[Added 8-26-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-11]
The purpose of this article is to abate or control
actual or potential cross-connections and protect the public health.
This article provides for establishment and enforcement of a program
of cross-connection control and backflow prevention in accordance
with the Commonwealth of Virginia, State Board of Health, Waterworks
Regulations 1995, or as amended. This article is directed at service
line protection (containment).
The authority for this article is the Commonwealth
of Virginia, Department of Health Waterworks Regulations, Part II,
Article 3, Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention in Waterworks.
A.
The Toms Brook-Maurertown Sanitary District shall
administer and enforce the provisions of this article under the direction
of the Director of Public Utilities.
B.
It shall be the duty of the Toms Brook-Maurertown
Sanitary District to cause assessment to be made of properties served
by the waterworks where cross-connection with the waterworks is deemed
possible. The method of determining potential cross-connection with
the waterworks and the administrative procedures shall be established
by the Toms Brook-Maurertown Sanitary District in a Cross-Connection
Control Program (program) approved by the Commonwealth of Virginia,
Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water (ODW).
C.
The responsibility to carry out the program lies with
the Chief Operator.
A.
Upon request, the owner or occupants of property served
shall furnish to the Chief Operator pertinent information regarding
the consumer's water supply system or systems on such property for
the purpose of assessing the consumer's water supply system for cross-connection
hazards and determining the degree of hazard, if any. The refusal
of such information, when requested, shall be deemed evidence of the
presence of a high-degree-of-hazard cross-connection.
B.
Notice of violation. Any consumer's water supply system
owner found to be in violation of any provision of this article shall
be served a written notice of violation sent by certified mail to
the consumer's water supply system owner's last known address, stating
the nature of the violation, corrective action required and providing
a reasonable time limit, not to exceed 30 days, from the date of receipt
of the notice of violation, to bring the consumer's water supply system
into compliance with this article or have water service terminated.
C.
Penalties. Any owner of properties served by a connection
to the waterworks found guilty of violating any of the provisions
of this article, or any written order of the County Administrator,
or other chief administrative officer in pursuance thereof, shall
be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall
be punished by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 for
each violation. Each day upon which a violation of the provisions
of this article shall occur shall be deemed a separate and additional
violation for the purpose of this article.
Effective cross-connection control and backflow
prevention requires the cooperation of the Toms Brook-Maurertown Sanitary
District, the Chief Operator, the owner(s) of the property served,
the Local Building Official and the backflow prevention device tester.
A.
The program shall be carried out in accordance with
the Commonwealth of Virginia, State Board of Health, Waterworks Regulations
and shall, at a minimum, provide containment of potential contaminants
at the consumer's service connection.
B.
The Toms Brook-Maurertown Sanitary District has full
responsibility for water quality and for the construction, maintenance
and operation of the waterworks beginning at the water source and
ending at the service connection.
C.
The Toms Brook-Maurertown Sanitary District shall,
to the extent of its jurisdiction, provide continuing identification
and evaluation of all cross-connection hazards. This shall include
an assessment of each consumer's water supply system for cross-connections,
to be followed by requirement, if necessary, of installation of a
backflow prevention device or separation. Assessments shall be performed
at least annually.
D.
In the event of the backflow of pollution or contamination
into the waterworks, the Toms Brook-Maurertown Sanitary District shall
promptly take or cause corrective action to be taken to confine and
eliminate the pollution or contamination. The Toms Brook-Maurertown
Sanitary District shall report to the appropriate Commonwealth of
Virginia, Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water in the most
expeditious manner (usually by telephone) when backflow occurs and
shall submit a written report by the 10th day of the month following
the month during which backflow occurred addressing the incident,
its causes, effects, and preventive or control measures required or
taken.
E.
The Toms Brook-Maurertown Sanitary District shall
take positive action to ensure that the waterworks is adequately protected
from cross-connections and backflow at all times. If a cross-connection
exists or backflow occurs into a consumer's water supply system or
into the waterworks or if the consumer's water supply system causes
the pressure in the waterworks to be lowered below 10 psi gauge, the
Toms Brook-Maurertown Sanitary District may discontinue the water
service to the consumer, and water service shall not be restored until
the deficiencies have been corrected or eliminated to the satisfaction
of the Toms Brook-Maurertown Sanitary District.
