A. 
This chapter is adopted pursuant to Title 17, Chapter V, Sections 7583 through 7605, inclusive of the California Code of Administrative Regulations, for the following purposes:
1. 
To protect the City's water system from the possibility of contamination or pollution from a consumer's private water system;
2. 
To protect the public health, safety, and welfare by maintaining separation between systems providing potable water for human consumption and systems for non-potable water, such as systems providing non-potable irrigation water, recycled water, greywater, or captured rainwater;
3. 
To eliminate existing cross-connections between drinking water systems and non-potable water systems;
4. 
To prevent the possibility of future cross-connections from occurring;
5. 
To protect the potable water supply within a customer's premises by identifying and eliminating backflow connections or cross-connections that may endanger the potable water supply;
6. 
To provide a continuing program of cross-connection control to systematically and effectively prevent contamination or pollution of potable water systems;
7. 
To require installation, maintenance, and testing or backflow preventers whenever water other than potable water could backflow or siphon back into any system or facilities for the provision of potable water on a premises.
B. 
This chapter supplements the requirements of this code and other laws governing protection of potable water supplies. In the event of a conflict between the requirements of this chapter and any other law, the City will apply the requirement that most protects the public health, safety, and welfare.
(Ord. 5847, 2018)
A. 
The definitions contained in Chapter 14.04, or the most recent version of the California Plumbing Code as supplemented or amended, apply to this chapter unless otherwise provided in subsection B. The phrase "authority having jurisdiction" as defined in the California Plumbing Code includes the Director and Cross-Connection Control Officers for purposes of administration and enforcement of this chapter or any other section of this title relating to backflow connections, cross-connections, and backflow preventers.
B. 
The following definitions apply when the following words or phrases are used in this chapter, whether or not these words or phrases are capitalized:
Approved.
Used in reference to a backflow preventer or any method, device, or assembly to prevent a backflow condition or cross-connection means approval by the Director or a Cross-Connection Control Officer.
Auxiliary Water Supply.
Any unapproved water supply located on the premises of a water user that is not received from a public water system. Examples are wells, ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, and untreated water reservoirs.
City's Water System.
All facilities of the City of Santa Barbara for the production, storage, treatment, distribution, or delivery of potable water from any source.
Consumer.
The owner or operator of an on-site water system receiving service from a public water system.
Contamination or Contaminant.
An impairment of the quality of the water that creates an actual hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease by sewage, industrial fluids, or waste.
Cross-Connection Control by Containment.
The installation of an approved backflow prevention device in any customer system at the water service connection.
Cross-Connection Control Office.
The office or section of the Department responsible for administration and enforcement of this chapter.
Cross-Connection Control Officer.
A person certified as a cross-connection control specialist by the AWWA and assigned to the Cross-Connection Control Office.
Degree of Hazard.
Either pollutant (non-health) or contaminant (health) hazard and is derived from the evaluation of conditions within the system.
Double Check Detector Backflow Prevention Assembly (DCDA).
A specially designed assembly composed of a line-size approved double check valve assembly with a bypass containing a specific water meter and an approved double check valve assembly. The meter shall register accurately for only very low rates of flow up to two gallons per minute (GPM) and shall show a registration for all rates of flow. This assembly shall only be used to protect against a non-health hazard (i.e., pollutant). The DCDA is primarily used on fire sprinkler systems.
Double Check Valve Backflow Prevention Assembly (DC).
An assembly composed of two independently acting, approved check valves that include tightly closing, resilient seated shutoff valves attached at each end of the assembly and fitted with properly located resilient seated test cocks. This assembly shall only be used against a nonhealth hazard (i.e., pollutant).
Health Agency.
The California State Department of Health Services (DHS) or the Santa Barbara County Department of Environmental Health Services (DEH).
Pollution or Pollutant.
An impairment of the quality of the water to a degree that does not create a hazard to the public health, but that does adversely and unreasonably affect the aesthetic qualities of such waters for domestic use.
Public Water System.
The City's potable water system.
Reduced-Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assembly.
An assembly containing two independently acting, approved 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 first 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. This assembly is used to protect against a non-health (pollutant) or a health (contaminant) hazard.
Reduced-Pressure Principle Detector Backflow Prevention Assembly (RPDA).
