[Adopted 5-9-1989 ATM, Art. 31]
A.
To protect the public potable water supply served by the Board from
the possibility of contamination or pollution by isolating such contaminants
or pollutants which could backflow or backsiphon into the public water
system.
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32]
B.
To promote the elimination or control of existing cross-connection,
actual or potential, between its customers in-plant potable water
system, and non-potable systems.
C.
To provide for the maintenance of a continuing program of cross-connections
control which will effectively prevent the contamination or pollution
of all potable water systems by cross-connection.
A.
As provided in the Federal safe drinking water act of 1974 (Public
Law 93-523), and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts drinking water
regulations, 310 CMR 22.22, the water purveyor has the primary responsibility
for preventing water from unapproved sources or any other substances
from entering the public potable water system.
B.
The Water Department Rules and Regulations, adopted August 23, 1988,
and amended 5-2-2007, and amended 8-15-2012.
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32; 5-13-2013 ATM, Art. 31]
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32; 5-13-2013 ATM, Art. 31]
The Board shall be responsible for the protection of the public
potable water distribution system from contamination or pollution
due to the backflow or backsiphonage of contaminants or pollutants.
If, as a result of a survey of the premises, the Water Department
determines that an approved backflow prevention device is required
at the Town's water service connection or as inplant protection on
any customer's premises, the Water Department, or its delegated agent,
shall issue a cross-connection violation form to said customer to
install approved backflow prevention devices. The customer shall,
within a time frame determined by the Water Department, install such
approved device or devices at his own expense, and failure or refusal
or inability on the part of the customer to install said device or
devices at his own expense, and failure or refusal or inability on
the part of the customer to install said device or devices within
the specified time frame shall constitute a ground for discontinuing
water service to the premises until such device or devices have been
properly installed.
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32; 5-13-2013 ATM, Art. 31]
Accepted by the Reviewing Authority as meeting an applicable
specification stated or cited in this regulation or as suitable for
the proposed use.
A testable or non-testable cross-connection control device
that is approved by the Department of Environmental Protection for
use in Massachusetts.
Any water supply on or available to the premises other than
the Water Department's approved public potable water supply.
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.
A form of backflow due to reduced or subatmospheric pressure
within a water system.
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances,
under positive or reduced pressure in the distributions pipes of a
potable water supply from any source other than its intended source.
A device or means designed to prevent backflow or backsiphonage.
Most commonly categorized as air gap, reduced pressure principal device,
double check valve assembly, pressure vacuum breaker, atmospheric
vacuum breaker, hose bibb vacuum breaker, residential dual check,
double check with intermediate atmospheric vent, and barometric loop.
AIR GAPThe 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. The air gap separation shall be at least twice the internal diameter of the supply pipe discharge line but in no case less than one inch.
ATMOSPHERIC VACUUM BREAKERA device which prevents backsiphonage by creating an atmospheric vent when there is either a negative pressure or subatmospheric pressure in a water system.
BAROMETRIC LOOPA fabricated piping arrangement rising at least thirty-five (35) feet at its topmost point above the highest fixture it supplies. It is utilized in water supply systems to protect against backsiphonage.
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLYAn assembly of two (2) independently operating spring loaded check valves with tightly closing shut off valves on each side of the check valves, plus properly located test cocks for the testing of each check valve.
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE WITH INTERMEDIATE ATMOSPHERIC VENTA device having two (2) spring-loaded check valves separated by an atmospheric vent chamber.
HOSE BIBB VACUUM BREAKERA device which is permanently attached to a hose bibb and which acts as an atmospheric vacuum breaker.
PRESSURE VACUUM BREAKERA device containing one or two independently operated spring-loaded check valves and an independently operated spring loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check or checks. Device includes tightly closing shutoff valves on each side of the check valves and properly located test cocks for the testing of the check valve(s).
REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPLE BACKFLOW PREVENTERAn assembly consisting of two (2) independently operating approved check valves with an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two (2) check valves, tightly closing shutoff valves on each side of the check valves plus properly located test cocks for the testing of the check valves and the relief valve.
RESIDENTIAL DUAL CHECKAn assembly of two (2) spring loaded, independently operating check valves without tightly closing shutoff valves and test cocks. Generally employed immediately downstream of the water meter to act as a containment device.
The Town of Orleans Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners
(the "Board") or owner or operator of a public water supply system
invested with the authority and responsibility for the implementation
of a cross-connection control program and for the enforcement of the
provisions of this article.
A method of backflow prevention which requires a reduced
pressure backflow preventer or an air gap separation at the meter
or property line.
A substance that will impair the quality of water to a degree
that it creates a serious health hazard to the public leading to poisoning
or the spread of disease.
Any actual or potential connection between the public water
supply system and a source of contamination or pollution.
A violation form designated by the Department of Environmental
Protection, which is sent to the owner by the Water Department with
copies sent to the plumbing inspectors and Board of Health delineating
cross-connection violations found on the owner's premises and a procedure
for corrective action.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
(MassDEP).