F.
In order to protect the occupants of a premises, the
Chief Operator should inform the consumer's water supply system owner(s)
of any cross-connection beyond the service connection that should
be abated or controlled by application of an appropriate backflow
prevention device or separation. An appropriate backflow prevention
device or separation should be applied at each point-of-use and/or
applied to the consumer's water supply system, isolating an area which
may be a health or pollution hazard to the consumer's water supply
system or to the waterworks.
G.
Records of backflow prevention devices, separations,
and consumer's water supply systems, including inspection records,
records of backflow incidents, and records of device tests, shall
be maintained by the Toms Brook-Maurertown Sanitary District for 10
years.
A.
The consumer's water supply system owner(s), at his/her
expense, shall install, operate, test, and maintain required backflow
prevention devices or backflow prevention by separations.
B.
The consumer's water supply system owner(s) shall
provide copies of test results, maintenance records and overhaul records
to the Toms Brook-Maurertown Sanitary District within 30 days of completion
of testing or work. Such testing or work shall have been performed
by device testers which have obtained a certificate of completion
of a course recognized by the American Water Works Association, the
Virginia Department of Health or the Virginia Cross-Connection Control
Association for cross-connection control and backflow prevention inspection,
maintenance and testing or otherwise be certified by a Commonwealth
of Virginia tradesman certification program.
A.
Service line protection. Backflow prevention device
or separation shall be installed at the service connection to a consumer's
water supply system where, in the judgment of the Toms Brook-Maurertown
Sanitary District, a health or pollutional hazard to the consumer's
water supply system or to the waterworks exists or may exist unless
such hazards are abated or controlled to the satisfaction of the Toms
Brook-Maurertown Sanitary District.
B.
Special conditions.
(1)
When, as a matter of practicality, the backflow
prevention device or separation cannot be installed at the service
connection, the device or separation may be located downstream of
the service connection but prior to any unprotected takeoffs.
(2)
Where all actual or potential cross-connections
can be easily correctable at each point-of-use and where the consumer's
water supply system is not intricate or complex, point-of-use isolation
protection by application of an appropriate backflow prevention device
or backflow prevention by separation may be used at each point-of-use
in lieu of installing a containment device at the service connection.
C.
A backflow prevention device or backflow prevention
by separation shall be installed at each service connection to a consumer's
water supply system serving premises where the following conditions
exist:
(1)
Premises on which any substance is handled in
such a manner as to create an actual or potential hazard to a waterworks
(this shall include premises having auxiliary water systems or having
sources or systems containing process fluids or waters originating
from a waterworks which are no longer under the control of the waterworks
owner).
(2)
Premises having internal cross-connections that,
in the judgment of the Toms Brook-Maurertown Sanitary District, may
not be easily correctable or intricate plumbing arrangements which
make it impracticable to determine whether or not cross-connections
exist.
(3)
Premises where, because of security requirement
or other prohibitions or restrictions, it is impossible or impractical
to make an evaluation of all cross-connection hazards.
(4)
Premises having a repeated history of cross-connections
being established or reestablished.
(5)
Other premises specified by the Toms Brook-Maurertown
Sanitary District where cause can be shown that a potential cross-connection
hazard not enumerated above exists.
D.
Premises having booster pumps or fire pumps connected
to the waterworks shall have the pumps equipped with a pressure-sensing
device to shut off or regulate the flow from the booster pump when
the pressure in the waterworks drops to a minimum of 10 psi gauge
at the service connection.
E.
