[Adopted 4-11-1989 by Doc. 59]
The purpose of this article is to:
A. 
Protect the public potable water supply served by the Haverhill Massachusetts Water Department from the possibility of contamination or pollution by isolating, within its customers' internal distribution system, such contaminants or pollutants which could backflow or back siphon into the public water system.
B. 
Promote the elimination or control of existing cross-connection, actual or potential, between its customers' in-plant potable water system and nonpotable systems.
C. 
Provide for the maintenance of the continuing program of cross-connection control which will effectively prevent the contamination or pollution of all potable water systems by cross-connection.
A. 
Under the provisions of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Engineering Cross-Connection Regulations 310 CMR 22.22, the water purveyor has the primary responsibility for preventing water from unapproved sources or any other substances from entering the public potable water system.
B. 
Haverhill Water Department, Rules and Regulations.
The Water Superintendent shall be responsible for the protection of the public potable water distribution system from contamination or pollution due to the backflow or back siphonage of contamination or pollutants through the water service connection. If, in the judgment of the Water Superintendent, an approved backflow device is required at the City's water service connection to any customer's premises, the Superintendent or his delegated agent shall give notice, in writing, to said customer to install an approved backflow prevention device at each service connection to his premises. The customer shall, within 90 days, install such approved device or devices at his own expense. Failure or refusal or inability on the part of the customer to install said device or devices within 90 days shall constitute a ground for discontinuing water service to the premises until such devices have been properly installed.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
APPROVED
Accepted by the Superintendent as meeting an applicable specification stated or cited in this regulation or as suitable for the proposed use.
AUXILIARY WATER SUPPLY
Any water supply on or available to the premises other than the purveyor's approved public potable water supply.
BACKFLOW
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances, under pressure, into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply system from any source other than its intended source.
BACKFLOW PREVENTER
A device or means designed to prevent backflow or back siphonage, most commonly categorized as "air gap," "reduced pressure principle device," "double check valve assembly," "pressure vacuum breaker," "atmospheric vacuum breaker," "hose bibb vacuum breaker," a "residential dual check," "double check valve with intermediate atmospheric vent" and "barometric loop":
A. 
AIR GAPA physical separation sufficient to prevent backflow between the free-flowing discharge end of the potable water system and any other system. Physically defined as a distance equal to twice the diameter of the supply side pipe diameter but never less than one inch.
B. 
ATMOSPHERIC VACUUM BREAKERA device which prevents back siphonage by creating an atmospheric vent when there is either a negative pressure or subatmospheric pressure in a water system.
C. 
BAROMETRIC LOOPA fabricated piping arrangement rising at least 35 feet in the air having a U bend at the top and returning to the initial elevation. It is utilized in water supply systems to protect only against back siphonage.
D. 
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLYAn assembly of two independently operating spring loaded check valves with tightly closed shutoff valves on each side of the check valves, plus properly located test cocks for the testing of each check valve.
E. 
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE WITH INTERMEDIATE ATMOSPHERIC VENTA device having two spring-loaded check valves separated by an atmospheric vent chamber.
F. 
HOSE BIBB VACUUM BREAKERA device which is permanently attached to a hose bibb and which acts as an atmospheric vacuum breaker.
G. 
PRESSURE VACUUM BREAKERA device containing one or two independently operated springloaded check valves and an independently operated spring-loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check or checks. The device includes tightly closing shutoff valves on each side of the check valves and properly located test cocks for the testing of the check valve(s).
H. 
REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPLE BACKFLOW PREVENTERAn assembly consisting of two independently operating approved check valves with an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two check valves, plus properly located test cocks for the testing of the check valves and the relief valve.
I. 
RESIDENTIAL AND DUAL CHECKAn assembly of two spring-loaded, independently operating check valves without tightly closing shutoff valves and test cocks. It is generally employed immediately downstream of the water meter to act as a containment device.
BACK PRESSURE
A condition in which the owner's system pressure is greater than the supplier's system pressure.
BACK SIPHONAGE
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply system from any source other than its intended source, caused by the sudden reduction of pressure in the potable water supply system.
COMMISSION
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Quality Engineering.
CONTAINMENT
A method of backflow prevention which requires a backflow prevention device at the water service entrance.
CONTAMINANT
A substance that will impair the quality of the water to such a degree that it creates a serious health hazard to the public leading to poisoning or the spread of disease.
CROSS-CONNECTION
Any actual or potential connection between the public water supply and a source of contamination or pollution.
DEPARTMENT
City of Haverhill Water Department.
FIXTURE ISOLATION
A method of backflow prevention in which a backflow preventer is located to correct a cross-connection at an in-plant location rather than at a water service entrance.
