The purpose of this chapter is:
A.
To
protect the public potable water supply of the city from the possibility
of contamination or pollution by isolating within its customers'
internal distribution system(s) or its customers' private water
system(s) such contaminants or pollutants which could backflow or
back-siphon into the public water supply system and by isolating contaminants
or pollutants of potential intermittent, temporary and emergency users
of the water system, including but not limited to use of fire hydrants
or blow-offs; and
B.
To
promote the elimination or control of existing cross-connections actual
or potential, between its customers' in-plant potable water
system(s) and nonpotable water systems, plumbing fixtures and industrial
piping systems; and
C.
To
provide for the maintenance of a continuing program of cross-connection
control which will systematically and effectively prevent the contamination
or pollution of all potable water systems.
(Prior code § 2-16.48 (1); Ord. 1073 § 3, 1983)
The operations services director shall be responsible for the
protection of the public potable water distribution system from contamination
or pollution due to the backflow or back-siphonage of contaminants
or pollutants through the water service connection. If, in the judgment
of the operations services director, an approved backflow prevention
device is required at the city's water service connection to
any customer's premises, for the safety of the water system,
the operations services director or designated agent shall give notice
in writing to the customer to install such an approved backflow prevention
device at each service connection to his or her premises. The customer
shall immediately install such approved device or devices at his or
her own expense; and failure, refusal or inability on the part of
the customer to install the device or devices immediately shall constitute
a ground for discontinuing water service to the premises until such
device or devices have been properly installed.
(Prior code § 2-16.48 (2); Ord. 2000 § 1, 2009)
means the unobstructed vertical distance through the free
atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying
water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other device and the flood level
rim of the vessel. An approved air-gap shall be at least double the
diameter of the supply pipe, measured vertically, above the top of
the rim of the vessel, and, in no case less than one inch. When an
air-gap is used at the service connection to prevent the contamination
or pollution of the public potable water system, an emergency bypass
shall be installed around the air-gap system and an approved reduced
pressure principle device shall be installed in the bypass system.
means accepted by the operations services director as meeting
an applicable specification stated or cited in this chapter, or as
suitable for the proposed use.
means any water supply on or available to the premises other
than the purveyor's approved public potable water supply. These
auxiliary waters may include water from another purveyor's public
potable water supply or any natural source(s) such as a well, spring,
river, stream, harbor, etc., or "used waters" or "industrial
fluids." These waters may be polluted or contaminated or they
may be objectionable and constitute an unacceptable water source over
which the water purveyor does not have sanitary control.
means the flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances
under pressure into the distributing pipes of a potable water supply
system from any source or sources other than its intended source.
means a device or means designed to prevent backflow or back-siphonage.
means the flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances
into the distributing pipes of a potable water supply system from
any source other than its intended source caused by the sudden reduction
of pressure in the potable water supply system.
means an impairment of the quality of the potable water by
sewage, industrial fluids or waste liquids, compounds or other materials
to a degree which creates an actual hazard to the public health through
poisoning or through the spread of disease.
means any physical connection or arrangement of piping or
fixtures between two otherwise separate piping systems one of which
contains potable water and the other nonpotable water or industrial
fluids of questionable safety, through which, or because of which,
backflow or back-siphonage may occur into the potable water system.
A water service connection between a public potable water distribution
system and a customer's water distribution system which is cross-connected
to a contaminated fixture, industrial fluid system or with a potentially
contaminated supply or auxiliary water system, constitutes one type
of cross-connection. Other types of cross-connections include connectors
such as swing connections, removable sections, four-way plug valves,
spools, dummy sections of pipe, swivel or changeover devices, sliding
multiport tube, solid connections, etc.
means a connection between a potable water system and a nonpotable
water system with an approved backflow prevention device properly
installed that will continuously afford the protection commensurate
with the degree of hazard.
means the installation of an approved backflow prevention
device at the water service connection to any customer's premises
where it is physically and economically infeasible to find and permanently
eliminate or control all actual or potential cross-connections within
the customer's water system; or, it shall mean the installation
of an approved backflow prevention device on the service line leading
to and supplying a portion of a customer's water system where
there are actual or potential cross-connections which cannot be effectively
eliminated or controlled at the point of cross-connection.
