[1]
Prior legislation: Ord. 56.
The purpose of this section is to protect the public potable water supply system of the Hi-Desert Water District by establishing a cross-connection control program to effect the control of cross-connections, actual or potential, thereby isolating within the customer's private water system or internal piping contaminates or pollutants which could backflow or back siphon into the district's water supply system.
The regulations relating to cross-connections as established in the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH) adopted via an amendment to California's Safe Drinking Water Act through the establishment of California Health and Safety Code (CHSC) Sections 116407 and 116555.5, an amendment to Section 116810 of the CHSC, and an added Section 13521.2 to the Water Code (for references to swivel ells) and as amended from time to time, insofar as these regulations are applicable to the protection of the water supply of this district, are hereby adopted, incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.
(Ord. 73 § 9.01, 2002; Ord. 92, 2025)
Upon the determination by the district that a backflow prevention device is required in the customer's private piping system for the safety of the public water supply system, the customer shall immediately install such a device in the manner and location prescribed by the district at his/her own expense.
(Ord. 73 § 9.02, 2002)
Failure to install said device as prescribed shall constitute grounds for discontinuance of water service to the premises. No water service shall be installed or maintained by the district to any premises on which there exists or there is suspected to exist cross-connection between the public water supply and other piping, fixtures, appliances, equipment, drains or any system which might cause contamination or pollution through backflow or backsiphonage, unless such service is protected by the installation of a backflow prevention device acceptable to the district.
(Ord. 73 § 9.03, 2002)
All backflow prevention devices shall be inspected and tested at least annually for proper operation. Inspection and testing shall be performed by a licensed plumbing contractor, who is certified to test and repair backflow prevention devices, contracted by the customer and at the expense of the customer. The results of each test, including repairs, shall be reported on a form provided by the district.
A. 
Repair of Defective Devices. In the event that the device is found to be defective, the customer shall cause the necessary repairs and/or replacement to be made at his/her expense. The owner shall have an acceptance test performed after repairs and/or replacements have been made to confirm proper operation of the device. All annual inspections, testing, acceptance tests after installation, repair and/or replacement shall be at the expense of the owner.
B. 
No Service Unless Properly Protected. A water service connection to any premises shall not be installed or maintained unless the public water supply system is protected in accordance with the laws of the state of California and this title. If a backflow prevention device has not been installed, tested and maintained in accordance with the provisions of this title, or if a backflow prevention device has been removed or bypassed, or if an unprotected cross-connection exists on the premises, water service shall be discontinued and not restored until such conditions or defects have been corrected.
C. 
Installation Required. Upon the determination by the district that a backflow prevention device is required on a customer's water service line, it shall be installed immediately behind the meter and before the first branch line leading off the service line.
(Ord. 73 § 9.04, 2002)
Criteria examined to determine whether a backflow prevention device is required shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
A. 
Auxiliary Water Supply. A premises being or to be served with water by the district having an auxiliary water supply of a quality which is not acceptable to the district as an additional source.
B. 
Industrial Hazards. A premises on which industrial fluids or other objectionable substances are being handled in a manner as to create an actual or potential hazard to the public water supply.
C. 
Inspection Not Possible. A premises whose internal piping system has cross-connections that cannot be corrected or controlled, or the system is not accessible for inspection to make a determination of the existence of a cross-connection.
(Ord. 73 § 9.05, 2002)
The type of backflow prevention device required shall be based upon the degree of hazard existing upon the customer's premises. The degrees of hazard are considered to be those defined as follows:
A. 
Severe. A cross-connection, actual or potential, involving a fluid, chemical or substance capable of causing death or the spreading of disease or illness. These premises shall be isolated from the public water supply system by an approved air gap device.
B. 
Moderate. A cross-connection, actual or potential, within a customer's piping system handling potable water which has a high probability of becoming contaminated with any substance. Under these conditions the public water supply system shall be protected by an approved reduced pressure principle device.
C. 
Minor. A cross-connection, actual or potential, within a customer's piping system which has a low probability of becoming contaminated with a substance which would be aesthetically objectionable if introduced into the public water supply system shall be protected by an approved double check valve assembly.
(Ord. 73 § 9.06, 2002)
The district shall maintain and make available a list of approved backflow prevention devices which may be installed for the protection of the public water supply system.
(Ord. 73 § 9.07, 2002)
Service of water to any premises shall be discontinued by the district if a backflow prevention device required by the rules and regulations of the district is not installed, tested and maintained or if defects are found in the installed backflow prevention device or if it is found that a backflow prevention device has been removed or bypassed or if unprotected cross-connections exist on the premises. Service will not be restored until such condition or defects are corrected. The district representative assigned to inspect premises relative to possible cross-connection hazards shall carry proper credentials of district office, upon exhibition of which he/she shall have the right of entry during usual business hours to inspect any and all buildings and premises in the performance of said duty. This right of entry shall be a condition of water service in order to provide assurance that the continuation of service to the premises will not constitute a menace to health, safety and welfare to the people throughout the district's water system.
(Ord. 73 § 9.08, 2002)