(a)
Pursuant to and in compliance with Title 17 of the California
Code of Regulations, generally accepted engineering practice, recognized
health standards, and American Water Works Association recommendations,
the San Dieguito Water District has established cross-connection and
backflow prevention rules and regulations.
(b)
The District adopts and follows the Manual of Cross-Connection
Control published by the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control &
Hydraulic Research, University of Southern California, the Uniform
Plumbing Code, the American Water Works Association Manual M14, and
the Guidance Manual for Cross-Connection Control Programming, State
of California, Department of Health Services, Office of Drinking Water,
as amended from time to time.
(Res. No. 2020-02, adopted 5/20/20; Res.
No. 2023-05, 4/19/2023)
The purposes of these cross-connection and backflow prevention
rules and regulations are:
(a)
To protect the District system from the possibility of contamination
or pollution, by isolating within customer systems such contaminants
or pollutants which could backflow or back-siphonage into the District
system; and
(b)
To provide for the maintenance of a continuing program of cross-connection
control which will systematically and effectively prevent the contamination
or pollution of the District system.
(Res. No. 2020-02, adopted 5/20/20; Res.
No. 2023-05, 4/19/2023)
A physical separation between the free-flowing discharge
end of a potable water supply pipeline and an open or non-pressure
receiving vessel.
A backflow prevention assembly that has been manufactured
in full conformance with the list of Approved Backflow Prevention
Assemblies and the standards established by the Foundation of Cross-Connection
Control & Hydraulic Research, University of Southern California.
Said publications, including any amendments or revisions thereto,
are hereby adopted and incorporated into these requirements as though
fully set forth herein.
Any water supply, other than the District 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 well, spring, river, stream, lagoon, estuary, 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 District does not have control.
The flow of water (or other liquids, mixtures, or substances)
under pressure into the District system from any source or sources
other than its intended source.
An assembly or means designed to prevent backflow or back-siphonage.
The flow of water (or other liquids, mixtures, or substances)
into the District system from any source other than its intended source,
caused by the sudden reduction of pressure in the District system.
The Board of Directors of the San Dieguito Water District.
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.
The right and power over the sanitary quality of water.
An unprotected actual or potential connection between a potable
water system used to supply water for drinking purposes and any source
of 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 cross-connections.
The Manual of Cross-Connection Control published by the Foundation
for Cross-Connection Control & Hydraulic Research, University
of Southern California, the Uniform Plumbing Code, the American Water
Works Association Manual M14, and the Guidance Manual for Cross-Connection
Control Programming, State of California, Department of Health Services,
Office of Drinking Water, as amended from time to time.
An employee of the District designated by the General Manager
to enforce the provisions of these cross-connection rules and regulations.
The San Dieguito Water District.
A backflow prevention assembly consisting of at least two
independently operating check valves with tightly closing resilient
seated 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 approved testing agency for backflow
prevention assemblies. To be approved by the District, these assemblies
must be readily accessible for in-line maintenance and testing.
The General Manager of the San Dieguito Water District or
his/her authorized designee.
The term is derived from an evaluation of the potential risk
to the public health and the adverse effect of the hazard upon the
District system.
Any condition, assembly, or practice in the District system,
or its operation, which could create, or in the judgment of the General
Manager or his/her designee may create, a danger to the health and
wellbeing of any water customer.
A plumbing type of cross-connection in a customer system
that has not been properly protected by an air gap separation or backflow
prevention assembly is a health hazard.
An actual or potential threat to the physical properties,
or to the potability, of the District system, which would constitute
a nuisance or be aesthetically objectionable or could cause damage
to the District system but would not be dangerous to health.
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 a protracted effect on the quality of the potable
water in the District system.
Any system containing a fluid or solution which may be chemically,
biologically, or otherwise contaminated or polluted in a form or concentration
that would constitute a health, system, pollution, or plumbing hazard
if introduced into the District system. "Industrial fluids systems"
include, but are not limited to: polluted or contaminated water; all
types of process waters and "used waters" originating from the District
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, glycerin, paraffins, caustic and acid solutions and other liquid
and gaseous fluids used for industrial or other purposes or for fire-fighting
purposes.
