(a) All approved surface water utilized by a supplier shall be treated using one of the following filtration technologies unless an alternative process has been approved by the State Board pursuant to subsections (e), (f), (g), and (h):

(b) Conventional filtration treatment shall be deemed to be capable of achieving at least 99.7 percent removal of Giardia lamblia cysts, 99 percent removal of viruses, and 99 percent removal of Cryptosporidium when in compliance with operating criteria specified in section 64660 and performance standards specified in table 64653. Direct filtration treatment, diatomaceous earth filtration, and slow sand filtration shall be deemed to be capable of achieving at least 99 percent removal of Giardia lamblia cysts, 90 percent removal of viruses, and 99 percent removal of Cryptosporidium when in compliance with operating criteria specified in section 64660 and performance standards specified in table 64653.

(c) A supplier shall comply with the combined filter effluent turbidity performance standards in table 64653 for each treatment plant while the plant is in operation:

(d) To obtain approval for a higher removal efficiency than that specified in subsection (b), a water supplier shall demonstrate to the State Board that the higher removal efficiency can be reliably obtained.

(e) An alternative to the filtration technologies specified in subsection (a) may be used provided that the supplier demonstrates to the State Board that the alternative technology:

(f) The alternative filtration technology demonstration shall be based on the results from a prior equivalency demonstration or a testing of a full scale installation that is treating a water with similar characteristics and is exposed to similar hazards as the water proposed for treatment. A pilot plant test of the water to be treated may also be used for this demonstration if conducted with the approval of the State Board. The demonstration shall be presented in an engineering report prepared by a qualified engineer.

(g) A supplier proposing to use an alternative filtration technology may request from the State Board a waiver to comply with the requirements of subsection (e) to demonstrate 90 percent virus removal. The request shall be based on a watershed sanitary survey conducted in accordance with section 64665, within 12 months of the date of the request, that demonstrates a lack of virus hazard in the watershed.

(h) The State Board's approval of alternative filtration technologies, including establishment of performance standards and monitoring requirements, shall be done in accordance with the permit process specified in sections 116525 through 116550 of the Health and Safety Code.

(i) Within 60 days following the first full year of operation of a new alternative filtration treatment process approved by the State Board, the supplier shall submit an engineering report prepared by a qualified engineer describing the effectiveness of the plant operation. The report shall include results of all water quality tests performed and shall evaluate compliance with established performance standards under actual operating conditions. It shall also include an assessment of problems experienced, corrective actions needed, and a schedule for providing needed improvements.