[Adopted 2-27-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-O-03]
The purpose of this article is:
A.
To protect the public water supply from contamination or pollution
by isolating, within the consumer's water system, contaminants
or pollutants which could backflow through the service connection
into the public water supply system.
B.
To promote the elimination or control of existing cross-connections,
actual or potential, between the public or consumer's water supply
and nonpotable water systems, plumbing fixtures and sources or systems
containing process fluids.
C.
To provide for the maintenance and continuation of a cross-connection
control program which prevents the contamination or pollution of the
public and consumer's water supply.
A.
This article shall apply to all premises (commercial and noncommercial)
served by the Township's water supply system.
B.
The Township and the consumer have the joint responsibility for protection
of the public water supply from contamination or pollution due to
backflow. If the Township requires an approved backflow prevention
device, the Township or its authorize representative, shall give notice
to the consumer to install such an approved backflow prevention device
at each service connection to the premises. The consumer shall install
such an approved device or devices at his own expense within 90 days
of receiving notification. Failure, refusal, or inability on the part
of the consumer to install such a device or devices shall constitute
grounds for discontinuing water service to the premises until such
a device or devices have been installed.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The 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.
A backflow prevention device or method that has been accepted
by the Township as suitable for the proposed use.
A fixture outlet device containing an optional shutoff valve
followed by a valve body containing a soft-seated float-check, a check
seat and an air inlet port. If the shutoff valve is open, the flow
of water causes the float to close the air inlet port. If 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. If no shutoff valve
is provided, the flow of water will determine the opening and closing
of the air inlet port.
Any water source or system on the premises of, or available
to, the customer except connections to other approved community water
supply systems.
A flow condition, induced by a differential in pressure,
that causes the flow of water or mixtures of water and other substances
into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply system from
a source other than its intended source. Backflow can result from
either backsiphonage or backpressure.
A device or other means which will prevent the backflow of
water or any other substance into the public water supply system.
The backflow of water or a mixture of water and other substances
from a plumbing fixture or other customer source, into a public water
supply system due to an increase of pressure in the fixture or customer
source to a value that exceeds the system pressure.
The backflow of water or a mixture of water and other substances
from a plumbing fixture or other customer source, into a public water
supply system due to a temporary negative or sub-atmospheric pressure
within the public water supply system.
The owner or person in control of any premises supplied by
or in any manner connected to a public water supply system.
Any 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.
Cross-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.
Though containment control prevents contamination of the public water
supply, it offers no protection to the water distribution system within
the facility. Reduced pressure zone devices are used for containment
control.
The 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.
An 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, or allowing treated
water to be removed from any public water system, used for any purpose
or routed through any device or pipes outside the public water system,
and returned to the public water system. The term does not include
connections to devices totally within the control of one or more public
water systems and connections between water mains.
An evaluation of the potential risk to health and the adverse
effect upon the public water supply system.
An assembly composed of two single, independently acting,
soft-seated, spring-loaded 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.
Cross-connection control which isolates all free-flowing
fixture outlets (i.e., faucets) from the water distribution system
within a facility. Fixture outlet protection prevents backflow contamination
of both the facility water system and the public water supply. Examples
of fixture outlet protection devices include atmospheric vacuum breakers,
hose-bibb vacuum breakers, and pressure vacuum breakers.
Any 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.
A fixture outlet device which contains a soft-seated, spring-loaded,
air inlet valve and is designed to be attached to an outlet having
a hose connection thread.
An arrangement or device that will allow alternate, but not
simultaneous, use of two sources of water.
Cross-connection control which isolates all non-outlet, water-use
appliances within a facility (e.g., kitchen appliances, air conditioners,
boilers, process tanks, photo developing equipment) from the water
distribution system within the facility. Internal protection prevents
backflow contamination of both the facility water system and the public
water supply. Reduced pressure zone devices and double check valve
assemblies are used for internal protection.
Any condition, device or practice in a water system or its
operation that creates, or may create, an impairment of the quality
of the water to a degree which does not create a hazard to the public
health, but which does adversely and unreasonably affect the aesthetic
qualities of such water for domestic use.