A report form submitted to the supplier of water along with
plans for each installation of a reduced pressure backflow preventer
or double check valve assembly, or for each change to any such device
already installed, describing and showing the details of the specific
installation.
An actual or potential threat of contamination to the potable
water in a public water system, which, in the opinion of the supplier
of water, would endanger health.
The location of approved backflow prevention devices in a
manner which provides protection of the consumers of water and the
potable water system within the premises.
An on-site inspection and survey by a qualified individual
to determine the existence and location of cross-connections and/or
the physical examination and testing of an installed backflow prevention
device to verify that the backflow prevention device is functioning
properly.
A report form which is to be used by certified testers to
record all pertinent testing information.
Any person maintaining a cross-connection installation or
owning or occupying premises on which cross-connections can or do
exist.
Any person or body designated by the owner to act as his
or her representative.
Any individual, corporation, company, association, trust,
partnership, the commonwealth, a municipality, district, or other
subdivision or instrumentality of the United States, except that nothing
herein shall be constructed to refer to or to include any American
Indian tribe or the United States Secretary of the Interior in his
capacity as trustee of Indian Lands.
A foreign substance that if permitted to get into the public
water system will degrade its quality so as to constitute a moderate
hazard, or impair the usefulness or quality of the water to a degree
which does not create an actual hazard to the public health but which
does adversely and unreasonably affect such water for domestic use.
Water from any source that has been approved by MassDEP for
human consumption.
The supplier of public water, or the local plumbing inspector,
authorized by MGL c. 142 and licensed by the Board of State Examiners
of Plumbers and Gas Fitters, whichever is responsible for the review
and approval of the installation of an approved backflow prevention
device.
Any person who owns or operates a public water supply system.
The source or distribution system for any water or other
liquid or substance which has not been approved by the MassDEP as
being safe and sanitary quality for human consumption, including but
not limited to any waste pipe, soil pipe, sewer drain, or non-acceptable
potable water system material.
A.
The Board will operate an active cross-connection control program,
to include the keeping of necessary records which fulfills the requirements
of the Department of Environmental Protection Cross Connection Regulations
and is approved by the Department.
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32]
B.
The owner shall allow his property to be inspected for possible cross-connections
and shall follow the provisions of the Board's program and the Department
regulations.
[Amended 5-13-2013 ATM, Art. 31]
A.
WATER DEPARTMENT.
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32]
1.
On new installations, the Water Department will provide on-site evaluation
and/or inspection of plans in order to determine the type of backflow
preventer, if any, that will be required, and notify the owner of
plan approval requirements by the appropriate reviewing authority.
2.
For premises existing prior to the start of this program, the Water
Department will perform surveys of the premises and reviews of as-built
plans and issue a cross-connection violation form to the owner detailing
any corrective action required, the method of achieving the correction,
and the time allowed for the correction to be made. The time period
allowed shall depend upon the degree of hazard involved.
3.
The Board will not allow any cross-connection to remain unless it
is protected by an approved backflow preventer which has been approved
and which will be regularly tested to insure satisfactory operations.
4.
The Water Department shall inform the owner by letter of any failure
to comply by the time of the first re-inspection. The Water Department
will allow an additional fifteen (15) days for the correction. In
the event the owner fails to comply with the necessary correction
by the time of the second re-inspection, the Water Department will
inform the owner by letter that the water service to the owner's premises
will be terminated within a period not to exceed five (5) days. In
the event that the owner informs the Board of extenuating circumstances
as to why the correction has not been made, a time extension may be
granted by the Board, but in no case will exceed an additional thirty
(30) days.
[Added 5-13-2013 ATM, Art. 31[1]]
[1]
Editor’s Note: This article also redesignated former
Subsections 4 through 6 as Subsections 4 through 7.
5.
If the Board determines at any time that a serious threat to the
public health exists, the water service will be terminated immediately.
6.
The Water Department shall have on its staff, or shall have a delegated
representative, who is a backflow prevention device tester certified
by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
7.
The Water Department began initial premise inspections to determine
the nature of existing or potential hazards, following the approval
of this program by the Department of Environmental Protection, during
calendar year 1988. Initial focus was on high hazard industries and
commercial premises. The Water Department continues with an annual
survey program.
B.
OWNER.
1.
The Owner shall be responsible for the elimination or protection
of all cross-connections on his/her premises.
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32]
2.
The Owner shall be responsible for applying for and obtaining all
necessary approvals for the maintenance of cross-connections and installation
of backflow prevention devices.
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32]
3.
The Owner shall have any device that fails an inspection or test
repaired or replaced by a licensed plumber.
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32]
4.
The Owner shall inform the Water Department of any proposed or modified
cross-connection and also any existing cross-connections of which
the owner is aware but has not been found by the Water Department.
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32]
5.
The Owner shall not install a bypass around any backflow preventer
unless there is a backflow preventer of the same type on the bypass.
