[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Fulton
as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 7-1-1997 by L.L. No. 11-1997 (Ch. 173, Art. I,
of the 1991 Code)]
This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Water Ordinance
of the City of Fulton, New York."
General City Law, Book 20, Article 2A.
The purpose of this article is to protect and preserve the municipal
water supply and the health and safety of the inhabitants of the City
and visitors thereto.
This article includes the City of Fulton and adjacent communities
or locations in Oswego County which are supplied with City water.
Except where specifically defined herein, all words used in
this article shall carry their customary meanings.
The territory to which this article applies includes the
City of Fulton and in Oswego County, where mains are maintained.
The City of Fulton, New York.
All water systems where a common source of water supply serves
two or more separately owned properties.
Any physical connection or arrangement between two otherwise
separate water supply piping systems, one of which contains potable
water and the other water of unknown or questionable safety, whereby
water may flow, depending on the pressure differential, between the
two systems.
That portion of the house service between the curb box and
the building being served.
Any individual, firm, company, association, society, corporation
or group.
That portion of the service line which connects to the water
main in the street and ends with the curb box located between the
pavement and the property line.
A.
Written application.
(1)
All applications for the use of water must be in writing on a form
provided by the City of Fulton Water Department.
(2)
The application must be made by the property owner, who shall be
held responsible for payment of water.
(3)
Prior to the commencement of any plumbing work, the owner or plumber
must have obtained a permit from the Bureau of Code Enforcement.
B.
Application accepted subject to existing main. Application for service
shall be accepted subject to there being an existing main in a street
or public right-of-way abutting on the premises to be served. The
application in no way obligates the City to extend its mains to serve
the premises under consideration.
[Amended 7-5-2016]
C.
Application not accepted for consumers in arrears. No agreement shall
be entered into by the City with any applicant for water service until
all past due and current charges due from the applicant for water
or services at any premises now or heretofore owned or occupied by
the applicant shall have been paid in full.
A.
Tap charges. Upon approval of the tap application, the following
rates will apply. Tap charges shall be due and payable at the time
of the application.
(1)
Three-fourths-inch inside diameter: $175 on the same side of the
road; $200 across the road. Includes corporation stop, stop and waste
and curb box.
(2)
One-inch diameter: $225 on the same side of the road; $275 across
the road. Includes corporation stop, stop and waste and curb box.
(3)
Two-inch diameter: $325 on the same side of the road; $400 across
the road. Includes corporation stop, stop and waste and curb box.
(4)
Above two-inch diameter: $50 privilege charge only. Meter, all parts
and labor shall be supplied by the property owner as specified by
the Water Department.
(5)
Water meters. A one-time charge for a water meter equal to $135 will
be added at the time of installation. Properties requiring additional
5/8 inch water meters will be charged a fee of $135 per meter at the
time of installation. All residential meters shall be installed by
the City Water Department. An installation fee will be charged for
any commercial meter installed by the City Water Department.
[Amended 5-2-2017 by L.L.
No. 5-2017]
B.
Following the completion of the tap, the work shall be approved by
the Commissioner of Public Works, and the equipment, having been supplied
by the property owner (corporation stop, stop and waste, curb box,
water meter and water meter remote), shall become the property of
the City of Fulton. A gate valve, approved backflow preventer and
a minimum of 12 inches of copper must be in place before the first
fixture.
[Amended 12-16-2003 by L.L. No. 6-2003]
C.
Excavating.
[Amended 12-16-2003 by L.L. No. 6-2003]
(1)
Upon acceptance of a water tap application by the City, the Commissioner
of Public Works shall locate the main nearest to the location of the
desired tap.
(2)
All excavating shall be the responsibility of the property owner
desiring the tap. Forty-eight hours prior to excavation on City property,
the property owner shall contact the Commissioner of Public Works
and arrange a mutually agreeable date for the excavation.
(3)
The excavation, tapping and restoration of the City property shall
be overseen by the Commissioner of Public Works. Sidewalk and curbing
shall be replaced at the property owner's expense.
D.
Mechanical specifications for meters, hydrants, pipes and other equipment
are as follows:
(1)
Meters: single residence standard meter 5/8 inch by 3/4 inch Sensus
Sealed Register Generator type with remote reading register, 1,000
pulse. All commercial meters must meet the specifications of the City
Water Department.