An impairment of the quality of water which, as a result
of treatment of wastewater, is suitable for a direct beneficial use
or a controlled use that would not otherwise occur, and is not safe
for human consumption pursuant to the standards described in California
Code of Regulations Title 22 Section 60301 et seq.
Water which, as a result of treatment of wastewater, is suitable
for a direct beneficial use or a controlled use that would not otherwise
occur, and is not otherwise safe for beneficial use or a controlled
use or human consumption pursuant to the standards described in California
Code of Regulations Title 22 Section 60301 et seq.
A backflow prevention assembly consisting of an assembly
of two independently operating approved check valves with an automatically
operating pressure differential relief valve between the two check
valves, resilient seated 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 approved testing agency
for backflow prevention assemblies.
The terminal end of a service connection from the District
system (that is, where the District loses control over the water at
its point of delivery to the customer system), being the downstream
end of the meter. There should be no unprotected takeoffs from the
service line ahead of any backflow prevention assembly. Service connections
shall also include metered water service connections from a fire hydrant
and all other temporary or emergency water service connections from
the District system.
Water which is not safe for human consumption, or which is
of questionable potability including recycled or reclaimed water pursuant
to the standards described in California Code of Regulations Title
22 Section 60301 et seq.
Any water which, according to recognized standards of California
law, is safe for human consumption.
Any water supplied by the District from the District system
to a customer system after it has passed through the metered water
service connection and is no longer under the control of the District.
The water system made up of two parts; namely, the District
system and the customer systems.
District System. Consists of the source and the distribution
system under the complete control of the District, up to the point
where the customer systems begin.
Source. Shall include all components of the facilities utilized
in the production, treatment, storage, and delivery of water to the
distribution system.
Distribution System. Shall include the network of conduits used
for the delivery of water from the source to the customer systems.
Customer Systems. Consist of all water components beyond the
metered water service connections.
(Res. No. 2020-02, adopted 5/20/20; Res.
No. 2023-05, 4/19/2023)
(a)
The Board shall be responsible for the protection of the District
system from contamination or pollution due to the backflow or back-siphonage
of contaminants or pollutants through the metered or non-metered water
service connections. The Board authorizes the General Manager to administer
and enforce these rules and regulations and to establish policies
and procedures for their administration.
(b)
The General Manager or designee is authorized to determine,
pursuant to these rules and regulations, that an approved backflow
prevention assembly is required at any metered or non-metered water
service connection for the safety of the District system. If the General
Manager determines that an approved backflow prevention assembly is
required, the General Manager or designee shall give notice in writing
to the affected customer to install an approved backflow prevention
assembly at each of such customer's metered water service connections.
(Res. No. 2020-02, adopted 5/20/20; Res.
No. 2023-05, 4/19/2023)
Section 18.5.1.
Backflow Prohibited. No person
is permitted to cause, permit, facilitate or maintain an actual or
potential cross-connection or any type of connection that permits
an actual or potential backflow of water to the District's system.
All installations are subject to inspection and regulation by the
District for the purpose of avoiding the possibility of backflow.
Backflow prevention devices shall be installed when required by the
State Health Department or by the District. The cost thereof shall
be borne by the customer.
Section 18.5.2.
Installation of Approved Backflow
Prevention Assembly. Any person who is required to install an approved
backflow prevention assembly or assemblies pursuant to these rules
and regulations must install, maintain, inspect, and test such assembly
in accordance with all applicable state laws and regulations and with
these rules and regulations at the customer's own expense and
within the time specified for installation. Every backflow prevention
assembly required by the cross-connection rules and regulations must
be of model and size approved by the District. Failure, refusal, or
inability on the part of the customer to install said assembly or
assemblies constitutes grounds for discontinuing water service to
such metered or non-metered water service connections until such assembly
or assemblies have been properly installed. All new installations
and replacements shall be reduced pressure principle assemblies. For
new installations, the District will provide a standard drawing from
the Water Agency Standards Manual for reference.