Water not safe for drinking, personal, culinary, or any other
type of domestic use.
Any 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.
The presence in water of any foreign substance that tends
to degrade its quality so as to constitute a hazard, or to 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.
Water which is satisfactory for drinking, personal, culinary,
and domestic purposes and meets the requirements of DEP.
A fixture outlet device containing an independently operating,
soft-seated, spring-loaded check valve and an independently operating,
soft-seated, spring-loaded, air inlet valve on the discharge side
of the check valve.
Any 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 a consumer's water system. This includes,
but is not limited to:
Polluted or contaminated waters;
Process waters; sanitary quality;
Cooling waters;
Contaminated natural waters taken from wells, lakes, streams,
or irrigation systems;
Chemicals in solution or suspension;
Oils, gases, acids, alkalis, and other liquid or gaseous fluids
used in industrial or other processes, or for firefighting purposes;
Heating system waters from boilers or heat pumps.
Warrington Township.
A system which provides water to the public for human consumption
which has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves an average
of at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year.
The term includes any collection, treatment, storage, and distribution
facilities under control of the operator of the system and used in
connection with the system. The term includes collection or pretreatment
storage facilities not under such control which are used in connection
with the system. The term also includes a system which provides water
for human consumption via bottling, vending machines, retail sale,
or bulk hauling methods. The term includes the water supply system
operated by Warrington Township.
A device which contains two independently acting, soft-seated,
spring-loaded check valves, together with a soft-seated, spring-loaded,
diaphragm-activated, 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, shall maintain the pressure between the checks at less
than the supply pressure by opening to the atmosphere. The device
must include tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end, and
each device shall be fitted with properly located test cocks.
A nontestable backflow prevention device that is used for
containment control of residential homes and consists of two independently
operating, soft-seated, spring-loaded, consecutive check valves.
The terminal end of a service line from the public water
supply system. If a meter is installed at the end of the service line,
then the service connection means the downstream end of the meter.
A condition posing an actual or potential threat of damage
to the physical properties of the public water system or to the consumer's
potable water system.
Warrington Township.
A.
The water system shall be considered as made up of two parts: the
public water supply system and the consumer's water system.
B.
The public water supply system shall consist of the source facilities
and the distribution system, and shall include all those facilities
of the public water supply system under the control of the Township
up to the point where the consumer's water system begins.
C.
The source shall include all components of the facilities utilized
in the production, treatment, storage, and delivery of water to the
public distribution system.
D.
The public distribution system shall include the network of conduits
used for delivery of water from the source to the consumer's
water system.
E.
The consumer's water system shall include all facilities beyond
the service connection which are utilized in conveying water from
the public distribution system to points of use.
A.
No water service connection shall be installed or maintained to any
premises where actual or potential cross-connections to the public
water supply system or consumer's water system may exist, unless
such cross-connections are abated or controlled to the satisfaction
of the Township.
B.
No connection shall be installed or maintained whereby water from
an auxiliary water supply may enter a public or consumer's water
system unless such auxiliary water supply, as well as the method of
connection and use of such supply, has been approved by the Township.
A.
The consumer's premises shall be open at all reasonable times
upon notice by the Township, or its authorized representative, for
the purposes of surveying for, or investigating, actual or potential
cross-connections.
B.
On request by the Township, the consumer shall furnish information
on water use practices within his premises.
C.
It shall be the responsibility of the water consumer to conduct periodic
surveys of water use practices on his/her premises to determine whether
there are actual or potential cross-connections to his/her water system.
A.
An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed prior to
the first branch line leading off each service line to a consumer's
water system where, in the judgement of the Township, an actual or
potential hazard to the public water supply system exists.
B.
An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed on each
service line to a consumer's water system where the following
conditions exist:
(1)
Systems having an auxiliary water supply, unless such auxiliary supply
is accepted as an additional source by the Township and approved by
DEP.
(2)
Systems where any substance is handled in such a fashion as to create
an actual or potential hazard to the public water supply system. This
shall include systems having sources or auxiliary systems, which contain
process fluids or waters originating from the public water supply
system, which are no longer under the sanitary control of the water
purveyor.
