[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Tarentum
as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Plumbing — See Ch. 185..
[Adopted 5-22-1989 by Ord. No. 89-4]
The purpose of this article is:
A.
To protect the public water supply system from contamination
or pollution by isolating within the consumer's water system contaminants
or pollutants which could backflow through the service connection into the
public water supply system.
B.
To promote the elimination or control of existing cross-connections,
actual or potential, between the public or consumer's potable water system
and non-potable water systems, plumbing fixtures and sources or system containing
process fluids.
C.
To provide for the maintenance of a continuing program
of cross-connection control which will systematically and effectively prevent
the contamination or pollution of the public and consumer's potable water
system.
This article shall apply to all premises served by the public water
supply system of the Borough of Tarentum.
The public water supplier and the consumer have the joint responsibility
for protection of the public water supply system from contamination due to
backflow of contaminants through the water service connection. If in the judgment
of the public water supplier or his authorized representative an approved
backflow prevention device is required, the supplier shall give notice to
the consumer to install such approved backflow prevention device at each service
connection to his premises. The consumer shall immediately install such approved
device or devices at his own expense, and failure, refusal or inability on
the part of the consumer to install such device or devices shall constitute
grounds for discontinuing water service to the premises until such device
or devices have been installed.
For the purpose of this article, the following words shall have the
meanings indicated unless clearly indicated otherwise in the text:
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between
the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying potable water to a tank,
plumbing fixture or other device and the flood level rim of the receptacle.
The differential distance shall be at least double the diameter (2 x D) of
the supply pipe, measured vertically above the top of the rim of the vessel.
In no case shall the air gap be less than one inch.
A backflow prevention device or method has been accepted by the public
water supplier as suitable for the proposed use.
A device containing a shutoff valve followed by a valve body containing
a float-check, a check seat and an air inlet port. When the shutoff valve
is open, the flow of water causes the float to close the air inlet port. When
the shutoff valve is closed, the float falls and forms a check valve against
backsiphonage and at the same time opens the air inlet port.
Any water source or system on the premises of or available to the
customer except connections to other approved city water supply system.
A flow condition, induced by a differential in pressure, that causes
the flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids, gasses or other
substances into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply system from
a source other than its intended source.
A device or other means which will prevent the backflow of water
or liquids of questionable quality into the public water supply system.
The backflow of water or mixture of water and other liquids, gasses
or other substances from a plumbing fixture or other customer source into
a public water supply system main due to a temporary negative or subatmospheric
pressure within the public water supply system.
The owner or person in control of any premises supplied by or in
any manner connected to a public water supply system.
Any water system, located on the consumer's premises, supplied
by or in any manner connected to a public water supply system. A household
plumbing system is considered to be a consumer's water system.
Cross-connection control which isolates the customer's entire
facility from the public water supply system so as to provide the protection
necessary to prevent contamination of the public water supply in the event
of backflow from the customer's facility.
The degradation of the quality of the drinking water by wastewaters,
processed fluids or any water of a quality less than accepted drinking water
quality to a degree which would create an actual hazard to the public health
through poisoning or through the spread of disease.
An arrangement allowing either a direct or indirect connection through
which backflow, including backsiphonage, can occur between the drinking water
in a public water system and a system containing a source or potential source
of contamination.
An evaluation of the potential risk to health and the adverse effect
upon the public water supply system.
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 check valve.
Any condition, device or practice in a water system or its operation
that creates or may create a danger to the health and well-being of its users.
The word "severe" as used to qualify "health hazard" means a hazard to the
health of the user that could reasonably be expected to result in the significant
morbidity or death.
An arrangement or device that will allow alternate, but not simultaneous,
use of two sources of water.
Water not safe for drinking, personal or culinary use.
Any individual, partnership, association, company, corporation, municipality,
municipal authority, political subdivision or any agency of federal or state
government. The term includes the officers, employees and agents of any partnership,
association, company, corporation, municipality, municipal authority, political
subdivision or any agency of federal or state government.
