[Amended 1-24-2008]
No owner shall maintain upon his/her premises
a cross-connection between the public water distribution system or
the potable water supplied thereby and any auxiliary water source,
unless the installation has been approved by the Department of Public
Utilities in accordance with procedures described by the State of
Connecticut and the Water Division.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
The obstructed vertical separation through the free atmosphere
between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying potable
water to a tank, pumping fixture or other device and the flood level
rim of the receptacle. Such separation shall be at least one inch.
A device containing two independently operating check valves
separated by a chamber which can automatically vent to the atmosphere
if backflow occurs.
Any device, method, or type of construction intended to prevent
backflow into potable water systems which has been accepted by the
State of Connecticut Department of Public Health and the Water Division.
A mechanical device not used under continued pressure which
automatically vents air from a pipeline to prevent backsiphonage.
A water supply which is not approved for potable use, such
as a pond, river, open storage tank or swimming pool; potable water
which has become nonpotable by the addition of chemicals or from contamination
while the water is being stored or held in reserve; private or public
well supplies; or any other water supply system not accepted by the
State of Connecticut or the Water Division.
A reversal of flow from the direction which is normal or
intended or flow toward rather than away from the source of water.
A device that is installed and used to prevent backflow of
nonpotable water into potable water.
Pressure created by mechanical or other means that creates
resistance which, if such pressure rises to a particular level, may
cause water or other liquids or substances to flow or move in a direction
opposite to that which is intended.
A form of backflow caused by reduced or negative pressure
within the water system.
The placement at premises or facilities of an approved reduced-pressure
backflow preventer or an air gap separation on the downstream side
of the Water Division's water meter and bypass assembly and upstream
of any cross-connection or service fixture.
An individual who is qualified to test backflow prevention
devices and has attained Connecticut State Department of Public Health
certification.
A document rendered by the owner and approved by the Water
Division outlining corrective action to be taken by the owner to comply
with this article.
Any physical, chemical, biological or radiological substance
or matter in water above the allowable limits established by the State
of Connecticut Public Health Code and other applicable law.
An actual or potential connection between a
public water system and any other source or system through which it
is possible to introduce into the water system any contamination or
polluting agent.
Any actual or potential connection between a
potable water system and any other source or systems through which
it is possible to introduce into the potable water system any contaminating
or polluting agent.
A program implemented by the District to prevent the contamination
of the potable water it supplies in compliance with the Federal Safe
Drinking Water Act, Public Law 93-523, and the State of Connecticut
Public Health Code, Section 19-13-b37.
An individual employed or retained by the Water Division
to inspect premises and/or facilities for cross-connections who has
been certified by the State of Connecticut as backflow prevention
device tester and cross-connection survey inspector.
The owner, tenant or other person in charge of any premises
supplied with water by the Water Division.
The State of Connecticut Department of Public Health, its
agents and representatives.
A backflow prevention device which contains
two independently acting check valves located between two tightly
closing shutoff valves and fitted with properly located test cocks.
Fire sprinklers (only). The owner shall install
a double check valve assembly (DCVA) on public water supply lines
to fire sprinkler systems with siamese connections unless chemicals
are added to the fire sprinkler system. Where chemicals are added
to such systems, the owner shall install a RPD pursuant to Section
19-13-b38a(c)(2)(A) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
An owner may install an RPD instead of a DCVA on public water supply
lines to fire sprinkler systems with siamese connections. Any reduced-pressure-principle
RPD's or double check valve assemblies installed on a fire sprinkler
system shall be equipped with a metered bypass assembly. Chemicals
added to a fire line shall mean foam or antifreeze.
The intended direction of flow of fluid within a pipe or
a location on or within a pipe in relation to such intended direction
of flow.
A sprinkler system installed prior to October 1, 1992, and
not having undergone, after July 1, 1993, substantial renovations,
alterations or additions representing more than 50% of the replacement
cost of the existing system at the time of renovation, alteration
or addition.
An integrated system of underground and overhead piping designed
to provide fire protection for a building or structure.
An actual or potential threat of contamination to the potable
water in the Water Division's public water distribution system or
within the potable water system of any premises served by the Water
Division.
The location of an approved backflow prevention device in
a manner which provides simultaneous protection of the Water Division's
public water system and the potable water system within premises served
by the Water Division.
A detailed survey of plumbing on or in premises and/or facilities
to locate or ascertain the location of testable backflow prevention
devices and existing and potential cross-connections, including any
reinspections.
An integrated system of piping underground and sprinkler
heads designed to provide irrigation to surrounding vegetation. Any
backflow preventers or sewer subtraction meters shall be installed
upstream of a building's main line water meter.