An approved backflow prevention device or backflow prevention by separation shall be installed at each service connection to a consumer's water supply system or installed under special conditions, Subsection B service, but not necessarily limited to, the following types of facilities:
(1)
Hospitals, mortuaries, clinics, veterinary establishments,
nursing homes, dental offices and medical buildings;
(2)
Laboratories;
(3)
Piers, docks, waterfront facilities;
(4)
Sewage treatment plants, sewage pumping stations,
or stormwater pumping stations;
(5)
Food and beverage processing plants;
(6)
Chemical plants, dyeing plants and pharmaceutical
plants;
(7)
Metal plating industries;
(8)
Petroleum or natural gas processing or storage
plants;
(9)
Radioactive materials processing plants or nuclear
reactors;
(10)
Car washes and laundries;
(11)
Lawn sprinkler systems, irrigation systems;
(12)
Fire service systems;
(13)
Slaughterhouses and poultry processing plants;
(14)
Farms where the water is used for other than
household purposes;
(15)
Commercial greenhouses and nurseries;
(16)
Health clubs with swimming pools, therapeutic
baths, hot tubs or saunas;
(17)
Paper and paper products plants and printing
plants;
(18)
Pesticide or exterminating companies and their
vehicles with storage or mixing tanks;
(19)
Schools or colleges with laboratory facilities;
(20)
High-rise buildings four or more stories);
(21)
Multiuse commercial, office, or warehouse facilities;
(22)
Others specified by the Toms Brook-Maurertown
Sanitary District when reasonable cause can be shown for a potential
backflow or cross-connection hazard.
F.
Where lawn sprinkler systems, irrigation systems or fire service systems are connected directly to the waterworks with a separate service connection, a backflow prevention device or backflow prevention by separation shall be installed at the service connection or installed under special conditions, Subsection B(1).
A.
The type of protection required shall depend on the
degree of hazard which exists or may exist.
(1)
The degree of hazard, either high, moderate,
or low, is based on the nature of the contaminant; the potential health
hazard; the probability of the backflow occurrence; the method of
backflow, either by backpressure or by backsiphonage; and the potential
effect on waterworks structures, equipment, and appurtenances used
in the storage, collection, purification, treatment, and distribution
of pure water.
B.
Types of protection.
(1)
An air gap or physical disconnection gives the
highest degree of protection and shall be used whenever practical
to do so in high-hazard situations subject to backpressure.
(2)
An air gap, physical disconnection and a reduced
pressure principle backflow prevention device will protect against
backpressure when operating properly.
(3)
Pressure vacuum breakers will not protect against
backpressure, but will protect against backsiphonage when operating
properly. Pressure vacuum breakers may be used in low-, moderate-,
or high-hazard situations subject to backsiphonage only.
(4)
A double gate-double check valve assembly shall
not be used in high-hazard situations.
(5)
Barometric loops are not acceptable.
(6)
Interchangeable connections or change-over devices
are not acceptable.
A.
Backflow prevention devices for containment include
the reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly, the double
gate-double check valve assembly, and the pressure vacuum breaker
assembly.
B.
Backflow prevention by separation shall be an air
gap or physical disconnection. The minimum air gap shall be twice
the effective opening of a potable water outlet unless the outlet
is a distance less than three times the effective opening away from
a wall or similar vertical surface, in which case the minimum air
gap shall be three times the effective opening of the outlet. In no
case shall the minimum air gap be less than one inch.
C.
Backflow prevention devices shall be of the approved
type and shall comply with the most recent American Water Works Association
standards and shall be approved for containment by the University
of Southern California, Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and
Hydraulic Research.
D.
Backflow prevention devices shall be installed in
a manner approved by the Toms Brook-Maurertown Sanitary District and
in accordance with the University of Southern California, Foundation
of Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research recommendations
and the manufacturer's installation instructions. Vertical or horizontal
positioning shall be as approved by the University of Southern California,
Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research.
E.
Existing backflow prevention devices approved by the Toms Brook-Maurertown Sanitary District prior to the effective date of this article shall, except for inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements be excluded from the requirements of § 130-148C and D if the Toms Brook-Maurertown Sanitary District is assured that the devices will protect the waterworks.
F.
For the purpose of application to special conditions, § 130-145B(2), point-of-use isolation devices or separations shall be as specified by the Toms Brook-Maurertown Sanitary District where reasonable assurance can be shown that the device or separation will protect the waterworks. At a minimum, point-of-use devices should bear an appropriate American Society of Sanitary Engineering Standard Number. See the Cross-Connection Control Program, Appendix A, for isolation device application.
