The purpose of this chapter is:
A. To protect the public potable water supply of the Town of Geneseo,
Livingston County, New York, from possibility of contamination by
isolating within its customers' internal distribution system(s)
or its customers' private water system(s) such contaminations
or pollutants which could backflow into the public water system; and
B. To comply with the requirements of the New York State Sanitary Code
5-1.31.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ACCEPTABLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE
An acceptable air gap reduced pressure zone device or double
check valve assembly as used to contain potential contamination within
a facility. In order for the reduced pressure zone device or the double
check valve assembly to be acceptable it must be listed on the most
current version of the New York State Department of Health's
list of acceptable devices.
AESTHETICALLY OBJECTIONABLE FACILITY
One in which substances are present which, if introduced
into the public water supply system, could be a nuisance to other
water customers, but would not adversely affect human health. Typical
examples of such substances are food-grade dyes, hot water, stagnant
water from fire lines in which no chemical additives are used, etc.
AIR GAP
The 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 said vessel. An approved air-gap shall be at least double the diameter
of the supply pipe, measured vertically, above the top of the rim
of the vessel, and in no case less than one inch.
APPROVED
Accepted by a reviewing authority such as a professional
engineer certifying that the design or device meets an applicable
specification for the intended purpose as indicated in applicable
local law, regulation, state or federal law.
AUXILIARY WATER SUPPLY
Any water supply on or available to the premises other than
the Town of Geneseo's approved public water supply. These auxiliary
waters may include water from another purveyor's public potable
water supply or any natural source(s) such as a well, spring, river,
stream, harbor, etc., or used waters. These waters may be contaminated
or they may be objectionable and constitute an unacceptable water
source over which the water purveyor does not have sanitary control.
BACKFLOW
A flow condition, induced by a differential pressure, chemical
reaction or other circumstance, that results in the contamination
of the public water supply system.
CERTIFIED TESTER
That individual or firm approved to accomplish the necessary
inspections and operational tests of backflow prevention devices.
CONTAMINATION
The presence in water of a substance that tends to degrade
its quality.
CUSTOMER
A water user served by the supply system.
CUSTOMER'S WATER SYSTEM
The piping used to convey water supplied by the Town of Geneseo
supply system throughout a customer's facility. The system shall
include all those parts of the piping beyond the control point of
the Town water systems. The control point is either the curb valve
or the main valve located in the public right-of-way that isolates
the customer's facilities from the Town distribution system.
DEGREE OF HAZARD
The determination of the potential for a facility to cause
a backflow condition to occur and the potential for an adverse human
health impact. The degree shall be determined to be either hazardous,
aesthetically objectionable or nonhazardous.
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY, ACCEPTABLE
An assembly composed of two single, independently acting
check valves, including tightly closing shutoff valves located at
each end of the assembly and suitable connections for testing the
water tightness of each valve.
HAZARDOUS FACILITY
One in which substances may be present which, if introduced
into the public water system, would or may endanger or have an adverse
effect on the health of other water customers. Typical examples: laboratories,
sewage treatment plant, chemical plants, hospitals, mortuaries.
NONHAZARDOUS FACILITY
One which does not require the installation of an acceptable
backflow prevention device.
PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM
The entire Town of Geneseo water system, including the source,
treatment works, transmission mains, distribution system and storage
facilities serving the public. This includes the distribution system
up to its connection with the customer's water system.
REDUCED PRESSURE ZONE DEVICE, ACCEPTABLE
A device containing a minimum of two independently acting
check valves, together with an automatically operated 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 leakage of either check valve, the differential relief valve,
by discharging to the atmosphere, shall operate to maintain the pressure.
The unit must include tightly closing shutoff valves located at each
end of the device, and the device shall be fitted with properly located
test cocks.
RESIDENTIAL USE
The uses and infrastructure present for water distribution
and use in a typical home.
SUPERINTENDENT
The Superintendent of Public Works of the Town of Geneseo.