(2)
Hydrant specification:
(a)
Five-and-one-fourth-inch No. A-423 Mueller Centurion fire hydrant.
(b)
Three-way hydrant, two two-and-one-half-inch and one four-and-one-half-inch
NST nozzles.
(c)
One-inch square operating nut, open left.
(d)
Requires 5.5 feet direct burial.
(e)
Six-inch MC Joint HUB inlet.
(f)
Six-inch Mueller No. A2380-20 gate valve before hydrant.
(4)
Size and kind of service pipe. The service pipe shall be not less
than 3/4 inch of Type K or L copper.
(5)
Gate valves: Mueller A-2480-20 nonrising stem, mechanical joint.
(6)
Corporation stop: three-fourths-inch Mueller H-15000.
(7)
Curb stop: three-fourths-inch Mueller H-15200 or 15207.
(8)
Curb box: Mueller H-10314.
(9)
Valve box: Mueller H-10364.
E.
Curb boxes.
(1)
All curb boxes are the responsibility of the City Water Department,
and, where possible, all curb boxes should be installed on City rights-of-way
on the same side of the street as the service and, where possible,
between the sidewalk and curb. No person other than the Water Department
shall make any connection, repairs, additions or alterations to any
City water main or to that portion of any pipe through which City
water flows between City water main to and including the corporation
shutoff. All turning on and shutting off of water is the responsibility
of the Water Department, and no person shall tamper, touch or alter
the curb box in any manner.
(2)
No turn-ons shall be made unless the property owner or person designated
by him or her is on the premises at the time the services are rendered,
except in the case of any emergency.
(3)
It shall be the duty and obligation of the property owner to keep
the curb box on any water service pipe line unobstructed at all times
in order that the employees of the Department may, at any time, have
ready access thereto for the purposes of turning on or off the water
supply to the premises using the same.
F.
Service pipe. The service pipe shall be installed and maintained
by the property owner from the curb box to the service by approved
construction methods under the supervision of the Water Department.
G.
Depth of service. If examination of the service pipe discloses that
the service is not at least five feet in depth to prevent freezing,
the City reserves the right to require it to be lowered to prevent
the pipe from freezing.
H.
A gate valve and residential meter, approved backflow preventer and
a minimum of 12 inches of copper must be in place before the first
fixture.
I.
The City reserves the right to shut off the supply of water if the
consumer does not properly repair any leak in his pipes or fittings
as follows: the owner shall be allowed 48 hours to contract for its
repair. Failure to do so upon being notified that it is necessary
shall allow the Department to make the repair and bill the customer
or owner for all costs or, if necessary, to immediately discontinue
service until repair has been completed unless an emergency situation
exists as determined by the Water Department.
J.
There shall not be any taps made after November 1 until the frost
is out of the ground, unless recommended by the Commissioner of Public
Works.
[Amended 12-16-2003 by L.L. No. 6-2003]
A.
The owners of all premises or users having connection with any water
main through which City water flows must keep all the pipes and fixtures
in connection therewith in good repair and protected against freezing
at their expense, in order that leakage and waste be prevented. Failure
to comply may result in termination of the service.
B.
The Commissioner of Public Works and his aids, agents and assistants
may enter the premises of any water consumer at any reasonable time
to examine the fixtures and pipes, to ascertain the quantity of water
being used and the manner of its use and to determine whether there
is any wasteful or unlawful use of water.
[Amended 12-16-2003 by L.L. No. 6-2003]
C.
No water consumer or property owner shall allow any person other
than those residing or employed upon the premises to regularly take
water therefrom. There shall be no additional water service on the
premises beyond the original application, without additional written
application.
D.
No person other than the Commissioner of Public Works or those acting
under his direction shall interfere with or open or close, or attempt
to do so, any valve gate or shutoff appurtenant to the mains through
which City water flows or appurtenant to any service line between
the water main and the curb shutoff.
[Amended 12-16-2003 by L.L. No. 6-2003]
E.
Fire hydrants.
(1)
No person other than the Commissioner, those acting under his direction,
the Fire Chiefs or members of the Fire Department shall manipulate,
control or operate, or attempt so to do, any fire hydrant or plug
deriving a supply of City water flows or draw water therefrom. Only
those trained in the operation of such fire hydrants or plugs shall
be permitted to manipulate the same.
(2)
Whenever a hydrant has been opened and used, notification of such
fact shall promptly be given to the Water Department.
