[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of
the City of Lockport 10-30-1984. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
DEPARTMENT
DIRECTOR
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall
have the meanings indicated:
The Department of Water of the City.
The Director of Utilities.
[Amended 7-19-1995]
B.
The Director of the Department shall have the authority
to determine any question which is not fully covered by any of the
provisions contained in this chapter, and his decision in such cases
shall be final unless reversed by action of the City of Lockport Common
Council.
[Amended 7-19-1995]
C.
The Director shall, subject to the approval of the
Common Council, establish rules governing and directing the conduct
of the employees in the Department.
[Amended 7-19-1995]
D.
Plumbing Inspector. Refer to Lockport Code § A192-2, Article 1, Secs. 4 and 5; § 66-18; and Common Council Resolution 2-19-1968.
E.
Building Inspector: Common Council Resolution 2-19-1968.
F.
The City of Lockport does hereby assume responsibility,
liability and maintenance of main sewers measuring at least eight
inches in diameter, and main water distribution pipes measuring at
least four inches in diameter located within the City's rights-of-way.
(Common Council Resolutions 4-12-1965 and 6-18-1973)
A.
Every dwelling house or other building requiring the
use of water must be supplied from the water mains of the Water Department
through a separate service, provided that there is a permanent water
main immediately in the front, rear or on either side of the premises.
B.
If no main is existent in the manner described, a
temporary service may be laid from and connected to the nearest available
water main until a permanent water main is installed, when such service
must be disconnected from the temporary source and reconnected to
the permanent water main within 30 days from the date that water is
available in the permanent main. Such disconnection and reconnection
shall be made by and at the expense of the owner of the premises supplied.
C.
The use of water is permitted subject to such conditions
or reservations as the Water Department may consider reasonable. The
Water Department Director reserves the right to restrict or prohibit
extraordinary use of water if water supply conditions so require.
[Amended 7-19-1995]
The supply of water to all parties for any purpose
whatsoever is subject to the following conditions:
A.
The Water Department does not guarantee to the consumer
any fixed or constant pressure, nor a continuous supply, these being
subject to the various conditions which may arise in the operation
and maintenance of the waterworks.
B.
In case of failure of mains, services, pumping machinery,
reservoirs or other Department equipment, or through the cessation
of operation of any pumps by virtue of the electric power being temporarily
cut off or discontinued, for the purpose of testing, extending, repairing
or cleaning water mains, services or pump and filter station equipment,
the water may be shut off as found necessary without notice to consumers,
and no claims will be considered for damage to service branches, boilers,
machinery or plumbing fixtures arising therefrom.
C.
The Department shall have the right to enter and inspect
any premises or any part of all premises using City water at any time
that it may so desire. For this purpose, any Department employee who
may be designated, upon exhibition of proper credentials or badges
of the Department, at reasonable hours, shall have free access to
such premises. When such access is refused, the water may be turned
off at the option of the Director and not turned on again until after
access and the current fee, as set by the Water Department Fee Schedule,[1] has been paid to the Water Business Office. This procedure
shall not be considered exclusive, but is in addition to any other
remedy available by law.
[Amended 7-19-1995; 8-19-2009]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Water Department Fee Schedule is on file
in the City offices.
A.
Applications for water shall make such deposits or
payments and obtain permits as may be required according to the service
rendered, before the application will be granted.
B.
Payment by the applicant for water service of any
or all deposits, fees or charges that are required by the Water Department
and which are prerequisite to the granting of such applications shall
be considered as sufficient evidence of agreement on the part of the
applicant to conform to and comply with each and every ordinance,
bylaw, rule and regulation that has been or may in the future be enacted
and which governs the granting of such application or the consequent
sale of water by the Department.
C.
All applications for the use of water outside of the
corporate limits of the City shall be made to the Director in writing.
Such application shall state the owner and location of the property
for which supply is requested, and shall be accompanied by either
the original, or copies thereof, of any granted permits that may be
required by the state, County or Township in which the property is
situated. All applications shall be reported by the Director forthwith
to the Council for such action as the Council deems proper. If the
Council grants any such applications, they shall be subject to the
provisions of this chapter, and the Council may impose such additional
conditions as it deems for the best interest of the City.
