(a) 
The TCEQ rules and regulations for public water systems, as amended from time to time, will govern the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the city water system with respect to cross-connection control and backflow prevention. Each customer must comply with all applicable provisions of these rules and regulations.
(b) 
All backflow prevention assemblies must be mechanically testable, tested upon installation by a certified tester, and certified to be operating within specifications. Backflow prevention assemblies which are directly served potable water by the city and are installed to provide protection against hazardous contaminants must also be tested and certified to be operating within specifications by a certified tester as required by this policy.
(c) 
Gauges used in the testing of backflow prevention assemblies must be tested for accuracy annually in accordance with the University of Southern California’s Foundation of Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research and/or the AWWA’s Manual of Cross-Connection Control (Manual M-14). Each certified tester that performs tests related to the city water system must include test gauge serial numbers on all test and maintenance report forms to verify that the tester used gauges that have been tested for accuracy.
(d) 
A test report must be completed by the certified backflow prevention assembly tester for each assembly tested. The signed and dated original must be submitted to the city for recordkeeping purposes. If the tester chooses to use a report which differs from the city form, it must contain at least all of the information required on the city form.
(e) 
The use of a backflow prevention assembly at a service connection will be considered additional backflow prevention, and will not negate the need for use of backflow prevention on internal hazards as defined in this policy or the city’s adopted plumbing code.
(f) 
It is unlawful for a customer to install, or to cause or permit the installation of a bypass that has not been approved in advance by the city. All bypasses on backflow prevention assemblies must themselves include provisions for backflow prevention as described in this policy.
(Ordinance 2014-20 adopted 6/10/14)
(a) 
Refer to appendix C to Ordinance 2014-20 - TCEQ Backflow Requirements - Assessment of Hazards and Selection of Assemblies for the list of all approved assemblies. This list may be amended from time to time without having to amend this policy.
AG
Air Gap Separation
RPDA
Reduced Pressure Detector Assembly
RP
Reduced Pressure Backflow Prevention Assembly
DC
Double Check Valve Assembly
DCDA
Double Check Detector Assembly
PVB
Pressure Vacuum Breaker
AVB
Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker *Installation no longer allowed
(b) 
Variances from these requirements will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the city. No deviations shall be permitted without prior written approval from the city.
(Ordinance 2014-20 adopted 6/10/14)
(a) 
Air gap separations provide maximum protection from backflow hazards and may be utilized at premises where a substance is handled that would be hazardous to health if introduced into the potable water system.
(b) 
An air gap separation shall be at least twice the diameter of the supply pipeline measured vertically above the top rim of the receiving vessel; however, in no case shall the separation be less than one (1) inch. If splashing is a problem, tubular screens may be attached or the supply line may be cut at a 45° angle. The air gap distance is measured from the bottom of the angle. Hoses shall not be allowed.
(c) 
Air gap separations shall not be altered in any way and shall be available for inspection at all times.
(Ordinance 2014-20 adopted 6/10/14)
Detector check assemblies may be utilized in all installations requiring a double check valve assembly or a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly and detector metering. Double check detector valve assemblies and reduced pressure detector assemblies shall comply with the installation requirements applicable for double check valve assemblies and reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assemblies.
(Ordinance 2014-20 adopted 6/10/14)
All DC assemblies will be tested in each of the following circumstances: immediately upon installation, after repair, if it is moved and in compliance with this policy (refer to section 13.07.095 records and testing).
(1) 
DC assemblies may be utilized at premises where a substance is handled that would be objectionable but not hazardous to health if introduced into the potable water system.
(2) 
DCs shall be sized to provide an adequate supply of water and pressure for the premises being served.
(3) 
Premises where noninterruption of water supply is critical shall be provided with two assemblies of the same type installed in parallel. They shall be sized in such a manner that either assembly will provide the minimum water requirements while the two together will provide the maximum flow required.
(4) 
Bypass lines are prohibited. Pipefittings which could be used for connecting a bypass line shall not be installed.
(5) 
Vertical installations are allowed on sizes up to and including four (4) inches that meet the following requirements:
(A) 
Internally spring-loaded check valves;
(B) 
Flow is upward through assembly;
(C) 
Approved by the city; and
(D) 
Found on the approved list of assemblies.
