[Adopted 7-14-2008]
It is the purpose and intent of this article to ensure that
all water supplies under the control of the County and/or the Carroll
County Public Service Authority destined for public consumption be
pure and not constitute a danger to the public health or safety. This
article is designed to satisfy the requirements of the commonwealth's
Waterworks Regulations promulgated by the State Department of Health.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere
between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying pure
water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other device and the rim of
the receptacle.
Any water system on or available to the premises other than
the waterworks. These auxiliary waters may include water from another
purveyor's waterworks; or water from a source such as wells, lakes
or streams; or process fluids; or used water. They may be polluted
or contaminated or objectionable or constitute a water source or system
over which the water purveyor does not have control.
The flow of contaminants, pollutants, process fluids, used
water, untreated waters, chemicals, gases or nonpotable waters into
any part of a waterworks.
Any approved device, method or type of construction intended
to prevent backflow into a waterworks.
The Bureau of Sanitary Engineering of the State Department
of Health.
The owner or person in control of any premises supplied by
or in any manner connected to a waterworks.
Any water system located on the consumer's premises, supplied
by or in any manner connected to a waterworks.
Any introduction into pure water of microorganisms, wastes,
wastewater, undesirable chemicals or gases.
Any connection or structural arrangement, direct or indirect,
to the waterworks whereby backflow can occur.
Conditions derived from an evaluation of the potential risk
to health and the adverse effect upon the waterworks.
The Director of the Public Service Authority (PSA).
An approved assembly composed of two single, independently
acting check valves, including tightly closed shutoff valves located
at each end of the assembly and petcocks and test gauges for testing
the watertightness of each check valve.
The level above which surface water will not accumulate under
normal conditions.
The top edge of the receptacle over which water could overflow.
Any condition, device or practice in a waterworks or its
operation that creates, or may create, a danger to the health and
well-being of the water consumer.
The person having legal title to the property or the person
in charge, care and control of the property where the facilities in
question are located; also, the tenants of such property.
The presence of any foreign substance (chemical, physical,
radiological or biological) in water that tends to degrade its quality
so as to constitute an unnecessary risk or impair the usefulness of
the water.
A condition through which an aesthetically objectionable
or degrading material may enter the waterworks or a consumer's water
system.
Any fluid or solution, which may be chemically, biologically
or otherwise contaminated or polluted, which would constitute a health,
pollution or system hazard if introduced into the waterworks. This
includes, but is not limited to:
Polluted or contaminated waters.
Process waters.
Used waters originating from the waterworks which may have deteriorated
in sanitary quality.
Cooling waters.
Contaminated natural waters taken from wells, lakes, streams
or irrigation systems.
Chemicals in solution of suspension.
Oils, gases, acids, alkalis and other liquid and gaseous fluids
used in industrial or other processes or for firefighting purposes.
Water fit for human consumption and use which is sanitary
and normally free of minerals, organic substances and toxic agents
in excess of reasonable amounts for domestic usage in the area served
and normally adequate in supply for the minimum health requirement
of the persons served.
A device containing a minimum of two independently acting
check valves, together with an automatically operated pressure differential
relief valve located between the two check valves. During normal flow
and at the cessation of normal flow, the pressure between these two
checks shall be less than the supply pressure. 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 check valves at less than the supply pressure. The unit must include
tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the device,
and each device shall be fitted with properly located test cocks.
These devices must be of the approved type.
The terminal end of a service line from the waterworks. If
a meter is installed at the end of the service, then the "service
connection" means the downstream end of the meter.
That portion of the waterline from the consumer's side of
the water meter to the first water outlet.
A condition posing an actual, or threat of, damage to the
physical properties of the waterworks or a consumer's water system.
Any substance of solids or liquids harmful for human consumption.
Any water supplied by a water purveyor from waterworks to
a consumer's water system after it has passed through the service
connection.
A vacuum breaker designed so as not to be subjected to continuous
static line pressure.
A vacuum breaker designed to operate under conditions of
static line pressure.
An individual, group of individuals, partnership, firm, association,
institution, corporation, municipal corporation, County or authority
which supplies water to any person within this state from or by means
of any waterworks.
All structures, equipment and appurtenances used in the storage,
collection, purification, treatment of and distribution of pure water,
except for the piping and fixtures inside the building where such
water is delivered, as set forth in Code of Virginia, § 32.1-167.