[Amended 7-19-1995]
A.
Property owners desiring service branches laid to
their premises shall make written application for such branches at
the Water Business Office and shall be responsible for size of service
and meter desired. Such application constitutes an agreement that
the property to be supplied is to be held liable for all Water Department
charges for water consumed and any other indebtedness.
B.
Applications for service branches shall be made by
a plumber licensed by the City or by the owner of the premises. In
the latter case, the name of the licensed plumber who will do the
work must be specified. All applications for new service shall be
accompanied by the payment in full of all service line material furnished
by the City, including the meter.
C.
Service branches less than two inches in size shall
be attached to the water mains by means of a corporation stop and
tail piece supplied by the Department to the person making the application.
D.
The main water supply or water service of less than
two inches from the City water main to the meter shall be of Type
K annealed copper tubing.
E.
Service connections to the City water main for one-inch
and three-fourths-inch copper services shall be made on the top of
the main, and the copper service shall have a gooseneck from the corporation
stop. One-and-one-half-inch and two inch services shall be tapped
on the top of the main, and an arm running parallel to the main shall
be installed and blocked up with brick or stone. The copper service
must be placed in a deep shelf on the side of the trench so that the
copper pipe can be covered with at least six inches of earth. The
copper service from the main to the structure shall be made with a
minimum number of flared connections, except that the one-and-one-half-inch
or two-inch sizes may have one 90° elbow.
F.
All service branches larger than two inches shall
conform to AWWA specifications and Water Department approved.
G.
Every service branch must be provided with a curb
stop or valve protected by a curb box or valve box set in the pavement
or just inside the curbline for the purpose of turning water either
on or off. The cover on the curb box shall be marked "water."
H.
Whenever possible, service branches shall be laid
in a direct line from the street main to the curb box and right angles
to the curb. They shall be laid at a minimum depth of four feet. Any
exception must be approved by the Director.
[Amended 7-19-1995]
I.
Service branches may be laid in the same trench as
the sewer lateral, provided that they are placed upon a trench shelf
and above the sewer line.
J.
All service branches from the main to the building
must be laid under the direction of a City of Lockport licensed plumber.
The Department shall do no work except the insertion of a corporation
stop or the installation of a tapping sleeve and valve with the necessary
valve box.
K.
All water service, pipes, curb stops and curb stop
boxes are considered the property of the property owner, who shall
be responsible for any leakage which may occur between the water main
in the street and the building supplied. It shall be the responsibility
of such property owner to maintain such service pipe in a nonleaking
condition at all times and at his own expense. It shall be the responsibility
of the property owner to maintain the curb box in a manner that it
is easily accessible and in good working order. The Department reserves
the right to shut off or turn on the water at their curb box with
no liability assigned to the Department.
[Amended 8-19-2009]
L.
The thawing of all frozen water services is the responsibility
of the property owner.
M.
When a leak is discovered in a service branch between
the main and the building supplied, a written notice shall be mailed
or delivered to the property owner informing him of the existence
of such leak and of his obligation to repair such leak within the
period hereinafter provided. Failure of the property owner to repair
such leak within five days of the date the notice is personally served
or mailed shall be deemed sufficient cause for the Department to discontinue
the supply of water through such service until the leak is repaired,
except when the Department deems such leak to be a public hazard (based
on the volume of water, location of the leak, weather conditions and
other factors), in which event the Department may require repair,
by notice in accordance with this subsection, within 48 hours. Failure
to repair the leak in the allotted time will result in the Department
hiring a licensed plumber to repair such leak. Reasonable expenses
incurred by the Department shall be charged to the property owner
and, if unpaid for a period of 60 days, shall become a lien upon the
property.
[Amended 2-5-1986]
N.
The cost of removing a corporation stop or of discontinuing
a service shall be paid for by the owner. The Water Department does
not guarantee the location of any tap or main; in case of demolition,
the service must be removed from the main first.
O.
The cost of removing combined services will be paid
by the affected owners.
A.
Water shall be furnished to all consumers through
metered services only, except as provided in this chapter. Each service
must have a suitable valve just ahead of the meter in good working
condition.
B.