(Ordinance 2014-20 adopted 6/10/14)
(a) 
PVBs and SVBs may be utilized at point-of-use protection only. PVBs and SVBs protect against backsiphonage only and shall not be installed where there is potential for backpressure.
(b) 
The assembly shall be installed a minimum of twelve (12) inches above the highest use outlet or overflow level downstream from the assembly.
(c) 
PVBs and SVBs shall not be installed in an area subject to flooding or where damage would occur from water discharge.
(d) 
The assembly shall be readily accessible for testing and maintenance, with a minimum clearance of twelve (12) inches all around the assembly.
(e) 
PVBs and SVBs shall be located between twelve (12) inches and sixty (60) inches above ground level.
(f) 
A strainer with blowout tapping may be required ahead of the assembly.
(Ordinance 2014-20 adopted 6/10/14)
All RP assemblies shall be tested in each of the following circumstances: immediately upon installation, after repair, if it is moved, and in compliance with this policy (refer to section 13.07.095 records and testing).
(1) 
RPs shall be utilized at premises where a substance is handled that would be hazardous to the public health if introduced into the potable water system. An RP is normally used in locations where an air gap is impractical. An RP is effective against both backsiphonage and backpressure.
(2) 
RPs shall be sized to provide an adequate supply of water and pressure for the premises being served.
(3) 
Premises where noninterruption of water supply is critical shall be provided with two assemblies of the same type installed in parallel. They shall be sized in such a manner that either assembly will provide the minimum water requirements while the two together will provide the maximum flow required.
(4) 
Bypass lines are prohibited. Pipefittings which could be used for connecting a bypass line shall not be installed.
(5) 
The assembly shall be readily accessible for testing and maintenance and shall be located in an area where water damage to buildings or furnishings will not occur from relief valve discharge. An approved air gap funnel assembly may be used to direct minor discharges away from the assembly; this assembly will not control flow in a continuous relief situation. Full relief valve discharge flow should be considered when installing this assembly.
(6) 
Enclosures shall be designed for ready access and sized to allow for the minimum clearances.
(7) 
RP assemblies may be installed in a vault only if relief valve discharge can be drained to daylight through a boresight type drain. The drain shall be of adequate capacity to carry the full rated flow of the assembly and shall be screened on both ends.
(8) 
An approved air gap shall be located at the relief valve orifice of RP assemblies. This air gap shall be at least twice the diameter of the incoming supply line as measured vertically above the top rim of the drain, but in no case, less than one (1) inch.
(Ordinance 2014-20 adopted 6/10/14)
A customer service inspector or utility inspector, employed by or under contract with the city, shall determine the type and location of a backflow assembly to be installed within the city’s water service area. The assembly shall be required in each of the following circumstances, but the inspector is in no way limited to just these circumstances:
(1) 
When the nature and extent of any activity at a premises, or the materials used in connection with any activity at a premises, or materials stored at a premises, could contaminate or pollute the potable water supply.
(2) 
When a premises has one or more cross connections as that term is defined in section 13.07.004, definitions.
(3) 
When internal cross connections are present that are not correctable.
(4) 
When intricate plumbing arrangements are present that make it impractical to ascertain whether cross connections exist.
(5) 
When a premises has a repeated history of cross connections being established or reestablished.
(6) 
When entry to a premises is restricted so that inspections for cross connections, or testing of required assemblies, cannot be made, a RP assembly will be required to be installed and maintained, in accordance with this policy, at the service connection.
(7) 
When materials are being used such that, if backflow should occur, a health hazard could result.
(8) 
When installation of an approved backflow prevention assembly is deemed by an inspector to be necessary to accomplish the purpose of this policy.
(9) 
When an appropriate cross-connection survey report form has not been filed with the city.
(10) 
In all new nonresidential construction, there shall be installed an approved backflow assembly at the service connection. The type of the assembly will be commensurate with the degree of hazard as determined by an inspector.
(11) 
When a building is constructed on a commercial premises, and the end use of such building is not determined, or could change, a RP assembly shall be installed at the service connection to provide protection of the public water supply in the event of the most hazardous use of the building.
(12) 
Any used water-return system that has received approval from the city.
