It is hereby declared the policy of the city to promote the 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, 30 Texas Administrative Code section 290.101 et seq., 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 185, art. 1, sec. I, adopted 9/14/98)
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) of the customer’s private water systems(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 in-plant potable water system(s) and nonpotable water systems, plumbing fixtures, and industrial 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 any city potable water by requiring the certification and operational testing of all testable backflow prevention assemblies located on premises, and requiring the installation of approved backflow prevention assemblies; and
(4) 
To comply with the commission’s Rules and Regulations for Public Water Systems (30 TAC sections 290.38 through 290.47).
(Ordinance 185, art. 1, sec. II, adopted 9/14/98; Ordinance adopting Code)
This article shall be liberally interpreted to achieve the policy and purposes stated above.
(Ordinance 185, art. 1, sec. III, adopted 9/14/98)
This article shall apply to the utility water service area and cross-connections and installation of backflow prevention assemblies within:
(1) 
The corporate city limits, [and] the extraterritorial jurisdiction of limited purpose annexed areas 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.
(Ordinance 185, art. 1, sec. IV, adopted 9/14/98)
The mayor is hereby authorized to promulgate regulations not in conflict with this article, the plumbing code, 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 185, art. 1, sec. V, adopted 9/14/98)
For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply, unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. 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 non-pressure-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, and in no case less than 1 inch (2.54 cm).
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 12 hours.
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 systems, including reduced pressure backflow assemblies, double check valve assemblies, atmospheric vacuum breakers, pressure vacuum breaker assemblies or air gap.
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.
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 water and wastewater utility to receive potable water service.
Customer’s potable water system.
That portion of the privately owned potable water system lying between the point of delivery and the point of use. This system will include all pipes, conduits, tanks, receptacles, fixtures, equipment and appurtenances used to produce, convey, store or utilize the potable water.
Double check valve.
An assembly composed of two 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).
Mayor.
The mayor of the city or his authorized representative or designee.
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 waters for domestic use.
Potable water.
Water which is satisfactory for drinking, culinary, and domestic purposes and meets the requirements of the commission.
Public potable water system.
Any publicly or privately owned water system operated as a public utility under a health permit 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.
Shall consist of two 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 tightly closing resilient-seated shutoff valves and are fitted with properly located resilient-seated test cocks.
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 customer’s 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 water [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 is no longer controlled by the water purveyor. Used water shall not be returned to the public potable water system.
Utility.
The city water and wastewater utility.
Water purveyor.
The utility, private owner, political subdivision or operator of a potable water system supplying at least 15 service connections or servicing at least 25 individuals at least 60 days out of the year.
(Ordinance 185, art. 1, sec. VI, adopted 9/14/98)