It is a requirement of the state commission on environmental quality that public water systems must adopt an adequate plumbing ordinance, regulations, or service agreement with provisions for proper enforcement to ensure that neither cross-connections nor other unacceptable plumbing practices are permitted. The city is responsible for protecting the drinking water supply from contamination or pollution; which could result from improper private water distribution system construction or configuration. The purpose of this plumbing article is to notify each customer of the restrictions which are in place to provide this protection. The city will enforce these restrictions to ensure the public health and welfare. Each customer must comply with the requirements of this article before the city water system will begin service. In addition, when service to an existing connection has been suspended or terminated, the water system will not re-establish service unless an inspection of the facilities has been made by an approved plumber or designated representative of the city water system to determine if compliance is made under this article.
(Ordinance 1203, sec. I, adopted 12/16/03)
The following unacceptable practices are prohibited by state regulations and this plumbing article:
(1) 
No direct connection between the public drinking water supply and a potential source of contamination is permitted. Potential sources of contamination shall be isolated from the public water system by an air-gap or appropriate backflow prevention device.
(2) 
No cross-connection between the public drinking water supply and a private water system is permitted. These potential threats to the public drinking water supply shall be eliminated at the service connection by the installation of an air-gap or a reduced pressure-zone backflow prevention device.
(3) 
No connection which allows water to be returned to the public drinking water supply is permitted.
(4) 
No pipe or pipe fitting which contains more than 8.0% lead may be used for the installation or repair of plumbing at any connection which provides water for human use.
(5) 
No solder or flux which contains more than 0.2% lead can be used for the installation or repair of plumbing at any connection which provides water for human use.
(Ordinance 1203, sec. II, adopted 12/16/03)
Effective January 1, 2004, a customer service inspection certification shall be completed prior to providing continuous water service to new construction, on any existing service [either] when the city has reason to believe that cross-connections or other potential contaminant hazards exist, or after any material improvement, correction, or addition to the private water distribution facilities.
(1) 
Individuals with the following credentials shall be recognized as capable of conducting a customer service inspection certification:
(A) 
Plumbing inspectors and water supply protection specialists licensed by the state board of plumbing examiners.
(B) 
Certified waterworks operators and members of other water related professional groups who have completed a training course, passed an examination administered by the commission or its designated agent, and hold an endorsement granted by the commission or its designated agent.
(C) 
Licensed plumbers, at the discretion of the city, may perform customer service inspections on single-family residential services.
(2) 
If potential contaminant hazards are discovered, they shall be promptly eliminated to prevent possible contamination of the water supplied by the public water system. The existence of a serious threat to the integrity of the public water supply shall be considered sufficient grounds for immediate termination of water service. Service can be restored only when the source of potential contamination no longer exists, or until sufficient additional safeguards have been taken.
(3) 
Copies of properly completed inspection certifications will be kept on file by the city and made available, upon request, for TCEQ review. These certifications shall be retained for a minimum of ten years. The certification form attached to the ordinance from which this article derives shall be used in making inspections and made a part of the city water system operating procedures.
(4) 
The city shall notify the customer in writing of any cross-connection or other potential contamination hazard which has been identified during the initial inspection or the periodic reinspection.
(5) 
The customer shall immediately remove or adequately isolate any potential cross-connections or other potential contamination hazards on his premises.
(6) 
The customer shall, at his expense, properly install, test and maintain any backflow prevention device required by the city. Copies of all testing and maintenance records shall be provided to the city.
(Ordinance 1203, sec. III, adopted 12/16/03)
If the customer fails to comply with the terms of this article, the city shall, at its option, either terminate service or properly install, test and maintain an appropriate backflow prevention device at the service connection. Any expenses associated with the enforcement of this article shall be billed to the customer.
(Ordinance 1203, sec. IV, adopted 12/16/03)