It is hereby declared the policy of the city to promote the public health, safety, and welfare by:
(1) 
Implementing the rules for drinking water standards governing drinking water quality and reporting requirements for public water supply systems promulgated by the state commission on environmental quality, 31 Texas Administrative Code sections 290.44 and 290.46, Texas Health and Safety Code, chapter 341, subchapter C, and the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C.A. section 300f et seq.;
(2) 
Establishing a cross-connection control program of uniform regulations governing the installation, testing and certification of backflow prevention assemblies and technicians;
(3) 
Establishing requirements to permit and control the installation, routine maintenance and inspection of backflow prevention assemblies.
(Ordinance 99-61, sec. 1, adopted 11/23/99; 1957 Code, sec. 21-31)
This article shall be construed so as to achieve the following objectives:
(1) 
To protect the public potable water supply of the city from the possibility of contamination or pollution by isolating within the customer’s internal distribution system(s) or the customer’s private water system(s) such contaminants or pollutants that could backflow into the public water system;
(2) 
To promote the elimination or control of existing cross-connections, actual or potential, between the customer’s potable water system(s) and nonpotable water systems, plumbing fixtures, and process piping systems in conjunction with the currently adopted plumbing code;
(3) 
To provide for the maintenance of a continuing program of cross-connection control that will systematically and effectively prevent the contamination or pollution of the city’s potable water by requiring the certification and operational testing of all testable backflow prevention assemblies located on a premises, and requiring the installation of approved backflow prevention assemblies as required by the currently adopted plumbing code; and
(4) 
To comply with the Commission Rules and Regulations for Public Water Systems (31 TAC sections 290.38 through 290.49).
(Ordinance 99-61, sec. 1, adopted 11/23/99; 1957 Code, sec. 21-32)
This article shall be liberally interpreted to achieve the policy and purposes stated above.
(Ordinance 99-61, sec. 1, adopted 11/23/99; 1957 Code, sec. 21-33)
This article shall apply to the utility water service area and all cross-connections and installations of backflow prevention assemblies within:
(1) 
Any area where potable water is provided by the utility;
(2) 
Areas where water is purchased from the utility for the purpose of resale; and
(3) 
Any plumbing outside the city requiring plumbing inspection pursuant to an interlocal agreement between the city and a political subdivision, a water sales contract or applicable ordinance.
(Ordinance 99-61, sec. 1, adopted 11/23/99; 1957 Code, sec. 21-34)
The director is hereby authorized to promulgate reasonable regulations to achieve the purposes of this article that are not in conflict with this chapter, the plumbing code, the city charter, the laws of the state, Texas Health and Safety Code, section 341.031 et seq., as amended, and the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C.A. section 300f et seq., as amended.
(Ordinance 99-61, sec. 1, adopted 11/23/99; 1957 Code, sec. 21-35)
For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. If a word or term used in this article is not contained in the following list, its definition may be shown in the plumbing code found in article 3-3 of the city code. Other technical terms used shall have the meanings or definitions listed in the latest edition of the Manual of Cross Connection Control published by the Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research, University of Southern California.
Air gap separation.
A physical separation between the free-flowing discharge end of a potable water supply pipeline and an open or nonpressure receiving vessel. An approved air-gap separation shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the overflow rim of the vessel, in no case less than one (1) inch (2.54 cm). Air gaps can be used to protect against backpressure or backsiphonage of a high health or non-health hazard.
Atmospheric vacuum breaker (AVB).
A device consisting of a float check, a check seat, and an air inlet port. A shutoff valve immediately upstream may be an integral part of the assembly. The AVB is designed to allow air to enter the downstream water line to prevent backsiphonage. This unit may never be subjected to a backpressure condition or have a downstream shutoff valve, or be installed where it will be in continuous operation for more than twelve (12) hours. The AVB can be used to protect against backsiphonage of a high health or non-health hazard.
Auxiliary water supply.
Any water supply on or available to the premises other than the purveyor’s approved public water supply. These auxiliary waters may include water from another purveyor’s public potable water supply or any natural sources, such as but not limited to a well, spring, river, stream, used waters, or industrial fluids. These waters may be contaminated or polluted, or they may be objectionable and constitute an unacceptable water source over which the water purveyor does not have sanitary control.
Backflow.
The undesirable reversal of flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids, gases, or other substances into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply from any source(s).
Backflow prevention assembly.
A device or means to prevent backflow into the potable water system, including reduced pressure backflow assemblies, double check valve assemblies, atmospheric vacuum breakers, pressure vacuum breaker assemblies or air gap.
