Unless the prior written approval of the City is first obtained, it is unlawful for any person to make connection with any City water main, conduit, or pipe belonging to or under control of the City, or to turn water service provided through the municipal water system on or off.
(Prior code § 10-6.1)
It is unlawful for any person to break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface or tamper with any structure, appurtenance or equipment which is a part of the City's municipal water system, unless the prior written consent of the City is first obtained.
(Prior code § 10-6.2)
A. 
Definitions. Where used herein:
"Air-gap separation"
shall mean a physical break between a supply pipe and a receiving vessel. The air-gap shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the top rim of the vessel, but in no case shall be less than one inch.
"Approved backflow prevention device"
shall mean any device which has passed laboratory and field evaluation tests performed by a recognized testing organization which is certified to perform such tests by the California Department of Health Services.
"Approved water supply"
shall mean any water supply whose potability is regulated by a State health agency.
"Auxiliary supply"
shall mean any water supply on or available to the premises other than the approved water supply.
"Backflow"
shall mean a flow condition caused by a differential in pressure that causes the flow of water or other liquids, gases, mixtures or substances into the distributing pipes of a potable supply of water from any source or sources other than an approved water supply source. Back-siphonage is one cause of backflow. Back pressure is the other cause.
"City water system"
shall mean the water system owned and operated by the City of Bellflower.
"Contamination"
shall mean a degradation of the quality of the potable water by any foreign substance which creates a hazard to the public health or which may impair the usefulness or quality of the water.
"Cross-connection"
shall mean any unprotected actual or potential connection between a potable water system used to supply water for drinking purposes and any source or system containing unapproved water or a substance that is not or cannot be approved as safe, wholesome, and potable. By-pass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeover devices, or other devices through which backflow could occur, shall be considered to be cross-connections.
"Double check valve assembly"
shall mean an assembly of at least two independently acting check valves including tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valve assembly and test cocks available for testing the water tightness of each check valve.
"Health agency"
shall mean the California Department of Health Services (DHS).
"Person"
shall mean an individual, corporation, company, association, partnership, municipality, public utility, or other public body or institution.
"Premises"
shall mean any and all areas on a customer's property which is served or has the potential to be served by the City water system.
"Reclaimed water"
shall mean wastewater which as a result of treatment is suitable for uses other than potable use.
"Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device"
shall mean a device incorporating two or more check valves and an automatically operating differential relief valve located between each of the check valves, a tightly closing shut-off valve and on each side of the check valve assembly, and equipped with necessary test cocks for testing.
"Service connection"
shall mean the point of connection of piping on the premises to the City water system.
"Water user"
shall mean any person obtaining water from the City water system.
B. 
Cross-Connection Protection Requirements.
1. 
General Provisions.
a. 
Cross-connections with the City water system are prohibited.
b. 
Any premises connected to the City water system shall be provided by the owner thereof with backflow protection to:
(1) 
Each service connection from the City water system that supplies water to any premises having an auxiliary water supply, unless accepted as an additional source by the City, and approved as such by the public health agency having jurisdiction.
(2) 
Each service connection from the City water system that supplies water to any premises on which any substance is handled in such fashion as may allow its entry into the water system. This shall include the handling of process waters and waters originating from the City water system which have been subjected to deterioration in sanitary quality.
(3) 
Each service connection from the City water system that supplies water to any premises having a) internal cross-connections that cannot be permanently corrected and controlled to the satisfaction of the State or local health department and the City, or b) intricate plumbing and piping arrangements accessible for inspection purposes, making it impracticable or impossible to ascertain whether or not cross-connections exist.
c. 
Whenever backflow protection is required, the water user will install an approved backflow prevention device by and at his/her expense for continued services or before a new service will be granted.
d. 
Wherever backflow protection is required on a water supply line entering a water user's premises, then any and all water supply lines from the City water system entering such premises, buildings, or structures shall be protected by an approved backflow prevention device. The type of device to be installed will be in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
2. 
Type of Protection Required.
a. 
The type of protection required to prevent backflow into the approved water supply shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard that exists on the premises.
b. 
The type of protective device that may be required (listed in increasing level of protection) includes:
(1) 
Double check valve assembly (DC);
(2) 
Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device (RP); and
(3) 
Air-gap separation (AG).
The water user may use a higher level of protection than required by this section. The minimum 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 given in Table 1. 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 City or the health agency.
Table 1
Type of Backflow Protection Required
Degree of Hazard
Minimum Backflow Prevention
Sewage and Hazard Substance:
1.