The presence in water of any foreign substance that tends to degrade
its quality so as to constitute a 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 waters for domestic
use.
Water which is satisfactory for drinking, culinary and domestic purposes
and meets the requirements of the Department of Environmental Protection.
Any fluid or solution which may be chemically, biologically or otherwise
contaminated or polluted in a form or concentration such as would constitute
a health, pollutional or system hazard if introduced into the public or a
consumer's water system. This includes, but is not limited to:
Polluted or contaminated waters.
Process waters.
Used waters originating from the public water system 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.
Oils, gasses, acids, alkalis and other liquid and gaseous fluids used
in industrial or other processes or for fire-fighting purposes.
Heating system waters from boilers or heat pumps.
A person who owns or operates a public water system.
A system which provides water to the public for human consumption
which has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves an average of
at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year. The term is
either a community or noncommunity water system and includes any collection,
treatment, storage and distribution facilities under control of the operator
of the system and used in connection with the system. The term includes collection
or pretreatment storage facilities not under such control which are used in
connection with the system. The term also includes a system which provides
water for bottling or bulk hauling for human consumption.
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 shall be less than the supply pressure.
In case of leakage of either check valve, the differential relief valve, by
discharging to the atmosphere, shall operate to maintain the pressure between
the checks at less than the supply pressure. The unit must include tightly
closing shutoff valves located at each end of the device, and each device
shall be fitted with properly located test cocks.
The terminal end of a service line from the public water supply system.
If a meter is installed at the end of the service, then the "service connection"
means the downstream end of the meter.
A condition posing an actual or potential threat of damage to the
physical properties of the public water system or the consumer's potable
water supply.
A.
The water system shall be considered as made up of two
parts: the public water supply system and consumer's water system.
B.
The public water system supply shall consist of the source
facilities and the distribution system and shall include all those facilities
of the public water supply system under the control of the public water supplier
up to the point where the consumer's water system begins.
C.
The source shall include all components of the facilities
utilized in the production, treatment, storage and delivery of water to the
public distribution system.
D.
The public distribution system shall include the network
of conduits used for delivery of water from the source to the consumer's
water system.
E.
The consumer's water system shall include all facilities
beyond the service connection which are utilized in conveying water from the
public distribution system to points of use.
A.
No water service connection shall be installed or maintained
to any premises where actual or potential cross-connections to the public
water supply system or consumer's water system may exist unless such
actual or potential cross-connections are abated or controlled to the satisfaction
of the public water supplier.
B.
No connection shall be installed or maintained whereby
water from an auxiliary water supply may enter a public or consumer's
water system unless such auxiliary water supply and the method of connection
use of such supply shall have been approved.
A.
The consumer's premises shall be open at all reasonable
times to the public water supplier or his authorized representative for the
purposes of conducting surveys and investigations of water use practices within
the consumer's premises to determine whether there are actual or potential
cross-connections to the consumer's water system through which contaminants
or pollutants could backflow into the public potable water system.
B.
On request by the public water supplier, the consumer
shall furnish information on water use practices within the premises.
C.
It shall be the responsibility of the water consumer
to conduct periodic surveys of water use practices on his premises to determine
whether there are actual or potential cross-connections to his water system
through which contaminants or pollutants could backflow into the public water
supply system.
A.
An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed
prior to the first branch line leading off each service line to a consumer's
water system where, in the judgment of the public water supplier, an actual
or potential hazard to the public water supply system exists.
B.
An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed
on each service line to a consumer's water system where the following
conditions exist:
(1)
System having an auxiliary water supply, unless such
auxiliary supply is accepted as an additional source by the public water supplier
and approved by the Department of Environmental Protection.
(2)
Systems where any substance is handled in such a fashion
as to create an actual or potential hazard to the public water supply system.
