[Adopted 3-4-2002 by Ord. No. O2002-01]
The purposes of this article are as follows:
A.
To protect the public potable water supply served
by the Town from the possibility of contamination of 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.
To promote the elimination or control of existing
cross-connections, actual or potential, between its customers' in-plant
potable water system, and nonpotable systems.
C.
To provide for the maintenance of a continuing program
of cross-connection control which will effectively prevent the contamination
of all potable water systems by cross-connection.
[Amended 1-7-2008 by Ord.
No. O2007-09]
The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974
stipulates that the water purveyor has the primary responsibility
for preventing water from unapproved sources, or any other substances,
from entering the public potable water system.
The Town 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 contaminants
or pollutants through the water service connection. If, in the judgment
of the system, an approved backflow device is required at the City's
water service connection to any customer's premises, the Town, or
its 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, and 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 device or devices have been
properly installed.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Accepted by the Town as meeting an applicable specification
stated or cited in this regulation, or as suitable for the proposed
use.
Any water supply, on or available, to the premises other
than the purveyor's approved public potable water supply.
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances,
under positive or reduced pressure in the distribution pipes of a
potable water supply from any source other than its intended source.
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, atmosphere vacuum
breaker, hose bibb vacuum breaker, residential dual check, double
check with intermediate atmospheric vent, and barometric loop.
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.
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.
BAROMETRIC LOOPA fabricated piping arrangement rising at least 35 feet at its topmost point above the highest fixture it supplies. It is utilized in water supply systems to protect against back-siphonage.
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLYIn assembly of two independently operating spring-loaded check valves with tightly closing shutoff valves on each side of the check valves, plus properly located test cocks for the testing of each valve.
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE WITH INTERMEDIATE ATMOSPHERIC VENTA device having two spring-loaded check valves separated by an atmospheric vent chamber.
HOSE BIBB VACUUM BREAKERA device which is permanently attached to a hose bibb and which acts as an atmospheric vacuum breaker.
PRESSURE VACUUM BREAKERA device containing one or two independently operated spring-loaded check valves and an independently operated spring-loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check or checks. 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).
REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPLE BACKFLOW PREVENTERAn assembly consisting of two independently operating check valves with an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two check valves, tightly closing shutoff valves on each side of the check valves plus properly located test cocks for the testing of the check valves and the relief valve.
RESIDENTIAL DUAL CHECKAn assembly of two spring-loaded, independently operating check valves without tightly closing shutoff valves and test cocks. Generally employed immediately downstream of the water meter to act as a containment device.
A condition in which the owner's system pressure is greater
than the supplier's system pressure.
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.
A method of backflow prevention which requires a backflow
prevention preventer at the water service entrance.
A substance that will impair the quality of the water to
a degree that it creates a serious health hazard to the public leading
to poisoning or the spread of disease.
Any actual or potential connection between the public water
supply and a source of contamination or pollution.
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.
The State of Maryland Water Supply Program.
Any person who has legal title to, or license to operate
or habitat in, a property upon which a cross-connection inspection
is to be made or upon which a cross-connection is present.
A document issued by the Town which allows the use of a backflow
preventer.
Any individual, partnership, company, public or private corporation,
political subdivision or agency of the State Department, agency or
instrumentality or the United States or any other legal entity.
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 effect such water for domestic use.
The Superintendent, or his delegated representative in charge
of the Town, is 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.
Town Water and Sewer.
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.
A.
The Town will operate a cross-connection control program,
to include the keeping of necessary records, which fulfills the requirements
of the MDE Cross-Connection Regulations.
B.
The owner shall allow his property to be inspected
for possible cross-connections and shall follow the provisions of
the Town program and the Commission's Regulations if a cross-connection
is permitted.
C.
If the Town requires that the public supply be protected
by containment, 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 Town 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.
System.
(1)
On new installations, the system 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, will issue permit,
and perform inspection and testing. In any case, a minimum of dual
check valve will be required in any new construction.