G.
Backflow prevention devices with openings, outlets,
or vents that are designed to operate or open during backflow prevention
shall not be installed in pits or areas subject to flooding.
A.
It shall be the responsibility of the consumer's water supply system owner(s) to maintain all backflow prevention devices or separations installed in accordance with § 130-145 in good working order and to make no piping or other arrangements for the purpose of bypassing or defeating backflow prevention devices or separations.
B.
Operational testing and inspection schedules shall be established by the Toms Brook-Maurertown Sanitary District as outlined in the Cross-Connection Control Program for all backflow prevention devices and separations which are installed at the service connections or installed under special conditions, § 130-145. The interval between testing and inspection of each device shall be established in accordance with the age and condition of the device and the device manufacturer's recommendations. Backflow prevention device and separation inspection and testing intervals shall not exceed one year.
C.
Backflow prevention device overhaul procedures and
replacement parts shall be in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
D.
Backflow prevention device testing procedures shall
be in accordance with the University of Southern California, Foundation
for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research, Backflow Prevention
Assembly Field Test Procedure, and the manufacturer's instructions.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere
between the lowest point of the potable water outlet and the rim of
the receiving vessel.
Any water system on or available to the premises other than
the waterworks. These auxiliary waters may include water from a source
such as wells, lakes, or streams; or process fluids; or used water.
They may be polluted or contaminated or objectionable, or constitute
an unapproved water source or system over which the water purveyor
does not have control.
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, or substances
into a waterworks from any source or sources other than its intended
source.
Preventing backflow by either an air gap or by physical disconnection
of a waterworks by the removal or absence of pipes, fittings, or fixtures
that connect a waterworks directly or indirectly to a nonpotable system
or one of questionable quality.
Any approved device intended to prevent backflow into a waterworks.
Backflow caused by pressure in the downstream piping which
is superior to the supply pressure at the point of consideration.
Backflow caused by a reduction in pressure which causes a
partial vacuum creating a siphon effect.
A person who drinks water from a waterworks.
The water service pipe, water distributing pipes, and necessary
connecting pipes, fitting, control valves, and all appurtenances in
or adjacent to the building or premises.
The prevention of backflow into a waterworks from a consumer's
water supply system by a backflow prevention device or by backflow
prevention by separation at the service connection.
Any objectionable or hazardous physical, chemical, biological,
or radiological substance or matter in water.
Any connection to or structural arrangement of the waterworks,
direct or indirect, whereby backflow can occur.
Either a high, moderate or low hazard based on the nature
of the contaminant; the potential health hazard; the probability of
the backflow occurrence; the method of backflow either by backpressure
or by backsiphonage; and the potential effect on waterworks structures,
equipment, and appurtenances used in the storage, collection, purification,
treatment, and distribution of pure water.
A water main whose primary purpose is to provide treated
water to service connections.
The Commonwealth of Virginia, Virginia Department of Health,
Office of Water Programs, Division of Water Supply Engineering.
Normal family or household use, including drinking, laundering,
bathing, cooking, heating, cleaning and flushing toilets (see Appendix
A for Title 32.1, Chapter 6, Article 2, Code of Virginia, 1950, as
amended).
An approved assembly designed to prevent backsiphonage or
backpressure backflow and used for moderate- or low-hazard situations,
composed of two independently operating, spring-loaded check valves,
tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly
and fitted with properly located test cocks.
The place where water from the source is delivered to the
distribution system.
Any condition, device, or practice in a waterworks or its
operation that creates, or may create, a danger to the health and
well being of the water consumer.
The prevention of backflow into a waterworks from a consumer's
water supply system by a backflow prevention device or by backflow
prevention by separation at the sources of potential contamination
in the consumer's water supply system. This is also called "point-of-use
isolation." Isolation of an area or zone within a consumer's water
supply system confines the potential source of contamination to a
specific area or zone. This is called "area of zone isolation."