This shall include systems having sources or auxiliary systems containing
process fluids or waters originating from the public water supply system which
are no longer under the sanitary control of the water purveyor.
(3)
Systems having internal cross-connections that, in the
judgment of the public water supplier, are not correctable or intricate plumbing
arrangements which make it impractical to determine whether or not cross-connections
exist.
(4)
Systems where, because of security requirements or other
prohibitions or restrictions, it is impossible or impractical to make a complete
cross-connection survey.
(5)
Systems having a repeated history of cross-connections
being established or reestablished.
(6)
Others specified by the public water supplier.
C.
An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed
on each service line to a consumer's water system serving, but not necessarily
limited to, the following types of facilities unless the public water supplier
determines that no actual or potential hazard to the public water supply system
exists:
(1)
Hospitals, mortuaries, clinics, nursing homes.
(2)
Laboratories.
(3)
Piers, docks, waterfront facilities.
(4)
Sewage treatment plants, sewage pumping station or stormwater
pumping station.
(5)
Food or beverage processing plants.
(6)
Chemical plants.
(7)
Metal plating industries.
(8)
Petroleum processing or storage plants.
(9)
Radioactive material processing plants.
(10)
Car wash or truck wash.
(11)
Others specified by the water purveyor.
The type of protection required under § 256-8A, B and C of these regulations shall depend on the degree of hazard which exists as follows:
A.
An approved air gap separation shall be installed where
the public water supply system may be contaminated with substances that are
dangerous to the public health and could cause a severe health hazard.
B.
An approved air gap separation or an approved reduced
pressure zone backflow prevention device shall be installed where the public
water supply system may be contaminated with a substance that could cause
a system or health hazard.
C.
An approved air gap separation or an approved reduced
pressure zone backflow prevention device or an approved double-check valve
assembly shall be installed where the public water supply system may be polluted
with substances that would be objectionable but not dangerous to health.
A.
Any backflow prevention device required by this article
shall be of a model or construction approved by the public water supplier
and shall comply with the following:
(1)
Air gap separation to be approved shall be at least twice
the diameter of the supply pipe, measured vertically above the top rim of
the vessel, but in no case less than one inch.
(2)
American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards.
(a)
A double-check valve assembly or a reduced pressure zone
backflow prevention device shall be approved by the public water supplier
and shall mean a device that has been manufactured in full conformance with
standards established by the American Water Works Association entitled "AWWA
C506 Standards For Reduced Pressure Principle and Double Check Valve Backflow
Prevention Devices."
(b)
Said AWWA standards are herein adopted by the public
water supplier. Final approval, however, of the reduced pressure principle
backflow preventer and the double-check valve assembly shall be evidenced
by a certificate of full approval issued by an approved testing laboratory
certifying full compliance with said AWWA standards.
(3)
An interchangeable connection to be approved shall be
either a swing-type connector or a four-way valve of the lubricated plug type
that operates through a mechanism which unseats the plug, turns it 90°
and reseats the plug. Four-way valves shall not be used as stop valves but
must have separate stop valves on each pipe connected to the valve. The telltale
port on the four-way valve shall have no piping connected, and the threads
or flange on this port shall be destroyed so that a connection cannot be made.
B.
Existing backflow prevention devices approved by the public water supplier at the time of installation and properly maintained shall, except for inspection and maintenance requirements, be excluded from the requirement of Subsection A of this section, provided that the public water supplier is assured that they will satisfactorily protect the public potable supply system. Whenever the existing device is moved from the present location or requires more than minimum maintenance or when the public water supplier finds that the maintenance of the device constitutes a hazard to health, the device shall be replaced by a backflow prevention device meeting the requirements of these regulations.
A.
Backflow prevention devices required by this article
shall be installed at a location and in a manner approved by the public water
supplier and shall be installed by a person properly qualified and at the
expense of the water consumer.
B.