OWNER
Any person who has legal title to or license to operate or inhabit a property upon which a cross-connection is prevent.
PERMIT
A document issued by the Plumbing Inspector which allows the use of a backflow preventer.
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, company, public or private corporation, political subdivision or agency of the State Department, agency or instrumentality of the United States or any other legal entity
POLLUTANT
A foreign substance that, if permitted to get into the public water system, will degrade its quality so as to constitute a moderate 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 water for domestic use.
WATER SERVICE ENTRANCE
That point in the owner's water system beyond the sanitary control of the District, generally considered to be the outlet end of the water meter and always before any unprotected branch.
WATER SUPERINTENDENT
The Superintendent or his delegated representative in charge of the Haverhill Water Department, invested with the authority and responsibility for the implementation of a cross-connection control program and for the enforcement of the provisions of this article.
A. 
The Department will operate a cross-connection control program, to include the keeping of necessary records, which fulfills the requirements of the Commission's Cross-Connection Regulations and is approved by the Commission.
B. 
The owner shall allow his property to be inspected at reasonable times for possible cross-connection and shall follow the provisions of the Department's program and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Quality Engineering Cross-Connection Regulations if a cross-connection is permitted.
C. 
The Department requires that the public supply be protected by containment and the owner shall be responsible for water quality beyond the outlet end of the containment device and should utilize fixture outlet protection for that purpose. He may utilize public health officials or personnel from the Department or their delegated representatives, to assist him in the survey of his facilities and to assist him in the selection of proper fixture outlet devices and the proper installation of these devices.
A. 
Department.
(1) 
On new installations, the Department will provide on-site evaluation and/or inspection of plans in order to determine the type of backflow preventer, if any, that will be required. The Department will perform inspections and testing.
(2) 
For premises existing prior to the start of this program, the Department will perform evaluations and inspections of plans and/or premises and inform the owner by letter of any corrective action deemed necessary, the method of achieving the correction and the time allowed for the correction to be made. Ordinarily, 90 days will be allowed; however, this time period may be shortened depending upon the degree of hazard involved and the history of the device(s) in question.
(3) 
No cross-connection shall remain unless it is protected by an approved backflow preventer for which a permit has been issued and which will be regularly tested to ensure satisfactory operation.
(4) 
The Department shall inform the owner, by letter, of any failure to comply by the time of the first reinspection. The Department will allow an additional 15 days for the correction in the event that the owner fails to comply with the necessary correction by the time of the second reinspection. In the event of noncompliance, the Department will inform the owner, by letter, that the water service to the owner's premises will be terminated within a period not to exceed five days. In the event that the owner informs the Department of extenuating circumstances as to why the correction has not been made, a time extension may be granted by the Department, but in no case will it exceed an additional 30 days.
(5) 
If the Department determines at any time that a serious threat to the public health exists, the water service will be terminated immediately.
(6) 
The Department shall have on its staff or shall have a delegated representative who is a certified backflow device tester in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(7) 
The Department will initiate premises inspections to determine the nature of existing or potential hazards, following the approval of this program by the Commission, during the calendar year 1989. Initial focus will be on high-hazard industries and commercial premises.
B. 
Owner.
(1) 
The owner shall be responsible for the elimination or protection of all cross-connections on his premises.
(2) 
The owner, after having been informed by a letter from the Department, shall, at his expense, install, maintain and test or have tested any and all backflow preventers on his premises.
(3) 
The owner shall correct any malfunction of the backflow preventer which is revealed by periodic testing.
(4) 
The owner shall inform the Department of any proposed or modified cross-connections and also any existing cross-connections of which the owner is aware but which have not been found by the Department.
(5) 
The owner shall not install a bypass around any backflow preventer unless there is a backflow preventer of the same type on the bypass. Owners who cannot shut down operation for testing of the device(s) must supply additional devices necessary to allow testing to take place. (Reference Figure 1.[1])
(6) 
The owner shall install backflow preventers in a manner approved by the Department. (Reference Figures 2 through 5.[2])
[2]
Editor's Note: Figures 2 through 5 are included at the end of this chapter.
(7) 
The owner shall install only backflow preventers approved by the Department or the Commission.
(8) 
Any owner having a private well or other private water source must have a permit if the well or source is cross-connected to the Department's system. Permission to cross-connect may be denied by the Department. The owner may be required to install a backflow preventer at the service entrance if a private water source is maintained, even if it is not cross-connected to the Department's system.
(9) 
In the event that the owner installs plumbing to provide potable water for domestic purposes which is on the Department's side of the backflow preventer, such plumbing must have its own backflow preventer installed.
