[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees
of the Village of Victor 5-20-1991 by L.L. No. 1-1991. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
A.
The purpose of this chapter is to safeguard potable
water supplies from potential contamination by preventing backflow
from a water user's system into the public water system and to comply
with the requirements of the New York State Sanitary Code, Part 5,
Section 5-1.31.
B.
This chapter is to be reasonably interpreted. It is
the intent of this chapter to recognize that there are varying degrees
of hazard and to apply the principle that a degree of protection should
be commensurate with the degree of hazard.
A.
Hazardous cross-connections must be promptly eliminated.
B.
Cross-connection control is the responsibility of
the supplier of water and the water customer (Part 5, New York State
Sanitary Code, Subpart 5-1 Public Water Supplies, Section 5-1.31).
C.
Cross-connection control by containment must be employed
and requires the installation of an acceptable backflow prevention
device in every water service line to a facility for which a potential
hazard exists. Control devices will be installed at or as near the
property line of the facility as possible.
D.
This chapter is enacted and enforced to protect the
public water system in accordance with provisions mandated by the
New York State Department of Health.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
E.
All cross-connection control devices in the water
system will be tested by a certified tester. A copy of all test results
will be supplied to the Department of Public Works by the property
owner if tests are done by other than Department of Public Works personnel.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
F.
All plans and specifications for cross-connection
control devices installed or to be installed in the Village of Victor
water system must be prepared by a New York State licensed professional
engineer and accepted by the Village of Victor Department of Public
Works and approved by the New York State Department of Health. These
steps must take place in the above-described order, and no approval
will be accepted through other channels.
G.
Should access to any facility or dwelling be denied
to Department of Public Works personnel for the purpose of determining
if and/or what cross-connection control device is necessary, then
the maximum protection device will automatically be mandated with
no further investigation by Commission personnel.
H.
Failure to provide the required protective device
or to adhere to prescribed testing requirements will result in proceedings
to terminate service to the violating party.
I.
All plans and specifications relating to cross-connection
control must be approved by the Director of Public Works and the State
Department of Health. A completed works approval is also required
for the installation of acceptable backflow prevention devices at
all new customer facilities and for corrections to installations at
existing customer facilities.
J.
Availability of a supplementary supply of water.
(1)
The existence of a supplementary supply of water available
to a facility may create the situation wherein the facility rating
changes to a more severe category.
(2)
In the instance where a supplementary source water
quality is found acceptable, an agreement must be reached between
the supplier and the water customer for a sampling program appropriate
to monitor the supplementary source water quality. The customer will
be made aware that if at any time the New York State Drinking Water
Standards are exceeded, an acceptable reduced-pressure zone (RPZ)
or air gap will have to be installed on the service connection to
the public water supply system.
K.
Testing and maintenance records shall be kept by the
supplier of water for each required backflow prevention device.
A.
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, per § 62-2B of this chapter, or more often in those instances where successive inspections indicate repeated failure.
B.
These 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, and all test results will be provided to the water
purveyor within 72 hours after the test is made.
C.
Records of such tests, repairs and overhaul shall
also be kept and made available to the water purveyor and the local
Health Department upon request.
As used in this chapter, unless the context
or subject matter otherwise requires, the following terms shall have
the following meanings:
An acceptable air gap, reduced-pressure zone device or double
check valve assembly as used to contain potential contamination within
a facility.
Those devices or assemblies found to be acceptable for containment
control in New York State in accordance with Department of Health
requirements.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
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.
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 (D) of the supply pipe. In no case shall the air gap be less than one inch. (See Figure 24-1.)[1]
A check valve that seats readily and completely. It must
be carefully machined to have free-moving parts and assured watertightness.
The face of the closure element and valve seat must be of bronze composition
or other noncorrodible material which will seat tightly under all
prevailing conditions of field use. Pins and bushings shall be of
bronze or other noncorrodible, nonsticking material, machined for
easy, dependable operation. The closure element, e.g., clapper, shall
be internally weighted or otherwise internally equipped to promote
rapid and positive closure in all sizes where this feature is obtainable.