A specially designed assembly composed of a line-size approved reduced-pressure principle backflow prevention assembly with a bypass containing a specific water meter and an approved reduced-pressure principle backflow prevention assembly. The meter shall register for only very low rates of flow up to two GPM and shall show a registration for all rates of flow. This assembly shall be used to protect against a non-health (pollutant) or a health (contaminant) hazard. The RPDA is primarily used on fire sprinkler systems.
Service Connection.
The delivery point between a public water system and a customer's potable water service pipeline. Generally, the service connection will be at the property line where a customer's potable water service pipeline connects to a City meter. If unmetered service is authorized, the service connection is generally the closest point on the customer's property to where the customer's potable water service pipeline connects to a public water system.
Service Protection.
The appropriate type or method of backflow protection or cross-connection protection commensurate with the degree of hazard to the public water system or the consumer's potable water system.
Site Supervisor.
A person designated by a customer who has the responsibility for the avoidance of backflow or cross-connections during the installation, operation and maintenance of the customer's pipelines and related equipment.
Water Purveyor.
The operator of a public water system supplying an approved water supply to the public.
(Ord. 5847, 2018)
A. 
A Cross-Connection Control Office within the Department is established under the supervision and management of the Director.
B. 
The Director may delegate to the Cross-Connection Control Office and Cross-Connection Control Officers any responsibility or authority vested in the Director under this chapter or any other section of this title relating to backflow connections, cross-connections, and backflow preventers.
C. 
The responsibility of the Cross-Connection Control Office includes, but is not limited to:
1. 
Administration and enforcement of this chapter;
2. 
Conducting surveys and inspections at consumer sites;
3. 
Maintaining records of all backflow preventers at service connections;
4. 
Requiring annual testing of all backflow preventers at service connections.
(Ord. 5847, 2018)
A. 
The Director may require installation of backflow preventers as the Director determines necessary for the protection, integrity, or safety of the water system or the proper functioning of a meter. Backflow preventers shall be installed by a consumer upon direction of the Director at the consumer's expense. The Director will determine the type, specifications, and installation location of the backflow preventer to be installed. The type of backflow preventer that shall be provided to prevent backflow into the public water supply shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard that exists on the consumer's premises as determined by the Director and, at a minimum, meet the requirements of Title 17 California Code of Regulations Section 7604.
B. 
Backflow preventers must be tested upon installation, relocation, or repair and before provision of water service. Testing must be by a certified backflow tester and a test report showing the backflow preventer is properly installed and operating must be filed with the Director. In addition, backflow preventers must be tested annually. If a backflow preventer fails a test, service to the premises may be disconnected until a test report showing the backflow preventer is properly installed and operating is filed with the Director. The owner of the premises is responsible for the test.
C. 
In addition to testing pursuant to a schedule, the Director may order testing of a backflow preventer whenever the Director has cause to believe a backflow condition may exist.
D. 
The Director may require installation of a backflow preventer at the time a meter is place or replaced, or upon commencement or restoration of water service. If a backflow preventer is not installed when a meter is repaired or replaced, or upon commencement or restoration of water service, the Director may require installation of a backflow preventer upon 30 days' written notice to the consumer. If the required backflow device has not been installed within 30 days of the first notice, a second 15-day notice shall be issued. The failure, refusal, or inability to install the device shall be grounds for discontinuance of water service to the premises until an approved backflow preventer is properly installed. In addition, if a backflow preventer is not installed following a second notice, the Director may cause a backflow preventer to be installed by the Department or a contractor at the consumer's expense and may cause the cost of the installation to be included on the consumer's water bill. If the water account holder is different from the consumer as defined in this chapter, the cost of installation shall be a debt owed by the consumer and may be collected in accordance with applicable law.
(Prior code §44.48; Ord. 2931 §2, 1963; Ord. 5847, 2018)
A. 
Premises having an auxiliary water supply.
B. 
Premises on which any industrial fluids or any other substances are handled in such a fashion as to create an actual or potential hazard to the public water system, including, but not limited to, systems containing process fluids or process water originating from the public water supply system that used on the premises.
C. 
Premises having internal cross-connections that cannot be permanently corrected and controlled, or where intricate plumbing and piping arrangements exist, or where entry to all portions of the premises are not readily accessible for inspection purposes so that it is impractical or impossible to ascertain whether or not cross-connections exist.
