The purposes of this article are:
(1) 
To protect the city water system from the possibility of contamination or pollution, by isolating within customer systems contaminants or pollutants which could backflow or back-siphon into the city water system; and
(2) 
To provide a continuing program of cross-connection control which will prevent the contamination or pollution of the city water system.
(Ord. No. 88-27, § 1, 5-11-88)
Whenever the following terms are used, they are defined as follows:
Approved.
Accepted by the city as meeting an applicable specification stated.
Auxiliary water supply.
Any water supply, other than the city system, on or available to a customer system. 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, etc., or "used waters" or "industrial fluids."
Backflow.
The flow of water (or other liquids, mixtures or substances) under pressure into the city system from any source or sources other than its intended source.
Backflow preventer.
A device or means designed to prevent backflow or back-siphonage.
(1) 
Air-gap.
Means a backflow prevention utilizing 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 said vessel.
(2) 
Reduced pressure principle device.
A backflow prevention device consisting of 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 relieve valves.
(3) 
Double check valve assembly.
A backflow prevention device consisting of 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.
Back-siphonage.
The flow of water (or other liquids, mixtures or substances) into the city system from any source other than its intended source, caused by the sudden reduction of pressure in the city system.
Contamination.
The 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.
Cross-connection.
Any physical connection, or arrangement of piping or fixtures, between two otherwise separate piping systems, one of which contains potable water and the other of which contains non-potable water or industrial fluids or questionable safety, through which, or because of which, backflow or backsiphonage may occur into the city system. A metered water service connection between the city system and a customer system which is cross-connected to a contaminated fixture, industrial fluid system or which 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 change-over devices, sliding multiport tube, solid connections, etc.
City system.
The City of Escondido's potable water distribution system.
Cross-connection control by containment.
The installation of an approved backflow prevention device in any customer system at the metered water service connection.
Hazard, degree of.
The term is derived from an evaluation of the potential risk to public health and the adverse effect of the hazard upon the city system.
(1) 
Hazard; health.
Any condition, device, or practice in the city system, or its operation, which could create, or in the judgment of the city may create, a danger to the health and well-being of any water customer.
(2) 
Hazard; plumbing.
Any plumbing type of cross-connection in a customer system that has not been properly protected by an air-gap separation or backflow prevention device is a health hazard.
(3) 
Hazard; pollutional.
An actual or potential threat to the physical properties, or to the probability, of the city system, which would constitute a nuisance or be aesthetically objectionable or could cause damage to the city system, but would not be dangerous to health.
(4) 
Hazard; system.
An actual or potential threat of severe damage to the physical properties of the water system, or of a pollution or contamination which would have an effect on the quality of the potable water in the city system.
Industrial fluids system.
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 the city system. "Industrial fluids systems" includes, but are not limited to: polluted or contaminated waters; all types of process waters and "used waters" originating from the city system which may have deteriorated in sanitary quality; chemicals in fluid form; plating acids and alkalines; 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 for industrial, or other, purposes or for firefighting purposes.
Pollution.
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.
Water; metered water service connection.
The terminal end of a service connection from the city system (that is, where the city loses control over the water at its point of delivery to the customer system), being the downstream end of the meter. Service connections include metered water service connections from a fire hydrant and all other temporary or emergency water service connections from the city system.
Water; nonpotable.
Water which is not safe for human consumption or which is of questionable potability.
Water; potable.
Any water which, according to recognized standards, is safe for human consumption.
Water system.
The water system is made up of two parts: the city system and the customer systems.
(1) 
The city system consists of the source and the distribution system under the complete control of the city, up to the point where the customer systems begin.
a. 
The source shall include all components of the facilities utilized in the production, treatment, storage, and delivery of water to the distribution system.
b. 
The distribution system shall include the network of conduits used for the delivery of water from source to the customer systems.
(2) 
The customer systems consist of all water components beyond the metered water service connections.
Water; used.
Any water supplied by the city from the city system to a customer system after it has passed through the metered water service connection and is no longer under the control of the city.
(Ord. No. 88-27, § 1, 5-11-88)
The city may require an approved backflow prevention device at any metered water service connection to assure that no contamination enters the city system. The city shall give notice in writing to the affected customer to install an approved backflow prevention device at each of such customer's metered water service connections. Within the time prescribed by the notice, the customer shall install such approved device or devices at the customer's own expense. The failure, refusal or inability to install the device shall be grounds for discontinuance of water service to the metered water service connections until the device or devices have been properly installed.
(Ord. No. 88-27, § 1, 5-11-88)
(a) 
No metered water service connection to any premises shall be placed in service by the city unless the city system is protected as required by Title 17 of the California Administrative Code and by this article. Service of water to any premises shall be immediately discontinued by the city if a backflow prevention device required by this Code is not installed, tested and maintained, or if 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.