Backflow prevention devices installed on the service
line to a consumer's water system shall be located on the consumer's
side of the water meter, as close to the meter as is reasonably practical
and prior to any other connection.
C.
Pits or vaults shall be watertight construction, be so
located and constructed as to prevent flooding and shall be maintained free
from standing water by means of either a sump and pump or a suitable drain.
Such sump pump or drain shall not connect to a sanitary sewer nor permit flooding
of the pit or vault by reverse flow from its point of discharge. An access
ladder and adequate natural or artificial lighting shall be provided to permit
maintenance inspection and testing of the backflow prevention device.
A.
It shall be the duty of the consumer at any premises
on which backflow prevention devices required by this article are installed
to have inspections, tests and overhaul made in accordance with the following
schedule or more often where inspections indicate a need.
(1)
Air separation shall be inspected at time of installation
and at least every 12 months thereafter.
(2)
Double-check valve assemblies shall be inspected and
tested for tightness at the time of installation and at least every 12 months
thereafter. They shall be dismantled, inspected internally, cleaned and repaired
whenever needed and at least every 30 months.
(3)
Reduced pressure zone backflow prevention devices shall
be inspected and tested for tightness at the time of installation and at least
every 12 months thereafter. They shall be dismantled, inspected internally,
cleaned and repaired when ever needed and at least every five years.
(4)
Interchangeable connections shall be inspected at the
time of installation and at least every twelve months thereafter.
B.
Inspections, tests and overhaul of backflow prevention
devices shall be made at the expense of the water consumer and shall be performed
by the public water supplier or a person certified to inspect, test and overhaul
backflow prevention devices.
C.
Whenever backflow prevention devices required by these
regulations are found to be defective, they shall be repaired or replaced
at the expense of the consumer without delay.
D.
The water consumer must maintain a complete record of
each backflow prevention device from purchase to retirement. This shall include
a comprehensive listing that includes a record of all tests, inspections and
repairs. Records of inspections, tests, repairs and overhaul shall be submitted
to the public water supplier.
E.
Backflow prevention devices shall not be bypassed, made
inoperative, removed or otherwise made ineffective without specific authorization
by the water purveyor.
A.
Where a booster pump has been installed on the service
line to or within any premises, such pump shall be equipped with a low-pressure
cutoff device designed to shut off the booster pump when the pressure in the
service line on the suction side of the pump drops to inch gauge or less for
a period of 30 seconds or longer.
B.
It shall be the duty of the water consumer to maintain
the low-pressure cutoff device in proper working order and to certify to the
public water supplier, at least once a year, that the device is operating
properly.
A.
The public water supplier shall deny or discontinue,
after reasonable notice to the occupants thereof, the water service to any
premises wherein any backflow prevention device required by this article is
not installed, tested and maintained in a manner acceptable to the public
water supplier or if it is found that the backflow prevention device has been
removed or bypassed or if an unprotected cross-connection exists on the premises
or if a low-pressure cutoff device required by these regulations is not installed
and maintained in working order.
B.
Water service to such premises shall not be restored
until the consumer has corrected or eliminated such conditions or defects
in conformance with these regulations and to the satisfaction of the public
water supplier.
[Adopted 12-23-1991 by Ord. No. 91-10]
All water furnished by the Municipal Water Works of the Borough of Tarentum
shall be by meter in accordance with the rates set forth herein.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Water rates, as set forth from time to time by
resolution, are on file in the Borough offices.
All persons, partnerships and corporations desiring to use water shall
make application to the Borough and enter into a contract to be signed by
the owner or lessee, or a duly authorized agent thereof, of the premises to
which water is to be furnished. Said contracts are in the office of the Borough,
together with the rules and regulations attached thereto and by reference
adopted as part of this article.