The supply of water through each separate service
must be recorded by one-meter only. If additional meters are desired
for recording the subdivision of such supply, they must be furnished
and set by the owners or consumers at their own expense. Furthermore,
the Department shall not be required to read such meters nor subdivide
water bills in view of the existence of such subdivisioning meters.
C.
Water meters shall be purchased by the Department
according to its specifications. Property owners shall pay the Department,
at the time of filing an application for service, a sum sufficient
to reimburse the Department for the acquisition cost of the meter
required, plus current costs for inspection and installation of subject
meter. The Director shall review Department costs of purchase, service
and installation of meters on March 31, June 30, September 30 and
December 31 of each year and advise the City Accountant of any new
current costs of service.
[Amended 7-19-1995]
D.
Water meter service shall be purchased by the owner
or plumber installing a service for the Department, and the meter
shall remain the property of the Department, subject to the rules,
bylaws and regulations of the Department. All meters two inches and
lower will be installed by the Department of Water. All meters over
two inches in size shall be purchased and installed by the owner.
All meters shall be of a type approved by the Water Department.
[Amended 8-19-2009]
E.
Water meters shall not be removed from one service
to another without permission from the Department. The Department
reserves the right to remove and replace any meter at its discretion
without obligation to the property owner. Meters shall be tested and
repaired, as necessary by the Department Meter Section, before installation
and necessary charges are paid by the owner.
F.
Water meters for the purpose of recording domestic
consumption shall be placed inside the basement wall, in a horizontal
position, dial up, with room to remove, and easily accessible whenever
possible. When it is necessary to install a water meter in any other
location, a well-drained pit of such size and construction as is approved
by the Director must be provided to contain such meter.
[Amended 7-19-1995]
A.
With the adoption of this chapter, all domestic water
meters will be replaced with remote readout meters on a prearranged
schedule. Normal ten-year changeover and meters in need of repair
will also be replaced with remote readout capability.
B.
The location of the remote register on the outside
of the residence shall be determined by the Water Department at the
time of installation.
C.
All meters and radio transmitters shall be installed
and sealed by the Water Department personnel after prearrangement
with the residence owner.
[Amended 8-19-2009]
D.
Should any existing domestic water service be considered
in disrepair, after examination by the Plumbing Inspector, the right
of refusal to perform any meter installation shall be exercised by
the Water Department until such necessary repairs are completed. In
all cases, a release form will be signed by the owner to prevent Water
Department liability for damage or inconvenience.
E.
All sections of this chapter, where applicable to
domestic meters, shall apply for installation, repair and removal
of domestic remote readout meters.
F.
(Reserved)
G.
Magnetic-type water meters two inches or less for
recording consumption shall be set by the Department only. A place
must be provided by the owner where meters will be protected from
frost and other damage and in a readily accessible location for reading,
examination and removal. A brass stop-and-waste-type valve must be
provided just ahead and on the supply side of the meter.
H.
A suitable check-and-relief valve may be required
by the Department in the service pipe after the meter when there is
a possibility of hot water backing up into the water meter.
I.
Unless otherwise permitted by the Department, commercial
meters of two-inch size or larger must be placed in a pit of such
dimensions and at such a location as is acceptable to the Department.
J.
Commercial meter pits must be properly drained in
such a manner that any leakage or accumulation of surface water will
not interfere with the duties of employees of the Department, or the
operation of the meter.
K.
All commercial water meters one inch in size or larger
must be provided with a suitable bypass of such size as will provide
a continuous supply of water during such time as the water meter is
undergoing repairs.
[Amended 2-4-1987]
L.
Each application for a water service which is two
inches in size or larger must be accompanied by three copies of a
detailed dimensioned plan, drawn to scale and acceptable to the City,
which must show the exact manner in which the installation of both
the service and the water meter is to be made.
M.
Whenever the new service is to interconnect in any
manner with an existing supply of water, either potable or non-potable,
a separate detail of such interconnection must be clearly shown. Such
interconnections must comply with requirements of the New York State
Department of Health Sanitary Code. The application for any service
as heretofore described shall not be granted nor any connection made
to any water main until the plan of installation has been approved
by the Department. A print showing the standard type of meter pit
and bypass approved by the Department will be furnished free of charge
upon application to the Director.