Backflow prevention assembly tester.
A technician certified in writing by the state commission on environmental quality as capable and licensed to test, repair and certify backflow prevention assemblies.
Backpressure.
A pressure higher than the supply pressure, caused by a pump, elevated tank, boiler, air/stream pressure, or any other means, which may cause backflow.
Backsiphonage.
A form of backflow due to a reduction in system pressure which causes a negative or subatmospheric pressure to exist at a site in the water system.
Commission.
The state commission on environmental quality.
Containment.
Installation of the appropriate type or method of backflow protection at the service connection.
Contamination.
An impairment of the quality of the public potable water supply or a private potable water supply by the introduction or admission of any foreign substance that degrades the quality and which creates an actual hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease by sewage, industrial fluids, or waste.
Cross-connection.
Any actual or potential connection or structural arrangement between a public or private water system through which it is possible to introduce any used water, industrial fluids, gas, or substance other than the intended potable water with which the system is supplied; bypass arrangements, jumper connections, removal sections, swivel or changeover devices and other temporary or permanent devices through which or because of which backflow can or may occur.
Customer.
The person, company or entity contracting with the city through the utility department to receive potable water service.
Customer’s potable water system.
That portion of the privately owned potable water system from the customer’s connection at the water meter to the point of use, including any facilities that lie in a public right-of-way and/or utility easement. This system will include all pipes, conduits, tanks, receptacles, fixtures, equipment and appurtenances used to produce, convey, store or utilize the potable water.
Customer service inspection.
A detailed inspection of a location and disposition of the water lines, including, without limitation, establishing water lines on the premises, the existence of cross-connections, the availability of auxiliary or used water supplies, the use of or availability of pollutants, contaminants and other liquid, solid or gaseous substances which may be used for stabilization of water supplies and such other processes necessary to determine degree of hazard. Inspection may include review of records required by this article. This inspection can only be conducted by:
(1) 
Plumbing inspectors and water supply protection specialists licensed by the state board of plumbing examiners.
(2) 
Certified waterworks operators and members of other water-related professional groups holding an endorsement granted by the commission or its designated agent.
(3) 
Licensed plumbers (for single-family residential services only).
Degree of hazard.
The low or high hazard classification that shall be attached to all actual or potential cross-connections.
(1) 
High health hazard.
The classification assigned to an actual or potential cross-connection that potentially could allow a substance that may cause illness or death to backflow into the potable water supply.
(2) 
Non-health hazard.
The classification assigned to an actual or potential cross-connection that could allow a substance that may be objectionable but not hazardous to health to backflow into the potable water supply.
Director.
The director of the utilities of the city or the director’s authorized representative or designee.
Double check valve.
An assembly composed of two (2) independently acting, approved check valves, including tightly closing resilient-seated shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly and fitted with properly located resilient-seated test cocks. This assembly shall only be used to protect against a non-health hazard (i.e., pollutant).
Hazard connection.
High health hazard or non-health hazard as defined by this article.
Nonpotable water.
Water that does not comply with the commission’s rules and regulations governing drinking water.
Pollution.
An impairment of the quality of the public potable water supply to a degree which does not create a hazard to the public health but does adversely and unreasonably affect the aesthetic qualities of such potable water for domestic use.
Potable water or water.
Water which is satisfactory for drinking, culinary, and domestic purposes and meets the requirements of the commission.
Pressure vacuum breaker assembly (PVB).
An assembly containing an independently operating internally loaded check valve and an independently operating loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check valve. The assembly is to be equipped with properly located resilient seated test cocks and tightly closing resilient seated shutoff valves attached at each end of the assembly. This assembly shall only be used to protect against backsiphonage from a high health or non-health hazard.
Public potable water system.
Any publicly or privately owned water system operated as a public utility under the commission’s rules and regulations to supply water for domestic purposes. This system will include all sources, facilities and appurtenances between the source and the point of delivery such as valves, pumps, pipes, conduits, tanks, receptacles, fixtures, equipment and appurtenances used to produce, convey, treat or store potable water for public consumption or use.
Reduced pressure backflow prevention assembly.
Consists of two (2) independently acting approved check valves together with a hydraulically operating, mechanically independent pressure differential relief valve located between the check valves and below the first check valve. These units are located between two (2) tightly closing resilient-seating shutoff valves and are fitted with properly located resilient-seated test cocks. This assembly can be used to protect against backsiphonage or backpressure of a high health hazard or non-health hazard.