(13) 
If a point-of-use assembly has not been tested or repaired as required by this policy, the installation of a RP assembly will be required at the service connection.
(14) 
If an inspector determines that additions or rearrangements have been made to the plumbing system, without the proper permits as required by the city’s plumbing code, premises isolation shall be required.
(15) 
All commercial multi-story buildings, or any buildings with a booster pump or elevated storage tank.
(Ordinance 2014-20 adopted 6/10/14)
(a) 
The city will cause to be inspected and tested, all required backflow assemblies in each of the following circumstances:
(1) 
Immediately after installation;
(2) 
Based on classification of hazard, refer to section 13.07.095 records and testing; and appendix C to Ordinance 2014-20 - assessment of hazards and selection of assemblies.
(3) 
Immediately after repair;
(4) 
Whenever the assembly is moved.
(b) 
Assemblies may be required to be tested more frequently if the city deems it necessary.
(c) 
All mechanically nontestable backflow prevention devices (atmospheric vacuum breakers) installed prior to the adoption of this policy must be inspected annually.
(d) 
All assembly testing and inspections shall be performed by a certified and registered backflow prevention assembly tester, in accordance with TCEQ-approved test procedures.
(e) 
It is the responsibility of the property owner to have all assemblies tested or inspected in accordance with this policy.
(f) 
The city shall not be liable for damage to an assembly that may occur during testing.
(Ordinance 2014-20 adopted 6/10/14)
(a) 
A person who owns, operates, or manages premises in which required backflow prevention assemblies are installed, shall maintain such assemblies in proper working order at all times, including repair as required. All maintenance and repair of assemblies shall be done in accordance with all applicable regulations of the TCEQ and this policy.
(b) 
Backflow prevention assemblies shall be maintained in a manner that allows them to be tested by a method that has been approved by the TCEQ.
(Ordinance 2014-20 adopted 6/10/14)
Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in accordance with the following requirements, to ensure their proper operation and accessibility. The city may require backflow devices at the water meter, based upon the level of hazard.
(1) 
(A) 
Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in accordance with all plumbing codes adopted by the city and this policy. The assembly installer shall obtain the required plumbing permits prior to installation or replacement, and shall have the assembly inspected by a cross-connection inspector that is employed by the city, as required by the plumbing code. In the event there is a conflict between the plumbing code and the installation requirements set forth in this policy, the more stringent will apply.
(B) 
The backflow device shall be installed directly after the water meter (outside of the city meter box), not more than five feet from the property line. The city may allow a variance to install the device so that it does not obstruct a sidewalk, driveway, or other public easement. The city building department can assist with exact placement.
(2) 
All new installations of irrigation systems, residential and nonresidential, will have a minimum of a DC assembly. A RP assembly will be required if any solution or any other source of supply is used or if it is deemed necessary by an inspector.
(3) 
No part of a RP assembly shall be submerged in water, or installed in a location subject to flooding. If a DC assembly is installed in a vault, brass plugs shall be maintained in the test ports at all times and adequate drainage shall be provided.
(4) 
In the event a premises isolation assembly is required, the assembly shall be installed at the point-of-delivery of the water supply, before any branch in the line, and on private property located just outside the boundary of the city’s right-of-way, and/or the point of the cross connection.
(5) 
The assembly shall be protected from freezing and other severe weather conditions.
(6) 
All backflow prevention assemblies shall be of a type and model approved by the city.
(7) 
All vertical installations shall be approved in writing by the city prior to installation.
(8) 
The assembly shall be readily accessible with adequate room for maintenance and testing.
(9) 
If the backflow assembly is installed inside of a building, the assembly shall be readily accessible for inspection and testing.
(10) 
If an assembly is installed pursuant to this policy and is five (5) feet or higher above the floor, it shall be equipped with a rigid and permanently installed scaffolding acceptable to the city. This installation shall also meet all applicable requirements set out by OSHA and the Texas Occupational Safety and Health laws.
(11) 
The property owner and/or installer-tester shall register all backflow assemblies with the city. Registration shall consist of the date of installation, manufacturer, model, serial number of the backflow prevention assembly, initial test report, location of device and the name and license number of the installer.
(12) 
Lines shall be thoroughly flushed prior to installation. A strainer with blowout tapping may be required ahead of the assembly.