Owners who cannot shut down operation for testing of the device(s)
must supply additional devices necessary to allow testing to take
place.
6.
The Owner shall install backflow preventers in a manner approved
by the Water Department.
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32]
7.
The Owner shall install only reduced pressure backflow preventers
and double check valve assemblies approved by MassDEP.
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32; 5-13-2013 ATM, Art. 31]
8.
Any Owner of industrial, commercial, or institutional premises having
a private well or other private water source must have a permit if
the well or source is cross connected to the Orleans water system.
Permission to cross connect may be denied by the Board. The Owner
may be required to install a backflow preventer at the service entrance
if a private water source is maintained even if it is not cross connected
to the Orleans water system.
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32]
9.
A private well or individual water source serving residential dwellings
used for potable or non-potable purposes will not be allowed a physical
connection with the public water supply system.
10.
The owner shall be responsible for the payment of all fees for annual
or semi-annual device testings, retesting in the case that the device
fails to operate correctly, and second re-inspections for noncompliance
with Water Department or MassDEP requirements.
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32; 5-13-2013 ATM, Art. 31]
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32]
The Board recognizes the threat to the public water system arising
from cross-connections. As such, the Board, whereas it is responsible
for the quality of the public water supply, may require a containment
device on the water service entrance to any customer who, as a result
of unprotected cross-connections, could contaminate the public water
supply system.
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32]
The Board shall not allow a cross-connection to exist with the
public water supply system unless it is considered necessary and all
appropriate approvals and/or permits have been issued.
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32]
Any existing backflow preventer shall be allowed by the Board
to continue in service unless the degree of hazard is such as to supersede
the effectiveness of the present backflow preventer or result in an
unreasonable risk to the public health. Where the degree of hazard
has increased, as in the case of a residential installation converting
to a business establishment, any existing backflow preventer must
be upgraded to a reduced pressure backflow preventer, or a reduced
pressure backflow preventer must be installed in the event that no
backflow device was present.
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32]
A.
Reduced pressure backflow preventers shall be tested and inspected
at least semi-annually and double check valve assemblies shall be
tested and inspected at least annually by the Water Department.
B.
Testing shall be performed by the Water Department’s certified
tester or a Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection certified
tester with the approval of the Water Department.
C.
The testing shall be conducted during the Water Department’s
regular business hours. Exceptions to this, when at the request of
the Owner, may require additional charges to cover the increased costs
to the Water Department.
D.
(Reserved)
E.
Any backflow preventer which fails during a periodic test must be
repaired or replaced by a licensed plumber. When repairs are necessary,
upon completion of the repair, the device will be retested at the
Owner’s expense to insure proper operation. High hazard situations
will not be allowed to continue unprotected if the backflow preventer
fails the test and cannot be repaired immediately. In other situations,
a compliance date of not more than fourteen days after the test date
will be established. The Owner is responsible for spare parts, repair
tools, or a replacement device. Parallel installation of two devices
is an effective means of the Owner insuring that uninterrupted water
service remains during testing or repair of devices and is strongly
recommended when the owner desires such continuity.
F.
Backflow prevention devices may be tested more frequently than specified
above in “A” in cases where there is a history of test
failures and the Water Department feels that due to the degree of
hazard involved, additional testing is warranted. Cost of the additional
tests will be borne by the Owner.
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32]
A.
RECORDS.
|
The Water Department maintains the following:
|
1.
Master files on customer cross-connection tests and/or inspections.
2.
Master files on approved cross-connection installations.
3.
Master files on facilities surveyed and violations found.
[Amended 5-13-2013 ATM, Art. 31]
4.
Master files on correspondences, violation notices and enforcement
actions.
[Added 5-13-2013 ATM, Art. 31]
B.
REPORTS.
[Amended 5-13-2013 ATM, Art. 31]
|
The Water Department will submit the following to the Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Protection upon request:
|
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32]
All new residential buildings are required to install a residential
dual check device immediately downstream of the water meter. This
device will be provided by the Water Department at a scheduled cost
to the homeowner. Installation of this residential dual check device
on a retrofit basis on existing service lines will be instituted at
a time and at a potential cost to the homeowner as deemed necessary
by the Water Department.
The Owner must be aware that installation of a residential dual
check valve results in a potential closed plumbing system within his
residence. As such, The Owner shall be responsible for provisions
for thermal expansion within his closed loop system, i.e., the installation
of thermal expansion devices and/or pressure relief valves.
[Amended 5-11-2009 ATM, Art. 32]
The Board strongly recommends that all new and retrofit installations
of reduced pressure backflow preventers and double check valve assemblies
include the installation of strainers located immediately upstream
of the backflow device. The installation of strainers may preclude
the fouling of backflow devices due to both foreseen and unforeseen
circumstances occurring to the water supply system such as water main
repairs, water main breaks, fires, periodic cleaning and flushing
of mains, etc. These occurrences may "stir up" debris within the water
main that will cause fouling of backflow devices installed without
the benefit of strainers.
