(a) A recreational aquatic spray ground must comply with the technical specifications of all subsections of this section with respect to construction, operation and maintenance.
(b) A RASG that does not comply with these technical specifications may not be issued a permit and may not continue to operate under a permit that was previously issued.
(1) Water supply.
a. Water supply to the RASG facility must meet the standards under Texas law for public drinking water, which are currently found in Tex. Administrative Code Title 30.
b. Cross-connection between the water supply and re-circulation systems is prohibited.
(2) Water acidity levels. The pH level at the RASG must meet the requirements under state law for a pool or spa. The pH level of the water shall be monitored and recorded at least once during each operating day.
(3) Filtration.
a. Filtration must meet one of the following standards:
1. Sand filters.
i. High-rate sand filters (pressure or vacuum) shall be properly maintained and operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions and at a filter rate not to exceed 15 gpm/sf.
ii. Filter air release valves shall be opened as needed to remove air that collects in the filters.
iii. Sand filters shall be backwashed at a flow rate of 12 to 15 gpm/sf or at the rate recommended by the manufacturer.
2. Diatomaceous earth filters.
i. Diatomaceous earth filters shall be properly maintained and operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions and at a filter rate not to exceed two gpm/sf with body feed or one and one-half gpm/sf without body feed.
ii. Diatomaceous earth filters must be equipped with a separation tank.
iii. Used diatomaceous earth filter media, including separation tank sludge, shall be disposed of or treated as a solid waste material in accordance with the requirements of state law.
3. Cartridge filters.
i. Cartridge filters shall be properly maintained and operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions and at a filter rate not to exceed a maximum of 0.375 gpm/sf.
ii. Cleaning and replacement of cartridge filters must be in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. One complete spare set of cartridges shall be available at all times to facilitate cleaning.
b. Operating instructions must be permanently attached to all filters, regardless of type.
c. All filtration systems, regardless of type, must be equipped with inlet and outlet pressure gauges and other gauges in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
d. Regardless of type, the filtration system must be equipped with flow metering equipment to ensure that water flow does not exceed the prescribed rate.
(4) Chemical disinfection.
a. Recreational aquatic spray grounds must employ a type of chemical disinfectant that is approved under state law for use with a spa.
b. Recreational aquatic spray grounds must be designed and maintained so that free available disinfectant levels meet state requirements for chemical disinfection of a spa.
c. Recreational aquatic spray grounds must employ automatic feeders for dispensing of disinfectant.
d. RASG must be equipped with chemical metering equipment that monitors and records data regarding free available disinfectant levels to ensure that such levels are maintained at the prescribed level.
e. The free available disinfectant levels shall be manually tested and recorded at least once during each operating day.
f. RASG must employ a mechanism that causes the spray features to automatically turn off and prevents them from re-starting in the event free available disinfectant levels fall outside the ratio prescribed by state law for the type of disinfectant in use.
g. Chemical dispensing and metering equipment shall be cleaned, maintained and repaired in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
(5) Ultraviolet light sanitization.
a. Each pump providing water to the spray pad must be equipped with a UV sanitization unit consisting of a bulb, quartz sleeve, light meter and other associated components.
b. All water that is provided to the spray pad shall be treated with ultraviolet light that has a validated dosage equivalent to 40mJ/cm2 or greater at the end of lamp life or an alternate dosage that is proven to result in a three log kill of cryptosporidium. Documentation of the effectiveness of an alternate dosage must be submitted to the director for approval.
c. Each UV sanitization unit must be of a make and model that has been validated. Validation consists of review and testing performed by an independent agency that has been approved by the director. A list of approved validation agencies shall be kept by the director and made available on request.
d. For units utilizing quartz sleeves to separate the water passing through the chamber from the UV source, the unit shall be designed to permit cleaning of the lamp jackets and the sensor window or lens without mechanical disassembly. For units utilizing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) surface materials to separate the water that flows through the UV chamber from the lamps, the UV unit shall be designed to be readily accessible to the interior and exterior of the PTFE. The UV unit shall be designed to permit use of either physical or chemical cleaning methods.
e. An accurately calibrated UV light intensity meter, properly filtered to restrict its sensitivity to the sanitization spectrum, shall be installed in the wall of the sanitization chamber at the point of greatest water depth from the tube or tubes.
f. An automatic shut-off device shall be installed to prevent flow to the spray features in the event the UV light intensity decreases below the validated setpoint.
g. An automatic, audible alarm shall be installed to warn of UV light sanitization unit malfunction or impending shutdown.
h. The UV sanitization unit shall be designed to protect the operator against electrical shock or excessive radiation.
i. The unit shall be installed in an enclosure that protects the unit from sunlight and from extremes of temperature.
j. A spare UV lamp and other necessary equipment shall be provided on-site to allow for prompt repair by qualified personnel properly instructed in the operation and maintenance of the equipment.
k. The UV light unit shall be located so that all water entering the spray pad is exposed to ultraviolet light immediately before such water is dispensed through a spray feature.
l. The UV light units and light intensity meters shall be cleaned, maintained and repaired in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
m. The UV lamp(s) shall be replaced when decreased ultraviolet light intensity is due to lamp failure.
(6) Precipitation, waste water and drainage system.
a. All RASG shall be designed and built so that rain and other precipitation ordinarily drains to the storm sewer system.
b. All RASG shall be designed and built so that waste water discharges to the sanitary sewer system.
c. Waste water from the RASG, including filter backwash, shall be introduced to the sanitary sewer system through an air gap equal to at least twice the diameter of the drain pipe or by another method that will prevent backflow and back-siphonage.
(7) Fencing. The RASG perimeter must be enclosed or fenced in order to minimize the risk of contamination of the spray pad surface by animals and animal waste. Acceptable fencing types include chain link; wood or wood-like composites with slats spaced no more than four inches apart; and iron bars spaced no more than four inches apart.
(8) Signage.
a. Each RASG entry point must be posted with a sign prohibiting:
1. Bringing pets into the spray ground;
2. Drinking the water from spray features; and
3. Changing diapers inside the recreational aquatic spray ground.
b. The prohibitions required to be included under this subsection (b) must be posted in letters that are at least one inch tall.
(9) Building codes. Every newly constructed or extensively remodeled RASG must be constructed and maintained so as to comply with all applicable federal, state and local building codes in effect for pools and spas at the time the construction or remodeling occurs.
(Ord. 18521-03-2009, § 2, passed 3-31-2009)