(3)
No tools or implements shall be used to open hydrants except such
as are furnished by the City or by the Fire Department.
F.
The City will use reasonable care and diligence to provide a constant
supply of water at a reasonable pressure but reserves the right at
any time, without notice, to shut off the water in its mains for the
purpose of making repairs, taps and extensions. The City shall not
be held liable for deficiency or failure in the supply of water or
in the pressure, for any cause whatsoever. However, the City shall
try to give notice of the shutting off of water supplies when time
and conditions permit.
G.
The City water system furnishes water and not pressure and does not
guarantee a continuous supply. No responsibility shall be assumed
for any damages to any apparatus in any house or building due to the
shutting off of water without notice.
H.
The City shall make extensions of mains (where practical), provided
that it can be assured of an annual revenue from the territory to
be served sufficient to warrant the necessary expenditure.
A.
Water service may be discontinued for any of the following reasons:
(1)
Use of water other than represented in application.
(2)
Willful waste of water through improper or imperfect pipes.
(3)
Interfering with any service pipe, seal, meter, curb box, curb stop
or any other appliance of the City.
(4)
Nonpayment of bill for water or services rendered by the City.
(5)
For cross-connecting the City service pipe with any other source
of supply or with any apparatus which may endanger the quality of
the City water supply.
(6)
Refusal of reasonable access to the property for the purposes of
inspecting fixtures or piping.
B.
Before service so discontinued shall be restored, the consumer shall
pay either a minimum of $100 for the turn-on charge or the actual
cost to the City of restoring service, whichever is greater, in advance
of the work performed and sign an application for service, if he has
not already done so. In addition to the above, the consumer may be
required to pay water rent up to one year in advance before restoration
of service shall be considered.
C.
Shutoff of joint services. Where two or more consumers are now supplied
with water through one service pipe under the control of one curb
stop, if any of the parties so supplied shall violate any of these
rules of this article, the City reserves the right to shut off the
joint service line, except that such action shall not be taken until
the innocent consumer who is not in violation of the City rules has
been given a reasonable opportunity to attach his pipe to a separately
controlled service connection.
D.
Nonpayment disconnect. In the event that all or any portion of a
water or sewer bill shall remain unpaid for 40 days after the date
of billing, the Water Department shall send notice by regular mail
or personal service to the owner of the property that water service
will be terminated unless the unpaid balance, plus penalties, interest
and administrative fees, is paid in full before the 60th day from
the date of billing. Water termination will not occur within 24 hours
of the weekend and/or a holiday.
E.
Administrative hearing. In the event that all or any portion of a
water or sewer bill shall remain unpaid for 40 calendar days from
the date of billing, the Water Department shall send notice by regular
mail or personal service to the property owner, stating that the water
service will be terminated unless the unpaid balance of the water
or sewer bill, plus penalty, interest and administration fees, as
provided herein, is paid in full on or before the 60th day from the
date of billing. The notice to the property owner shall state that
the property owner is entitled to an administrative hearing before
the Utility Billing Supervisor and the Audit, Finance and Budget Committee
of the Common Council, for the purpose of challenging the amount of
the water or sewer charges alleged to be due, penalties, interest
and administrative fees, provided that written notice of the request
for such administrative hearing is received by the Water Department
on or before the 50th day from the date of billing. Upon completion
of the administrative hearing, the Audit, Finance and Budget Committee,
by majority vote, shall issue a determination in regards to the challenge
of the property owner.
[Added 3-5-2002 by L.L. No. 2-2002; amended 12-16-2003 by L.L. No.
6-2003; 4-18-2006 by L.L. No. 3-2006]
F.
Penalties. Any water or sewer bill not paid in full within 20 calendar
days from the date of billing shall be assessed a penalty of 10% of
the entire original bill.
[Amended 3-5-2002 by L.L. No. 2-2002]
No person shall in any manner interfere with or attempt to interfere
with any structure, standpipe or pipeline or the appurtenances thereto
or trespass upon any of the property being and forming a part of the
water supply system of the City of Fulton.
A.
No plumber shall do any work in the City of Fulton unless he has
first obtained a license from the City and a permit from the Bureau
of Code Enforcement.
B.
