[Added 9-10-2008 by Ord. No. 08-11]
A.
To protect the public potable water supply served by the Town from
the possibility of contamination of pollution by isolating, within
its customers internal distribution system, such contaminants or pollutants
which could backflow or back-siphon into the public water system.
B.
To promote the elimination or control of existing cross-connections,
actual or potential, between its customers' in-plant potable water
system and nonpotable systems.
C.
To provide for the maintenance of a continuing program of cross-connection
control which will effectively prevent the contamination of all potable
water systems by cross-connection.
A.
The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act of l974 stipulates that 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.
Town Water and Sewer Ordinance No. 5-91, as amended by Ordinance
No. 11-91.
The Town shall be responsible for the protection of the public
potable water distribution system from contamination or pollution
due to the backflow or back-siphonage of contaminants or pollutants
through the water service connection.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Accepted by the Town as meeting an applicable specification
stated or cited in this regulation, or as suitable for the proposed
use.
Any water supply on or available to the premises other than
the Town's public potable water supply.
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances
under positive or reduced pressure in the distribution pipes of a
potable water supply from any source other than its intended source.
A device or means designed to prevent backflow or back-siphonage.
Most commonly categorized as air gap, reduced pressure principle device,
double check valve assembly, pressure vacuum breaker, atmosphere vacuum
breaker, hose bib vacuum breaker, residential dual check, double check
with intermediate atmospheric vent, and barometric loop.
AIR GAPA physical separation sufficient to prevent backflow between the free-flowing discharge end of the potable water system and any other system. Physically defined as a distance equal to twice the diameter of the supply side pipe diameter but never less than one inch.
ATMOSPHERIC VACUUM BREAKERA device which prevents back-siphonage 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 35 feet at its topmost point above the highest fixture it supplies. It is utilized in water supply systems to protect against back-siphonage.
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLYIn assembly of two independently operating spring-loaded check valves with tightly closing shutoff valves on each side of the check valves, plus properly located test cocks for the testing of each valve.
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE WITH INTERMEDIATE ATMOSPHERIC VENTA device having two spring loaded check valves separated by an atmospheric vent chamber.
HOSE BIB VACUUM BREAKERA device which is permanently attached to a hose bib 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 independently operating check valves with an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two 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 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.
A condition in which the owner's system pressure is
greater than the supplier's system pressure.
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances
into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply system from
any source other than its intended source caused by the sudden reduction
of pressure in the potable water supply system.
A method of backflow prevention which requires a backflow
prevention preventer at the water service entrance.
A substance that will impair the quality of the 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 and a source of contamination or pollution.
A method of backflow prevention in which a backflow preventer
is located to correct a cross-connection at an in-plant location rather
than at a water service entrance.
Maryland Department of the Environment Water Supply Program.
Any person who has legal title to a property served by the
Town's water system.
A document issued by the Town which allows the use of a backflow
preventer.
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 effect such water for domestic use.
The state-licensed Superintendent, or his delegated representative,
in charge of the operation of the Town's water supply and distribution
system who is vested with the authority and responsibility for the
implementation of a cross-connection control program and the enforcement
of the provisions of the Cross-Connection Control Program.
Town of North Beach, an incorporated municipality located
in Calvert County, Maryland.
That point in the owner's water system beyond the sanitary
control of the Town; generally considered to be the outlet end of
the water meter and always before any unprotected branch.
A.
The Town will operate a cross-connection control program, to include
the keeping of necessary records, which fulfills the requirements
of the MDE Cross-Connection Regulations.
B.
The owner shall allow his property to be inspected for possible cross-connections
and shall follow the provisions of this Cross-Connection Control Program.
C.
If, in the judgment of the Town, an approved backflow device is required
at the Town's water service connection to any customer's
premises, the Town shall give notice, in writing, to said customer
to install an approved backflow prevention device at each service
connection to his premises. The customer shall, within 90 days, 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 within 90 days shall constitute a ground for discontinuing
water service to the premises until such device or devices have been
properly installed.
A.
For new installations, the Town 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, will issue permits and will perform
any necessary inspections or testing. In any case, a dual check valve
will be required for all new installations.
B.
For premises existing prior to the start of this program, the Town
will perform evaluations and inspections of plans and/or premises
and inform the owner by letter of any corrective action deemed necessary,
the method of achieving the correction and the time allowed for the
correction to be made. Ordinarily, 90 days will be allowed; however,
this time period may be shortened depending upon the degree of hazard
involved and the history of the device(s) in question.
C.