D. 
Structures of three or more stories.
E. 
Unless the Director finds that no actual or potential hazard to the public water supply system exists, the following types of facilities:
1. 
Hospitals, mortuaries, clinics, nursing homes;
2. 
Laboratories;
3. 
Sewage treatment plants, sewage pumping stations or stormwater pumping stations;
4. 
Food and beverage processing plants;
5. 
Chemical plants;
6. 
Metal plating industries;
7. 
Petroleum processing or storage plants;
8. 
Car washes;
9. 
Churches;
10. 
Farm service and fertilizer plants and trucks;
11. 
Dental offices;
12. 
Radiator shops;
13. 
Commercial laundries;
14. 
Photographic film processing facilities;
15. 
Veterinary and animal grooming clinics;
16. 
Taxidermists;
17. 
Ready-mix concrete;
18. 
Sand and gravel plants;
19. 
Schools and colleges;
20. 
Water services dedicated for landscape irrigation systems;
21. 
Fire protection systems;
22. 
Greenhouses;
23. 
Water tank trucks or water tanks filled from fire hydrants that do not have a visible air gap;
24. 
Mobile home parks;
25. 
Commercial or industrial users;
26. 
Swimming pools, spas;
27. 
Ornamental fountains;
28. 
Dual plumbed systems having potable and non-potable water;
29. 
Other uses as determined by the Director to present a hazard to the public water system.
(Ord. 5847, 2018)
A. 
The type of approved backflow preventer depends upon the degree of hazard as determined by the Director. In determining the degree of hazard and the type of approved backflow preventer required, the Director will consider the factors in this section.
B. 
An approved air-gap separation or an approved reduced-pressure principle backflow prevention device is required if there is an existing or potential health or system hazard. In cases when the existing or potential health or system hazard is determined to be remote, the Director may approve another type of backflow preventer.
C. 
A double check valve assembly may be used where there is an actual or potential pollution hazard.
(Ord. 5847, 2018)
A. 
Backflow preventers shall be a model and size as approved by the Director. Backflow preventers must conform to manufacturing specifications and laboratory and field performance standards established by the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research: List of Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies.
B. 
The Cross-Connection Control Office shall maintain a list of approved backflow prevention devices. The Director, upon recommendation of the Cross-Connection Control Office, will develop and maintain a list of approved backflow preventers for various types of potential cross-connections. Backflow preventers, in decreasing level of protection, include, without limitation:
1. 
Air Gap (AG);
2. 
Reduced Pressure Principal Backflow Prevention Assembly (RP);
3. 
Reduced Pressure Principal Detector Assembly;
4. 
Double Check Valve Assembly (DC);
5. 
Double Check Detector Assembly (DC);
6. 
Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB);
7. 
Spill Resistant Vacuum Breaker (SVB).
C. 
A person may install approved backflow preventers that provide a higher degree of protection.
D. 
A backflow preventer installed before July 1, 2018 may be accepted for continued use unless a higher degree of protection is required. If a device is no longer on the current list of approved devices, continued use of existing backflow prevention devices may be allowed if the device can be properly tested and maintained.
(Ord. 5847, 2018)
A. 
Backflow preventers approved by the Director are required on the customer's pipe at the service connection unless another location is specified by the Director. The Director may require backflow preventers at other locations as determined by the Director based on the degree of hazard.
B. 
Unless otherwise approved by the Director, the backflow preventers listed in this subdivision shall be located as follows:
1. 
Air-Gap Separation. An air-gap separation shall be located as close as practicable to the user's connection and all piping between the user's connection and the receiving tank shall be entirely visible unless otherwise approved in writing by the Cross-Connection Control Office.
2. 
Double Check Valve Assembly. A double check valve assembly shall be located as close as practicable to the user's connection and shall be installed not less than 12 inches and not more than 36 inches above grade measured from the bottom of the device and with a minimum of 18 inches side clearance, if possible, and in a manner where it is readily accessible for testing and maintenance.
3. 
Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Device. A reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device shall be located as close as practicable to the user's connection and shall be installed not less than 12 inches and not more than 36 inches above grade measured from the bottom of the device and with a minimum of 18 inches side clearance.