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.
A flow condition induced by a differential in pressure that
causes the flow of water or other liquids and/or gases into the distribution
pipes of a public water supply from any source other than its intended
source.
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. (See Figure 24-2.)[2]
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. (See Figure 24-3.)[3]
A person who is examined annually by the water purveyor and
found competent for the testing of backflow prevention devices. He
or she shall be provided with an appropriate identification card which
must be renewed annually. Failure to perform his or her duties competently
and conscientiously will result in prompt withdrawal of his or her
certification.
Cross-connection control which isolates the customer's entire
facility from the public water 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.
The presence in water of a substance that tends to degrade
its quality.
A physical connection through which a water supply could
be contaminated.
A water user served by a public water system.
The piping used to convey water supplied by a public water
supply system throughout a customer's facility.
Whether a facility is rated as hazardous, aesthetically objectionable
or nonhazardous.
Two single, independently acting check valves, including tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly and suitable connections for testing the watertightness of each check valve. This device must be approved as a complete assembly. (See Figure 24-4.)[4]
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 include
laboratories, sewage treatment plants, chemical plants, hospitals
and mortuaries.
A joining of two independently operated public water supply
distribution systems.
The city, county, district or regional Health Department
Engineer having jurisdiction.
One which does not require the installation of an acceptable
backflow prevention device.
Prevention and elimination of cross-connections within the
customer's water system by enforcement of building or plumbing codes.
A supplier of water system, including the source, treatment
works, transmission mains, distribution system and storage facilities
serving the public.
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 checks 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 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 be approved as a complete assembly. (See Figure 24-5.)[5]
Any water source or system, other than the public water supply,
that is available within the water customer's facility.
The owner or operator of a public water system.
The consumer or a person on the premises charged with the
responsibility of complete knowledge and understanding of the water
supply piping within the premises and for maintaining the consumer's
water system free from cross-connections and other sanitary defects,
as required by regulations and laws.
[1]
Editor's Note: Figure 24-1 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[2]
Editor's Note: Figure 24-2 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[3]
Editor's Note: Figure 24-3 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[4]
Editor's Note: Figure 24-4 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[5]
Editor's Note: Figure 24-5 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
A.
Whenever possible, cross-connection control will be
achieved by the containment method. Any user employing a device which
will achieve control by any other method will make written application
to the Director of Public Works to request such authorization. The
Director of Public Works will be the final authority determining the
applicability of any and all devices so used.
B.
The containment method. Using the containment approach
to cross-connection control results in totally isolating a facility
with a potential hazard from the public water supply system. Each
water service line to such a facility will be protected in a manner
commensurate with the degree of hazard.
C.
When any portion of a consumer's water supply system
is rated hazardous, then the entire system receives the same rated
degree of hazard. That includes piping for potable as well as nonpotable
water. Under certain conditions, fire sprinkler system connections
to the public water supply system may warrant a separate evaluation
of the type of protective device required.
A.
To achieve containment, an acceptable backflow prevention
device must be installed in every service connection to every facility
connected to the public water supply.
B.
Three categories will be considered when determining
the degree of hazard posted by a facility and making the subsequent
determination of the type of protective device required. They are:
C.
Based on these considerations, a facility will be
rated as hazardous, aesthetically objectionable or nonhazardous.
D.
This cross-connection control program will enact a
major emphasis on isolating those facilities that pose the greatest
hazard in the most vulnerable portions of the distribution system.
A.
The degree of protection shall be commensurate with
the degree of hazard.
(1)
A hazardous facility must be contained through the
use of an RPZ or an air gap.
(2)
An aesthetically objectionable facility must be contained
through the use of a DCV.
(3)
Nonhazardous facilities may be, but are not mandated
by these regulations to be, protected through internal plumbing control
to ensure that plumbing cross-connections are adequately protected
or eliminated.
B.
It is not possible to list every circumstance and
facility type that may be encountered while evaluating all water users
in the water system. Therefore, while evaluating a facility, the inspector
will rely on these regulations, good common sense and the local Health
Department Engineer, as needed, to adequately ensure the basic protection
desired by this program.