Water will be supplied to that specific premises noted in the application,
agreement or contract. In any case where more than one consumer is receiving
water through a single meter and a single contract (e.g., multiple-family
units), the owner of the premises shall and is hereby required to pay for
such water at a rate to be computed upon the same basis as if each of the
multiple consumers were under separate contract with separate meter. For the
purposes of this article, "consumer" shall include, but not be limited to,
occupants of each separate apartment used as a dwelling unit in any house,
building or apartment building and, further, shall include each separate storeroom
or additional place of business in any building supplied with water as aforesaid.
In all such cases, however, the owners of the premises shall have the right
to install a separate meter for each consumer. All expenses of furnishing
and installing any such meter shall be paid to the Borough by the owner of
the premises. No more than one service line shall be tapped into the main
line to serve any consumer, except a double dwelling where both sides are
individually owned.
Rates for special services, such as installation of sprinkling systems
in buildings, will depend upon the size of sprinkler head and the size of
connections to mains and will be furnished upon application to the Borough
Secretary.
[Amended 1-15-2007 by Ord. No. 07-02]
All bills shall be rendered monthly or quarterly and be payable at the
Borough office on or before the 14th day after the date thereof. A penalty
of 5% will be allowed each billing period if payment is made after the 14th
day after the date of the bill. In the event that the water charge is not
paid within 25 days of the billing date, a penalty of 10% per annum, or 5/6
of 1% per month, of the monthly water charge shall be assessed in addition
to the above-stated penalty. If a meter is found stopped at any reading, the
bill will be estimated from similar preceding or subsequent periods. If any
bill remains unpaid longer than 20 days after date of bill, the Borough reserves
the right to discontinue the service after due notice.
Deposits placed at the time of turn-on of service shall be as set forth
from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council, and said deposit shall
be required of all non-owner-occupied structures. The deposit shall be refundable
to all nonowners of structures upon payment in full of the final water bill.
At the time of installation of new service, the consumer or property
owner shall purchase from the Borough a meter with remote reading for water
service or, in the event that the consumer or property owner already owns
a meter, the consumer or property owner shall purchase from the Borough a
remote reader only, if said reader is adaptable to the meter already owned
by the consumer or property owner. The cost for a water meter with remote
reader and the cost of a remote reader only for those meters that are adaptable
shall be established by Council upon motion at a regularly scheduled Council
meeting. Normal maintenance, repair and adjustment of said meters or remote
readers shall be at the expense of the Borough; all maintenance and repair
required, other than normal, shall be at the expense of the consumer or property
owner. Where it is not economical to repair the meter or reader or where parts
are unobtainable, the cost of a new meter or reader shall be paid by the consumer
or the property owner.
If any consumer or property owner is doubtful of the correctness of
any meter, he may, upon application to the Borough Secretary and upon making
a deposit as set forth from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council,
have such meter tested by the Borough. Should such test show the meter to
be correct within 4%, the consumer shall forfeit the deposit made. Should
such test show the meter to be registering incorrectly beyond the 4% of the
accurate amount, such deposit shall be refunded to the consumer and the cost
of such test shall be paid by the Borough.
Only meters or readers supplied through or approved by the Borough of
Tarentum shall be used or permitted on the water lines of the Borough of Tarentum.
The Borough's meter reader, service personnel or other properly
authorized representative shall have access at all reasonable hours to the
premises supplied for the purpose of setting, reading, repairing or removing
meters or making necessary inspections.
The cost of a water tap-in shall be as set forth from time to time by
resolution of the Borough Council, and said cost shall not be refundable.
The Borough shall be responsible for the installation of the water tap-in.
In the event of a water tap-in in excess of one inch, the cost for such a
tap-in shall be agreed to be the parties prior to installation.
The property owner or the consumer must furnish and install all service
lines from the box at the curbline to the house and the pipe shall be of copper
or copper tubing. The same shall be kept in good repair at all times at the
expense of the property owner or consumer.
The cost of a sewer tap-in shall be as set forth from time to time by
resolution of the Borough Council, and said cost shall not be refundable.