Premises where the City water system is used to supplement the reclaimed water supply.
AG
2.
Premises where there are wastewater pumping and/or treatment plants and there is no interconnection with the potable water system. This does not include a single-family residence that has a sewage lift pump. A RP may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the health agency and the City.
AG
3.
Premises where reclaimed water is used and there is no interconnection with the potable water system. A RP may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the health agency and the City.
AG
4.
Premises where hazardous substances are handled in any manner in which the substances may enter a potable water system. This does not include a single-family residence that has a sewage lift pump. A RP may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the health agency and the City.
AG
5.
Premises where there are irrigation systems into which fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides are, or can be, injected.
RP
Auxiliary Water Supplies:
1.
Premises where there is an unapproved auxiliary water supply which is interconnected with the public water system. A RP or DC may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the health agency and the City.
AG
2.
Premises where there is an unapproved auxiliary water supply and there are no interconnections with the City water system. A DC may be provided in lieu of a RP if approved by the health agency and the City.
RP
Fire Protection Systems:
1.
Premises where the fire system is directly supplied from the public water system and there is an unapproved auxiliary water supply on or to the premises (not interconnected).
DC
2.
Premises where the fire system is supplied from the City water system and interconnected with an unapproved auxiliary water supply. A RP may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the health agency and City.
AG
3.
Premises where the fire system is supplied from the City water system and where either elevated storage tanks or fire pumps which take suction from the private reservoirs or tanks are used.
DC
Premises where entry is restricted so that inspections for cross-connections cannot be made with sufficient frequency or at sufficiently short notice to assure that cross-connections do not exist.
RP
Premises where there is a repeated history of cross-connections being established or re-established.
RP
Structures of three floors or more in height or more than 30 feet above the approved water supply shall be protected by an approved backflow assembly at the downstream side of a service connection.
DC
3. 
Two or more services supplying water from different street mains to the same building, structure, or premises through which an interstreet main flow may occur shall have at least a standard check valve on each water service to be located adjacent to and on the property side of the respective meters. Such check valve shall not be considered adequate if backflow protection is deemed necessary to protect the City water system mains from pollution or contamination; in such cases installation of approved backflow devices at such service connections shall be required.
C. 
Backflow Prevention Devices.
1. 
Approved Backflow Prevention Devices. Only backflow prevention devices which have been approved by the City shall be acceptable for installation by a water user connected to the City water system.
2. 
Backflow Prevention Device Installation. Backflow prevention devices shall be installed in a manner prescribed in Section 7603, Title 17 of the California Administrative Code and as described in this paragraph. Location of devices should be as close as practical to the user's connection. The City shall have final authority in determining required location of a backflow prevention device.
a. 
Air-Gap Separation (AG). The air-gap separation shall be located on the user's side of and as close to the service connection as is practical. All piping from service connection to receiving tank shall be above grade and be entirely visible. No water use shall be provided from any point between the service connection and the air-gap separation. The water inlet piping shall terminate a distance of at least two pipe diameters of the supply inlet, but in no case less than one inch above the overflow rim of the receiving tank.
b. 
Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Device (RP). The approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device shall be installed on the user's side of and as close to the service connection as is practical. The device shall be installed a minimum of 12 inches above grade and not more than 36 inches above grade measured from the bottom of the device and with a minimum of 12 inches side clearance. The device shall be installed so that it is readily accessible for maintenance and testing. Water supplied from any point between the service connection and the RP device shall be protected in a manner approved by the City.
c. 
Double Check Valve Assembly (DC). The approved double check valve assembly shall be located as close as practical to the user's connection and shall be installed above grade, and in a manner where it is readily accessible for testing and maintenance.
3. 
Backflow Prevention Device Testing and Maintenance.
a. 
The owners of any premises on which, or on account of which, backflow prevention devices are installed, shall have the devices tested by a person who has demonstrated their competency in testing of these devices to the City. Backflow prevention devices must be tested at least annually and immediately after installation, relocation, or repair. The City may require a more frequent testing schedule if it is determined to be necessary. No device shall be placed back in service unless it is functioning as required. A report in a form acceptable to the City shall be filed with the City each time a device is tested, relocated, or repaired. These devices shall be serviced, overhauled, or replaced whenever they are found to be defective and all costs of testing, repair, and maintenance shall be borne by the owner of the premises.
b. 