(10) 
The owner shall be responsible for the payment of all fees for permits, annual or semiannual device testing, retesting in the case that the device fails to operate correctly and second reinspections for noncompliance with Department requirements.
The Department recognizes the threat to the public water system arising from cross-connections. All threats will be classified as to hazard and will require the installation of approved reduced-pressure principle backflow prevention devices or testable double check valves.
A. 
No cross-connection shall be permitted within the public water supply system unless it is considered necessary and cannot be eliminated.
B. 
Cross-connection permits that are required for each backflow device are obtained from the Plumbing Inspector. There is a fee for the initial permit and no fee thereafter.
C. 
Permits become immediately revoked if the owner should so change the type of cross-connection or degree of hazard associated with the service.
D. 
A permit is not required when fixture isolation is achieved with the utilization of nontestable backflow preventer.
Any existing backflow preventer shall be allowed by the Department to continue in service unless the degree of hazard is such as to supersede the effectiveness of the prevent backflow preventer or result in an unreasonable risk to the public health. Where the degree of hazard has increased, as in the case of a residential installation converting to a business establishment, any existing backflow preventer must be upgraded to a reduced-pressure principle device or a reduced-pressure principle must be installed in the event that no backflow device was prevent.
A. 
Reduced-pressure principle backflow devices shall be tested and inspected at least semiannually by the Department and once a year by the owner.
B. 
Periodic testing shall be performed by the Department's certified tester or his delegated representative.
C. 
The testing shall be conducted during the Department's regular business hours. Exceptions to this, when at the request of the owner, may require additional charges to cover the increased costs to the Department.
D. 
Any backflow preventer which fails during a periodic test will be repaired or replaced. When repairs are necessary, upon completion of the repair, the device will be retested at the owner's expense to ensure correct operation. High-hazard situations will not be allowed to continue unprotected if the backflow preventer fails the test and cannot be repaired immediately. In other situations, a compliance date of not more than 30 days after the test date will be established. The owner is responsible for spare parts, repair tools or replacement devices. Parallel installation of two devices is an effective means of the owner ensuring uninterrupted water service during testing or repair of devices and is strongly recommended when the owner desires such continuity. (Reference Figure 1.[1])
E. 
Backflow prevention devices will be tested more frequently than specified in Subsection A above in cases where there is a history of test failures and the Department feels that, due to the degree of hazard involved, additional testing is warranted. Cost of the additional tests will be borne by the owner.
A. 
Records. The Department will initiate and maintain the following:
(1) 
Master files on customer cross-connection tests and/or inspections.
(2) 
Copies of permits and permit applications.
(3) 
Copies of lists and summaries supplied to the Commission.
B. 
Reports. The Department will submit the following to the Commission:
(1) 
Copies of all tests performed on backflow devices. [Reference: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Quality Engineering 310 CMR 22.22 par (9).]
(2) 
Annual summary of devices installed.
[Amended 4-16-1996 by Doc. 61; 8-11-1998 by Doc. 97; 9-16-2003 by Doc. 125; 7-10-2007 by Doc. 76; 1-13-2009 by Doc. 140/08]
A. 
Schedule.
Task
Rate
Backflow initial test, commercial
$85
Backflow initial test, residential
$35; $10 for second device at same location
Backflow service call
Time and materials basis as defined in § 250-2
$55 per hour laborer charge
No cartage
$65 per hour equipment rate plus materials
Backflow test, commercial
$85
Backflow test, residential
$35; $10 for second device at same location
[Amended 9-10-1991 by Doc. 134]
A. 
Residential dual check. Effective the date of the acceptance of this Cross-Connection Control Program for the City of Haverhill, Massachusetts, all new residential buildings and those residential buildings being rehabilitated that require a new water service will be required to install a residential dual check device immediately downstream of the water meter (See Reference Figures 6 and 7[1]). This device will be provided by the homeowner. The owner must be aware that installation of a residential dual check valve results in a potential closed plumbing system within his residence. As such, provisions may have to be made by the owner to provide for thermal expansion within his closed loop system, i.e., the installation of thermal expansion devices and/or pressure relief valves.
[1]
Editor's Note: Figures 6 and 7 are included at the end of this chapter.
B. 
Strainers. The Department strongly recommends that all new retrofit installations of reduced pressure principle devices and double check valve backflow preventers on potable water systems include the installation of strainers located immediately upstream of the backflow device. The installation of strainers will preclude the fouling of backflow devices due to both foreseen and unforeseen circumstances occurring to the water supply system, such as water main repairs, water main breaks, fires, periodic cleaning and flushing of mains, etc. These occurrences may stir up debris installed without the benefit of strainers. Under no circumstances should strainers be installed upstream of backflow devices utilized on fire lines.