C. 
The Cross-Connection Control Office may establish, maintain, and provide standard construction details for installation of backflow preventers.
(Ord. 5847, 2018)
A consumer's system must be open for inspection at all reasonable times to Cross-Connection Control Officers or other authorized representatives of the Director to determine whether backflow conditions, cross-connection conditions, or other structural or sanitary hazards may exist.
(Ord. 5847, 2018)
If the Director determines that a condition creating a health or safety hazard exists, the Director may order immediate correction of the condition and may immediately discontinue service to the premises by providing a physical break in the service line or by locking off the meter until the consumer has corrected the conditions. The Director must give written notice to the consumer of the order to correct and discontinuance of service. If the Director is unable to give the notice before service is disconnected, the Director must post a notice on the premises that includes the reason for the disconnection of service and the telephone number and email address of the Cross-Connection Control Office. The consumer is responsible for cost of correction.
(Ord. 5847, 2018)
A. 
The Cross-Connection Control Office may establish a schedule for inspection and testing of backflow preventers. Backflow preventers must be inspected and tested annually, unless otherwise provided on the schedule or as determined by the Cross-Connection Control Officer. The inspection and testing may be accomplished by a Cross-Connection Control Officer or a certified tester.
B. 
The Cross-Connection Control Office may issue a notice to the consumer to arrange for inspection and testing of backflow preventers. The notice will advise the consumer whether inspection and testing will be conducted by the Cross-Connection Control Office or whether the consumer is required to provide proof of inspection and testing by a certified tester. The notice will advise the consumer of the date by which the inspection and testing must be completed. The consumer is responsible for providing, on or before the date stated in the notice, proof to the Cross-Connection Control Office that each of the consumer's backflow preventers has passed inspection.
C. 
The Cross-Connection Control Office may establish written procedures for the conduct of inspections and testing, including maintenance of a list of certified testers.
D. 
Each consumer shall pay an annual inspection fee in an amount established by City Council resolution. The fee shall be used to defray the cost of the regulatory program established by this chapter. If the consumer does not pay the fee within 30 days following receipt of a notice of payment, the amount of the fee may be added to the consumer's water bill. In addition to the annual inspection fee, the consumer must pay a fee in an amount established by City Council resolution for inspection and testing performed by the Cross-Connection Control Office.
(Ord. 5847, 2018)
A. 
Backflow testers must possess a current American Water Works Association (AWWA) or American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA) Backflow Tester certificate, or an equivalent certificate.
B. 
Backflow testers shall file with the Cross-Connection Control Office a copy of their current certificates required under subsections A and B and current gauge calibrations for equipment to be used within the City.
C. 
Employees of the Cross-Connection Control Office may not perform testing within the City except as part of their official employment duties.
(Ord. 5847, 2018)
A. 
The Director shall not approve a connection of any fire protection system unless plans for the system have been submitted to and approved by the Fire Department. Fire protection systems require backflow preventers as approved by the Fire Department and the Director.
B. 
In addition to the inspection required by Section 14.21.130, the Fire Department may inspect fire protection systems pursuant to the California Fire Code as amended by Chapter 8.04 of this code.
(Ord. 5847, 2018)
A. 
It is unlawful for any consumer to maintain a connection to a public water system in violation of this chapter.
B. 
It is unlawful for any consumer to alter, bypass, or render inoperative any backflow preventer, or to fail to repair or replace any backflow preventer that has been altered, bypassed, or rendered inoperative.
C. 
A violation of this chapter is subject to punishment by fine or imprisonment as provided for violations of this code.
D. 
A violation of this chapter is a public nuisance.
E. 
A person or consumer responsible for back-siphoned pollutants or contaminants through backflow, if contamination of the potable water system occurs through an illegal cross-connection or an improperly installed, maintained or repaired device or a device that has been bypassed, shall be liable for the cost of cleanup of the potable water supply system and shall be liable for injury that occurs as a result of the contamination.
F. 
The remedies for violations of this chapter are additional and not exclusive to other remedies.
(Ord. 5847, 2018)
The city shall not be held liable to any consumer for any injury, damages, or lost revenues, which may result from refusal to connect, or termination, or disconnection of such consumer's water supply in accordance with the terms of this chapter.
(Ord. 5847, 2018)