The purpose of this chapter is to safeguard potable water supplies
from potential contamination by preventing backflow from a water user's
system into the public water system. It is the intent of this chapter
to recognize that there are varying degrees of hazard and to apply
the principle that the degrees of protection should be commensurate
with the degrees of hazard. Further, it is the intent of the Village
of Bath, New York, to comply with the requirements of New York State
Sanitary Code, Part 5, Section 5-1.31, which section mandates the
requirement that the supplier of water protect its water system in
accordance with mandated requirements as set forth in the Cross-Connection
Control Manual published by the New York State Department of Health
(NYSDOH), and to that extent, the terms, conditions and provisions
of the New York State Sanitary Code, Part 5, Section 5-1.31 and the
Cross-Connection Control Manual are incorporated in this chapter by
reference as if more fully stated.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
AIR GAP SEPARATION
A physical break between a supply pipe and a receiving vessel.
The air gap shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe,
measured vertically above the top rim of the vessel, in no case less
than one inch.
APPROVED CHECK VALVE
A check valve that seats readily and completely. It must
be carefully machined to have free moving parts and assured watertightness.
The face of the closure element and valve seat must be bronze, composition,
or other noncorrodible material which will seat tightly under all
prevailing conditions of field use. Pins and bushing shall be of bronze
and other noncorrodible, nonsticking material, machined for easy,
dependable operation. The closure element shall be internally weighted
or otherwise internally equipped to promote rapid and positive closure
in all sizes where this feature is obtainable.
APPROVED DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY
Two single, independently acting check valves, including
tightly closing shut-off valves located at each end of the assembly
and suitable test connections. This device must be approved as a complete
assembly by Bath Electric, Gas and Water Systems and the New York
State Department of Health.
APPROVED REDUCED PRESSURE ZONE DEVICE
A minimum of two independently acting check values together
with an automatically operated pressure differential relief valve
located between the two check valves. 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
shut-off valves located at each end of the device, and each device
shall be fitted with properly located test cocks. This device must
also be approved as a complete assembly by Bath Electric, Gas and
Water Systems and the New York State Department of Health.
AUXILIARY SUPPLY
Any water supply on or available to the premises other than
the approved public water supply.
CERTIFIED BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE TESTER
An individual who has successfully completed a New York State
Department of Health approved course in the testing of backflow prevention
devices and has been issued a certificate by the New York State Department
of Health.
CROSS-CONNECTIONS
Any unprotected connection between any part of a water system
used or intended to be used as a supply of water for drinking purposes
in a source or systems containing water or substance that is not or
cannot be approved as equally safe, wholesome and potable for human
consumption.
WATER SUPERVISOR
The consumer or a person on the premises charged with the
responsibility of complete knowledge and understanding of the water
supply piping within the premises and for maintaining the consumer's
water system free from cross-connections and other sanitary defects,
as required by this chapter and all other required regulations and
laws.
The Director of Municipal Utilities for the Village of Bath
or his designated representative shall be responsible for the protection
of the public potable water distribution system from contamination
or pollution due to the backflow of contaminants or pollutants through
the water service connection. If, in the judgment of the Director
of Municipal Utilities, an approved backflow prevention assembly is
required (at the customer's water service connection; or within
the customer's private water system) for the safety of the water
systems, the Director of Municipal Utilities or his designated representative
shall give notice in writing to said customer to install such an approved
backflow prevention assembly(s) at a specific location(s) on his/her
premises. The customer shall immediately install such approved assembly(s)
at his/her own expense; and failure, refusal, or inability on the
part of the customer to install, have tested, and maintain said assembly(s)
shall constitute grounds for discontinuing water service to the premises
until such requirements have been satisfactorily met.
The water system shall be required to maintain a degree of protection
commensurate with the degree of hazard regardless of whether the hazard
is immediate or potential. To that extent, the Cross-Connection Control
Manual published by NYSDOH shall be used, as a guide, to determine
where protection is required. It shall be the responsibility of the
water user to provide and maintain such required protection devices,
and such devices shall be of a type acceptable to the New York State
Department of Health.
The protective device required shall depend on the degree of
hazard as tabulated below:
A. At the service connection to any premises where there is an auxiliary
water supply handled in a separate piping system with no known cross-connection,
the public water supply shall be protected by an approved reduced
pressure zone device.
B. At the service connection to any premises on which a substance that
would be objectionable (but not necessarily hazardous to health if
introduced into the public water supply) is handled so as to constitute
a cross-connection, the public water supply shall be protected by
an approved double check valve assembly.
C. At the service connection to any premises on which a substance of
unusual toxic concentration or danger to health is or may be handled,
but not under pressure, the public water supply shall be protected
by an air gap separation or an approved reduced pressure zone backflow
prevention device. If an air gap is installed, it shall be located
as close as practical to the water meter, and all piping between the
water meter and receiving tanks shall be entirely visible. A reduced
pressure zone device, when installed, shall be located as close as
possible to the property line.
D. At the service connection to any premises on which any material dangerous
to health, or toxic substance and toxic concentration, is or may be
handled under pressure, the public water supply shall be protected
by an air gap separation. The air gap shall be located as close as
practical to the water meter, and any piping between the water meter
and receiving tanks shall be entirely visible. If these conditions
cannot reasonably be met, the public water supply shall be protected
with an approved reduced pressure zone backflow prevention device.
E. At the service connection to any sewage treatment plant or sewage
pumping station, the public water supply shall be protected by an
air gap separation. The air gap shall be located as close as practical
to the water meter, and all piping between the water meter and receiving
tanks shall be entirely visible. If these conditions cannot be reasonably
met, the public water supply shall be protected by an approved reduced
pressure zone backflow prevention device.
It shall be the duty of the water user on any premises on account
of which backflow protective devices are installed to have competent
inspections made at least once a year, or more often in instances
where successive inspections indicate repeated failure. Devices shall
be repaired, overhauled or replaced at the expense of the water user
whenever they are found to be defective. These tests shall be performed
by a qualified backflow prevention device tester, and all test results
will be provided to the water purveyor within 72 hours after the test
is made. Records of such tests, repairs and overhaul shall also be
kept and made available to the water purveyor and the local health
department upon request.