[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]
APPROVED
Accepted by the Reviewing Authority as meeting an applicable
specification stated or cited in this regulation or as suitable for
the proposed use.
AUXILIARY WATER SUPPLY
Any water supply on or available to the premises other than
the Water Department's approved public potable water supply.
BACK PRESSURE
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.
BACK SIPHONAGE
A form of backflow due to reduced or subatmospheric pressure
within a water system.
BACKFLOW
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.
BACKFLOW PREVENTER
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.
1.
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.
2.
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.
3.
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.
4.
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.
7.
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).
8.
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.
9.
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.
COMMISSION
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.
CONTAINMENT
A method of backflow prevention which requires a reduced
pressure backflow preventer or an air gap separation at the meter
or property line.
CONTAMINANT
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.
CROSS-CONNECTION
Any actual or potential connection between the public water
supply system and a source of contamination or pollution.
CROSS-CONNECTION VIOLATION FORM
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.
DEPARTMENT
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
(MassDEP).
DESIGN DATA SHEET
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.
HEALTH HAZARD
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.
IN-PLANT PROTECTION
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.
INSPECTION
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.
OWNER
Any person maintaining a cross-connection installation or
owning or occupying premises on which cross-connections can or do
exist.
OWNER'S AGENT
Any person or body designated by the owner to act as his
or her representative.
PERSON
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.
POLLUTANT
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.
POTABLE WATER
Water from any source that has been approved by MassDEP for
human consumption.
REVIEWING AUTHORITY
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.
UNAPPROVED SOURCE
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.
[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.
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.
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The Water Department maintains the following:
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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]
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The Water Department will submit the following to the Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Protection upon request:
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1. Annual list of all cross-connections protected by an approved dual
check valve assembly or reduced pressure backflow preventer device.
2. Summary of cross-connection inspections and surveys.
[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.