The purpose of this chapter is:
A. To protect the public potable water supply served by the Braintree
Department of Public Works from the possibility of contamination or
pollution by isolating 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 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 or pollution
of all potable water systems by cross-connection.
As provided in the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 (Public
Law 93-523) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulations,
310 CMR 22.22, the water purveyor has the primary responsibility for
preventing water from unapproved sources or any other substances from
entering the public potable water system.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
AIR GAP SEPARATION
The 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.
APPROVED
Accepted by the reviewing authority as meeting an applicable
specification stated or cited in this regulation or as suitable for
the proposed use.
ATMOSPHERIC VACUUM BREAKER
An approved backflow device used to prevent back siphonage
which is not designed for use under static line pressure.
AUXILIARY WATER SUPPLY
Any water supply of unknown or questionable quality on or
available to the premises other than the supplier'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
into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply from any source
other than the intended source.
BACKFLOW PREVENTER WITH INTERMEDIATE ATMOSPHERIC VENT
A device having two independently operating check valves
separated by an intermediate chamber with a means for automatically
venting it to the atmosphere, in which the check valves are force-loaded
to a normally closed position and the venting means is force-loaded
to a normally open position.
BAROMETRIC LOOP
A loop of pipe rising at least 35 feet, at its topmost point,
above the highest fixture it supplies.
CONTAMINANT
Any physical, chemical, biological or radiological substance
or matter in water.
CROSS-CONNECTION
Any actual or potential connection between a distribution
pipe of potable water from a public water system and any waste pipe,
soil pipe, sewer, drain or other unapproved source.
CROSS-CONNECTION VIOLATION FORM
A violation form designated by the Department, which is being
sent to the owner by the water supplier with copies sent to the Department,
Plumbing Inspectors and Board of Health delineating cross-connection
violations found on the owner's premises and a procedure for
corrective action.
DELEGATED REPRESENTATIVE
Any individual approved by the Director who holds a current
certificate as a backflow prevention device tester from the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts.
DEPARTMENT
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
DIRECTOR
The Director of the Department of Public Works, appointed
by the Selectmen, is vested with the authority and responsibility
for the implementation of an effective cross-connection control program
and for the enforcement of this chapter.
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY
A backflow prevention device which incorporates an assembly
of check valves, with shutoff valves at each end and appurtenances
for testing.
IN-PLANT PROTECTION
The location of approved backflow prevention devices in a
manner which provides simultaneous protection of the public water
system and the potable water system within the premises.
OWNER
Any person maintaining a cross-connection installation or
owning or occupying premises on which cross-connections can or do
exist.
PERMIT
A document issued by the Department which allows a cross-connection
installation.
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 construed 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.
PRESSURE VACUUM BREAKER
An approved backflow prevention device designed to prevent
only back siphonage and which is designed for use under static line
pressure and which has necessary appurtenances for testing.
REDUCED PRESSURE BACKFLOW PREVENTER
An approved backflow prevention device incorporating:
B.
An automatically operating differential relief valve located
between the two checks;
D.
Necessary appurtenances for testing.
RESIDENTIAL DUAL CHECK
An 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.
REVIEWING AUTHORITY
The Department, its designee, 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.
Existing homes used solely for residential purposes shall be
exempt from the provisions of this chapter. However, all residential
sprinkler systems shall require a backflow prevention device.
The Director 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.
If, as a result of a survey of the premises, the Director or his delegated
representative determines that an approved backflow prevention device
is required at the Town's water service connection or as in-plant
protection on any customer's premises, the Director or his delegated
representative shall issue cross-connection violation form to such
customer to install approved backflow prevention devices. The customer
shall, within a time frame determined by the Director, install such
approved device or devices at his own expense, and failure or refusal
or inability on the part of the customer to install such 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.
The Director recognizes the threat to the public water system
arising from cross-connections. As such, the Director, whereas he
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.
Any existing backflow preventer shall be allowed by the Director
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.
Effective the date of the acceptance of the 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. This device will be provided by the Department
of Public Works 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 Director. Since the installation
of a residential dual check valve results in a potential closed plumbing
system within the residence, provisions may have to be made by the
owner for thermal expansion within his closed loop system (i.e., the
installation of thermal expansion devices and/or pressure relief valves).
The Public Works Permitting and Advisory Board shall recommend
fees for the inspection of facilities or testing of devices to ensure
implementation of this chapter to the Board of Selectmen. The Board
of Selectmen shall set such fees.