(3)
Systems having internal cross-connections that are not correctable,
or intricate plumbing arrangements which make it impractical to determine
whether or not cross-connections exist.
(4)
Systems where, because of security requirements or restrictions,
it is impossible or impractical to make a complete cross-connection
survey.
(5)
Systems having a repeated history of cross-connections.
(6)
Others specified by the Township.
C.
An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed on each
service line to a consumer's water system serving, but not necessarily
limited to, the following types of facilities unless the Township
determines that no actual or potential hazards to the public water
supply system exist:
(1)
Hospitals, mortuaries, clinics, nursing homes;
(2)
Laboratories;
(3)
Piers, docks, waterfront facilities;
(4)
Sewage treatment plants, sewage pumping station or stormwater pumping
station;
(5)
Food or beverage processing plants;
(6)
Chemical plants;
(7)
Metal plating industries;
(8)
Petroleum processing or storage plants;
(9)
Radioactive material processing plants;
(10)
Car wash or truck wash; or
(11)
Others specified by the water purveyor.
The type of protection required under § 353-35 of this article shall depend on the degree of hazard which exists as follows:
A.
An approved air gap separation shall be installed where the public
water supply system may be contaminated with substances that are dangerous
to public health and could cause a severe health hazard, and where
such a device would be technically feasible and/or practical.
B.
An approved air gap separation or an approved reduced pressure zone
device shall be installed where the public water supply system may
be contaminated with a substance that could cause a system or health
hazard.
C.
An approved air gap separation, an approved reduced pressure zone
device, or an approved double check valve assembly shall be installed
where the public water supply system may be polluted with substances
that would be objectionable but not dangerous to health.
A.
Any backflow prevention device required by this article shall be
of a model or construction approved by the Township or its designated
representative and shall comply with the following:
(1)
Air gap separation to be approved shall be at least twice the diameter
of the supply pipe, measured vertically above the top rim of the receiving
vessel, but in no case less than one inch.
(2)
A double check valve assembly or a reduced pressure zone device shall
be approved by the Township and shall mean a device that has been
manufactured in full conformance with standards established by the
American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE) entitled:
(a)
ASSE/ANSI 1015 Standard for Double Check Valve Backflow Assemblies;
(b)
ASSE/ANSI 1013 Standard for Reduced-Pressure Principle Backflow-Prevention
Assemblies;
(c)
ASSE/ANSI 1047 Standards for Reduced Pressure Principle Detector
Assemblies;
(d)
ASSE/ANSI 1048 Standards for Double Check Detector Assemblies.
(3)
Said ASSE standards are herein adopted by the Township. Final approval,
however, of the reduced pressure zone device and the double check
valve assembly shall be evidenced by a certificate of full approval,
issued by an approved testing laboratory, certifying full compliance
with the said ASSE standards.
B.
Existing backflow prevention devices approved by the Township at the time of installation and properly maintained shall, except for inspection and maintenance requirements, be excluded from the requirement of § 353-37A of this article provided the Township is assured that they will satisfactorily protect the public water supply system. Whenever the existing device is moved from the present location, or requires more than minimum maintenance, or when the Township finds that the maintenance of the device constitutes a hazard to health, the device shall be replaced by a backflow prevention device meeting the requirements of this article.
A.
Backflow prevention devices required by this article shall be installed
at a location, and in a manner, approved by the Township. The device(s)
shall be installed by a person properly qualified. Installation of
the devices shall be at the expense of the water consumer.
B.
Backflow prevention devices installed on the service line to a consumer's
water system shall be located on the consumer's side of the water
meter, as close to the meter as is reasonably practical, and prior
to any other connection.
C.
Pits or vaults shall be water-tight, flood-free, and maintained free
from standing water by means of either a sump and pump or a suitable
drain. Such a pump or drain shall not connect to a sanitary sewer,
nor permit flooding of the pit or vault by reverse flow from its point
of discharge. An access ladder and adequate lighting, natural or artificial,
shall be provided to permit maintenance, inspection, and testing of
the backflow prevention device.