Section 18.5.3.
Discontinuance of Water Service.
No person is permitted to install, maintain, or allow a metered water
service connection to any premises served by the District unless the
District system is protected in conformance with all applicable state
laws and regulations and the rules and regulations in this Article.
If an approved backflow prevention assembly required by these rules
and regulations is not installed, tested, and maintained, or if it
is found that a backflow prevention assembly has been removed, by-passed,
or if an unprotected cross-connection exists on the premises, service
of water to any premises will be discontinued by the District. Service
will not be restored until such conditions and defects are corrected
to the specifications of the District.
In addition to the grounds for discontinuation of service set
forth in this Article, water shall be discontinued if District or
County Health Department personnel determine that any of the following
have occurred:
(a)
The District's water system is being polluted or is in
immediate danger of contamination from a cross-connection;
(b)
The backflow prevention device has not been installed after
due notice has been given;
(c)
A defect found in the backflow prevention device has not been
corrected after due notice has been given to make repairs;
(d)
The owner of the property has failed to submit, in writing test
results after receipt of the District's letter requesting annual
certification of the backflow prevention device.
Section 18.5.4.
Entry and Inspection. All customer
systems shall be open for inspection at all reasonable times to authorized
representatives of the District to enable the District to ascertain
the existence of cross-connections or other structural or sanitary
hazards, including violations of the cross-connection rules and regulations
in this Article. When such a condition becomes known, the General
Manager or designee shall deny or discontinue service to the premises,
in accordance with this Article. Water service will be discontinued
until the customer has corrected the condition(s) in conformance with
State laws and District requirements relating to plumbing and water
supplies, and with regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
Section 18.5.5.
Determination of Approved Backflow
Prevention Device. An approved backflow prevention assembly shall
be installed adjacent to each metered water service connection or
customer system at or near the property line or immediately inside
the building being served; however, in all cases, such assembly shall
be installed before the first branch line leading off the service
whenever an evaluation of hazard, performed by the General Manager
and based on the Cross-Connection and Backflow Prevention Manuals
and when the following conditions exist:
(a)
In the case of premises having an unapproved auxiliary water
supply, the District system will be protected against backflow from
the premises by the installation of a backflow prevention assembly
in the customer system appropriate to the degree of hazard.
(b)
An air gap separation shall be installed and maintained under
the following circumstances:
(1)
An unapproved auxiliary water supply is directly interconnected
with the public water system;
(2)
Premises where the public water system is used to supplement
the recycled water supply;
(3)
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 sewer lift
pump; or
(4)
Premises where hazardous substances are handled in any manner
in which the substances may enter the potable water system. This does
not include a single-family residence that has a sewer lift pump.
(c)
Whenever backflow protection has been found necessary on a customer
system, then all metered water service connections shall be protected
by an approved backflow prevention assembly regardless of whether
any are being used.
(d)
In the case of premises on which any industrial fluid, or any
other objectionable substance, is handled in such a fashion as to
create an actual or potential hazard to the District system, including
a system which has been subject to deterioration in quality, the District
system shall be protected against backflow by the installation of
a backflow prevention assembly appropriate to the degree of hazard.
(e)
Whenever the following conditions exist on any premises, the
District system shall be protected against backflow by the installation
of a backflow prevention assembly:
(1)
Internal cross-connections that cannot be permanently connected
or controlled; or
(2)
Intricate plumbing and piping arrangements; or
(3)
Where entry to all portions of the premises is not readily accessible
for inspection purposes, making it impracticable or impossible to
ascertain whether dangerous cross-connections exist. The type of protective
assembly required under this subsection (e) shall depend upon the
degree of hazard which exists as follows:
(i)
In the case of any premises where there is an auxiliary
water supply as stated in subsection (a), and such supply is not subject
to any other rules herein, the District system shall be protected
by an approved air gap separation or an approved reduced pressure
principle backflow prevention assembly.