Service connection.
The terminal end of a service connection from the public potable water system, i.e., where the water purveyor loses jurisdiction and sanitary control over the water at its point of delivery to the consumer’s potable water system. If a meter is installed at the end of the service connection, then the service connection shall mean the downstream end of the meter.
Used water.
Any water supplied by a water purveyor from a public water system to a consumer’s water system after passing through the point of delivery, or service connection, and that is no longer controlled by the water purveyor. Used water shall not be returned to the public potable water system.
Utility.
The city utilities department.
Water supply protection specialist.
Any person who holds a license endorsement issued by the state board of plumbing examiners to engage in the inspection, in connection with health and safety laws and ordinances, of the plumbing work or installation of a public water system distribution facility or of customer-owned plumbing connected to that system’s water distribution lines.
(Ordinance 99-61, sec. 1, adopted 11/23/99; Ordinance 2006-14, sec. 3, adopted 3/14/06; 1957 Code, sec. 21-36)
(a) 
Authority.
The director and the city attorney, and each of them, are hereby authorized to enforce the provisions of this article by any one or more of the enforcement mechanisms set forth in this section.
(b) 
Liability.
The inspectors, agents or representatives of the city charged with enforcement of this article shall be deemed to be performing a governmental function for the benefit of the general public, and neither the city, the director nor the individual inspector, agent, or representative of the city engaged in inspection or enforcement activities under this article, when acting in good faith and without malice, shall ever be held liable for any loss or damage, whether real or asserted, caused or alleged to have been caused as a result of the performance of such governmental function.
(c) 
Right of entry.
As a condition of the city providing water service, directly or indirectly, to property, whether within or outside the corporate limits, and as a condition of connection to or continued service from the public potable water system by customers under the conditions hereinafter set forth, any authorized officer or employee of the city may enter, inspect, monitor or conduct enforcement activities with respect to any part of the public or private potable water system servicing such premises, and shall have a right to enter without delay to, upon, or through any premises to gain access to a potential cross-connection, backflow prevention assembly or piping, without limitation, and may inspect any customer’s potable water system or piping or records pertinent thereto required under this article and/or any rules or regulations of any governmental entity with whom the city may have an interlocal agreement for the provision of wholesale water services. This right of entry shall extend to public streets, easements, and private property within which any portion of the public or private potable water system servicing such premises may be located. If right of entry is refused by the owner, occupant, agent or manager, an administrative search warrant may be pursued under the conditions of this section.
(d) 
Arrangements for access.
The customer connected to the public potable water system shall make all necessary arrangements, at its sole expense, to remove without delay security barriers or other obstacles to access by the director.
(e) 
Obstruction of access.
Obstruction or unreasonable delay in allowing access by the director to premises connected to the public potable water system shall constitute a violation of this article.
(f) 
Administrative search warrants.
If the director has been refused access to a building, structure, or property or any private potable system connected to the public potable water system and if the director has demonstrated probable cause to believe that a violation of this article, a plumbing permit, or other order issued hereunder exists or that there is a need to inspect as part of the city’s routine inspection program designed to verify compliance with this article or any permit or order issued hereunder, or to protect the overall health, safety, and welfare of the community, then, upon application by the director, who is designated as the code enforcement official pursuant to section 18.05, Code of Criminal Procedure, a judge of the municipal court may issue an administrative search warrant describing therein the specific location subject to search and the property or items subject to seizure. Such warrant shall be served at reasonable hours in the presence of a uniformed police officer. In the event of an emergency affecting public health and safety, such inspection shall be made without the necessity of a warrant.
(g) 
Notice of violation (NOV).
Whenever the director determines that any person has violated or is violating this article, the conditions of registration as a registered backflow prevention assembly tester, a plumbing permit, installation requirements of a backflow prevention assembly under this article, or any other cross-connection protection requirement, the director may, but shall not be required, to serve upon said person a written NOV describing the violation and the action required to correct the same, and the time frame in which the corrective action is to be taken.
(h) 
Criminal penalty.
A person who violates any provision of this article is violating a city ordinance that governs health and sanitation and shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor for each day or portion thereof during which the violation is continued. Each such offense is punishable by a fine not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000.00).
(i) 
Culpability.
A culpable mental state is not required to prove a criminal offense under this article.
(j) 
Civil actions.
The city attorney is hereby authorized to enforce this article by civil court actions in accordance with the procedures provided by state or federal law, including, without limitation, actions for injunction, damages, declaratory relief or other remedies that the city attorney shall deem appropriate to pursue.
