[Adopted 8-28-1995 by L.L. No. 2-1995]
A. 
The purpose of this article is to safeguard potable water supplies from potential contamination by preventing backflow from a water user's system into the Village public water system. It is the intent of this article to recognize that there are varying degrees of hazard and to apply the principle that the degree of protection should be commensurate with the degree of hazard. Further, it is the intent of the Village of Colonie to comply with the requirements of New York State Sanitary Code, Part 5, Section 5-1.31, as amended, which section mandates the requirement that the suppliers of water protect their water system in accordance with procedures acceptable to the Commissioner of Health. These mandated requirements are as set forth in the Cross-Connection Control Manual, as amended, published by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), and to that extent the terms, conditions and provisions of the New York State Sanitary Code, Part 5, Section 5-1.31, as amended, and the Cross-Connection Control Manual, as amended, are incorporated in this article by reference as if more fully stated.
B. 
The following sets forth the devices and regulations which shall be required:
(1) 
As a condition to the granting of a permit for a water customer to introduce water from a source other than the municipal water supply into the user's water system at the same time the premises are connected to the municipal water supply.
(2) 
For the existing water customers who fall into the various categories identified herein with respect to backflow prevention.
No pipe or fixtures connected with the mains of the Village shall be connected with pipes or fixtures supplied with water from any other source nor any apparatus which may endanger the quality of the Village's water supply, except as specifically permitted or provided for in this article.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACCEPTABLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE
An acceptable air gap, reduced-pressure-zone device or double check-valve assembly as used to contain potential contamination within a facility.
ACCEPTABLE DEVICES
Devices or assemblies found to be acceptable for containment in New York State in accordance with the NYSDOH requirements and as listed on the Department's most current list of acceptable devices. (Refer to Village or New York State Health Department for current listing.)
AESTHETICALLY OBJECTIONABLE FACILITY
One in which substances are present which, if introduced into the public water supply system, could be a nuisance to other water customers but would not adversely affect human health. Typical examples of such substances are food-grade dyes, hot water, stagnant water from fire lines in which no chemical additives are used, etc.
AIR GAP SEPARATION
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture or other device and the flood level rim of the receptacle. The differential distance shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe. In no case shall the air gap be less than one inch.
BACKFLOW
The resulting backflow of contaminated, polluted or otherwise unacceptable quality water from a plumbing fixture or other customer source(s) into a public water supply system due to a greater pressure within the customer's water system.
BACKSIPHONAGE
The backflow of contaminated or polluted water or water of questionable quality from a plumbing fixture or other customer source(s) into a public water supply system main due to a temporary negative or subatmospheric pressure within the public water supply system.
CERTIFIED BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE TESTER
An individual who has successfully completed a NYSDOH approved course in the testing of backflow prevention devices and has been issued a certificate by the NYSDOH.
CONTAINMENT
Cross-connection control which isolates the customer's entire facility from the public water supply system so as to provide the protection necessary to prevent contamination of the public water supply in the event of backflow from the customer's facility.
CONTAMINATION
The presence in water of a substance that tends to degrade its quality.
CROSS-CONNECTION
A physical connection through which a water supply could be contaminated.
CUSTOMER
A water user served by a public water system.
CUSTOMER'S WATER SYSTEM
The piping used to convey water supplied by a public water supply system throughout a customer's facility.
DEGREE OF HAZARD
Whether a facility is rated as hazardous, aesthetically objectionable or nonhazardous.
DOUBLE CHECK-VALVE (DCV) ASSEMBLY, ACCEPTABLE
Two single, independently acting check valves, including tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly and suitable connections for testing the water tightness of each check valve.
HAZARDOUS FACILITY
One in which substances may be present which, if introduced into the public water system, would or may endanger or have an adverse effect on the health of other water customers. Typical examples are laboratories, sewage treatment plants, chemical plants, hospitals and mortuaries.
INTERCONNECTION
A joining of two independently operated public water supply distribution systems.
LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT ENGINEER (LHDE)
The county, district or regional Health Department Engineer having jurisdiction.
NONHAZARDOUS FACILITY
One which does not require the installation of an acceptable backflow prevention device.
PLUMBING CONTROL
Prevention and elimination of cross-connections within the customer's water system by enforcement of building or plumbing codes.
PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM
A supplier of water, including the source, treatment works, transmission mains, distribution system and storage facilities servicing the public.
REDUCED-PRESSURE-ZONE (RPZ) DEVICE, ACCEPTABLE
A minimum of two independently acting check valves, together with an automatically operated pressure differential relief valve located between the two check valves. During normal flow and at the cessation of normal flow, the pressure between these two check valves shall be less than the upstream (supply) pressure. In case of leakage of either check valve, the differential relief valve, by discharging to the atmosphere, shall operate to maintain the pressure between the check valves at less than the supply pressure. The unit must include tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the device, and each device shall be fitted with properly located test cocks.
SUPPLEMENTARY SUPPLY
Any water source or system, other than the public water supply, that is available within the water customer's facility.
SUPPLIER OF WATER (WATER SUPPLIER)
The Village of Colonie, Albany County, New York.
