As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
A physical break between a supply pipe and a receiving vessel. The
air gap shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe, measured
vertically above the top rim of the vessel, in no case less than one inch.
A check valve that seals readily and completely; must be carefully
machined to have free-moving parts and assured watertightness. The face of
the closure element and valve seat must be bronze composition, or other noncorrodible
material, which will seal tightly under all prevailing conditions of field
use. Pins and bushings shall be of bronze and other noncorrodible, nonsticking
material, machined for easy, dependable operation. The closure element shall
be internally weighted or otherwise internally equipped to promote rapid and
positive closure in all sizes where this feature is obtainable.
Two single independently acting check valves, including tightly closing
shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly and suitable test connection.
This device must be approved as a complete assembly.
A minimum of two independently acting check valves, together with
automatically operated pressure differential relief valve located between
the two check valves. 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 checks 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. This device
must also be approved as a complete assembly.
Any water supply approved by the New York State Department of Health.
Any water supply on or available to the premises other than the approved
public water supply.
An individual who has successfully completed a New York State Department
of Health approved course in the testing of backflow prevention devices and
has been issued a certificate by the New York State Department of Health.
Any unprotected connection between any part of a water system used
or intended to be used as a supply of water for drinking purposes in a source
or system containing water or substance that is not or cannot be approved
as equally safe, wholesome and potable for human consumption.
A vacuum breaker which can only be used for internal plumbing control
and, therefore, not acceptable as a containment device.
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 chapter and such other applicable local, state and federal
laws, rules and regulations.
B.
No person owning or occupying premises receiving water
service from the town shall make or allow to be made any connection, either
of a direct or of an indirect nature, between his piping system and a water
supply from any other source or install, or allow to be installed, any fixture
or appliance or waste or soil pipe from which water may flow, be syphoned
or be pumped into any piping connected to the town water system. Every water
service line to a commercial, agricultural or other facility for which a potential
contamination hazard exists shall have an acceptable backflow prevention device.
C.
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 published by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)
shall be used, as a guide, to determine where protection is required. It shall
be the responsibility of the water user to provide and maintain such required
protection devices, and such devices shall be of a type acceptable to the
New York State Department of Health. Plans for the installation of protective
devices must be submitted to the Water Department and the County Health Department
for approval.
D.
When a water service is provided during construction,
an approved backflow prevention device shall be provided by the applicant
or his/her contractor. The device shall be inspected by the Water Department.
The protective device required shall depend on the degree of hazard
as tabulated below:
A.
Where a residential customer maintains an auxiliary water
supply in addition to the public water supply, the two systems must not be
interconnected. Where the two systems are interconnected, the following options
will be deemed appropriate and in compliance with existing New York State
policies and recommendations and with this chapter.
(1)
Disconnection of the auxiliary water supply from the
public water supply. An inspection to determine compliance will be made initially
and at least every three years thereafter or whenever the property is sold.
The inspection may be made by the Water Department or the local Building Code
Inspector.
(2)
Proper abandonment of the auxiliary water supply.
B.
At the service connection to any premises on which a
substance that would be 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.
C.
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 practical
to the water meter, and all piping between the water meter and receiving tanks
shall be entirely visible. A reduced pressure zone device, when installed,
shall be located as close as possible to the property line.
D.
At the service connection to any promises 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.
E.
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 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.
It shall be the duty of the water user on any premises in which backflow
protective devices are installed to have competent inspections made at least
once a year. In addition to the annual inspection, certified inspections and
operational tests must also be made when any backflow prevention device is
to be installed, repaired or replaced, or 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 qualified backflow prevention device tester. All test
results will be provided to the Water Department within 72 hours after the
test is made. Records of such test repairs and overhaul shall also be kept
and made available by the water user.
Inspection fees shall be established by the Town Board of the Town of
Brant.