(k) 
Civil penalties.
(1) 
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, if a person has received actual notice of the provisions of this article, and after the person received notice of the provisions of this article such person committed or continued acts in violation of this article or failed to take action necessary for compliance with this article, the city attorney may initiate a suit on behalf of the city against the owner, occupant, agent, or manager of premises that are in violation of this article, to recover a civil penalty, pursuant to section 54.017 of the Texas Local Government Code, not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per day for each such violation. Each day or fractional part thereof that such noncompliance continues shall constitute a separate violation for which civil penalties shall accrue under this article.
(2) 
A suit for civil penalties hereunder shall not prevent nor be a prerequisite for taking any other action against a person in violation of this article. Such suit may also include therein a request for such other and further relief as the city attorney shall deem advisable, including, without limitation, an action for injunction or claim for damages to recover for expenses, loss, or damage to city property occasioned by reason of such violation.
(3) 
In lieu of taking other enforcement actions, the city and the person may agree to civil penalties of any amount.
(l) 
Remedies cumulative.
All remedies authorized under this article are cumulative of all others unless otherwise expressly provided. Accordingly, the filing of a criminal action shall not preclude the pursuit of a civil or administrative action for violation of this article, nor shall the filing of a civil action preclude the pursuit of any other action or remedy, administrative or criminal.
(m) 
Persons responsible for violation.
A person is responsible for a violation of this article if:
(1) 
The person commits or assists in the commission of a violation; or
(2) 
The person is the owner, occupant, agent, or manager of the property or facilities determined to be the source of a violation of this article.
(n) 
Tenant responsibility.
Where an owner of property leases or rents the same to any person as tenant or lessee, his agent, the owner or tenant or all may be held responsible by the director for noncompliance with the provisions of this article.
(o) 
Expenses, loss or damage incurred by city.
Any person violating the provisions of this article shall be liable to the city for all expenses, loss, or damage incurred by the city by reason of such violation.
(p) 
Temporary disconnection of water service.
When the director believes that an emergency affecting public health or safety exists, the director may immediately discontinue water service. It shall be an emergency affecting public health and safety if an approved backflow prevention assembly is not installed as required by this article or an actual cross-connection between the public and private water system exists. The temporary disconnection will continue until the cross-connection is eliminated as required by this article. Reasonable advance notice and an opportunity to be heard shall be provided to the customer if it is not an emergency. If it is an emergency, notice and an opportunity to be heard shall be provided to the customer as soon as possible after the disconnection of such water service.
(q) 
Refusal of water service.
Failure to obtain and comply with the appropriate plumbing or building permits shall result in placement of a hold on the issuance of certificate of occupancy and termination of water service provided during construction.
(r) 
Administrative process.
The administrative process shall be subject to the schedule and other procedures provided in section 1-2-5, city code.
(Ordinance 99-61, sec. 1, adopted 11/23/99; 1957 Code, sec. 21-45)
(a) 
No installation of potable water supply, piping, or part thereof shall be made in such a manner that allows used, polluted, or contaminated water, mixtures, gases, or other substances to enter any portion of such piping by reason of backsiphonage, backpressure or any other cause.
(b) 
No person shall install any water-operated equipment or mechanism, or use any water-treating chemical or substance, if it is found that such equipment, mechanism, chemical or substance may cause pollution or contamination of the public potable water supply. Such equipment or mechanism may be permitted only when equipped with an approved backflow prevention assembly.
(c) 
No person shall connect to the public potable water supply any mechanism(s) or system(s) designed to return used water to the public potable water system through any measures.
(d) 
No person shall connect an auxiliary water system to the public potable water system except as allowed by the currently adopted plumbing code, as amended.
(Ordinance 99-61, sec. 1, adopted 11/23/99; 1957 Code, sec. 21-37)
(a) 
Generally.
(1) 
New installations.
(A) 
New, replacement, or reconditioned backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in accordance with the currently adopted plumbing code, as amended.
(B) 
Prior to installation, the person must obtain a plumbing permit.
(C) 
Prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy, a completed test and maintenance report must be submitted to the utility for any connection requiring a testable backflow prevention assembly. Documentation of an approved air gap can be substituted where applicable.
(2) 
High health hazard installations.
(A) 
Only approved backflow prevention assemblies installed at the meter can be used at high health hazard applications unless a variance is obtained from the director. Variances will be based on conditions such as type of hazard(s), complexity of facility plumbing, potential for future plumbing connections, and others as deemed appropriate.