[Amended 7-19-1995]
N.
All water meters and bypass valves shall be sealed
by the Department when they are placed in service. Such seals shall
not be removed except by the Department unless permission is first
obtained in writing from the Department.
O.
When a water meter seal or other seal of the Department
is accidentally broken, the consumer shall notify the Department immediately.
Upon receipt of such notice, the Department shall set a new seal and
so properly record the action.
P.
The Department reserves the right to enter, at any
reasonable time, any premises where a water meter is installed, for
the purpose of testing, examining, repairing or replacing such meter
when, in the opinion of the Department, such action is necessary.
Q.
The Department shall have the right to remove any
meter from service and to repair or replace it when, in its opinion,
such action is necessary.
R.
Water meters may be tested by the Meter Repair Section
periodically. A meter may be tested at the request of a property owner
without charge if the test reveals that the meter is not within the
upper limits of accuracy according to the American Waterworks Association.
If within limits, the property owner will pay a special testing fee
according to the current Water Department Fee Schedule.[1]
[Amended 8-19-2009]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Water Department Fee Schedule is on file
in the City offices.
S.
When water meters are repaired, the cost of material
used for such repair shall be billed to the property owner or consumer,
as well as shop time at the current rate as set by the Water Department
Fee Schedule. The Department shall repair, without cost to the consumer,
any water meter two inches or under in size located on a water service
and within the City limits, provided that such meter has not been
damaged by freezing, hot water or other negligent act or omission.
[Amended 8-19-2009]
T.
All seasonal services must be metered. The charge
for water will be based upon the regular schedule of meter rates.
Meters for use on seasonal services will be handled exactly as for
a new house service and shall be subject to the same regulations as
set forth in the foregoing sections. Such meters shall be installed
in the spring of the year and removed in the fall upon written request
by the owner and upon payment of a service fee as set by the Water
Department Fee Schedule for each installation or removal. This fee
will be payable to the Water Business Office. Seasonal meters shall
be read when installed and when removed. The consumption shall be
charged for at regular meter rates.
[Amended 8-19-2009]
U.
All industrial meters will be calibrated for accuracy
once every three years, by the owner, or at the discretion of the
Director of Utilities, and a certificate of accuracy will be sent
to the Water Department Business Office.
[Amended 7-19-1995]
A.
The water rates shall be charged and collected for
the use of water within the City supplied by the Water Department
as herein fixed and established.
B.
The Common Council shall have power to fix, prescribe
and regulate the rates and charges for the use of water in said City,
and fix the compensation, prescribe the duties and make rules and
regulations for the government of said Director, assistant or employees,
and from time to time to alter said rates or amend or abolish said
rules or any part thereof.
[Amended 7-19-1995]
C.
The owner of the premises supplied through the water
meter shall be held responsible for all water registered by it, and
no reduction in bills rendered shall be allowed for leakage or when
part of the water has been used by a contractor or any other person.
D.
All water bills shall be payable when due. They shall
be mailed or delivered to the property owner or tenant as a matter
of convenience. Failure of a property owner or tenant to receive a
water bill shall not release the property owner from the payment of
such bill, together with any fee or penalty which may accrue or become
existent by virtue of nonreceipt of bill.
E.
Upon written request of a property owner, the Water
Business Office shall mail or deliver, as it may elect, water bills
to the property owner and/or tenant of the premises. However, in doing
so the City shall not be responsible for the failure of said person
to receive the bill.
F.
Bills due the Department for water consumption, or
any other service, if not paid within 30 days from the date of issue,
shall be subject to a penalty of 10% per quarter on the unpaid balance,
such penalty to be collected together with the amount of the bill.
Members of the armed forces activated by order of the United States
government shall receive relief from any and all penalties during
their period of active service.
[Amended 4-2-2003; 12-17-2014]
G.
Whenever a property is receiving water from the City
water system and is without a water meter, the Water Business Office
shall notify the Department to install a meter. The Water Business
Office will then bill the property owner for both the cost of installation
and for an estimated reasonable amount of water during the time that
the property has been without a meter.
H.
When a water meter is found to be not registering
or is stopped, the consumption shall be estimated according to the
consumption for similar occupancies and a bill rendered for such estimated
consumption.