(13) 
The property owner, their lessee, or their agent, assumes all responsibility for leaks and damage. The owner shall also see that any vault is kept reasonably free of silt and debris.
(Ordinance 2014-20 adopted 6/10/14)
(a) 
All irrigation systems, which currently have no backflow protection or systems installed after the effective date of this policy, shall be required to meet all requirements pertaining to irrigation systems as stipulated by TCEQ regulations and requirements, the city’s adopted plumbing code, or as amended by city ordinance. In the event that there is a conflict between these codes and regulations, the more restrictive shall apply.
(b) 
All irrigation systems which do not currently meet the requirements as stipulated in this section, will be required to meet these requirements upon notification from the city, or if the device fails a certification test.
(c) 
In the event an assembly is removed each year to protect against freezing, it must be tested immediately upon reinstallation.
(Ordinance 2014-20 adopted 6/10/14)
(a) 
A person who owns or operates any mobile unit that uses water from the city’s public water system shall make application, pay appropriate fees and obtain a permit from the city before accessing the public water system. The city may require a fixed air gap, or a backflow assembly commensurate with the degree of hazard, mounted either on the vehicle or piping.
(b) 
The failure of the owner or operator of the unit to comply with this policy shall be grounds for the city to revoke any permit or license required under the city code to operate the unit, or the business for which such unit is used.
(c) 
The city may deny a permit to any person who is not in compliance with this policy, or who has a history of violating the requirements of this policy.
(d) 
All assemblies used to protect the water supply, when using a mobile unit, must abide by the maintenance and testing sections of this policy.
(Ordinance 2014-20 adopted 6/10/14)
If premises with multiple service connections require premises isolation, a backflow assembly shall be installed at each service connection. The assemblies shall be commensurate with the degree of the highest potential hazard.
(Ordinance 2014-20 adopted 6/10/14)
As a condition of water service, customers shall install, maintain and operate their piping and plumbing systems in accordance with the city’s plumbing code. If there is a conflict between this policy and the plumbing code, the more restrictive provision shall apply, or a RP assembly will be required to be installed at the service connection.
(Ordinance 2014-20 adopted 6/10/14)
If a closed system has been created by the installation of a backflow assembly at the service connection, it is the responsibility of the property owner to eliminate the possibility of thermal expansion. Installations of thermal expansion relief devices are to be installed in accordance with the city’s plumbing code.
(Ordinance 2014-20 adopted 6/10/14)
Any water pressure drop caused by the installation of a backflow assembly shall not be the responsibility of the city.
(Ordinance 2014-20 adopted 6/10/14)
Any residential property which has been determined to have an actual or potential cross connection, or has violated the city’s plumbing code in any way, shall be equipped with an approved backflow prevention assembly, installed in accordance with this policy.
(Ordinance 2014-20 adopted 6/10/14)
(a) 
An approved double check detector backflow prevention assembly (DCDA) shall be the minimum protection on all new fire sprinkler systems using piping material that is not approved for potable water use, and/or that does not provide for periodic flow-through during each twenty-four (24) hour period. A reduced pressure principle detector backflow prevention assembly (RPDA) must be installed, if any solution other than the potable water can be introduced into the sprinkler system. If the city representative/inspector or fire chief/marshal determines a chemical loop system can be isolated by installing a RP assembly at the point of the chemical injection, this, in conjunction with the installation of the DCDA, will be adequate protection. Retrofitting on fire sprinkler systems will be required in each of the following circumstances:
(1) 
Where improper maintenance has occurred;
(2) 
On all high hazard systems; and
(3) 
Wherever an inspector deems necessary.
(b) 
All fireline assemblies must be tested by fireline testers only.
(c) 
All fireline assemblies shall be installed in a vault at the point of connection with the city’s water system unless otherwise permitted by the city.
(Ordinance 2014-20 adopted 6/10/14)
Approved testable backflow prevention assemblies, which shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard as determined by an inspector, shall be immediately installed on all actual or potential cross connections, regardless of the date the potential hazard was created. Existing AVBs, which are inspected annually and are functioning properly, do not have to be replaced. In the event an AVB needs to be replaced, it must be replaced with a mechanically testable backflow prevention assembly.
(Ordinance 2014-20 adopted 6/10/14)