(B) 
The director may require a secondary assembly if deemed necessary to protect the public water supply from the failure of or allow maintenance of the primary backflow prevention assembly.
(3) 
Other installations.
(A) 
An approved backflow prevention assembly shall be installed to protect the potable water system from contamination or pollution when such system is connected to any automatic fire protection system, standpipe system, or privately owned fire hydrants.
(B) 
Installation of a reduced pressure backflow prevention assembly shall be required on any meter connected to the public potable water system for water appropriation from fire hydrants unless an approved air gap is authorized. Only meters and backflow prevention assemblies approved by the director can be used to obtain water from a fire hydrant.
(4) 
Wholesale customers.
Any customer purchasing water for the purpose of resale or distribution shall:
(A) 
Install an air gap separation or a reduced pressure backflow assembly at the service connection; or
(B) 
Implement a plumbing inspection and cross-connection control program approved by the director which is not less restrictive than that of the city and provide annual program records to the director for review and audit.
(5) 
Government customers.
Any premises owned, operated, or occupied by a state, federal, county, city, or foreign government or agency refusing to comply with the provisions of this article shall install a reduced/pressure backflow prevention assembly at each service connection.
(6) 
Water hauling vehicles.
Water hauling vehicles obtaining water from a connection to the public potable water system maintained by the city shall have an approved air gap separation or a reduced pressure backflow prevention assembly installed permanently on the vehicle, or, if connected by a fire hydrant meter, installed on the fire hydrant meter. This assembly shall be registered with the utility and certified for operation annually.
(b) 
Compliance by existing customers.
(1) 
The premises owner, customer or designated representative of any facility which is determined to have an unprotected or improperly installed high health hazard connection(s) must comply with subsection (a) of this section within sixty (60) days upon notification by the director unless the director determines that circumstances exist which require installation within a shorter time frame. Documentation of the installation and testing shall be submitted as defined in sections 13-3-33 and 13-3-36.
(2) 
The premises owner, customer, or designated representative of any facility which is determined to have an unprotected non-health hazard connection must install an approved assembly immediately downstream of the city’s meter on a schedule determined by the director. Documentation of the installation and testing shall be submitted as defined in sections 13-3-33 and 13-3-36.
(3) 
The premises owner, customer or designated representative shall have all testable backflow prevention assemblies which are currently installed certified for operation by a certified backflow prevention assembly tester on an annual basis. If the assembly has not been certified for operation within the last year, the assembly must be tested and, if required, repaired, and the documentation submitted to the director within sixty (60) days upon notification by the director or on a schedule approved by the director.
(Ordinance 99-61, sec. 1, adopted 11/23/99; 1957 Code, sec. 21-38)
(a) 
It shall be the duty of the customer at any premises where testable backflow prevention assemblies are installed to have certified inspections and operational tests conducted upon installation and annually thereafter. In those instances where the director deems the hazard to be deleterious to human health, certified inspections may be required semiannually. Inspections and tests shall be at the expense of the owner, owner’s representative, or customer and shall be performed by a backflow prevention assembly tester.
(b) 
Assemblies shall be repaired, overhauled, or replaced at the expense of the customer whenever said assemblies are found to be defective. Records of such tests, repairs, and overhaul shall be kept and submitted to the director within ten (10) working days of the tests, repairs or overhaul of each backflow prevention assembly.
(c) 
No backflow prevention assembly or air gap shall be removed from use or relocated, or assembly substituted, without the approval of the director. Whenever the existing assembly is moved from the present location or requires more than minimum maintenance, or when the director finds that the maintenance constitutes a hazard to health or water quality, the unit shall be replaced by a backflow prevention assembly complying with requirements of this article and the current plumbing code.
(d) 
The director shall have the authority to conduct a customer service inspection at any premises, real property, or building prior to providing water service to new construction, on any existing service connected to the potable water supply as necessary to determine compliance with this article, or after any material improvement, correction or addition to the private plumbing facilities has occurred. Inspections shall include, without limitation, a survey of such premises, real property or building for determination of potential cross-connections, existing backflow prevention assembly installation(s), records of annual testing and certification of assemblies by a certified backflow prevention assembly technician or inspection and/or certification of any backflow prevention assembly(s).
(e) 
When an approved air gap is used to comply with the requirements of this article, an annual inspection by a water supply protection specialist must be conducted to ensure that the air gap is maintained unless a variance is granted by the director. Results of this inspection must be submitted to the director within ten (10) working days.