The Public Service Authority is hereby authorized to adopt a
cross-connection control program in accordance with this article and
the Waterworks Regulations of the Virginia Department of Health. The
Director of the Public Service Authority or his designated agent shall,
in accordance with the Public Service Authority's duly adopted cross-connection
control program, inspect the plumbing in every building or premises
served by the Public Service Authority waterworks system as frequently
as may be necessary to ensure that such plumbing has been installed
and is maintained in a manner as to prevent the possibility of pollution
or contamination of the public water supply. The Director shall notify,
or cause to be notified in writing, the owner, occupant or authorized
agent of the owner of any such building or premises to correct, within
a reasonable time set by the Director, any plumbing installed or existing
contrary to or in violation of this article and which may create the
risk of pollution to the County water supply or otherwise adversely
affect the public health.
A.Â
The Director or his designated agent shall inspect all premises or
buildings during reasonable hours and under such circumstances as
to minimize the inconvenience to the owner or occupants of the premises
or their agents. Should any owner, occupant or agent refuse to allow
the Director access to the premises for the purposes of conducting
an inspection, or should the Director not be able to contact the owner,
occupant or agent for the purposes of obtaining permission to inspect,
the Director shall have the right to apply immediately to a Magistrate
or other judicial officer for a proper warrant to carry out the necessary
inspection. The provisions of this section shall apply to all initial
inspections and to such follow-up inspections as may be necessary.
B.Â
Termination of water.
(1)Â
In addition to the warrant procedure set forth in Subsection A of this section, the Director may commence administrative proceedings to discontinue water service to the uninspected premises. Except in emergency cases involving the imminent risk of pollution of the County water supply, the Director shall give 10 days' written notice to the owner or occupant of the affected premises, or to a responsible agent, of the Director's intention to terminate the water service. The Director shall afford to the owner, occupant or agent a hearing on the question of whether water service shall be terminated. This hearing shall be scheduled and conducted in such a manner that, to the maximum extent feasible, the inconvenience and burden on the owner, occupant or agent shall be minimized. The hearing shall take place before the Director or a designated principal assistant. The Director shall not terminate the water service to the premises in question, if it is found as a fact that:
(2)Â
In all cases, the hearing provided by this subsection shall be scheduled
within the ten-day period immediately following the giving of written
notice to the owner, occupant or agent. Upon a showing of good cause,
the Director may grant a reasonable continuance of the hearing so
scheduled, but the Director, nevertheless, shall retain the right
to terminate the water service at the expiration of the ten-day notice
period if, in his discretion, public health considerations require
such action. The Director shall, in all cases, render his decision
immediately after the taking of all evidence at the hearing, or as
soon thereafter as may be practicable, but in no case later than 24
hours following the termination of the taking of evidence. The Director
shall cause his findings of fact and disposition of the case to be
reduced to writing and shall preserve the same for a period of one
year.
C.Â
In emergency circumstances where the Director has reasonable cause to believe that a cross-connection hazard exists in the subject premises and that such hazard jeopardizes the integrity or the purity of the County water supply, he shall forthwith terminate the water service to the subject premises. The Director shall thereafter immediately afford the owner, occupant or agent the notice and opportunity to be heard pursuant to the procedures set forth in Subsection B of this section. In all cases where the Director shall summarily terminate water service, as provided under this subsection, the Director shall act with dispatch in notifying the owner, occupant or agent and shall exercise the utmost diligence in scheduling a prompt hearing on the matter.
D.Â
Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections A and B of this section, the Director shall not terminate any water service in cases where the Director has reliable information from any sources indicating that cross-connection hazards do not exist on the premises to which access for inspection cannot be gained.
A.Â
The cross-connection hazard and backflow-prevention devices required
shall be as set forth in the chart included as an attachment to this
chapter.
[Amended 11-14-2013]
B.Â
When investigation discloses that unusual or extraordinary hazards
require more stringent means of protection, the Director shall have
the authority to require the installation of the same. The Director
shall in all cases specify the facts constituting the greater hazard
found to require more stringent protective measures. The more stringent
protective measures shall be related to such unusual or extraordinary
hazards and shall be no more burdensome than is reasonably necessary
to alleviate or guard against such hazards. The Director shall specify
in writing to the owner the manner in which the more stringent protective
measures alleviate or guard against the unusual or extraordinary hazards.