The operations services director as head of the water and
utilities department of the city is invested with the authority and
responsibility for the implementation of an effective cross-connection
control program and for the enforcement of the provisions of this
ordinance.
means an assembly of two independently operating approved
check valves with tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of
the check valves, plus properly located test cocks for the testing
of each check valve. The entire assembly shall meet the design and
performance specifications and approval of a recognized and city-approved
testing agency for backflow prevention devices. To be approved, these
devices must be readily accessible for in-line maintenance and testing.
is derived from an evaluation of the potential risk to public
health and the adverse effect of the hazard upon the potable water
system.
means any condition, device or practice in the water supply
system and its operation which could create, or in the judgment of
the operations services director may create a danger to the health
and well-being of the water consumer. An example of a health hazard
is a structural defect, including cross-connections, in a water system.
means a plumbing type cross-connection in a customer's
potable water system that has not been properly protected by a vacuum
breaker, air-gap separation or backflow prevention device. Unprotected
plumbing type cross-connections are considered to be a health hazard.
means an actual or potential threat to the physical properties
of the water system or to the potability of the public or the consumer's
potable water system but which would constitute a nuisance or be aesthetically
objectionable or could cause damage to the system or its appurtenances,
but would not be dangerous to health.
means an actual or potential threat of severe damage to the
physical properties of the public potable water system or the consumer's
potable water system or of a pollution or contamination which would
have a protracted effect on the quality of the potable water in the
system.
means any system containing a fluid or solution which may
be chemically, biologically or otherwise contaminated or polluted
in a form or concentration such as would constitute a health, system,
pollutional or plumbing hazard if introduced into an approved water
supply. This may include, but not be limited to: polluted or contaminated
waters; all types of processed waters and "used waters"
originating from the public potable water system which may have deteriorated
in sanitary quality; chemicals in fluid form; plating acids and alkalis,
circulated cooling waters connected to an open cooling tower and/or
cooling towers that are chemically or biologically treated or stabilized
with toxic substances; contaminated natural waters such as from wells,
springs, streams, rivers, bays, harbors, seas, irrigation canals or
systems, etc.; oils, gases, glycerine, paraffins, caustic and acid
solutions and other liquid and gaseous fluids used in industrial or
other purposes or for firefighting purposes.
means the presence of any foreign substance (organic, inorganic,
or biological) in water which tends to degrade its quality so as to
constitute a hazard or impair the usefulness or quality of the water
to a degree which does not create an actual hazard to the public health
but which does adversely and unreasonably affect such waters for domestic
use.
means an assembly of two independently operating approved
check valves with an automatically operating differential relief valve
between the two check valves, tightly closing shut-off valves on either
side of the check valves, plus properly located test cocks for the
testing of the check and relief valves. The entire assembly shall
meet the design and performance specifications and approval of a recognized
and city-approved testing agency for backflow prevention assemblies.
The device shall operate to maintain the pressure in the zone between
the two check valves at a level less than the pressure on the public
water supply side of the device. At cessation of the normal flow the
pressure between the two check valves shall be less than the pressure
on the public water supply side of the device. In case of leakage
of either of the check valves the differential relief valve shall
operate to maintain the reduced pressure in the zone between the check
valves by discharging to the atmosphere. When the inlet pressure is
two pounds per square inch or less, the relief valve shall open to
the atmosphere. To be approved, these devices must be readily accessible
for in-line maintenance and testing and be installed in a location
where no part of the device will be submerged.
means water which is not safe for human consumption or which
is of questionable potability.
means any water which, according to recognized standards,
is safe for human consumption.
means 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 meter. There should be no unprotected takeoffs
from the service line ahead of any meter or backflow prevention device
located at the point of delivery to the customer's water system.
