SECTION 363.11. Water Supply Protection Specialist Endorsement

(a) To be eligible for a Water Supply Protection Specialist Endorsement an applicant must:

(1) hold a current Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber License, or Plumbing Inspector License; and

(2) complete an approved training program based on the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and the Federal Clean Water Act, on-site wastewater and site evaluations and graywater re-use, water quality training and water treatment, water utilities systems and regulations, water conservation, rainwater harvesting systems, xeriscape irrigation, fire protection systems, backflow prevention, and state laws regulating lead contamination in drinking water.

(b) At a minimum the training program required by subsection (a)(2) of this section shall be at least twenty-four (24) hours with a maximum of eight (8) hours of instruction per day and include:

(1) a six (6) hour review of the significance of cross-connections, the principles of back pressure and back siphonage, thermal expansion, the acceptable devices and/or requirements for a public water supply system including, but not limited to, approved backflow protection devices, shut-off valves, water meters, and containment vessels;

(2) a two (2) hour review of the applicable standards, codes, and laws, including, but not limited to: the Plumbing License Law, Board rules, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality rules relating to a public water supply and water reuse, as described in the Texas Water Development Board's Rainwater Harvesting Manual, and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service recommendations;

(3) a four (4) hour review of the specific parts and terminology, and the concepts and components of a rainwater harvesting system, including proper sizing for all water reuse systems;

(4) an eight (8) hour review of the acceptable type, material, location, limitation, and correct installation of equipment related to the treatment and reuse of water;

(5) four (4) hours devoted to the elements of a proper customer service inspection as required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; and

(6) information specific to rainwater harvesting as outlined in the latest edition of the Texas Water Development Board's Rainwater Harvesting Manual.

(c) In addition to the information described in subsection (b)(6) of this section, a training program may include the latest edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code Rainwater Harvesting Seminar Manual, the latest edition of the International Plumbing Code, or the International Green Construction Code.

Source Note: The provisions of this §363.11 adopted to be effective September 1, 2017, 42 TexReg 3771; amended to be effective February 16, 2023, 48 TexReg 682