37.106.2512    RETIREMENT HOMES: WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM

(1) The department hereby adopts and incorporates by reference ARM 17.38.207, stating maximum microbiological contaminant levels for public water supply systems, and the following circulars establishing construction, operation, and maintenance standards for spring, surface water, wells and cisterns:

(a) Circular WQB-1 entitled "Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences Standards for Water Works" (1992 Edition) ;

(b) Circular WQB-3 entitled "Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences Standards for Small Water Systems" (1992 Edition) ;

(c) Circular #17 entitled "Cisterns for Water Supplies." Copies of ARM 17.38.207 and circulars WQB-1, WQB-3 and #17 may be obtained from the Water Quality Bureau (WQB) , Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) , Metcalf Building, 1520 East 6th Avenue, P.O. Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620-0901.

(2) A retirement home must provide an adequate and potable supply of water. The retirement home must:

(a) connect to a public water supply system approved by the department of environmental quality; or

(b) if the retirement home is not utilized by more than 25 persons daily at least 60 days out of the calendar year, including guests, staff, and residents, and an adequate public water supply system is not accessible, utilize a nonpublic system whose construction and operation meet those standards established in one of the following circulars:

(i) Circular WQB-1 entitled "Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences Standards for Water Works" (1992 Edition) ;

(ii) Circular WQB-3 entitled "Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences Standards for Small Water Systems" (1992 Edition) ;

(iii) Circular #17 entitled "Cisterns for Water Supplies."

(3) If a nonpublic water supply system is used in accordance with (2) (b) , a retirement home must:

(a) submit a water sample at least quarterly to a laboratory licensed by the department of environmental quality to perform microbiological analysis of water supplies in order to determine that the water does not exceed the maximum microbiological contaminant levels stated in ARM 17.38.207.

(4) A retirement home must replace or repair the water supply system serving it whenever the water supply:

(a) contains microbiological contaminants in excess of the maximum levels contained in ARM 17.38.207; or

(b) does not have the capacity to provide adequate water for drinking, cooking, personal hygiene, laundry, and water-carried waste disposal.

(5) Handsinks and bathing facilities must be provided with water at a temperature of at least 100 º F and not more than 120 º F.

(6) Ice must be:

(a) obtained from a licensed supplier if it is not made from the retirement home's water supply;

(b) manufactured, stored, handled, transported and served in a manner which is approved by the department or local health authority as preventing contamination of the ice.

(7) Where open bin ice storage is provided, an ice scoop must be readily available for use by residents or the management and stored either inside the bin or in a closed container protected from contamination.

(8) Ice storage bins may not be connected directly to any trap, drain, receptacle sink or sewer which discharges waste or to any other source of contamination. A minimum of a four inches air gap is required between the ice storage bin drain and any waste discharge.

History: Sec. 50-5-103, MCA; IMP, Sec. 50-5-103 and 50-5-214, MCA; NEW, 1996 MAR p. 1867, Eff. 7/4/96; TRANS, from DHES, 2002 MAR p. 185.