C.
Internal plumbing control necessary for the protection
of the on-premise user is not equivalent to containment but is a necessary
adjunct to a totally protective program. The water customer is responsible
for preventing cross-connection within his facility.
The protective device required shall depend
on the degree of hazard as tabulated below:
A.
At the service connection on any premises on which
there is an auxiliary water supply, the public water supply system
shall be protected by an air gap separation or an approved reduced
pressure principle backflow prevention device.
B.
At the service connection to any premises on which
a substance that would be objectionable (but not 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 principle backflow prevention device. This device shall be
located as close as practicable to the property line, and all piping
between the water meter and receiving tanks shall be entirely visible.
D.
At the service connection to any premises on which
any material dangerous to health or toxic substance in 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 practicable to the property line, and all piping between
the property line 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 principle backflow
prevention device, provided that the alternative is acceptable to
the Director of Public Works.
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 property line, 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 with an approved reduced pressure principle backflow
prevention device.
A.
A separate evaluation of the fire-fighting system
in use at a facility is required because of the number of variables
involved in making the determination of adequate protection of the
public water supply system.
B.
Sprinkler system service connections.
(1)
The sprinkler system service connection is usually
an independent connection to the public water supply and, as such,
will be separately evaluated as to the hazard posed.
(2)
Fire Department connections are used to pump water
into the sprinkler system. The quality of water pumped into the sprinkler
system may be of concern.
(3)
The following outlines the type of acceptable backflow
prevention device required by class of sprinkler system used (AWWA
Manual No. M14, Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control).
The device is the minimum needed to satisfy containment requirements
and applies only to sprinkler systems connected to public water supply
water mains.
(a)
Class 1: direct connections from public water mains
only; no pumps, tanks or reservoirs; no physical connection from other
water supplies; no antifreeze or other additives of any kind; all
sprinkler drains discharging to atmosphere, dry wells or other safe
outlets.
(b)
Class 2: same as Class 1, except that booster pumps
may be installed in the connections from the street mains. [Booster
pumps do not affect the potability of the system; it is necessary,
however, to avoid drafting so much water that pressure in the water
main is reduced below 20 pounds per square inch.]
(c)
Class 3: direct connection from public water supply
main, plus one or more of the following: elevated storage tanks; fire
pumps taking suction from aboveground covered reservoirs or tanks;
and pressure tanks. (All storage facilities are filled or connected
to public water only, the water in the tanks to be maintained in a
potable condition. Otherwise Class 3 systems are the same as Class
1.)
(d)
Class 4: directly supplied from public mains similar
to Classes 1 and 2 and with an auxiliary water supply on or available
to the premises; or an auxiliary supply may be located within 1,700
feet of the pumper connection.
(e)
Class 5: directly supplied from public mains and interconnected
with auxiliary supplies, such as: pumps taking suction from reservoirs
exposed to contamination or rivers and ponds; driven wells, mills
or other industrial water systems; or where antifreeze or other additives
are used.
(f)
Class 6: combined industrial and fire protection systems
supplied from the public water mains only, with or without gravity
storage or pump suction tanks.
(4)
Corresponding backflow protection recommended (AWWA
Manual No. M14):
(a)
Class 1: none, other than the check valve required
by the National Fire Code.
(b)
Class 2: none, other than the check valve required
by the National Fire Code.
(c)
Class 3: will generally require minimum protection
(approved DCV) to prevent stagnant waters from backflowing into the
public potable-water system.
(d)
Class 4: will normally require backflow protection
at the service connection. The type (air gap, RPZ or DCV) will generally
depend on the quality of the auxiliary supply. It will normally need
maximum protection (air gap or RPZ) to protect the public potable-water
system.
(e)
Class 5: will normally need maximum protection (air
gap or RPZ) to protect the public potable-water system.
(f)
Class 6: protection would depend on the requirements
of both industry and fire protection and could only be determined
by a survey of the premises.