No water pipe or pipes shall be laid closer to a sewer line than
two feet, provided that the sewer line is of cast iron, but in the
event that the sewer line is of vitrified tile or any other material,
said water pipe or pipes shall not be closer to the sewer line than
four feet; however, if the circumstances warrant, there may be a greater
separation than two feet or four feet as above designated, in the
sound discretion of the Water Department; then and in that event the
right to effect greater sanitary precautions shall be reserved by
the Water Department.
C.
Where a water main crosses a sewer line, there shall be a clearance
of not less than two feet with sand between the pipes, and in each
event the sewer pipe must be two feet lower than the water main.
The City of Fulton reserves the right to stop any and all lawn
sprinkling at any time by notice in the newspaper duly designated
as the official newspaper of the City, unless not feasible because
of emergency situations.
A.
All water bills are payable on or before the 20th day after the original billing date to the City of Fulton Clerk/Chamberlain at the Municipal Building. (See § 624-9 for disconnection of service.) All charges due hereunder shall be a lien upon all real estate or premises against which the same shall be charged, superior to any mortgage, judgment of lien of any other nature, except City tax, affecting the same, and shall have priority thereto, or to any conveyance thereof, and notice to the occupant or tenant shall be held to be and deemed a notice to the owner or owners of said real estate or premises.
[Amended 12-1-2009 by L.L. No. 6-2009]
B.
A fee of $20 may be charged for any returned check.
C.
Change of occupancy. Until the City is notified in writing by a property
owner that premises have been vacant and that the water is to be turned
off or that the title has been transferred, the owner as per City
records shall be responsible for all unpaid bills.
D.
All water rents shall be billed to the owners of the real property,
and the owners shall be liable for the same. Payments must be made
in full for all tenants, and no individual tenants shall be billed.
E.
Water deposits for new applications become payable at the time of
deposit. The fee for residential deposits shall be $50, and the fee
for commercial deposits shall be $100.
F.
No refund for overpayments and/or erroneous billings shall be granted
by the City of Fulton without written application for such refund
stating the justification therefor, which application must be received
by the City of Fulton Water Department within one year of the applicable
billing date provided.
In the event that any customer violates any provision on this
article in respect to making or maintaining the connection of the
meter with the water system and fails to correct such violation within
five days after notice has been given by the Water Department to do
so, or in the event that the customer has failed to install a meter
in connection with the premises being served through the waste system
by the date fixed as the final date for making connections, unless
said date is extended by public action and notice, the Water Department
shall have the right to remedy the violation at the expense of the
customer and charge therefor in addition to a service charge and shall
be a lien prior to and superior to every other lien or claim except
the lien of an existing tax or local assessment upon real property
of said owners so served with water from the date said work is done
until it is paid. The bill shall be submitted for the same immediately
after the work is completed, and if it is not paid within 10 days,
such amount shall be added to the bill submitted at the next billing
period, and, if not paid when due, service may be discontinued.
A.
Whenever the Commissioner of Public Works determines that there has
been a violation or that there are reasonable grounds to believe that
there has been a violation of any provision of this article or of
any other state or local law, ordinance or regulation enforced by
the Commissioner, he shall give written notice of such violation or
alleged violation to the person or persons responsible for such violations.
[Amended 12-16-2003 by L.L. No. 6-2003]
B.
Such notice and orders shall:
[Amended 12-16-2003 by L.L. No. 6-2003]
(1)
Contain a description of each violation(s).
(2)
Contain the specific section(s) of how violated.
(3)
Contain the time within which each violation must be corrected.
(4)
Outline remedial action which, if taken, shall effect compliance
with the provisions of this article and any other state or local law,
ordinance or regulation enforced by the Water Department.
(5)
Inform the person to whom it is directed of his or her right to apply
for an administrative hearing before the Commissioner of Public Works
or his designated representative, within the shortest period of time
given to correct any violation in said notice. When a request for
such administrative hearing is requested, the Commissioner shall set
a time and place for such hearing. The rules of evidence prevailing
in courts of record shall not be controlling in such hearings.
C.
The Commissioner may, for good cause shown in his discretion, extend
the compliance time specified in any notice and order issued under
the provision of this article.
D.
It shall be sufficient service to a notice and order of the Commissioner
if said notice and orders shall be sent by certified mail to the owner's
address of record filed in the Assessor's office or last known
address of place of residence.
A.
Purpose and legislative determination. The City of Fulton finds that
the protection of the public health, safety and welfare requires the
establishment of the City of Fulton Water Conservation Program. Such
program is designed to accomplish the following goals:
(1)
Conserve existing water resources.