The maximum permissible level of contaminant in water which
is delivered to the free-flowing outlet of the ultimate user of a
waterworks, except in the cases of turbidity and VOCs, where the maximum
permissible level is measured at each entry point to the distribution
system. Contaminants added to the water under circumstances controlled
by the user, except those resulting from corrosion of piping and plumbing
caused by water quality, are excluded from this definition. Maximum
contaminant levels may be either "primary" (PMCL), meaning based on
health considerations, or "secondary" (SMCL), meaning based on aesthetic
considerations.
A receptacle or device which is either permanently or temporarily
connected to the water distribution system of the premises, and demands
a supply of water therefrom; or discharges used water, waste materials,
or sewage, either directly or indirectly, to the drainage system of
the premises; or requires both a water supply connection and a discharge
to the drainage system of the premises.
The presence of any foreign substance (chemical, physical,
radiological, or biological) in water that tends to degrade its quality
so as to constitute an unnecessary risk or impair the usefulness of
the water.
A condition through which an aesthetically objectionable
or degrading material may enter the waterworks or a consumer's water
system.
A piece of real estate; house or building and its land.
An approved assembly designed to prevent backsiphonage backflow
and used for high-, moderate-, or low- hazard situations, composed
of one or two independently operating, spring-loaded check valves;
an independently operating, spring-loaded air-inlet valve; tightly
closing shut-off valves located at each end of the assembly; and fitted
with properly located test cocks.
Any kind of fluid or solution, which may be chemically, biologically,
or otherwise contaminated or polluted which would constitute a health,
pollutional, or system hazard if introduced into the waterworks. This
includes, but is not limited to:
Polluted or contaminated water;
Process waters;
Used water, originating from the waterworks
which may have deteriorated in sanitary quality;
Cooling waters;
Contaminated natural waters taken from wells,
lakes, streams, or irrigation systems;
Chemicals in solution or suspension; and
Oils, gases, acids, alkalis, and other liquid
and gaseous fluid used in industrial or other processes, or for fire-fighting
purposes.
Water fit for human consumption and domestic use which is
sanitary and normally free of minerals, organic substances, and toxic
agents in excess of reasonable amounts for domestic usage in the area
served and normally adequate in quantity and quality for minimum health
requirements of the persons served.
An approved assembly designed to prevent backsiphonage or
backpressure backflow used for high-, moderate-, or low-hazard situations,
composed of a minimum of two independently operating, spring-loaded
check valves together with an independent, hydraulically operating
pressure differential relief valve located between the two check valves.
During normal flow and at the cessation of normal flow, the pressure
between these two checks shall be less than the supply pressure. The
unit must include tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end
of the assembly and be fitted with properly located test cocks.
The point of delivery of water to a customer's building service
line as follows:
If a meter is installed, the service connection
is the downstream side of the meter.
If a meter is not installed, the service connection
is the point of connection to the waterworks.
When the water purveyor is also the building
owner, the service connection is the entry point to the building.
A condition posing a threat of or actually causing damage
to the physical properties of the waterworks or a consumer's water
supply system.
Water supplied from the waterworks to a consumer's water
supply system after it has passed through the service connection.
The water that shall have been taken into a waterworks from
all wells, streams, springs, lakes, and other bodies of surface water
(natural or impounded), and the tributaries thereto, and all impounded
groundwater, but the term "water supply" shall not include any water
above the point of intake of such waterworks.
A system that serves piped water for dinking or domestic
use to (1) the public, (2) at least 15 connections, or (3) an average
of 25 individuals for at least 60 days out of the year. The term "waterworks"
shall include all structures, equipment, and appurtenances used in
the storage, collection, purification, treatment, and distribution
of pure water except the piping and fixtures inside the building where
such water is delivered (see Title 32.1, Chapter 6, Article 2, Code
of Virginia, 1950, as amended).
An individual, group of individuals, partnership, firm, association,
institution, corporation, government entity, or the federal government
which supplies or proposes to supply water to any person within this
state from or by means of any waterworks (see Title 32.1, Chapter
6, Article 2, Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended).