(ii)
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 District system, an approved reduced pressure
principle assembly shall protect the District's system.
(iii)
In the case of any premises where there is a
material dangerous to health which is handled in such a fashion as
to create an actual or potential hazard to the district system, the
District system shall be protected by an approved air gap separation.
Examples of premises where these conditions will exist include sewage
treatment plants, sewage pumping stations, chemical manufacturing
plants, hospitals, schools, churches, mortuaries, and plating plants.
(iv)
In the case of commercial properties and the possibility
of constant change in ownership and/or tenants, the District shall
be protected by an approved reduced pressure principal device in order
to protect the District's system.
(v)
In the case of any premises where there are "uncontrolled"
cross-connections, either actual or potential, the District system
shall be protected by an approved air gap water separation or an approved
reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly.
(vi)
In the case of any premises where, because of
security requirements or other prohibitions or restrictions or size
of the premises, it is impossible or impractical to make a complete
in-plant cross-connections survey, the District system shall be protected
against backflow or back-siphonage from the premises by the installation
of a backflow prevention assembly. In this case, maximum protection
will be required; that is, an approved air gap separation shall be
installed in each metered water service connection to the premises.
(4)
The list below identifies premises that require backflow protection
provided by an air gap separation or a reduced pressure principle
backflow prevention assembly, unless noted otherwise. The list below
is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the District may require
an air gap separation or a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention
assembly or both to protect the public water system from other hazards
not listed below and identified in premises through a hazard assessment
completed in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations.
The District may reduce or increase the minimum protection required
for a previously hazard-assessed user premise following a reassessment
performed in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations.
(i)
Restaurants.
(ii)
Commercial facilities not otherwise described
below.
(iii)
Multi-family residential structures.
(iv)
Schools.
(v)
Landscape irrigation.
(vi)
Sewage handling facilities.
(vii)
Wastewater lift stations and pumping stations.
(viii)
Wastewater treatment processes, handling, or
pumping equipment that is interconnected to a piping system connected
to a PWS*.
(ix)
Petroleum processing or storage plants.
(x)
Radioactive material storage, processing plants
or nuclear reactors.
(xi)
Mortuaries.
(xii)
Cemeteries.
(xiii)
Sites with an auxiliary water supply interconnected
with PWS*.
(xiv)
Sites with an auxiliary water supply not interconnected
with PWS.
(xv)
Premises with more than one connection to the
PWS****.
(xvi)
Recycled water**/***.
(xvii)
Recycled water interconnected to piping system
that contains water received from a PWS*.
(xviii)
Graywater systems, as defined in California
Water Code Section 14876, that are interconnected to a piping system
that is connected to a PWS.
(xix)
Medical facilities.
(xx)
Kidney dialysis facilities.
(xxi)
Dental office with water-connected equipment.
(xxii)
Veterinarian.
(xxiii)
Chemical plants.
(xxiv)
Laboratories.
(xxv)
Biotech facilities.
(xxvi)
Electronics manufacture.
(xxvii)
Dry cleaner facilities.
(xxviii)
Industrial or commercial laundry facilities.
(xxix)
Metal-plating facilities.
(xxx)
Business park with a single meter serving multiple
businesses.
(xxxi)
Marine-port facilities.
(xxxii)
Car wash facilities.
(xxxiii)
Mobile home park, RV park, or campgrounds
with RV hookups.
(xxxiv)
Hotels/motels.
(xxxv)
Gas stations.
(xxxvi)
Fire stations.
(xxxvii)
Solid waste disposal facilities.
(xxxviii)
Pet groomers.
(xxxix)
Agricultural premises.
(xl)
Hazard assessment access denied or restricted.
(xli)
Railroad maintenance facilities.
(xlii)
Incarceration facilities (e.g., prisons).