A. 
Where protection is required. The water system shall be required to maintain a degree of protection commensurate with the degree of hazard regardless of whether the hazard is immediate or potential. To that extent, the Cross-Connection Control Manual, as amended, published by NYSDOH shall be used, as a guide, to determine where protection is required. It shall be the responsibility of the water customer to provide and maintain such required protection devices, and such devices shall be of a type acceptable to the NYSDOH.
B. 
Type of protection. The protective device required shall depend on the degree of hazard as listed below:
(1) 
At the service connection to any premises where there is an auxiliary water supply handled in a separate piping system, with no known cross-connection, the public water supply shall be protected by an approved reduced-pressure-zone device. If a cross-connection exists, said cross-connection shall be disconnected immediately. All auxiliary water supplies shall be a self-contained separate system.
(2) 
At the service connection to any premises on which a substance that would be aesthetically objectionable (but not necessarily hazardous to health if introduced into the public water supply) is handled so as to constitute a cross-connection, the public water supply shall be protected by an approved double check-valve assembly.
(3) 
At the service connection to any premises on which a substance of unusual toxic concentration or danger to health is or may be handled, but not under pressure, the public water supply shall be protected by an air gap separation or an approved reduced-pressure-zone backflow prevention device. If an air gap is installed, it shall be located as close as possible to the property line.
(4) 
At the service connection to any premises on which any material dangerous to health or toxic substance and toxic concentration is or may be handled under pressure, the public water supply shall be protected by an air gap separation. The air gap shall be located as close as practical to the water meter, and any piping between the water meter and receiving tanks shall be entirely visible. If these conditions cannot reasonably be met, the public water supply shall be protected with an approved reduced-pressure-zone backflow prevention device, and it shall be located as close as possible to the property line.
(5) 
At the service connection to any sewage treatment plant or sewage pumping station, the public water supply shall be protected by an air gap separation. The air gap shall be located as close as practicable to the water meter, and all piping between the water meter and receiving tanks shall be entirely visible. If these conditions cannot be reasonably met, the public water supply shall be protected by an approved reduced-pressure-zone backflow prevention device, and it shall be located as close as possible to the property line.
(6) 
All lawn sprinklers and/or irrigation systems shall be installed with an approved double check-valve installed as close as possible to the water meter. If the lawn sprinkler and/or irrigation system includes a chemical injection feed pump or similar system, then an approved reduced-pressure-zone backflow prevention device will be required and shall be installed as close as possible to the water meter. (The protection devices, when practical and with the approval of the Superintendent of Public Works, may be installed within the branch piping as close to the services connection as possible.)
C. 
Frequency of inspection of protective devices. It shall be the duty of the water user on any premises on account of which backflow protective devices are installed to have competent inspections made at least once a year or more often in instances where successive inspections indicate repeated failure. Devices shall be repaired, overhauled or replaced at the expense of the water user whenever they are found to be defective. These tests shall be performed by a certified backflow prevention device tester, and all test results shall be provided to the water user and Village within 72 hours after the test is made. Records of such tests, repairs and overhaul shall also be kept and made available to the water user, the Village and the Local Health Department upon request.
A. 
Responsibility for design.
(1) 
The design of backflow prevention device installations is considered a project involving the safeguarding of life, health and property. As such, a New York registered professional engineer or New York State licensed architect must design the installation.
(2) 
The Village Engineer may be requested to design the installation, in which case the fee for said design shall be billed to the cross-connection permit applicant by the Village.
B. 
Installation: general considerations.
(1) 
In general, backflow prevention devices must be protected against freezing and must be accessible for testing and maintenance.
(2) 
Pit installations are acceptable. However, in the case of RPZ, a pit installation is usually not feasible since a gravity drain must be provided which cannot be connected directly to a sewer. No direct connection to the RPZ device for the purpose of drainage is permitted. The gravity drain from a RPZ installation shall be designed for the greatest discharge possible from the device.
(3) 
All devices must be installed so that they are not subject to flooding.
(4) 
In certain instances, backflow prevention devices installed in parallel on a service line may be needed to meet the needs of a facility. Such instances are:
(a) 
Where the water service line to be protected is greater than 10 inches, branching the line and installing parallel devices may be utilized.
(b) 
Where the facility requires continuous water service, a parallel installation will allow for removing one device at a time from service for testing and maintenance.
(c) 
Where dual service for fire flow requirements is necessary.
(5) 
In no case may the installation of a backflow prevention device include unprotected bypass piping. Closed gate valves on the bypass do not constitute protection.
C. 
Installation details: double check-valve assemblies and reduced-pressure-zone devices.
(1) 
Double check-valve assembly (DCV). The device does not require any special installation precautions except to protect the unit from freezing and ensure that the test cocks are accessible. Adequate access to the test cocks shall be provided to facilitate required testing. Normal maintenance consideration shall be satisfied.
(2) 
Reduced-pressure-zone device (RPZ). This device must also be protected against freezing, and the test codes shall be positioned to facilitate testing.
(3) 
Normal maintenance considerations shall also be satisfied.