D.
When installing a backflow prevention assembly the installer must
comply with the IPC and ASSE/ANSI standards and be aware of all OSHA
safety considerations when installations are performed. Major safety
considerations are thermal expansion and assembly discharge damage.
Thermal expansion can cause hot water tanks and other storage vessels
to explode when there are no provisions made for thermal expansion.
Township strongly recommends the installation of a thermal expansion
tank on hot water heaters to prevent the hot water heaters relief
valve from discharging or, more importantly, from exploding. Many
backflow prevention assemblies discharge large amounts of water for
various reasons. This discharge of water could obviously pose a hazard
when the valves are discharging onto or around electrical equipment.
Equipment damage or electrocution could occur. The installer must
ensure that valve discharge will not cause safety hazards or property
damage. Thermal expansion is a concern anytime substances are confined
(in a closed system) and are heated.
A.
It shall be the duty of the consumer at any premises on which backflow
prevention devices are required by this article to have inspections,
tests, and overhaul made in accordance with the following schedule,
or more often where inspections indicate a need.
(1)
Air separation shall be inspected at the time of installation, and
at least every 12 months thereafter.
(2)
Double check valve assemblies shall be inspected and tested for tightness
at the time of installation, and at least every 12 months thereafter.
These devices shall be dismantled, inspected internally, cleaned,
and repaired whenever needed, and at least every 30 months.
(3)
Reduced pressure zone devices shall be inspected and tested for tightness
at the time of installation, and at least every 12 months thereafter.
These devices shall be dismantled, inspected internally, cleaned,
and repaired whenever needed and at least every five years.
(4)
Pressure vacuum breakers shall be inspected and tested for the capability
to prevent backsiphonage at the time of installation and at least
every 12 months thereafter. These devices shall be dismantled, inspected
internally, cleaned, and repaired whenever needed and at least every
12 months.
B.
Inspections, tests, and overhaul of backflow prevention devices shall
be made at the expense of the water consumer, and shall be performed
by a person certified to inspect, test, and overhaul backflow prevention
devices.
C.
Whenever backflow prevention devices required by this article are
found to be defective, they shall be repaired or replaced at the expense
of the consumer without delay.
D.
The water consumer must maintain a complete record of each backflow
prevention device from purchase to retirement. This shall include
a comprehensive listing that includes a record of all tests, inspections,
and repairs. Records of installation, inspections, tests, repairs,
and overhaul shall be submitted to the Township or the Township's
designee, within 30 days, on a form provided by the Township.
E.
Backflow prevention devices shall not be bypassed, made inoperative,
removed, or otherwise made ineffective without specific authorization
by the Township. Bypasses are only permitted when matched protection
is provided meaning that the bypass must contain the same level of
protection as the primary service line. On a parallel service connection,
backflow prevention assemblies must be of the same size and type.
A.
Where a booster pump has been installed on the service line to, or
within, any premises, such a pump shall be equipped with a low-pressure
cut-off device designed to shutoff the booster pump when the pressure
in the service line on the suction side of the pump drops to 10 pounds
per square inch gauge pressure or less for a period of 30 seconds
or longer.
B.
It shall be the duty of the water consumer to maintain the low-pressure
cut-off device in proper working order and to certify to the Township,
at least once a year, that the device is operating properly.
A.
The Township may deny or discontinue, after issuing reasonable notice,
the water service to any premises wherein any backflow prevention
device required by this article is not installed, tested, and maintained
in a manner acceptable to the Township, or if it is found that the
backflow prevention device has been removed or by-passed, or if an
unprotected cross-connection exists on the premises, or if a low-pressure
cut-off device required by this article is not installed and maintained
in working order.
B.
Water service to such premises shall not be restored until the consumer
has corrected or eliminated such conditions or defects in conformance
with this article and to the satisfaction of the Township.
Only authorized persons shall be permitted to use hydrants.
Tampering with the hydrants by unauthorized persons is prohibited.
Any person wishing to use the hydrants (other than the Township and
fire companies) must be permitted. Permits may be obtained from the
Township.