"Service connection" shall also include water service
connection from a fire hydrant and all other temporary or emergency
water service connections from the public potable water system.
means any water supplied by a water purveyor from a public
potable water system to a consumer's water system after it has
passed through the point of delivery and is no longer under the sanitary
control of the water purveyor.
(Prior code § 2-16.49; Ord. 2000 § 1, 2009)
A.
The
water system shall be considered as made up of two parts: the utility
system and the customer system.
B.
The
utility system shall consist of the source facilities and the distribution
system, and shall include all those facilities of the water system
under the complete control of the utility, up to the point where the
customer's system begins.
C.
The
source shall include all components of the facilities utilized in
the production, treatment, storage, and delivery of water to the distribution
system.
D.
The
distribution system shall include the network of conduits used for
the delivery of water from the source to the customer's system.
E.
The
customer's system shall include those parts of the facilities
beyond the termination of the utility distribution system which are
utilized in conveying utility-delivered domestic water to points of
use.
(Prior code § 2-16.50 (1))
A.
No
water service connection to any premises or from a fire hydrant or
any other temporary or emergency water service connection from the
public potable water system shall be installed or maintained by the
water purveyor unless the water supply is protected as required by
state laws and regulations and this chapter. Service of water to any
premises shall be discontinued by the water purveyor if a backflow
prevention device required by this chapter is not installed, tested
and maintained, or if it is found that a backflow prevention device
has been removed, bypassed or if an unprotected cross-connection exists
on the premises. Service will not be restored until such conditions
or defects are corrected. Temporary, intermittent and emergency users
of the water system shall be considered as consumers on premises for
the purposes of this chapter and shall be subject to the same cross-connection
control requirements as water service connections to any premises.
B.
The
customer's system should be open for inspection at all reasonable
times to authorized representatives of the operations services director
to determine whether cross-connections or other structural or sanitary
hazards, including violations of these regulations, exist. When such
a condition becomes known, the operations services director shall
deny or immediately discontinue service to the premises by providing
for a physical break in the service line until the customer has corrected
the conditions in conformance with state and city statutes relating
to plumbing and water supplies and the regulations adopted pursuant
thereto.
C.
An
approved backflow prevention device shall also be installed on each
service line to a customer's water system in all cases, before
the first branch line leading off the service line wherever the following
conditions exist:
1.
In
the case of premises having an auxiliary water supply which is not
or may not be of safe bacteriological or chemical quality and which
is not acceptable as an additional source by the operations services
director, the public water system shall be protected against backflow
from the premises by installing a backflow prevention device in the
service line appropriate to the degree of hazard.
2.
In
the case of premises on which any industrial fluids or any other objectionable
substance is handled in such a fashion as to create an actual or potential
hazard to the public water system, the public system shall be protected
against backflow from the premises by installing a backflow prevention
device in the service line appropriate to the degree of hazard. This
shall include the handling of processed waters and waters originating
from the utility system which have been subject to deterioration in
quality.
3.
In
the case of premises having (a) internal cross-connections that cannot
be permanently corrected and controlled, or (b) intricate plumbing
and piping arrangements or where entry to all portions of the premises
is not readily accessible for inspection purposes, making it impracticable
or impossible to ascertain whether or not dangerous cross-connections
exist, the public water system shall be protected against backflow
from the premises by installing a backflow prevention device in the
service line.
D.
The
type of protective device required under subsections (C)(1), (2) and
(3) of this section shall depend upon the degree of hazard which exists
as follows:
1.
In
the case of any premises where there is an auxiliary water supply
as stated in subsection (C)(1) of this section and it is not subject
to any of the following rules, the public water system shall be protected
by an approved airgap separation or an approved reduced pressure principle
backflow prevention device.
2.
In
the case of any premises where there is water or substance that would
be objectionable but not hazardous to health, if introduced into the
public water system, the public water system shall be protected by
an approved double check valve assembly.
3.
In
the case of any premises where there is any material dangerous to
health which is handled in such a fashion as to create an actual or
potential hazard to the public water system, the public water system
shall be protected by an approved air-gap separation or an approved
reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device. Examples of
premises where these conditions will exist include chemical manufacturing
plants, hospitals, mortuaries and plating plants.