(2)
Provide sound fiscal management of the City of Fulton water supply
by controlling pumping, treatment and delivery costs.
(3)
Control growth in the amount of sewage requiring treatment and disposal,
given existing treatment and disposal capabilities.
(4)
Control growth in sewage treatment and disposal costs and provide
for reasonable limitations on increased environmental impacts resulting
from such sewage flow increases.
A.
All water used on any premises or for any purpose whatever shall
be metered. No bypass or connection, including but not limited to
bleeders, shall be made or maintained unless covered by a meter. Only
meters which have been furnished or approved by the City shall be
installed. The City Water Department shall determine the type and
size of meter in each instance.
B.
The meter(s) shall be installed within the building to be served
as close as practical to the point where the service pipe enters the
building by an outside wall and shall be set with the inlet and outlet
in a horizontal line, with the register on top, and shall be located
so as to be readily accessible at all times for reading, inspection
and repair. Stop valves shall be provided on both inlet and outlet
sides of the meter.
C.
In the event of a discrepancy between the water consumption as indicated
by the remote reading device and the water consumption as measured
by the water meter, the water consumption as measured by the water
meter shall be controlling.
D.
Outside meter pits may be installed in special cases, on written
approval of the City Water Department. Such meter pits must be installed
in accordance with City specifications and at the expense of the property
owner.
E.
No T-fitting or other fitting through which water may be drawn shall
be used or placed between the main and the meter. The Commissioner
or agent may, at any reasonable time, enter upon the premises for
the purpose of inspecting pipes, take meter readings or check the
operation of the water meter and shall discontinue the supply of water
when the customer has failed to comply with Water Department rules
and regulations or for nonpayment of water bills.
F.
All meters will be tested before being set. Meters furnished by other
parties will not be recognized unless they have been first tested
by the Water Department and a special permit has been given.
G.
If the meter is not placed in an accessible place, the water supply
will be turned off by the Water Department and will be turned on at
the owner's expense when the meter is reset in an accessible
position. There shall be no tampering with water meters or breaking
meter seals with the intent to slow, stop or alter the reading of
a water meter.
H.
At the request of a consumer, the Water Department will test the
meter supplying the property of said consumer. If the meter, on test,
is found to be registering over 100% more water than actually passes
through it, no charge will be made for the test; otherwise, a charge
of $75 will be imposed.
[Amended 5-2-2017 by L.L.
No. 5-2017]
I.
When a meter is not working, the customer will be billed by estimate.
The charge will be made on the basis of past history.
J.
The Water Department will maintain meters up to 5/8 inch.
K.
Repairs to meters above 5/8 inch shall be at the owner's expense.
The City may terminate water service if defective meters are not repaired
within a reasonable time after notice of the defect has been given
by the City.
L.
All new construction begun or applications made for water service
after the effective date of this article shall provide for each dwelling
unit to be separately metered. This may be waived at the discretion
of the Commissioner of Public Works.
[Amended 12-16-2003 by L.L. No. 6-2003]
M.
Meters suspected to be inaccurate or leaking should be reported to
the Water Department.
N.
The Water Department may inspect, replace or repair any meter at
any time it is felt it should be replaced or repaired.
O.
A meter damaged by or as a result of faulty plumbing in the building,
such as faulty heating or hot water system allowing hot water to back
through the meter or damage by a blow or tampering or freezing, shall
be repaired and the cost billed to and paid by the property owner.
P.
Existing multifamily dwellings (rentals) with individual meters for
each unit may continue, but the owner or landlord will ultimately
be responsible for the payment of any billing.
In case a house or other building is to be closed or become
vacant, notice thereof shall be given to the Water Department in order
that the meter may be read and the curb cock closed. The meter shall
be removed and stored by the Water Department. Where such notice is
not given and pipes burst from freezing or other cause, the value
of the water lost by reason thereof as estimated by the Water Department,
together with a charge to cover labor and expense to the Water Department,
shall be added to the next bill and be paid in like manner as regular
water charges.
Any person who shall, except as permitted by this article, break,
damage, destroy, uncover, deface or tamper with any structure, apparatus
or equipment which is part of any public water supply system shall
be deemed to have violated this article. Any person who commits or
permits any acts in violation of any of the provisions of this article
shall be deemed to have committed an offense against such article
and shall be liable for the penalties provided. A separate offense
against this article shall be deemed committed on each day during
or on which a violation occurs or continues. A separate penalty may
be imposed for each separate offense.