The property owner or consumer or its agent or contractor shall be responsible
for the installation of said sewer tap-in.
The cost of all street openings requested by a property owner or consumer
shall be as follows:
A.
For each street opening of five feet by four feet, there
shall be a nonrefundable cost as set forth from time to time by resolution
of the Borough Council and a refundable deposit as set forth from time to
time by resolution of the Borough Council or an indemnity bond, deposited
and filed with the Borough Secretary, with approved corporate surety in an
amount not less than that set forth from time to time by resolution of the
Borough Council per running foot of Borough street, highway or alley to be
affected, such bond to guarantee against subsidence of the Borough street,
highway or alley for a period of one year from the date of final restoration
of the street, highway or alley and the bond to guarantee against damage that
might be done in the street, highway or alley.
B.
For street openings larger than five feet by four feet,
the cost shall be as set forth from time to time by resolution of the Borough
Council and the refundable deposit shall be as set forth from time to time
by resolution of the Borough Council or an indemnity bond, deposited and filed
with the Borough Secretary, with approved corporate surety in an amount not
less than that set forth from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council
per running foot of Borough street, highway or alley to be affected, such
bond to guarantee against subsidence of the Borough street, highway or alley
for a period of one year from the date of final restoration of the street,
highway or alley and the bond to guarantee against damage that might be done
in the street, highway or alley.
C.
Said refundable deposit for street openings shall be
refundable only upon approval by the Public Works Director of the Borough
of Tarentum, and repairs to the street shall be of the same or comparable
material as that already existing in the street.
The cost of all street openings requested by a public utility shall
be as follows:
A.
For each street opening of five feet by four feet, there
shall be a cost as set forth from time to time by resolution of the Borough
Council and a refundable deposit as set forth from time to time by resolution
of the Borough Council or an indemnity bond, deposited and filed with the
Borough Secretary, with approved corporate surety for an amount of not less
than that as set forth from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council
per running foot of Borough street, highway or alley to be affected, such
bond to guarantee against subsidence of the Borough street, highway or alley
for a period of one year from the date of final restoration of the street,
highway or alley and the bond to guarantee against damage that might be done
in the street, highway or alley.
B.
For street openings larger than five feet by four feet,
there shall be a cost as set forth from time to time by resolution of the
Borough Council and for each street opening larger than five feet by four
feet there shall be a refundable deposit as set forth from time to time by
resolution of the Borough Council or an indemnity bond, deposited and filed
with the Borough Secretary, with approved corporate surety in the amount of
not less than that as set forth from time to time by resolution of the Borough
Council per running foot of Borough street, highway or alley to be affected,
such bond to guarantee against subsidence of the Borough street, highway or
alley for a period of one year from the date of final restoration of the street,
highway or alley and the bond to guarantee against damage that might be done
in the street, highway or alley.
C.
Said refundable deposit and the partially refundable
deposit for street openings shall be refundable only upon approval by the
Public Works Director of the Borough of Tarentum, and repairs to the street
shall be of the same or comparable material as that already existing in that
street.
In the event of the nonpayment of bills, the Borough Secretary is ordered
and directed to shut off the supply of water to the consumer. In the event
of a shutoff for the nonpayment of bills or for any violations of the rules
and regulations of the Borough, a service charge as set forth from time to
time by resolution of the Borough Council shall be made to cover the costs
of the shutoff and shall be paid before service is reinstated. Consumers requesting
temporary service termination shall be assessed a service charge as set forth
from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council when the service is
reinstated. Service is rendered from time the water is turned on. A consumer
desiring to discontinue the use of water shall give written notice and pay
all bills in full, up until the date of such notice. Turning on of water into
any premises for any purposes by anyone, excepting a representative of the
Borough, is prohibited.
The Borough reserves the right to shut off the water in the mains at
any time for the purpose of making repairs or extensions or for other necessary
purposes and will give due notice, except in case of breaks and emergencies.