(b) 
All customer systems shall be open for inspection at all reasonable times to authorized representatives of the city to enable the city to ascertain the existence of cross-connections and compliance with this article of this Code. Any violation of this article shall be grounds for the city to deny or immediately discontinue service to the premises by providing for a physical break in the service line until the customer has corrected the condition(s).
(c) 
An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed on each metered water service connection to a customer system at or near the property line or immediately inside the building being served; but, in all cases, such device shall be installed before the first branch line leading off the service wherever the following conditions exist:
(1) 
In the case of premises having an auxiliary water supply.
(2) 
In the case of premises on which any industrial fluid is handled in such a fashion as to create an actual or potential hazard to the city system, including the handling of process waters and waters originating from the city system which have been subject to deterioration in quality, the city system shall be protected against backflow.
(3) 
In the case where internal cross-connections cannot be permanently corrected or controlled.
(4) 
In the case where there are intricate plumbing and piping arrangements.
(5) 
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.
(d) 
The type of protective device required by section 31-203(c) 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), and such supply is not subject to any of the following rules, the city system shall be protected by an approved air-gap 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 city system, the city 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 city system, the city 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 sewage treatment plants, sewage pumping stations, chemical manufacturing plants, hospitals, mortuaries and plating plants.
(4) 
In the case of any premises where there are cross-connections, either actual or potential, the city system shall be protected by an approved air-gap water separation or an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device.
(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 city system shall be protected against backflow on back-siphonage from the premises by the installation of a backflow prevention device. 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 metered water service connection to the premises.
(6) 
A double check valve will be deemed sufficient when any one of the following conditions exist:
a. 
Pressure in the customer system may at any time exceed the water pressure in the city system.
b. 
The customer system includes more than one metered water service connection.
c. 
Where a swimming pool is maintained.
d. 
Where a closed elevated nontoxic materials storage tank is maintained.
e. 
Auxiliary water system (not interconnected).
f. 
The customer system is so extensive that it is not easily observed or checked as to maintenance and use.
g. 
Building with house pump and/or storage tank.
h. 
Chemically treated potable water system.
i. 
Commercial laundry.
j. 
Dairy or other cold storage plant.
k. 
Fire system with pump and/or water storage tank.
l. 
Manufacturing, processing or fabricating plant using nontoxic materials.
m. 
Mobile home park.
n. 
Irrigation system where nothing is injected into the customer system.
o. 
Church.
(7) 
A reduced pressure backflow preventer will be required when any one of the following conditions exist:
a. 
Auxiliary water system (interconnected).
b. 
Winery.
c. 
Building with sewage ejectors.
d. 
Cannery, packing house or reduction plant.
e. 
Car wash with water reclamation system.
f. 
Centralized heating and air conditioning plant.
g. 
Chemical plant.
h. 
Civil works (facilities not subject to City of Escondido plumbing inspection).
i. 
Dye works.
j. 
Film processing or other laboratory.
k. 
Fire system with auxiliary supply.
l. 
Hospital, or mortuary.
m. 
High school or college.
n. 
Food processing plant.
o. 
Restaurant.
p. 
Rendering plant.
q. 
Veterinarian or pet hospital.
r. 
Steam boiler.
s. 
Plating facility or metal finisher.
t. 
Irrigation system where anything is injected into the customer system.
u. 
Manufacturing, processing or other fabricating plant using toxic materials.
v. 
Paper production plant.
w. 
Restricted, classified or other closed facility.
x. 
Sand and gravel plant.
y. 
Where a cross-connection is maintained.
(8) 
An air-gap system installed as near to the metered water service connection as possible will be required where toxic wastes injurious materials are pumped or where reclaimed water is used to supplement the city supplied water.
(e) 
Any backflow prevention device required by this article shall be of a model and size approved by the city. The term "approved backflow prevention device" shall mean a device that has been manufactured in full conformance with the standards established by the American Water Works Association, as set forth in its publication entitled, "AWWA C506-78 Standards for Reduced Pressure Principle and Double Check Valve Backflow Prevention Devices" and, that has met completely the laboratory and field performance specifications of the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research of the University of Southern California, as set forth in its publication entitled, "Specifications of Backflow Prevention Devices - 2079-84 dated March 1982"or the most recent edition. Final approval shall be evidenced by a "certificate of approval" issued by an approved testing laboratory, certifying full compliance with the standards and specifications set forth above.
(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 made at least once per year. These inspections and tests shall be at the expense of the customer/user, and shall be performed by persons who have demonstrated their competency in the testing of these devices to the city. The city shall establish deadlines as to when these tests shall be performed. The customer/user shall notify the city in advance when the tests are to be undertaken so that city personnel may witness the tests if it is so desired. These devices shall be repaired, overhauled or replaced at the expense of the customer/user whenever the devices are defective. Records of such test, repairs and overhaul shall be kept and made available to the city for at least three years.
(Ord. No. 88-27, § 1, 5-11-88)