4.
In
the case of any premises where there are "uncontrolled"
cross-connections, either actual or potential, the public water system
shall be protected by an approved air-gap separation or an approved
reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device at the service
connection.
5.
In
the case of any premises where, because of security requirements or
other prohibitions or restrictions it is impossible or impractical
to make a complete in-plant cross-connection survey, the public water
system shall be protected against backflow or back-siphonage from
the premises by the installation of a backflow prevention device in
the service line. In this case, maximum protection will be required;
that is, an approved air-gap separation or an approved reduced pressure
principle backflow prevention device shall be installed in each service
to the premises.
6.
In
the case of premises with cross-connections to sewage lines, pumps,
flushers, etc., the public water system shall be protected by an approved
air-gap separation or an approved reduced pressure principle backflow
prevention device. Examples include sewage treatment plants and pumping
stations.
7.
In
the case of tanker and spray tanks of forty-nine gallons or more,
air-gap separation or an approved reduced pressure principle backflow
prevention device is required.
E.
Any
backflow prevention device required in this chapter shall be of a
model and size approved by the operations services director. The term
"approved backflow prevention device" means a device that
has been manufactured in full conformance with the standards established
by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) entitled:
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AWWA C506-78 Standards for Reduced Pressure Principle and Double
Check Valve Backflow Prevention Devices:
|
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and, have met completely the laboratory and field performance
specifications of the Foundation for Cross-connection Control and
Hydraulic Research (FCCC & HR) of the University of Southern California
established by:
|
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Specifications of Backflow Prevention Devices fi69-2 dated March
1969 or the most current issue.
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Said AWWA and FCCC & HR standards and specifications
have been adopted by the operations services director. Final approval
shall be evidenced by a certificate of approval issued by an approved
testing laboratory certifying full compliance with said AWWA standards
and FCCC & HR specifications. The following testing laboratory
has been qualified by the operations services director to test and
certify backflow preventers:
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Foundation for Cross-connection
Control and Hydraulic Research
University of Southern California
University Park
Los Angeles, California 90007
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Testing laboratories other than the laboratory listed
above will be added to an approved list as they are qualified by the
operations services director.
Backflow preventers which may be subjected to back pressure
or back-siphonage that have been fully tested and have been granted
a certificate of approval by the qualified laboratory and are listed
on the laboratory's current list of approved devices may be
used without further test or qualification.
F.
It
shall be the duty of the customer-user at any premises where backflow
prevention devices are installed to have certified inspections and
operational tests and repairs made at least once per year. In those
instances where the operations services director deems the hazard
to be great enough, he or she may require certified inspections at
more frequent intervals. These inspections, tests and repairs shall
be at the expense of the water user and shall be performed by the
device manufacturer's representative, or by a certified tester
approved by the operations services director. It shall be the duty
of the operations services director to see that these timely tests
are made. The customer-user shall notify the operations services director
in advance when the tests are to be undertaken so that he or she or
his or her representative may witness the tests if so desired. These
devices shall be repaired, overhauled or replaced by a certified individual
or agency at the expense of the customer-user whenever the devices
are found to be defective. Records of such tests, repairs and overhaul
shall be kept and made available to the operations services director.
G.
All presently installed backflow devices which do not meet the requirements of this section but were approved devices for the purposes described herein at the time of installation and which have been properly maintained, shall, except for the inspection and maintenance requirements under subsection F of this section, be excluded from the requirements of these rules so long as the operations services director is assured that they will satisfactorily protect the utility system. Whenever the existing device is moved from the present location or requires more than minimum maintenance or when the operations services director finds that the maintenance constitutes a hazard to health, the unit shall be replaced by a backflow prevention device meeting the requirements of this section.
H.
All
existing water connections which may be deemed by the operations services
director to be subject to backflow prevention will, upon written notice,
have an appropriate backflow prevention device installed and inspected
within 60 days of the notification.
(Prior code § 2-16.50 (2); Ord. 1073 § 3, 1983; Ord. 2000 § 1, 2009)