In addition to the above provided penalties, the City may cause
water service to be cut off to any property where a violation exists.
The City may also maintain action or proceedings in the name of the
City in a court of competent jurisdiction to compel compliance with
or to restrain by injunction the violation of this article.[1]
[Adopted 5-15-2001 by L.L. No. 4-2001 (Ch. 174 of the 1991
Code)]
This article shall be known as the "Cross-Connection Control
Law of the City of Fulton, New York."
The purpose of this article is:
A.
To protect the public potable water supply served by the City of
Fulton Water Department from the possibility of contamination or pollution
by isolating, within its customer's internal distribution system,
such contaminants or pollutants which could backflow or backsiphon
into the public water system.
B.
To promote the elimination or control of existing cross-connections,
actual or potential, between its customers 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 or pollution
of all potable water systems by cross-connection control.
[Amended 12-16-2003 by L.L. No. 6-2003]
The Commissioner of Public Works of the City of Fulton is hereby
given the authority to administer and enforce the provisions contained
herein.
[Amended 12-16-2003 by L.L. No. 6-2003]
The Commissioner of Public Works of the City of Fulton 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 through the water service connection.
If, in the judgment of the Commissioner, an approved backflow device
is required on any water service, the Commissioner or his delegated
agent shall give notice in writing to said customer to install an
approved backflow prevention device at the outlet end of the water
meter and before any unprotected branch. The customer shall, within
90 days, install such approved device, or devices, at the owner's
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.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any backflow device or other assembly found to be acceptable
for control of cross-connections as specified by New York State Department
of Health requirements.
Any facility in which substances are present which, if introduced
into the public water supply system, could be considered a nuisance
to other water customers but would not adversely affect human health.
Accepted by the Commissioner of Public Works as meeting an
applicable specification stated or cited in this regulation, or as
suitable for the proposed use.
[Amended 12-16-2003 by L.L. No. 6-2003]
Any water supply on or available to the premises other than
the purveyor's approved public potable water supply.
The reverse flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, substances
or gases of questionable quality from an unapproved water supply or
source into a potable water system. Backflow is induced by a difference
in pressure, reduced pressure or backpressure in the distribution
pipes and system.
A device or means designed to prevent backflow or backsiphonage.
Most commonly categorized as "air gap," "reduced-pressure-principle
device," "double-check valve assembly," "pressure vacuum breaker,"
"atmospheric vacuum breaker," "hose bib vacuum breaker," "residential
dual check," "double-check with intermediate atmospheric vent" and
"barometric loop."
AIR GAP SEPARATIONA 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 backsiphonage by creating an atmospheric vent when there is either a negative pressure or subatmospheric pressure in a water system. This type of device is only applicable to hose bibs.
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 backsiphonage.
DOUBLE-CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLYAn 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 check 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 approved 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.
A condition resulting from backflow or backsiphonage of unacceptable
quality water or gases from a plumbing fixture or other customer source(s)
into a public water supply system due to a greater pressure within
the customer's water system.
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.
The Commissioner of Public Works for the City of Fulton,
New York.
[Amended 12-16-2003 by L.L. No. 6-2003]
A method of backflow prevention which requires a backflow
prevention preventer at the water service entrance.
Any 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.
The presence of a substance in water that can degrade water
quality.
Any actual or potential connection between the public water
supply and a potential source of contamination or pollution.
A fee determined and charged by the Department for the initial
installation permit, and a fee for the renewal of the permit.
A water user served by the City of Fulton water system.
Rating applied to a facility, either hazardous, aesthetically
objectionable or nonhazardous.
City of Fulton Water Department.
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.
Any person who has legal title to, or license to operate
or habitat in, a property upon which a cross-connection inspection
is to be made or upon which a cross-connection is present.
A document issued by the Department, which allows the use
of a backflow preventer.
Any individual, partnership, company, public or private corporation,
political subdivision or agency of the state, department, agency or
instrumentality or the United States or any other legal entity.
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.
That point in the owner's water system beyond the sanitary
control of the district; generally considered to be the outlet end
of the water meter and always before any unprotected branch.
A.
The Commissioner of Public Works shall develop and implement a cross-connection
program, to include keeping of necessary records and requirements
for testing.