The City will maintain a list of persons acceptable to the City to test backflow prevention devices. The City will notify affected customers by mail when annual testing of a device is needed and also supply users with the necessary forms which must be filled out each time a device is tested or repaired.
4. 
Backflow Prevention Device Removal. Approval must be obtained from the City before a backflow prevention device is removed, relocated, or replaced.
a. 
Removal. The use of a device may be discontinued and the device removed from service upon presentation of sufficient evidence to the City to verify that a hazard no longer exists or is not likely to be created in the future.
b. 
Relocation. A device may be relocated following confirmation by the City that the relocation will continue to provide the required protection and satisfy installation requirements. A retest will be required following the relocation of the device.
c. 
Repair. A device may be removed for repair, provided the water use is discontinued until repair is completed and the device is returned to service.
d. 
Replacement. A device may be removed and replaced provided the water use is discontinued until the replacement device is installed. All replacement devices must be approved by the City and must be commensurate with the degree of hazard involved.
D. 
User Supervisor. At each of the premises where it is necessary, in the opinion of the City, a user supervisor shall be designated by and at the expense of the water user. This user supervisor shall be responsible for the monitoring of the backflow prevention devices and for avoidance of cross connections. In the event of contamination or pollution of the drinking water system due to a cross-connection on the premises, the City shall be promptly notified by the user supervisor so that appropriate measures may be taken to overcome the contamination. The water user shall inform the City of the user supervisor's identity on an annual basis and whenever a change occurs.
E. 
Administrative Procedures.
1. 
Water System Survey.
a. 
The City shall review all requests for new services from the City water system to determine if backflow protection is needed. Upon request by the City, plans and specifications must be submitted to the City for review of possible cross-connection hazards as a condition of service for such new service connections. If it is determined that a backflow prevention device is necessary to protect the City water system, the required device must be installed before service will be granted.
b. 
The City may require an on-premises inspection to evaluate cross-connection hazards on premises served or requested to be served by the City water system. Any customer which cannot or will not allow an on-premises inspection of the piping system on the premises shall be required to install the backflow prevention device the City considers necessary.
c. 
The City may, at its discretion, require a re-inspection for cross-connection hazards of any premises to which it serves water. Any customer which cannot or will not allow an on-premises inspection of the piping system on the premises shall be required to install the backflow prevention device the City considers necessary.
2. 
Customer Notification—Device Installation. The City will notify the water user of the survey findings, listing corrective action to be taken if required and the time period in which these corrections must be made. If the corrections have not been made in the allotted time period, the City may terminate water service to the affected water user until the required corrective actions are taken.
3. 
Customer Notification—Testing and Maintenance.
a. 
The City will notify each affected water user when it is time for the backflow prevention device installed on their service connection to be tested. This written notice shall give the water user 30 days to have the device tested and supply the water user with the necessary form to be completed and resubmitted to the City.
b. 
A second notice shall be sent to each water user which does not have his/her backflow prevention device tested as prescribed in the first notice within the 30 day period allowed. The second notice will give the water user a two week period to have his/her backflow prevention device tested. If no action is taken within the two week period, the City may terminate water service to the affected water user until the subject device is tested.
F. 
Water Service Termination. When the City encounters water uses that represent a clear and immediate hazard to the potable water supply from the City water system that cannot be immediately abated, the City shall institute the procedure for discontinuing the City water service.
1. 
Basis for Termination. Conditions or water uses that create a basis for water service termination shall include, but are not limited to: a) refusal to install or test a required backflow prevention device; b) refusal to repair or replace a faulty backflow prevention device; c) maintenance of a direct or indirect connection between the City water system and a sewer line; d) maintenance of an unprotected direct or indirect connection between the City water system and i) a system or equipment containing contaminants or ii) an auxiliary water system; or e) any situation which presents an immediate health hazard to the City water system.
2. 
Water Service Termination Procedures.
a. 
For conditions (F)(1)(a) or (b), the City will terminate service to a customer's premises after two written notices have been sent specifying the corrective action needed and the time period in which it must be done. If no action is taken within the allowed time period, water service may be terminated.
b. 
For conditions (F)(1)(c), (d) or (e), the City will make reasonable effort to advise the water user of the intent to terminate water service prior to doing so, but shall be authorized to immediately terminate water supply and lock the service valve. The water service will remain inactive until correction of violations has been approved by the City.
G. 
Requirements for the Certification as a Backflow Prevention Device Tester. All backflow prevention device testers must hold a current certification from the Los Angeles County Department of Health and a current City of Bellflower business license.
(Prior code § 10-6.3)