(f) 
Quality control.
The utility reserves the authority to maintain a program of quality control by taking the following measures:
(1) 
Retesting to certify as operational any high hazard backflow prevention assembly or other assemblies as designated by the director;
(2) 
Notifying the technician certifying the operation of a backflow prevention assembly of test discrepancies; and
(3) 
Taking legal action against the backflow prevention assembly tester for verified testing or reporting discrepancies, including, without limitation:
(A) 
False, incomplete, or inaccurate reporting of test completion or certification of a backflow prevention assembly;
(B) 
Use of inaccurate or uncalibrated gauges; and
(C) 
Improper operational certification method.
(Ordinance 99-61, sec. 1, adopted 11/23/99; 1957 Code, sec. 21-39; Ordinance 2010-23, sec. 17, adopted 8/10/10)
(a) 
The customer shall be responsible for all costs associated with the installation, general maintenance, testing, upkeep, and replacement of the approved backflow prevention assembly.
(b) 
Where an owner of property leases or rents the same to any person as tenant or lessee, the owner or tenant or both may be held financially responsible for any of the requirements of this article.
(c) 
The customer shall be responsible for ensuring that the backflow prevention assembly tester is registered with the utility and the gauges used by the tester have been calibrated within one (1) year of the testing date. Failure to comply with the requirements of this section will be grounds to reject the testing of the backflow prevention assembly and require retesting at the customer’s expense.
(d) 
The director of billing and collection can approve installment agreements for backflow prevention assemblies including any reasonable interest charges in cases of financial hardship pursuant to terms and conditions approved by the city manager.
(Ordinance 99-61, sec. 1, adopted 11/23/99; 1957 Code, sec. 21-40; Ordinance 2010-23, sec. 18, adopted 8/10/10)
(a) 
All individuals conducting backflow prevention assembly certification and testing for assemblies installed on the city’s potable water system must complete an annual application provided by the utility. The director shall determine whether an applicant is eligible for registration based on the following minimum requirements:
(1) 
The individual must provide documentation that he/she is currently accredited as a backflow prevention assembly tester registered with the state commission on environmental quality.
(2) 
Each applicant certified as a backflow prevention assembly tester must furnish evidence that he/she has available the necessary tools and equipment to properly test and certify such assemblies. The serial number, model, and model number of each gauge shall be on record with the utility and all gauges must be certified annually in accordance with the University of Southern California’s Foundation of Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research and/or the American Water Works Association Manual of Cross Connection Control (M-14). Documentation confirming certification must be submitted to the utility with the annual application.
(3) 
Other requirements as deemed necessary by the director based on federal or state law and regulations.
(b) 
Upon satisfactory completion of the above requirements, the director shall issue a registration number to the applicant.
(c) 
The registered tester must renew his/her registration with the utility annually.
(d) 
The registered tester must immediately notify the utility if:
(1) 
The state commission on environmental quality revokes his/her accreditation as a backflow prevention assembly tester or he/she allows their accreditation from the commission to expire.
(2) 
The test gauges used to certify the backflow prevention assemblies are not functioning properly, or have not been calibrated in the last twelve (12) months, or additional gauges have been put into service.
(3) 
Any of the information provided on the application is changed or incorrect.
(e) 
Failure to comply with the above requirements will be cause to revoke the tester’s registration with the utility.
(f) 
Under no circumstance can any individual perform testing of a backflow prevention assembly required by this article unless he/she is registered with the utility.
(Ordinance 99-61, sec. 1, adopted 11/23/99; 1957 Code, sec. 21-41)
(a) 
Only test and maintenance report forms provided by the utility can be used to document testing of testable backflow prevention assemblies required by this article.
(b) 
The customer must provide a copy of the completed test and maintenance report form to the utility within ten (10) working days of the date of the test.
(c) 
A test and maintenance report will not be accepted if the requirements of section 13-3-35 have not been met.
(Ordinance 99-61, sec. 1, adopted 11/23/99; 1957 Code, sec. 21-42)
It is the responsibility of the property owner to eliminate the possibility of thermal expansion if a closed system has been created by the installation of a backflow prevention assembly.
(Ordinance 99-61, sec. 1, adopted 11/23/99; 1957 Code, sec. 21-43)
Any water pressure drop caused by the installation of a backflow assembly shall not be the responsibility of the utility.
(Ordinance 99-61, sec. 1, adopted 11/23/99; 1957 Code, sec. 21-44)