Cross-connection between approved potable community or noncommunity
water systems and other unapproved systems or equipment containing
water or other substances of unknown or questionable safety are prohibited,
except when and where, as approved by the Director, protective devices
such as the reduced-pressure-zone backflow preventer or its equivalent
are installed, maintained and tested to ensure proper operation on
a continuing basis. The Director of the PSA may deny or discontinue
the water service to a consumer if the required backflow-prevention
device is not installed. If it is found that the device(s) has been
removed or bypassed or if a cross-connection exists on the premises,
or if the pressure in the waterworks is lowered below 10 pounds per
square inch gauge, the Director shall take positive action to insure
that the waterworks is adequately protected at all times. Water service
to such premises shall not be restored until the deficiencies have
been corrected or eliminated in accordance with the Commonwealth of
Virginia Waterworks Regulations and to the satisfaction of the Director.
A.Â
Devices for the prevention of backflow shall be tested and certified
to meet the standards of the agencies listed as follows:
(1)Â
American Society of Sanitary Engineers.
(2)Â
American Water Works Association.
(3)Â
American National Standards Institute.
(4)Â
University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection
Control.
(5)Â
Department of Health, Education and Welfare list of accepted equipment
for interstate carriers.
B.Â
In addition, all backflow-prevention devices shall be approved by
the State Department of Health. A list of approved devices shall be
kept on file in the office of the Director of Public Works.
Certified plans for the following types of facilities shall
be submitted in duplicate to the Director prior to construction:
A.Â
Hospitals, mortuaries, clinics, nursing homes.
B.Â
Laboratories.
C.Â
Piers, docks, waterfront facilities.
D.Â
Sewage treatment plants, sewage pumping stations or stormwater pumping
stations.
E.Â
Food and beverage processing plants.
F.Â
Chemical plants and dyeing plants.
G.Â
Metal plating industries.
H.Â
Petroleum processing or storage plants.
I.Â
Radioactive materials processing plants or nuclear reactors.
J.Â
Car washes.
K.Â
Lawn sprinkler systems and irrigation systems.
L.Â
Fire service systems.
M.Â
Farms, where the water is used for other than household purposes.
N.Â
Others specified by the Director, when reasonable cause can be shown
for a potential backflow or cross-connection hazard.
A.Â
Backflow-prevention devices shall be accessibly located, preferably
in the same room with the fixture they serve. In all cases, installation
shall be in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
B.Â
Atmospheric vacuum breakers shall be installed with the critical
level at least six inches above the flood-level rim of the fixture
they serve and on the discharge side of the last control valve to
the fixture.
C.Â
Pressure vacuum breakers shall be installed with the critical level
at least 12 inches above the flood-level rim of the fixture they serve.
D.Â
Reduced-pressure-principle backflow preventers and double-check valve
assemblies shall be installed a minimum of 12 inches above existing
ground level in an easily accessible location for testing and maintenance.
In order to maintain a program of cross-connection and backflow-prevention
control consistent with this article, the Director of Public Works
shall perform the following acts:
A.Â
Initially, a checklist specifying potential hazards shall be sent
to each resident served by the County water systems for their review
and completion. The completed form shall be returned to the Director
of Public Works office.
B.Â
The Director of Public Works shall review the completed form and
require the installation of proper backflow-prevention devices where
needed in accordance with this article or with regulations of the
State Department of Health.
A.Â
The owner of any premises where backflow protective devices are installed
shall inspect such devices at least once yearly, beginning one year
after installation. If the Director concludes that more frequent inspections
are required, the Director shall notify the owner of the premises
in writing of such finding and shall further specify the basis for
such conclusions. The Director shall also promulgate a schedule for
more frequent inspections.
B.Â
Backflow-prevention devices shall be tested, repaired, overhauled
or replaced as necessary, at the expense of the water user. Records
of such test, repair and overhaul shall be forwarded to the Director.
A.Â
The Director of the PSA shall notify the owner or authorized agent
of the owner of the building or premises in which there is found a
violation of this article, apprising such person of the facts of such
violation. The Director shall set a reasonable time for the owner
to have such violation removed or corrected. Upon failure of the owner
to have the violation corrected by the end of the specified time interval,
the Director may, if in the Director's judgment a health hazard exists,
cause the water service to the building or premises to be terminated.
B.Â
Any owner or authorized agent of the owner responsible for the maintenance
of the plumbing system or backflow-prevention devices in a building
who knowingly permits a violation of this article to remain uncorrected
after the expiration of the time set by the Director shall be guilty
of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
[Amended 11-14-2013]
All cross-connection control program records are to be kept
and maintained by the Director of Public Works for a period of 10
years after their effective date.
