This chapter is adopted pursuant to the State Water Resources Control Board's Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH), and the purpose of this chapter is: (1) to protect the public water supply against actual or potential cross connection by isolating within the premises contamination that may occur because of some undiscovered or unauthorized cross connection on the premises; (2) to eliminate existing connections between drinking water systems and other sources of water that are not approved as safe and potable for human consumption; (3) to eliminate cross connections between drinking water systems and actual or potential sources of contamination; and (4) to prevent the making of cross-connections in the future. This shall be accomplished by the establishment of a cross connection control program as required by state regulations.
(Ord. 16-318, 2016; Ord. 25-0383, 8/11/2025)
The city manager or designee shall be responsible for implementing, enforcing and administering the cross-connection control program. An appropriate backflow prevention assembly shall be installed by and at the expense of the property owner, or water user at each user connection where required to prevent backflow from the water user's premises to the domestic water system. It shall be the user's responsibility to comply with city requirements.
(Ord. 16-318, 2016; Ord. 25-0383, 8/11/2025)
As used in this chapter:
Air-Gap Separation (AG).
A physical separation of at least two (2) times the effective pipe diameter between the free-flowing discharge end of a potable water supply pipeline and the flood level of an open or nonpressurized receiving vessel and in no case less than one (1) inch.
Approved Water Supply.
A water source that has been approved by the State Water Board for domestic use in a public water system and designated as such in a domestic water supply permit issued pursuant to section 116525 of the CHSC.
Auxiliary Water Supply.
Any water supply located on the premises of, or available to, the water user other than the approved water supply.
Backflow.
A flow condition, caused by a differential in pressure, that causes the undesired or unintended reversal of 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.
Backflow Prevention Assembly.
A mechanical assembly designed and constructed to prevent backflow, such that while in-line it can be maintained and its ability to prevent backflow, as designed, can be field tested, inspected and evaluated.
Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester.
A person who is certified as a backflow prevention assembly tester.
Contamination.
A degradation of the quality of the potable water by any foreign substance which interferes with the usefulness or quality of the water.
Cross-Connection.
Any actual or potential connection or structural arrangement between a potable water system used to supply water for drinking purposes, including a piping system connected to the public water system and located on the premises of a water user or available to the water user, and any source or systems containing unapproved water or a substance that is not or cannot be approved safe, wholesome and potable. Bypass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeover devices or other devices through which backflow could occur shall be considered cross-connections.
Cross-Connection Control Specialist.
A person who is certified as a cross-connection control specialist pursuant to section 3.4.2 of the CCCPH.
Distribution System.
As defined in section 63750.50 of CCR, Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 13, any combination of pipes, tanks, pumps, etc., which delivers drinking water from a source or treatment facility to the consumer.
Double Check Detector Backflow Prevention Assembly (DCDA).
A double check valve backflow prevention assembly that includes a bypass with a water meter and double check backflow prevention assembly, with the bypass's water meter accurately registering flow rates up to two gallons per minute and visually showing a registration for all rates of flow.
Double Check Valve Backflow Prevention Assembly (DC).
An assembly composed of two independently acting and internally loaded check valves, including tightly closing resilient seated shutoff valves attached at each end of the assembly and fitted with properly located resilient seated test cocks that enable accurate field testing of the assembly.
Hazard Assessment.
An evaluation of a user premises designed to evaluate the types and degrees of hazard at a user's premises.
High Hazard Cross-Connection.
A cross-connection that poses a threat to the potability or safety of the public water supply. Materials entering the public water supply through a high hazard cross-connection are contaminants or health hazards.
Low Hazard Cross-Connection.
A cross-connection that has been found to not pose a threat to the potability or safety of the public water supply but may adversely affect the aesthetic quality of the potable water supply. Materials entering the public water supply through a low hazard cross-connection are pollutants or non-health hazards.
Health Agency.
The California Department of Health Services, or the local health agency with respect to a small water system.
Premises Containment.
The protection of a public water system's distribution system from backflow from a user's premises through the installation of one or more air gaps or BPAs, installed as close as practical to the user's service connection, in a manner that isolates the water use'rs water supply from the public water system's distribution system.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker Backsiphonage Prevention Assembly (PVB).
An assembly containing an independently operating internally loaded check valve and an independently acting loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check valve. The assembly is to be equipped with properly located resilient seated test cocks and tightly closing resilient seated shut-off valves attached at each end of the assembly that enable accurate field testing of the assembly.
Public Water System (PWS).
A system for the provision of piped water to the public for human consumption.
Reclaimed/Recycled Water.
Wastewater which, as a result of treatment, is suitable for uses other than potable use.
Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assembly (RP).
An assembly containing two independently acting internally loaded check valves together with a hydraulically operating, mechanically independent pressure differential relief valve located between the check valves and at the same time below the upstream check valve. The unit shall include properly located resilient seated test cocks and tightly closing resilient seated shut-off valves at each end of the assembly to enable accurate field testing of the assembly.
Reduced Pressure Principle Detector Backflow Prevention Assembly (RPDA).
