The purpose of these rules and regulations is to:
A. Protect the public potable water supply served by the
Middleton Water Division from the possibility of contamination or pollution
by isolating such contaminants or pollutants which could backflow or backsiphon
into the public water supply system.
B. Promote the elimination or control of existing cross-connections,
actual or potential, between the Middleton Water System and the customer's
nonpotable water system.
C. Provide for the maintenance of a continuing program of
cross-connection control which will effectively prevent the contamination
or pollution of all potable water systems.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
AIR GAP SEPARATION
The method of preventing backflow through the use of an unobstructed
vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from
any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other device
and the flood level rim of the receptacle.
APPROVED
Accepted by the Middleton Water Division as meeting an applicable
specification stated or cited in this regulation or as suitable for the proposed
use.
ATMOSPHERIC VACUUM BREAKER
An approved backflow device used to prevent backsiphonage which is
not designed for use under static line pressure.
AUXILIARY WATER SUPPLY
Any water supply on or available to the premises other than the supplier's
approved public potable water supply.
BACKFLOW
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, or substances into
the distribution or service pipes of a potable water supply from any source
other than the intended source.
BACKFLOW PREVENTER WITH INTERMEDIATE ATMOSPHERIC VENT
A device having two independently operating check valves separated
by an intermediate chamber with a means for automatically venting it to the
atmosphere, in which the check valves are force loaded to a normally closed
position and the venting means if force loaded to a normally open position.
BACK PRESSURE
Pressure created by mechanical means or other means which causes
water or other liquids or substances to flow or move in a direction opposite
to that which is intended.
BACKSIPHONAGE
A form of backflow resulting from reduced or subatmospheric pressure
within a water system.
BAROMETRIC LOOP
A loop of pipe rising at least 35 feet, at its topmost point, above
the highest fixture it supplies.
CONTAMINANT
Any physical, chemical, biological or radiological substance or matter.
CROSS-CONNECTION
Any actual or potential connection between a distribution pipe of
potable water from the public water system and any waste pipe, soil pipe,
sewer, drain, or other unapproved source.
CROSS-CONNECTION VIOLATION FORM
A violation form designated by the Town which is sent to the owner
by the water supplier delineating cross-connection violations found on the
owner's premises and a procedure for corrective action.
DEP
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
DESIGN DATA SHEET
A report form, designed by the Town, which is submitted to the Town
along with plans for each installation of a reduced-pressure backflow preventer
or double check valve assembly, or for each change to any device already installed,
describing and showing the details of the specific installation.
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY (DCVA)
A backflow prevention device which incorporates an assembly of check
valves, with shutoff valves at each end and appurtenances for testing.
HEALTH HAZARD
An actual or potential threat of contamination to the potable water
in the public water system which, in the opinion of the DEP or the Town of
Middleton, may endanger health.
IN-PLANT PROTECTION
The location of approved backflow prevention devices in a manner
which provides simultaneous protection of the public water system and the
potable water system within the premises.
INSPECTION
The physical examination and testing of an installed backflow prevention
device by a certified backflow prevention device tester, to verify that the
backflow prevention device is functioning properly.
OWNER
Any person maintaining a cross-connection installation or owning
or occupying premises on which cross-connections can or do exist.
PERMIT
A document issued by the Town which allows a cross-connection installation.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, company, association, trust, partnership,
the commonwealth, a municipality, district, or other subdivision or instrumentality
of the United States.
POTABLE WATER
Any water from any source which has been approved by the DEP for
human consumption.
PRESSURE VACUUM BREAKER
An approved backflow prevention device designed to prevent only backsiphonage
and which is designed for use under static line pressure and which has necessary
appurtenances for testing.
REDUCED-PRESSURE BACKFLOW PREVENTER (RPBP)
An approved backflow prevention device incorporating:
A.
Two or more check valves.
B.
An automatically operating differential relief valve located between
the two checks.
D.
Necessary appurtenances for testing.
REVIEWING AUTHORITY
The Town, its designee, or the local plumbing inspector, authorized
by MGL c. 142 and licensed by the Board of State Examiners and Gas Fitters,
whichever is responsible for the review and approval of the installation of
an approved backflow prevention device.
UNAPPROVED SOURCE
The source or distribution system for any water or other liquid or
substance which has not been approved by the DEP as being safe and sanitary
quality for human consumption, including but not limited to any waste pipe,
sewer, drain, or nonacceptable potable water system material.
WATER DIVISION
The Water Division of the Department of Public Works for the Town
of Middleton.
The cross-connection program for the Town of Middleton will be administered
by the following personnel:
A. Superintendent of Public Works. The Superintendent of
Public Works will be responsible for full compliance of the program, which
includes the hiring of qualified and certified staff and/or private contractors
to implement the program, as well as making sure that the staff is properly
trained. The Superintendent will also be responsible for taking any and all
enforcement actions, when necessary.
B. Program coordinator. The program coordinator, who is
also the Town's water system operator, will be responsible for:
(1) Conducting the public education program.
(2) Supervising the surveys and inspections program.
(3) Keeping the records of all results of surveys and inspections.
(4) Assist in preparing and sending notifications.
(5) Assisting the Town's outside contractor in conducting
and coordinating QA/QC of surveys and design reviews.
(6) Submitting reports to DEP.
(7) Assisting the Town's outside contractor in reviewing
and approving design data sheets and plans for proposed new installations
of reduced-pressure backflow preventers, double check valve assemblies, and
air gap separations with tank and pump arrangements.
C. Tester. The Town of Middleton may use the services of
an outside contractor who is properly certified, licensed and insured as its
certified backflow prevention device tester. The tester will work directly
with the program coordinator to coordinate scheduling of tests.
D. Current staffing in place: water systems operator/program
coordinator.
The Superintendent of Public Works recognizes the threat to the public
water system arising from cross-connections. As such, the Water Division,
whereas it is responsible for the quality of the public water supply, may
require cross-connection prevention devices on the water service entrance
to any customer who, as a result of unprotected cross-connections, could contaminate
the public water supply system. All associated costs would be the responsibility
of the owner.
Any existing backflow preventer device shall be allowed by the Water
Division to continue in service unless the degree of hazard is such as to
supersede the effectiveness of the present backflow preventer. Where the degree
of hazard has increased, as in the case of a residential installation converting
to a business establishment, a reduced-pressure backflow preventer must be
installed.
The fee structure shall be established by the Middleton Board of Selectmen
acting in their capacity as Middleton Water Commissioners and shall be attached.