In accordance with standards established in the California Administrative Code, as administered by the water superintendent, approved backflow prevention devices shall be installed to protect the public water supply system from contamination due to potential and actual cross-connections. Prevention of cross-connections include: (1) isolating, within the premises, contamination that may occur because of some undiscovered or unauthorized cross-connection on the premises; (2) eliminating existing connections between drinking water systems and other sources of water that are not approved as safe and potable for human consumption; (3) eliminating cross-connections between drinking water systems and sources of contamination; (4) safeguarding against cross-connections in the future. This shall be accomplished by the establishment of a cross-connection control program as required by state regulations. The ordinance codified in this chapter is adopted pursuant to the State of California Administrative Code, Title 17, of the California Code of Regulations, "Regulations Relating to Cross-Connections," hereinafter referred to as the "state regulations."
(Ord. 1247 § 2, 1996)
This chapter shall be interpreted so as to comply with the state regulations on cross-connections as the same exist now, or as subsequently amended. The definitions set forth therein are adopted, except as otherwise provided.
(Ord. 1247 § 2, 1996)
The cross-connection control program shall be administered by the water department's cross-connection control specialist under the general supervision of the water superintendent. The water department will establish and maintain a list of approved backflow prevention assemblies, as well as a list of approved backflow prevention assembly testers. The cross-connection control specialist shall conduct necessary surveys of water user premises to evaluate the degree of potential health hazards. The water department shall notify the user when an assembly needs to be tested. The user shall receive a notice containing a due date for backflow prevention assembly testing.
(Ord. 1247 § 2, 1996)
The type of protection that shall be provided to prevent backflow into the public water supply system shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard, actual or potential, that exists on the water user's premises. Unprotected cross-connections with the public water supply are prohibited. The type of backflow protection assembly that may be required includes: air-gap separation (AG), reduced pressure principle backflow protection assembly (RP), and double check valve assembly (DC) The types of backflow protection required to protect the approved water supply, at the user's water connection, to premises with varying degrees of hazard are listed in Table 1 of the state regulations. Situations which are not covered in Table 1 shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and the appropriate backflow protection shall be determined by the water superintendent in accordance with the nature of the hazard presented.
(Ord. 1247 § 2, 1996)
(a) 
Only backflow prevention assemblies which have been approved by the water department, in accordance with the state regulations, shall be acceptable for installation by a water user. A list of approved backflow prevention assemblies will be provided upon request. Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in a manner prescribed in the state regulations. Location of the assemblies shall be as close as practical to the user's connection. The water superintendent shall have the final authority in determining the required location of a backflow prevention assembly. Upon installation, backflow prevention assemblies shall be tested by an Orange County health department certified backflow tester.
(b) 
Testing of backflow assemblies shall be conducted only by an Orange County health department certified backflow tester that possesses a current city of Fountain Valley business license. Backflow prevention assemblies must be tested immediately after installation, relocation or repair. Approval must be obtained from the water department prior to removing, relocating or replacing a backflow prevention assembly.
(c) 
As a minimum, backflow prevention assemblies other than single-family residential irrigation systems, as well as other applications using atmospheric vacuum breakers, must be tested annually. More frequent testing may be required if deemed necessary by the water superintendent, based on facts demonstrating a potential hazard. No assembly shall be placed back in service unless it is functioning as required. These assemblies shall be serviced, overhauled or replaced, whenever they are found to be defective. All costs of testing, repair and maintenance shall be borne by the water user.
(Ord. 1247 § 2, 1996)
When a new backflow prevention assembly is installed or an existing backflow prevention assembly relocated, an installation inspection shall be completed by the water department. The installation inspection shall be conducted by the water department's cross-connection control specialist at the expense of the water user. The inspection fee, established by separate resolution, shall be paid by the water user prior to acquisition of water service. On single-family residential irrigation systems, as well as other applications where atmospheric vacuum breakers are considered appropriate backflow protection, no tests, inspections or fees shall apply.
(Ord. 1247 § 2, 1996)
When the water department encounters water uses that represent a hazard to the potable water supply that cannot be immediately abated by other means, the procedure for terminating water service shall be instituted. Conditions or water uses that create a basis for termination of water service shall include, but are not limited to the following:
(1) 
Refusal to install or to test a backflow prevention assembly, or to repair or replace a faulty backflow prevention assembly;
(2) 
Direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a sewer connection;
(3) 
Unprotected, direct or indirect, connection between the public water system and a system or equipment containing contaminants;
(4) 
Unprotected, direct or indirect, connection between the public water system and an auxiliary water system.
Unless immediate action is required because of an urgent health and safety problem, the water department will terminate service to a water user's premises after proper notification has been sent. If no action has been taken within the allowed period, water service may be terminated, locked service valves installed, and service shall not be restored until corrections have been made, all provisions of this code met, and the public health, safety and welfare ensured. In cases in which immediate termination is required because of an urgent health and safety problem, service may be immediately terminated. The conditions constituting the urgent health and safety problem should be promptly documented.
(Ord. 1247 § 2, 1996)
It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, at any time, to make or maintain, or cause to be made or maintained, temporarily or permanently, for any period of time whatsoever, any cross-connection between plumbing pipes or water fixtures being served with water by the city water department, and any other source of water supply, or to maintain any sanitary fixture or other appurtenances or fixtures which, by reason of their construction, may cause or allow backflow of water, or other substances, into the water supply system of the city, and/or the service of water pipes or fixtures of any consumer of the city, or to fail to comply with the provisions of this chapter. Violations shall be punished as provided in Chapter 1.16 of this code.
(Ord. 1247 § 2, 1996)