The individual must continuously monitor the application, be alert throughout the application process, be immediately available to terminate the application in the event of equipment malfunction, and be knowledgeable about the operation of the irrigation and injection systems.
(2) Solenoid and check valve.
(a) The chemical injection line must contain either a normally closed solenoid-operated valve connected to the system interlock or a normally closed hydraulically operated valve that opens only when the main water line is adequately pressurized. A normally closed, solenoid-operated valve must be placed on the intake side of the injection pump, immediately adjacent to the application tank.
(b) The chemical injection line between the application tank and the metering device must contain an automatic, quick-closing check valve to prevent the flow of liquid back toward the application tank. The check valve must be placed immediately adjacent to the venturi chemical inlet.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.54, 15.58, and 17.21 RCW. 01-13-063, 16-202-2018, filed 6/18/01, effective 11/9/01.]
(2) Cross-connections of a fertigation system to any potable water system intended for human use must have either a department of health-approved reduced pressure backflow assembly or reduced pressure detector assembly installed for backflow prevention. Otherwise, a physical separation in the form of an air gap may be used to protect the water source.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.54, 15.58, and 17.21 RCW. 01-13-063, 16-202-2020, filed 6/18/01, effective 11/9/01.]