(xliii)
Temporary connections to fire hydrants for
miscellaneous uses, including construction.
(xliv)
Private water distribution mains.
(xlv)
Drinking water storage tank overflow connected
to a sump or storm drain*.
(xlvi)
Airports.
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*
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Premises isolated by air gap only except as allowed by applicable
state law and regulations.
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**
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Dual-plumbed use areas established per California Code of Regulations,
Title 22, Sections 60313-60316 where recycled water is used for individually
owned residential unit.
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***
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Residences using recycled water for landscape irrigation as
part of an approved dual plumbed use area established pursuant to
California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Sections 60313-60316 shall
use a double check valve backflow prevention assembly, at a minimum.
The recycled water supplier may obtain approval of the District or
the State Water Board, if the District is also the supplier of the
recycled water, to utilize an alternative backflow protection plan
that includes an annual inspection of both the recycled water and
potable water systems and an annual cross-connection test of the recycled
water and potable water systems pursuant to subsection 60316(a) in
lieu of any backflow prevention assembly.
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****
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All connections must receive at least the same level of protection
excluding fire protection when connected to the District's distribution
system (e.g., if one connection requires a reduced pressure principle
backflow prevention assembly, then all connections must have such
assemblies installed).
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(5)
Protection from fire systems:
(i)
In the case of premises that require class 1, 2,
3, or 4 fire systems, the District shall be protected at a minimum
by an approved double check-detector backflow prevention assembly.
Class 4 system may require reduced pressure principal contingent upon
evaluation of auxiliary water supply. In the case of a class 5 or
6 fire system, the District shall be protected at a minimum by an
approved reduced pressure principle assembly above ground.
(ii)
Where anti-freeze, corrosion inhibitors, or other
chemicals are added to a fire protection system supplied from potable
water system or a non-potable water source which is located within
(1,700) feet (518.2 m) which could be used by the fire department
as a secondary water supply, shall be protected at a minimum of an
approved reduced pressure principal assembly above ground.
(f)
Installation of new or increased-protection backflow prevention
assemblies under this section shall apply prospectively to all new
construction; provided, however, that such requirements shall apply
to existing premises within the District to the extent required by
applicable state law and regulations.
(g)
Under certain circumstances the level of backflow prevention
required for particular premises may be reduced from what is otherwise
required under this Article (e.g., a reduced pressure backflow prevention
assembly in lieu of an air gap separation) if: (i) the reduction is
consistent with applicable state law and regulations and protection
of the public water system, as determined by the District; and (ii)
the reduction is approved by the District, the local health agency,
and/or the State Water Resources Control Board, as applicable. Approval
by the District shall be in the sole discretion of the District's
General Manager or designee; the General Manager or designee shall
also have sole discretion on whether to seek approval of a requested
reduction from the local health agency and/or State Water Resources
Control Board, as applicable.
(Res. No. 2020-02, adopted 5/20/20; Res.
No. 2023-05, 4/19/2023)
Section 18.6.1.
Notices will be mailed to the
District's customers giving them 60 days to test, and repair,
if necessary, their assembly and furnish the test and repair data
to the District. After 30 days, if no test data is furnished to the
District, the District will mail a second notice of the due date.
If no test data is furnished to the District within the 60-day
period, the District will commence proceedings to terminate water
service in accordance with this Article. Nothing in this section precludes
the District from terminating service without notice, where the District
determines that a condition exists, which creates an immediate health
risk to the public water system.
Tests required by this section must be conducted by a person
who meets the certification requirements of the Southern California
Foundation for Cross-Connection Control, American Water Works Association,
or any other agency such as County of San Diego or State of California
with a certification process approved by the District.
The following testing laboratory is hereby approved by the Board
to test and certify backflow preventers:
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Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research
University of Southern California
Research Annex 219
3716 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, California 90089-7700
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Testing laboratories other than the laboratory listed
above may be added to the approved list at the discretion of the District.
