For the purpose of this section, the following words shall have the meaning indicated unless clearly indicated otherwise in the text:
AIR GAP SEPARATIONThe unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying potable water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other device and the flood level rim of the receptacle. The differential distance shall be at least double the diameter (2 x D) of the supply pipe, measured vertically, above the top of the rim of the vessel. In no case shall the air gap be less than one inch.
APPROVEDA backflow prevention device or method has been accepted by the public water supplier as suitable for the proposed use.
ATMOSPHERIC VACUUM BREAKER (also known as the "non-pressure-type vacuum breaker")A device containing a shutoff valve followed by a valve body containing a float check, a check seat and an air inlet port. When the shutoff valve is open, the flow of water causes the float to close the air inlet port. When the shutoff valve is closed, the float falls and forms a check valve against backsiphonage and, at the same time, opens the air inlet port.
AUXILIARY WATER SYSTEMAny water source or system on the premises of or available to the customer except connections to other approved community water supply systems.
BACKFLOWA flow condition, induced by a differential in pressure, that causes the flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids, gases or other substances into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply system from a source other than its intended source.
BACKFLOW PREVENTERA device or other means which will prevent the backflow of water or liquids of questionable quality into the public water supply system.
BACKSIPHONAGEThe backflow of water or mixture of water and other liquids, gases or other substances from a plumbing fixture or other customer source into a public water supply system main due to a temporary negative or subatmospheric pressure within the public water supply system.
CONSUMERThe owner or person in control of any premises supplied by or in any manner connected to a public water supply system.
CONSUMER'S WATER SYSTEMAny water system located on the consumer's premises supplied by or in any manner connected to a public water supply system. A household plumbing system is considered to be a consumer's water system.
CONTAINMENTCross-connection control which isolates the customer's entire facility from the public water supply system so as to provide the protection necessary to prevent contamination of the public water supply in the event of backflow from the customer's facility.
CONTAMINATIONThe degradation of the quality of the drinking water by wastewaters, processed fluids, or any water of a quality less than accepted drinking water quality to a degree which would create an actual hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease.
CROSS-CONNECTIONAn arrangement allowing either a direct or indirect connection through which backflow, including backsiphonage, can occur between the drinking water in a public water system and a system containing a source or potential source of contamination.
DEGREE OF HAZARDAn evaluation of the potential risk to health and the adverse effect upon the public water supply system.
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLYAn assembly composed of two single, independently acting check valves, including tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly and suitable connections for testing the water tightness of each check valve.
HEALTH HAZARDAny condition, device or practice in a water system or its operation that creates or may create a danger to the health and well-being of its users. The word "severe," as used to qualify "health hazard," means a hazard to the health of the user that could reasonably be expected to result in significant morbidity or death.
PERSONAny individual, partnership, association, company, corporation, municipality, municipal authority, political subdivision or any agency of federal or state government. The term includes the officers, employees and agents of any partnership, association, company, corporation, municipality, municipal authority, political subdivision or any agency of federal or state government.
POLLUTIONThe presence in water of any foreign substance that tends to degrade its quality so as to constitute a 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 waters for domestic use.
POTABLE WATERWater which is satisfactory for drinking, culinary and domestic purposes and meets the requirements of the Department of Environmental Protection.
PROCESS FLUIDSAny fluid or solution which may be chemically, biologically or otherwise contaminated or polluted in a form or concentration such as would constitute a health, pollutional, or system hazard if introduced into the public or consumer's water system. This includes, but is not limited to:
A. Polluted or contaminated waters;
Used waters originating from the public water system which may have deteriorated in sanitary quality;
Contaminated natural waters taken from wells, lakes, streams, or irrigation systems;
Chemicals in solution or suspension;
Oils, gasses, acids, alkalis, and other liquid and gaseous fluids used in industrial or other processes, or for firefighting purposes; and
Heating system waters from boilers or heat pumps.
REDUCED PRESSURE ZONE (RPZ) DEVICEA 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 checks 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.
SERVICE CONNECTIONThe terminal end of a service line from the public water supply system. If a meter is installed at the end of the service, then the "service connection" means the downstream end of the meter.
SYSTEM HAZARDA condition posing an actual or potential threat of damage to the physical properties of the public water system or the consumer's potable water supply.