An RP that includes a bypass with a water meter and RP, with the bypass's water meter accurately registering flow rates up to two gallons per minute and visually showing a registration for all rates of flow.
User Premises.
Any and all areas on a water user's or customer's property which is served or has the potential to be served by the public water system.
User's Service Connection.
The point of connection of user's piping to the water supplier's facilities (water meter).
Water Supplier.
A person or entity who owns or operates a public water system.
Water User.
Any person obtaining water from an approved water supply system.
(Ord. 16-318, 2016; Ord. 25-0383, 8/11/2025)
The water division shall evaluate the degree of potential health hazard to the potable water distribution system, which may result from conditions existing on a water user's premises. The water division, however, shall not be responsible for abatement of cross-connections, which may exist within a water user's premises. As a minimum, the evaluation should consider the existence of cross-connections, the type and use of materials handled or likely to be present on the property, the probability of a backflow occurring, distribution system conditions that increase the likelihood of backflow events (such as hydraulic gradient differences impacted by main breaks and high water demand conditions), the degree of piping system complexity and accessibility, the potential for piping system modification. Special consideration shall be given to the premises of the following types of water users:
A. 
Premises where substances harmful to health are handled under pressure in a manner that could permit their entry into the potable water distribution system. This includes chemical or biological process waters and water from potable water distribution system supplies that have deteriorated in sanitary quality.
B. 
Premises having an auxiliary water supply, unless the auxiliary water supply is accepted as an additional source by the water division and is approved by the State Water Board.
C. 
Premises that have internal cross-connections that are not abated to the satisfaction of the city or the Santa Barbara County department of public health.
D. 
Premises where cross-connections are likely to occur and entry is restricted so that cross connection inspections cannot be made with sufficient frequency or at sufficiently short notice to assure that cross-connections do not exist. Such premises will be required to have cross connection protection meeting the requirements of section 9-4-5.
E. 
Premises having a repeated history of cross-connections being established or re-established.
(Ord. 25-0383, 8/11/2025)
It is unlawful for any person 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 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, auxiliary supply or other substances into the water supply system of the city and/or the service pipes or fixtures of any consumer of the city.
A. 
The type of protection that shall be provided to prevent backflow into the approved water supply system shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard, actual or potential, that exists on the water user's premises.
B. 
Unprotected cross connections with the public water supply system are prohibited.
C. 
Whenever backflow protection has been found necessary, the city will require the water user to install an approved backflow prevention assembly by and at his or her expense for continued water services or before a new service will be granted.
D. 
Wherever backflow protection has been found necessary on an approved water supply line entering a water user's premises, then any and all water supply lines from the city mains entering such premises, buildings or structures shall be protected by an approved backflow prevention assembly. The type of backflow prevention assembly to be installed will be in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
E. 
Each service connection from the city water system for supplying water to any premises on which any substance is handled in such fashion as may allow its entry into the water system shall be protected against backflow of the water from the premises into the public system. This shall include the handling of process waters and waters originating from the city which have been subjected to deterioration in sanitary quality.
F. 
Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed as close as practical to the meter box and public right-of-way to any premises having:
1. 
Internal cross connections that cannot be permanently corrected and controlled to the satisfaction of the health agency and the city; or
2. 
Intricate plumbing and piping arrangements or where accessible for inspection purposes, making it impracticable or impossible to ascertain whether or not cross connections exist; or
3. 
Use of reclaimed/recycled water. Backflow prevention assemblies shall also be installed as close as practical to the meter box and public right-of-way for all commercial, industrial, and irrigation water service connections.
G. 
Backflow prevention assemblies used for internal protection in lieu of service protection shall be approved by the city. All approved assemblies shall have successfully passed laboratory and field evaluation tests performed by a recognized testing organization which has demonstrated their competency to perform such tests to the California Department of Health Services.
H. 
The city shall be notified of changes of or additions to the internal plumbing of the premises, to include the addition or replacement of any water using equipment prior to issuance of a land use permit by the city.
I. 
All internal backflow prevention assemblies shall be tested and maintained in accordance with this chapter.
J. 
The types of backflow prevention assemblies that may be required include AG, RP, RPDA, DC, and DCDA. The water user may choose a higher level of protection than required by the city.
(Ord. 16-318, 2016; Ord. 25-0383, 8/11/2025)
Only backflow prevention assemblies which have been approved by the city shall be acceptable for installation by the water user. A list of approved backflow prevention assemblies will be provided upon request to any affected customer. The installation of these approved assemblies must be done as follows. In order to perform any installations on the following types of assemblies, the user must possess one of the following license classifications:
A. 
Domestic.
1. 
Plumbing (c-36)
2. 
General engineering (a)
3. 
Limited specialty (c-61/d-64)
B. 
Landscape Irrigation.
1. 
Plumbing (c-36)
2. 
General engineering (a)
3. 
Limited specialty (c-61/d-64)
4. 
Landscape (c-27)
C. 
Fire Sprinkler System.