[Amended 12-16-2003 by L.L. No. 6-2003]
B.
The owner shall allow his property to be inspected for possible cross-connections
and shall follow the provisions of the Department's program and
regulations relevant to cross-connections.
C.
If the Department requires that the public supply be protected from
contamination, the owner shall be responsible for water quality beyond
the outlet end of the protective device and shall utilize fixture
outlet protection for that purpose.
A.
Department.
(1)
On new installations, the Department 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 perform
inspection and testing. In any case, a minimum of a dual check valve
will be required in any new residential construction. Testing must
be performed annually by a certified tester at the expense of the
owner of the facility.
(2)
For premises existing prior to the start of this program, the Department
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. Ninety days will be allowed for the correction;
however, this time period may be shortened depending upon the degree
of hazard involved and the history of the device(s) in question.
(3)
The Department 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 to ensure satisfactory
operation.
(4)
The Department shall inform the owner, by letter, of any failure
to comply by the time of the first reinspection. The Department will
allow an additional 15 days for the correction. In the event that
the owner fails to comply with the necessary correction by the time
of the second reinspection, the Department 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 Department of extenuating circumstances
as to why the correction has not been made, a time extension may be
granted by the Department by means of an administrative agreement,
but in no case will exceed an additional 30 days.
(5)
If the Department determines at any time that a serious threat to
the public health exists, the water service will be terminated immediately.
(6)
The Department shall have on file a list of New York State certified
backflow preventer device testers, who are qualified to conduct such
testing. All charges for these tests will be paid by the owner of
the building or property.
(7)
The Department will begin initial premises inspections to determine
the nature of existing or potential hazards, following the approval
of this program by the Commission and Common Council, during the calendar
year 2001. Initial focus will be on high-hazard industries and commercial
premises.
(8)
The Department will maintain a test result database and will notify
owners of the need to retest installed devices.
(9)
The Department will disseminate information about the cross-connection
program to interested customers and water consumers.
(10)
The Department will have the authorization to charge a permit
fee for the installation and renewal of permits for devices. The Department
is also authorized to charge based on a fee schedule that will be
evaluated on a yearly basis.
B.
Owner.
(1)
The owner shall be responsible for the elimination or protection
of all cross-connections on the premises.
(2)
The owner, after having been informed by a letter from the Department,
shall, at his expense, install, maintain and test, or have tested,
any and all backflow preventers on his premises. Testing shall be
performed annually at the cost of the owner, and the testing reports
shall be mailed to the Department within 30 days of the test.
(3)
The owner shall correct any malfunction of the backflow preventer
which is revealed by periodic testing.
(4)
The owner shall inform the Department of any proposed or modified
cross-connections and also any existing cross-connections of which
the owner is aware but have not been found by the Department.
(5)
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 of the device(s)
must supply additional devices necessary to allow testing to take
place. All such devices shall be approved by the Department prior
to testing.
(6)
The owner shall install backflow preventers in a manner approved
by the Department.
(7)
The owner shall install only backflow preventers approved by the
Department or the Commissioner.
(8)
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 Department's
system. Permission to cross-connect may be denied by the Department.
The owner may be required to install a backflow preventer at the service
entrance if a private water source is maintained, even if it is not
cross-connected to the Department's system.
(9)
In the event that the owner installs plumbing to provide potable
water for domestic purposes, which is on the Department's side
of the backflow preventer, such plumbing must have its own backflow
preventer installed.
(10)
The owner shall be responsible for the payment of all fees for
permits, annual or semiannual device testing and retesting in the
case that the device fails to operate correctly.
The Department 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 Department 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 Department. A fee of $50 will be charged
for the initial permit and $25 for the renewal of each permit.
B.
Permits shall be renewed every five 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 Department
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 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 for high-hazard cross-connections
shall be tested and inspected at least semiannually. All low-hazard
backflow prevention devices shall be inspected and tested annually.
B.
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 ensure 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 ensuring that uninterrupted water service during testing
or repair of devices and is strongly recommended when the owner desires
such continuity.
C.
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 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.
Any person, association, partnership, firm or corporation violating
any of the provisions of this article shall be deemed guilty of a
violation and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined in an amount
not exceeding $250 or shall be imprisoned in the Oswego County Jail
for a period not exceeding 15 days, or shall be both fined and imprisoned.
