CHAPTER 14WATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS64114.1(714) Purpose. The purpose of these rules is to establish the requirements and procedures for the registration and sale of water treatment systems. These rules are established pursuant to Iowa Code section 714.16, which prohibits a person selling, leasing or renting, or advertising the sale, lease or rental of a water treatment system in Iowa from making false or deceptive representations that the water treatment system will reduce the concentration of one or more contaminants in drinking water.64114.2(714) Applicability. The provisions of this chapter apply to the seller and manufacturer of a water treatment system offered for sale, lease, or rent in Iowa for which representations are made that the water treatment system will reduce the concentration of one or more contaminants in drinking water. Individual water treatment systems installed as central treatment for a public water system under the rules of the Iowa department of natural resources are not required to comply with these rules.64114.3(714) Definitions.
"Annual registration" means the renewal of registration of a water treatment system for years subsequent to the initial registration.
"ANSI" means the American National Standards Institute, 25 W. 43rd Street, New York, New York 10036. ANSI reviews and accredits testing agencies and the standards processes of agencies that generate and maintain product standards.
"Buyer" means the person to whom a water treatment system is being sold, leased, or rented.
"Consumer information pamphlet" means a publication which explains water quality, health effects, quality expectations for drinking water, and the effectiveness and functions of water treatment systems.
"Consummation of sale" means the completion of the act of selling, leasing, or renting. Where the water treatment system is ordered by telephone, mail, or Internet, “consummation of sale” means delivery.
"Contaminant" means any particulate, chemical, microbiological, or radiological substance or parameter in drinking water which has a potentially adverse health effect and for which a maximum contaminant level (MCL) has been established. “Contaminant” does not include chlorine, chloramine, or chlorine dioxide. A substance or parameter becomes a contaminant on the effective date of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) rule establishing the MCL in the national primary drinking water regulations.
"Department" means the Iowa Department of Public Health, Lucas State Office Building, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075.
"Drinking water" means water intended for human consumption.
"Initial registration" means the first registration of a water treatment system after performance testing.
"Label" means the written, printed, or graphic matter attached to or printed on the water treatment system so it is not likely to be separated during normal shipping and handling and that can only be removed with a purposeful effort by the owner.
"Manufacturer’s performance data sheet" "PDS" means a booklet, document, or other printed material that contains, at a minimum, the information required pursuant to Iowa Code section 714.16 and that meets the requirements of 641—14.7(714).
"Maximum contaminant level" "MCL," as used in these rules, means a maximum contaminant level, or an action level, or a treatment technique requirement established in lieu of a maximum contaminant level, as specified in the national primary drinking water regulations (40 CFR 141).
"NSF" means NSF International, 789 Dixboro Road, P.O. Box 130140, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48113-0140. NSF maintains performance and testing standards for water treatment systems.
"Performance indication device" "PID" means an automatic, effective means to warn the user when a water treatment system requires service, typically after a fixed time or volume of water.
"Performance testing" means:
- The third-party laboratory testing of a water treatment system in accordance with an approved performance testing protocol; or
- The testing of a water treatment system by the manufacturer in accordance with an approved performance testing protocol followed by an audit of the manufacturer’s performance testing facilities and data by a third-party testing agency.
"Seller" means the person offering a water treatment system for sale, lease, or rent.
"State hygienic laboratory" means the University Hygienic Laboratory, University of Iowa, Oakdale Campus, Iowa City, Iowa 52242.
"Surrogate" means a substance or parameter that is reduced in concentration by a water treatment system and for which the reduction has been shown to reliably represent the reduction in concentration of one or more contaminants.
"Third-party testing agency" means an independent laboratory that is approved by the department to conduct performance testing of water treatment systems or to conduct audits of manufacturers’ performance testing facilities and data.
"Water treatment system" means a device or assembly for which a claim is made that it will improve the quality of public or private drinking water by reducing the concentration of one or more contaminants through mechanical, physical, chemical, or biological processes or a combination of processes. Each model of a water treatment system shall be deemed a distinct water treatment system.
64114.4(714) Performance testing. A water treatment system shall be tested for performance by a third-party testing agency or by the manufacturer. If the manufacturer does the performance testing, the provisions of 14.4(3) shall apply. 14.4(1) Standards. The performance testing shall be conducted in accordance with the applicable standard(s) from Table 1 or in accordance with a protocol approved by the state hygienic laboratory. Performance testing shall include an evaluation of structural integrity and of the water contact materials of the water treatment system in accordance with the applicable standard(s) listed in Table 1 or methods approved by the state hygienic laboratory.Table 1Treatment ProcessNSF/ANSI StandardMechanical filtration531Carbon adsorption/filtration531Reverse osmosis582Cation exchange softening443Ion exchange except softening531UV disinfection, Class A554Distillation6251Drinking Water Treatment Units-Health Effects, 20072Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Systems, 20073Residential Cation Exchange Water Softeners, 20074Ultraviolet Microbiological Water Treatment Systems, 20075Drinking Water Distillation Systems, 2007 14.4(2) Alternate performance testing protocols. If a water treatment system is not tested in accordance with a standard(s) in Table 1, the manufacturer of the water treatment system shall submit an alternate performance testing protocol for the water treatment system to the department. a. The submission shall include, but may not be limited to, the following information: (1) The name and address of the manufacturer and the name, address, telephone number, and E-mail address of the manufacturer’s representative. (2) The brand name, model number, and trade names of each water treatment system requiring performance testing. The manufacturer shall state whether each water treatment system will be performance tested or if one water treatment system will be performance tested and the results used to represent the performance of other water treatment systems. The manufacturer shall provide justification that the performance testing of one water treatment system will reliably represent the performance of other water treatment systems. (3) A detailed drawing with part numbers identifying each component of the water treatment system. Where applicable, this includes, but may not be limited to, pre- and post-filters, storage tank, dispensing unit (faucet), booster pump, and the main treatment module. Replaceable components shall be specifically identified and the approximate treatment capacity or replacement frequency shall be stated. (4) Identification of the water treatment system materials that are in contact with the water and of any chemical added to the drinking water by the water treatment system. (5) Specification of the pressure, flow and temperature requirements and limits for the water treatment system. (6) A list of the contaminants claimed to be reduced by the water treatment system. (7) A statement indicating whether the water treatment system will be advertised and sold to treat water that is microbiologically unsafe as defined in NSF/ANSI standard 53. (8) A detailed description of the performance testing protocol including, but not necessarily limited to:- Products that are given different model numbers by the manufacturer will be considered to be separate models unless the manufacturer can demonstrate that the products are identical.
- Products that are similar but have different capacities, flow rates, or daily production rates will be considered to be separate models.
- Products that are similar but make different contaminant reduction claims will be considered separate models.
- Replacement components that are part of a registered water treatment system will not be considered separate models.
- A schematic of the test rig with specifications for the critical components and instrumentation.
- Characterization of the general test water and the challenge water, including the level of the challenge parameter(s) in the water. A justification for the level of the challenge parameter(s) shall be provided.
- Details of how the general test water and the challenge water are prepared.
- Water pressure, flow rate and temperature during the test.
- Sample schedule for influent and effluent water.
- Analytical methods for the challenge parameter(s).
- Performance standard for the challenge parameter(s).
- Manufacturer’s name.
- Model number of the water treatment system.
- Replacement element(s) designation.
- Rated capacity, if applicable.
- Service flow rate, if applicable.
- Daily production rate, if applicable.
- List of the contaminants for which the water treatment system has been tested.