A sprinkler system installed after October 1, 1992, or a
sprinkler which has undergone, after July 1, 1993, substantial renovations,
alterations, or additions representing more than 50% of the replacement
cost of the existing system at the time of renovations, alteration
or addition.
A written report which is sent to the owner by the Water
Division delineating cross-connection violations found on the owner's
premises and direction for corrective action.
Any person holding fee title to or having a leasehold of
premises and/or facilities served by the Water Division's public water
distribution system and his/her agent or representative.
All piping and appurtenances thereof used to convey water
within the premises to the last tap or outlet.
An aesthetically objectionable and/or degrading agent or
substance which causes pollution but which, if ingested, would tend
not to be life threatening.
A condition in which a pollutant enters or poses the threat
of entering the Water Division's public water distribution system
or the plumbing systems within premises and/or facilities served with
potable water by the Water Division.
Water from any source which has been approved by the State
of Connecticut Department of Public Health for human consumption.[1]
A piece or parcel of land and such of the structures, buildings
and facilities existing thereon which are connected to the public
water distribution system.
An approved backflow prevention device which contains a spring-loaded
check valve and a spring-loaded atmospheric vent which opens when
the pressure approaches atmospheric. Such a device shall include two
tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the device and
two properly located test ports for testing the device.
The Public Health Code of the State of Connecticut, as the
same may be amended from time to time.
An inlet equipped with one or more couplings to which a fire
hose can be attached and through which water can be delivered to a
sprinkler system by means of a pump. Fire pump test header connections
shall be considered the same as pumper (siamese) connections.
A device containing within its structure a minimum of two
independently acting approved check valves, together with an automatically
operating pressure differential relief valve located between the two
check valves.
Causing damage or posing the threat of damage to the physical
properties of the public water supply or public water distribution
system.
A backflow prevention device that requires annual testing
by a certified backflow prevention device tester. Testable backflow
devices include reduced-pressure-principle type (RPD), double check
valve assembly (DCVA) (fire sprinklers only), and pressure vacuum
breaker (PVB).
A report form, designated by the State of Connecticut, which
is to be used by certified backflow prevention device testers to record
pertinent testing information.
The direction of flow of fluid within a pipe which is opposite
of that which is intended or a location within or on a pipe in relation
to the intended direction of flow.
The owner and/or operator of the public water system.
The purpose of this article is to:
A.
Protect the public potable water supply of the City
from the possibility of contamination or pollution by isolating within
the customer's internal distribution system(s) such contaminants or
pollutants which could backflow into the public water system;
B.
Promote the elimination or control of existing cross-connections,
actual or potential, between the consumer's in-plant potable water
system(s) and nonpotable water system(s), plumbing fixtures and industrial
piping systems; and
C.
Provide for the maintenance of a continuing program
of cross-connection control which will systematically and effectively
prevent the contamination or pollution of all potable water systems.
This program is in compliance with the State of Connecticut Public
Health Code.
A.
Water Division. Under the cross-connection control
regulations or rules it is the responsibility of the Water Division
to prevent water from unapproved sources, or any other substance,
from entering the public water supply system. The Water Division's
cross-connection inspector shall make competent inspections of all
premises necessary to comply with all state regulations. The Water
Division's cross-connection inspector (also, the backflow prevention
device tester) is responsible for testing the backflow devices as
required by State of Connecticut Department of Public Health.[1]
B.
Owner (consumer). The owner (consumer) has the primary
responsibility of preventing pollutants from entering his potable
water system and the public potable water system. All recommendations
made by the Water Division or its representative shall be complied
with according to the Division's rules and regulations. All approved
backflow prevention assemblies will be installed at the owner's expense,
and the owner will be responsible for maintenance of these devices.
Failure to comply with Water Division recommendations could result
in termination of water service.
A.
All reduced-pressure-principal backflow preventers
(RPD's) and pressure vacuum breakers (PVB's) must be tested annually
as required by State of Connecticut Public Health Code.
B.
All new devices (installations) must be inspected.
D.
It shall be unlawful to install any water service
to a premises served by the Meriden water distribution system and
connect the plumbing to any device, fixture, tank, swimming pool,
hose bib, toxic substance or other matter that would be harmful to
public health.
For any existing cross-connections prior to
the date of the establishment of this article, the property owner,
after being notified in writing of the existence of a cross-connection
or cross-connections on his premises, shall, within 30 days, install
an approved backflow device or devices as may be required by the Meriden
Water Division. All devices shall be approved by the Water Division
prior to installation. All installations must be inspected and approved
by the Water Division.
