In order to ensure that the water produced meets TCEQ standards, each surface water treatment plant must have a surface water operator on duty at all times when the plant is in operation or the plant must be provided with:

For a surface water treatment plant to comply with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) standards, it is essential to maintain water quality effectively, especially during operational hours. The correct answer emphasizes the necessity for advanced monitoring and automated systems that ensure the water produced meets safety and quality criteria even in the absence of a trained operator.

Having continuous turbidity and disinfectant residual monitors allows the plant to constantly assess the water quality. If any parameters fall outside acceptable limits, automatic alarm systems alert personnel to address the issue immediately. Additionally, an automatic shutdown system serves as a critical safety feature that can prevent the distribution of potentially unsafe water if malfunction or contamination is detected.

This level of technological integration is particularly important because it provides a fail-safe mechanism, ensuring that water quality remains consistent even during unexpected situations, such as operator absence. Enhanced monitoring and control reduce reliance on human intervention, which can be prone to errors or delays, thus elevating the level of safety and compliance with TCEQ standards.

In contrast, options such as a regular maintenance schedule, manual control systems, or extra personnel on standby do not provide the same level of real-time oversight and immediate response capability as the continuous monitoring system outlined in the correct answer. While these options contribute to the overall