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).
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.
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)
The city manager is authorized to endorse the program on behalf
of the city and to submit and certify to all necessary documents.
(Ordinance 99-61, sec. 1, adopted 11/23/99; 1957 Code, sec. 21-46)
(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)