(2)
For premises existing prior to the start of this program,
the Town 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)
The Town will not allow any cross-connection to remain
unless it is protected by an approved backflow preventer for which
a permit has been issued and which will be regularly tested to insure
satisfactory operation.
(4)
The Town shall inform the owner, by letter, of any
failure to comply by the time of the first reinspection. The Town
will allow an additional 15 days for the correction. In the event
the owner fails to comply with the necessary correction by the time
of the second reinspection, the Town 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 Town of extenuating circumstances as to why the correction
has not been made, a time extension may be granted by the system but
in no case will exceed an additional 30 days.
(5)
If the Town determines at any time that a serious
threat to the public health exists, the water service will be terminated
immediately.
(6)
The Town shall have on file a list of private contractors
who are certified backflow device testers. All charges for these tests
will be paid by the owner of the building or property.
(7)
The Town will begin initial premises inspections to
determine the nature of existing or potential hazards, following the
approval of this article by the Commission, during the calendar year
2001. 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 Town, 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 system of any proposed
or modified cross-connections and also any existing cross-connections
of which the owner is aware but has not been found by the Town.
(5)
The owner shall not install a bypass around any backflow
preventer unless there is a backflow preventer of the same type of
the bypass. Owners who cannot shut down operation for testing the
device(s) must supply additional devices necessary to allow testing
to take place.
(6)
The owner shall install backflow preventers in a manner
approved by the Town.
(7)
The owner shall install only backflow preventers approved
by the Town.
(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 Town's system. The owner shall be required to install a backflow
preventer at a service entrance if a private water source is maintained,
even if it is not cross-connected to the Town's system.[1]
(9)
In the event the owner installs plumbing to provide
potable water for domestic purposes which is on the Town'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 Town Commission requirements.
The Town recognizes the threat to the public
water system arising from cross-connections. All threats will be classified
by degree of hazard and will require the installation of approved
reduced pressure principle backflow prevention devices or double check
valves.
The Town shall not permit a cross-connection
within the public water supply system unless it is considered necessary
and that it cannot be eliminated.
A.
Cross-connection permits that are required for each
backflow prevention device are obtained from the Town. A fee of will
be charged for the initial permit, and a fee will be charged for the
renewal of each permit. The fees shall be established by the Mayor
and Town Council by resolution.[1]
B.
Town permits shall be renewed every two years and
are nontransferable. Permits are subject to revocation and become
immediately revoked if the owner should so change the type of cross-connection
or degree of hazard associated with the service.
C.
A permit is not required when fixture isolation is
achieved with the utilization of a nontestable backflow preventer.
Any existing backflow preventer shall be allowed
by the Town to continue in service unless the degree of hazard is
such as to supersede the effectiveness of the present 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 device must be installed in the event that no backflow
device was present.
A.
Reduced pressure principle backflow devices shall
be tested and inspected at least semiannually.
B.
Periodic testing shall be performed by a certified
tester. This testing will be done at the owner's expense.
C.
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 owner's expense
to insure 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 a replacement
device. Parallel installation of two devices is an effective means
of the owner insuring that uninterrupted water service during testing
or repair of devices and is strongly recommended when the owner desires
such continuity.
D.
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 Town feels that, due to the degree of hazard involved, additional testing is warranted. Cost of the additional tests will be borne by the owner.
The Town will publish a list of fees or charges
for the following services or permits:
A.
Effective the date of the acceptance of this Cross-Connection
Control Program for Town, all new residential buildings will be required
to install a residential dual check device immediately downstream
of the water meter. Installation of this residential dual check device
on a retrofit basis on existing service lines will be instituted as
a time and cost permit. This retrofit shall be completed by the Town.
B.
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.
The Town strongly recommends that all new retrofit
installations of reduced pressure principle devices and double check
valve backflow preventers include the installation of strainers located
immediately upstream of the backflow device. The installation of strainers
will prelude 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
within the water main that will cause fouling of backflow devices
installed without the benefit of strainers.