The Town will not allow any cross-connection to remain unless it
is protected by an approved backflow preventer for which a permit
has been issued and which will be regularly tested by the owner to
insure satisfactory operation.
D.
The Town shall inform the owner by letter of any failure to comply
by the time of the first reinspection. The Town may allow an additional
15 days for the correction. In the event the owner fails to comply
with the necessary correction by the time of the second reinspection,
the Town 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 days. In the event that the owner informs the Town of
extenuating circumstances as to why the correction has not been made,
a time extension may be granted by the Town.
E.
If the Town determines at any time that a serious threat to the public
health exists, the water service will be terminated immediately.
F.
The Town shall have on file a list of private contractors who are
certified backflow device testers. All charges for these tests will
be paid by the owner of the building or property.
G.
The Town will begin initial premises inspections to determine the
nature of existing or potential hazards following the approval of
this Cross-Connection Control Program by the North Beach Town Council.
Initial focus will be on high-hazard locations and commercial premises.
H.
The owner shall be responsible for the elimination or protection
of all cross-connections on his premises.
I.
The owner, after having been informed by a letter from the Town,
shall, at his expense, install, maintain and test, or have tested,
any and all backflow preventers on his premises. The results of all
testing must be provided to the owner in writing.
J.
The owner shall correct any malfunction of the backflow preventer
which is revealed by periodic testing.
K.
The owner shall inform the Town of any proposed or modified cross-connections
and also any existing cross-connections of which the owner is aware
but that have not been found by the Town.
L.
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 the device(s) must
supply additional devices necessary to allow testing to take place.
M.
The owner shall install backflow preventers in a manner approved
by the Town.
N.
The owner shall install only backflow preventers approved by the
Town.
O.
Any owner having a private well or other private water source must
have a permit if the well or source is cross-connected to the Town's
system. The owner shall be required to install a backflow preventer
as approved by the Town in the permit.
P.
In the event the owner installs plumbing to provide potable water
for domestic purposes which is on the Town's side of the backflow
preventer, such plumbing must have its own backflow preventer installed.
Q.
The owner shall be responsible for the payment of all fees for permits,
annual or semiannual device testing, retesting, in the case that the
device fails to operate correctly, and any reinspections for noncompliance
with Town requirements.
The Town recognizes the threat to the public water system arising
from cross-connections. All threats will be classified by degree of
hazard and will require the installation of approved reduced pressure
principle backflow prevention devices or double check valves.
The Town shall not permit a cross-connection within the public
water supply system unless it is considered necessary and it cannot
be eliminated.
A.
Cross-connection permits that are required for each backflow prevention
device are obtained from the Town. A fee will be charged for the initial
permit and any renewals of the permit.
B.
Town permits shall be renewed every two years and are nontransferable.
Permits are subject to revocation and become immediately revoked if
the owner should so change the type of cross-connection or degree
of hazard associated with the service.
Any existing backflow preventer shall be allowed by the Town
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 principle device or a reduced pressure
principle device must be installed in the event that no backflow device
was present.
A.
Reduced pressure principle backflow devices shall be tested and inspected
at least semiannually.
B.
Periodic testing shall be performed by a certified tester. This testing
will be done at the owner's expense. The results of all testing
shall be provided to the Town within 15 days of the test.
C.
Any backflow preventer which fails during a periodic test will be
repaired or replaced. When repairs are necessary, upon completion
of the repair, the device will be retested at the owner's expense
to insure correct 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 30 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 during testing
or repair or devices and is recommended when the owner desires such
continuity.
D.
Backflow prevention devices will be tested more frequently than specified in Subsection A above in cases where there is a history of test failures and the Town feels that, due to the degree of hazard involved, additional testing is warranted. Cost of the additional tests will be borne by the owner.
The Town will adopt and periodically publish a list of fees
or charges associated with this Cross-Connection Control Program.
A.
Residential dual check.
(1)
Effective the date of the acceptance of this Cross-Connection
Control Program for the Town, all new residential buildings will be
required to install a residential dual check device immediately downstream
of the water meter. Installation of this residential dual check device
on a retrofit basis on existing service lines will be instituted as
a time and cost permit. This retrofit shall be completed by the Town.
(2)
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, provisions may have to be made by the owner to
provide for thermal expansion within his closed loop system, i.e.,
the installation of thermal expansion devices and/or pressure relief
valves.
B.
Strainers. The Town recommends that all new retrofit installations
of reduced pressure principle devices and double check valve backflow
preventers include the installation of strainers located immediately
upstream of the backflow device. The installation of strainers will
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., that may stir up debris within the water
main that will cause fouling of backflow devices installed without
the benefit of strainers.