Additional tests shall be conducted as frequently as necessary
to ensure the effectiveness of the backflow prevention assemblies
and in any event not less frequently than once a year.
In the event a backflow assembly is found to be unsatisfactory,
the General Manager or his/her designee shall take immediate steps
to ensure that corrective measures are accomplished and/or service
terminated in accordance with the provisions of this Article.
Section 18.6.2.
Responsibility of Costs. All costs
for installation, initial and annual testing, maintenance, and repair
are borne by the customer.
Section 18.6.3.
Repair. Approved backflow prevention
assemblies must be repaired, overhauled, or replaced at the expense
of the customer/user whenever said assemblies are found to be defective.
Section 18.6.4.
Records. Each customer required
to install, test, maintain, or repair an approved backflow prevention
device must maintain records of such tests, repairs, and overhaul
for three years and must provide a copy of the records to the District
on request.
(Res. No. 2020-02, adopted 5/20/20; Res.
No. 2023-05, 4/19/2023)
In addition to the grounds for discontinuation of service set
forth in these rules and regulations, water shall be discontinued
if District or County Health Department personnel determines that
any of the following have occurred:
The District's water system is being polluted or is in
immediate danger of contamination from a cross-connection.
A backflow prevention device has not been installed after due
notice has been given.
A defect found in the backflow prevention device has not been
corrected after due notice has been given to make repairs.
The owner of the property has failed to submit in writing, test
results after receipt of the District's letter requesting annual
certification of backflow prevention device.
(a)
Notwithstanding any other provisions for the discontinuance
or termination of water service available to the District, the District
may discontinue or terminate water service in accordance with the
following:
(1)
Immediate. The District may discontinue or terminate water service
without advanced notice anytime a condition exists, which creates
an immediate health risk to the public water system.
(2)
Forty-Eight Hour Notice. The District may discontinue or terminate
water service for violations of these rules and regulations that do
not create an immediate health risk to the public water system after
providing 48 hours' notice of the scheduled discontinuance. The
District will post such notice in a conspicuous location on the property
and make a good faith effort to contact an adult person at the residence
by telephone or in person.
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Except in cases where the violation creates an immediate health
risk to the public water system, the District will provide 48-hours'
notice of the discontinuance of water service, beginning at least
15 days after the third notice that the District has not received
any required backflow prevention device test and repair data.
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Service will not be restored until the backflow prevention device
has been installed or repaired at the customer's expense and
is in good working order, the cross-connection is abated to the satisfaction
of the District, or the violation in the notice is corrected. The
District may require a fee to reinstate service after such a turnoff.
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(Res. No. 2020-02, adopted 5/20/20; Res.
No. 2023-05, 4/19/2023)
A customer may appeal any determination made pursuant to these
rules and regulations by filing in writing with the General Manager
within 10 days after the determination, setting forth the following:
(a)
The appealing customer's full name, address, and phone
number;
(b)
The determination subject to the appeal;
(c)
The date of the determination;
(d)
The appealing customer's interest in the challenged determination;
and
(e)
Each issue which the appealing customer alleges was wrongly
determined together with every argument and a copy of every item of
evidence that supports the customer's allegations.
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If an appeal involves a new meter installation, the District
will not commence water service until after a written decision is
made. The written decision will be final.
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(Res. No. 2020-02, adopted 5/20/20; Res.
No. 2023-05, 4/19/2023)
This Article is adopted pursuant to, and is intended to comply
with, applicable state law and regulations. In the event of any conflict
between this Article and the provisions of the California Code of
Regulations, Title 17, Public Health, Sections 7583, et seq., as amended
from time to time, the provisions of California Code of Regulations,
Title 17, Public Health, Sections 7583, et seq., shall control; provided,
however, that if the State Water Resources Control Board adopts a
backflow prevention and cross-connection control policy handbook pursuant
to California Health & Safety Code Section 116407, the provisions
of such policy handbook shall control.
(Res. No. 2020-02, adopted 5/20/20;Res. No.
2023-05, 4/19/2023)