1. 
Plumbing (c-36)
2. 
General engineering (a)
3. 
Limited specialty (c-61/d-64)
4. 
Fire sprinkler (c-16)
The testing, repair or maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies may be performed by certified backflow prevention assembly testers. The owners of any premises on which, or on account of which, backflow prevention assemblies are installed, shall have the backflow prevention assemblies tested by a certified backflow prevention assembly tester who has demonstrated their competency in testing of these backflow prevention assemblies to the city. Backflow prevention assemblies 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 backflow prevention assembly 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 backflow prevention assembly is tested, relocated or repaired. It is the water user's responsibility to make sure the testers' report form is filed with the city by the required time period. All backflow prevention assemblies 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 water user.
(Ord. 16-318, 2016; Ord. 25-0383, 8/11/2025)
A. 
The city will establish and maintain a list of approved backflow prevention assemblies and an approved certified testers list. The city shall conduct necessary surveys of water user premises to evaluate the degree of potential health hazards. The city shall notify the water user when their assembly needs to be tested. A notice to test will be sent by mail and will have the date the test shall be completed. The water user shall supply proof to the city by such date that the assembly has passed the test. If the test is not completed and proof supplied to the city by the date on the notice to test a final notice will be sent. If the test is not completed and proof supplied to the city within the time set forth in the final notice, then a noncompliance notice will be sent. If the backflow prevention assembly has not been tested and proof of compliance has not been supplied to the city by the date set forth on the noncompliance notice, water service will be terminated on such date unless the user has filed a written request for a hearing on the matter prior to the date set forth on the noncompliance notice. The hearing will be held within 10 days of the written request pursuant to section 9-4-9. If it is determined that the water user's water service is a threat to the city's water system because of the existence of any condition listed in section 9-4-8(B), then the hearing officer shall order the water service terminated. A failure to appear at the hearing will be deemed an admission that such conditions do exist and shall result in termination of the water service. A reconnect fee in an amount established by resolution of city council will be charged before the service is reconnected. The water supply to the address will be discontinued until the backflow prevention assembly is tested and certified as functioning properly.
B. 
The purpose of this chapter is to outline the requirements of the city with regard to persons who test backflow prevention assemblies within the city limits. This procedure is in accordance with this chapter. The following requirements are hereby established
1. 
Each applicant shall file with the city a valid photocopy of their certification from a certifying organization.
2. 
Each applicant shall furnish evidence to show that he or she has the necessary tools and equipment to properly test backflow prevention assemblies.
3. 
Each applicant shall furnish evidence to show his or her test gauges have been recalibrated, and/or the calibration checked within one year of the application date. Every year thereafter, each applicant will submit the written proof that his or her test gauges have been recalibrated and/or the calibration checked for accuracy by a certified agency.
4. 
Each applicant shall at any time have his or her certification revoked, suspended or not renewed by the city for improper testing, repairs, reporting and/ or violating any of or part of this chapter.
(Ord. 16-318, 2016; Ord. 23-0373, § 41; Ord. 25-0383, 8/11/2025)
A. 
General. When the city encounters a water customer that represents a clear and immediate hazard to the potable water supply that cannot be immediately abated, the city shall institute the following procedures for discontinuing the city's water service to said customer.
B. 
Basis for Termination. Conditions that create a basis for water service termination shall include, but are not limited to, the following items:
1. 
Refusal to install a required backflow prevention assembly.
2. 
Refusal to test a backflow prevention assembly.
3. 
Refusal to repair a faulty backflow prevention assembly.
4. 
Refusal to replace a faulty backflow prevention assembly.
5. 
Direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a sewer line or other nonpotable line.
6. 
Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a system or equipment containing contaminants.
7. 
Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and an auxiliary water system.
8. 
A situation which presents an immediate health hazard to the public water system.
C. 
Water Service Termination Procedures. The water service will be terminated at the address where the backflow device is located if any of the conditions set forth in subsection B of this section exist and are not corrected by the date set forth in the noncompliance notice, and if the water user does not file a timely appeal from the noncompliance notice, as set forth in section 9-4-7(A) of this chapter. If water service is terminated, the water service will remain inactive until correction of violations has been approved by the city.
(Ord. 16-318, 2016; Ord. 25-0383, 8/11/2025)
If a noncompliance notice has been served and a timely appeal has been filed with the city pursuant to section 9-4-6, a hearing shall be held before the city manager or designee at the time and place set forth by the city manager and within 10 days of the written request for a hearing. At such hearing, the appellant shall present evidence to prove that none of the conditions set forth in section 9-4-8(B) of this chapter exist. The failure of the appellant to appear for the hearing shall be deemed an admission that such conditions do exist. At the conclusion of the hearing, the city manager shall determine, based upon the evidence presented, whether any of the conditions set forth in section 9-4-8(B) of this chapter exist. If any such conditions exist or the appellant fails to appear for the hearing, the city manager shall order termination of the water service.
(Ord. 16-318, 2016; Ord. 25-0383, 8/11/2025)