WSPS
Applicants for the Water Supply Protection Specialist Endorsement Examination must complete 24 hours of classroom training covering the protection of public and private potable water supplies, as required by the plumbing codes and state laws and regulations and rainwater harvesting as outlined in the latest edition of the Texas Water Development Board’s Rainwater Harvesting Manual.
Upon successful completion of this course will quality you to perform customer service inspections, as defined by rule of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the
installation, service, and repair of plumbing associated with the treatment, use, and distribution of rainwater to supply a plumbing fixture or appliance.
Customer Service Inspection
A customer service inspection is an examination of the private water distribution facility for the purpose of providing or denying water service. The inspection is limited to the identification and prevention of cross-connections, potential contaminant hazards, and illegal lead materials. Customer service inspections are completed before providing continuous water service to new construction, on any existing service where there is reason to believe that cross-connections or other potential contaminant hazards exist, or after any material improvement, correction, or addition to private water distribution facilities.
Plumbing License Law
- 1301.002 DEFINITIONS
- “Water supply protection specialist” means a person who holds an endorsement issued by the board to engage in:
- (A) customer service inspections, as defined by rule of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; and
- (B) the installation, service, and repair of plumbing associated with the treatment, use, and distribution use of rainwater to supply a plumbing fixture or appliance.
- 301.357 ENDORSEMENT: WATER SUPPLY PROTECTION SPECIALIST.
- (a) A person licensed under this chapter may not act as a water supply protection specialist unless the person holds an endorsement issued under this section.
- (b) The board shall issue an endorsement as a water supply protection specialist to a person who:
- (1) is licensed under this chapter as a master plumber or journeyman plumber;
- (2) applies to the board on a form prescribed by the board;
- (3) pays a fee set by the board;
- (4) presents evidence satisfactory to the board of successful completion of a certification program approved by the board for water supply protection specialists; and
- (5) passes an examination required by the board.
- (c) An endorsement issued under this section is valid until the third anniversary of the date of issuance and may be renewed on compliance with any requirements prescribed by board rule.
- (d) A person who holds an endorsement under this section may represent to the public that the person is a water supply protection specialist
- (e) A person is not required to hold a water supply protection specialist endorsement if the person is employed by:
- (1) a political subdivision; or
- (2) an electric utility as defined by Section 31.002, Utilities Code.
TSBPE Rules
- (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 a Board-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, or the latest edition of the International Plumbing Code or the International Green Construction Code.