(4) 
The improper installation of these devices can negate the desired protection. Most critical is the need to provide a gravity drain large enough to receive the maximum potential discharge of the relief valve. The drain shall not be subject to flooding and shall be screened.
A. 
Forms. The following forms, latest revision, and procedures shall be utilized (forms may be secured from the Village of Colonie or NYSDOH):
(1) 
DOH-347: New York State Department of Health application for approval of backflow prevention device(s).
(2) 
GEN-237: New York State Department of Health certificate of approval for backflow prevention device(s).
(3) 
DOH-1013: Report of testing and maintenance of backflow prevention device(s).
B. 
Procedure.
(1) 
Water customer (new service only) notifies the Village Board of intent to make and maintain a service connection to the public water system.
(2) 
Village Board investigates conditions at the site of proposed (existing) service connection installation and requests technical advice from Village Engineer or Local Health Department Engineer (LHDE), if necessary.
(3) 
Village Board requests water customer to submit plans and specifications, application (Form DOH-347) for proposed (existing) connection, in quadruplicate, and related application fees.
(4) 
Water customer submits plans, specifications, application (Form DOH-457), in quadruplicate, and related application fees to Village Board.
(5) 
Village Board reviews submission with assistance of the Village Engineer and transmits with recommendations to LHDE, in quadruplicate, or disapproves and returns submission to water customer for correction and resubmittal.
(6) 
LHDE reviews submission and transmits with recommendations for approval to NYSDOH Bureau of Public Water Supply (BPWS), in quadruplicate, or disapproves and returns submission to Village Board for correction and resubmittal.
(7) 
BPWS evaluates application, plans and specifications and recommendations and approves application, sends original letter of approval and certificate of approval to customer and copy of approval and approved plans to Village Board, Engineer and LHDE or disapproves and returns submission for modification and resubmittal.
(8) 
Water customer installs, under the observation of the Village Engineer, the approved protective devices in accordance with the plans approved by BPWS.
(9) 
Water customer submits reports of inspection, testing, disassembly and overhaul to Village Board and Local Health Department Engineer within 72 hours of completion of each action.
(10) 
Water customer disassembles and overhauls RFZ or DCV every five years.
(11) 
Water customer inspects and tests protective devices, as indicated in § 234-30, at least annually and maintains a record of inspections (Form DOH-1013).
A. 
Backflow prevention devices/systems must be tested and inspected to ensure continued reliability. Tests shall be made after initial systems installation and after each repair, and, as a minimum, a yearly test shall be performed.
B. 
Testing may be offered by the Village at a fee, or it could be done by a private state-certified tester acceptable to the Village.
C. 
All testing shall be performed in accordance with the NYSDOH Public Water Supply Guide for Cross-Connection Control, as amended.
D. 
Any backflow prevention device found to be defective shall be immediately repaired or replaced. The Village shall be notified of all corrective repairs.
E. 
The customer shall be required to keep an inspection log and a formal record in a manner and frequency acceptable to the Village.
F. 
The simplified form combining testing and maintenance data, Form DOH-1013, NYSDOH, shall be used.
A. 
No water service connection to any premises shall be installed or maintained by the water user unless the water supply is protected as required by this article and such other applicable local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations.
B. 
If any facility served by a water system denies the Village or its agent access to their premises for the purposes of determining if protection to the public water system is necessary, then the maximum protection condition shall be imposed, with the requirement that the number of devices shall equal the number of service lines.
C. 
The following penalties shall be applicable for a violation of this article:
(1) 
Failure to install the appropriate backflow prevention device within a prescribed time frame after first notice shall be $250 for each day of violation.
(2) 
Failure to install the appropriate backflow prevention device within prescribed time frame after second notice shall be termination of service.
(3) 
Failure to at least annually test the backflow prevention device shall be $250 and/or termination of water service for each day of violation.
(4) 
Failure to replace or repair a backflow prevention device as required shall be $250 and/or termination of water service for each day of violation.
A. 
Upon the adoption of this article, the Village or its agent will notify all commercial/industrial water customers of said adoption and the necessity of an on-site inspection.
B. 
The Village or its agents will conduct a survey of all commercial/industrial/medical water customers to determine the degree of a potential hazardous connection (i.e., hazardous, aesthetically objectionable or nonhazardous).
C. 
Upon completion of the survey, those water customers who fall within the first two categories listed above will be put on notice for the necessity of a cross-connection control device requirement.
(1) 
They will have 90 days to make application for approval for said devices.
(2) 
Upon approval of said devices, they shall have 90 days to install and test the same.
D. 
If it is determined through the initial survey that there is an immediate threat to the well-being of the Village's water system from the water customer's connection, the customer shall immediately, upon notice, take the necessary steps to have a cross-connection control device approved and installed as required by this article.
E. 
Whenever there is a change in occupancy and a new facility falls within any of the categories of this article requiring backflow prevention devices, all related requirements of this article shall be adhered to. The owner or occupant of the facility shall apply for a permit under this article within 90 days of occupancy of the premises or commencement of an operation requiring backflow prevention devices.