I.
When it is impossible to obtain a regular quarterly
reading of any meter for any reason, the consumption shall be estimated
according to the consumption for similar occupancies and a bill rendered
for such estimated consumption. The fact that the bill has been estimated
must be indicated on the bill.
J.
Any water account of any nature remaining unpaid on
July 1 of the year following rendition shall be placed upon the first
general City tax roll made up after such date, should the Water Business
Office be unable to make collection in any manner other than civil
action. If placed on the tax roll, a water account shall become a
part of the tax roll, shall become due with the same and shall be
subject to the same penalties and interest as the taxes.
[Amended 8-19-2009]
K.
Complaints of overcharge on water bills must be made
on or before the 16th day of the month in which such bills are rendered,
and all water bills against which no claim has been made within the
time set forth above shall be considered correct and must be paid
in the amount rendered.
L.
When property becomes vacant, upon receipt of written
notice from the owner of same, the Department shall remove the water
meter and seal the service in a manner that will prevent any possibility
of water usage without charge. The meter so removed will be stored
by the Meter Section until the Department is notified that the property
is reoccupied. Upon reoccupancy, the meter will be reset, the shutoff
seal removed and the water supply restored. A fee will be charged
for reinstallation, according to the current Water Department Fee
Schedule,[1] but no charge will be levied for removal.
[Amended 8-19-2009]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Water Department Fee Schedule is on file
in the City offices.
M.
The billing charge on any building permanently demolished
shall be discontinued when conclusive proof of demolition is presented
to the Department upon payment of any existing bills up to the date
of such demolition.
The Department of Water shall notify the property
owner that any unpaid water bill, June 1 or prior, shall be added
to the following year's City tax roll.
Water may be furnished free to any City building, department or bureau as may be designated by resolution of the Council, provided that such water is furnished through a water meter as provided in § 185-6A and C, which includes the following: the City of Lockport Streets Department, Parks Department, Fire Department, Municipal Building, Wastewater Treatment Plant and John Henry Park.
A.
Water permits shall be required for erecting, constructing,
altering or maintaining any building or structure or for any purpose
whatsoever that requires the temporary use of water. Such permits
shall be obtained with the building permit and paid for at that time
according to the Water Department Fee Schedule.[1]
[Amended 8-19-2009]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Water Department Fee Schedule is on file
in the City offices.
B.
Water for construction purposes may be obtained from any metered service in lieu of payment required by § 185-11A, provided that permission of the owner of such service is first obtained. The owner shall be held liable for all water obtained in this manner. If water is to be obtained from a metered service, it must be so stated on the application for a building permit, together with the street address of such metered service.
C.
Water for construction purposes must be paid for at
regular rates specified on the water permit, regardless of whether
it is used on City work or private work.
[Amended 8-19-2009]
A.
Application for taps must be made 24 hours in advance
of the time that such tap is required. The time that the excavation
will be ready must be stated in the tap application.
B.
Taps in the water mains within the City limits will
be made at rates set by the Department. Taps outside the City limits
will be made at 1 1/2 times the Department rate. At least once
each three months the Department shall determine the actual cost of
making various sizes of taps. That cost shall be used for the balance
of the three-month period, and the City Accountant shall be notified
of any changes.
C.
The charges specified in this section shall include the cost of the corporation stop, tail piece, washer and labor necessary to install such corporation stop in the water main, together with the actual cost of supervision and of any equipment used. Added to the above tap charge will be the cost of the meter, if necessary, to comply with § 185-6A of this chapter.
D.
All excavations made for the insertion of corporation
stops in the water main must be large enough to permit proper operation
of the tapping machine. The required size shall be determined by the
Supervisor of Outside Maintenance, under whose direction the tap will
be made.
Upon request, the Water Department shall furnish
an estimate of the cost of making a connection two inches or in excess
of two inches in diameter to any of its mains. Such estimate shall
include all labor, equipment, material and overhead costs necessary
to make such connection, but it shall not include any cost for excavation,
backfill, street opening permits or any other cost whatsoever.
Permits must be obtained from the Street Department
before any excavation is undertaken in any City street to install
or repair service branches. Such permission shall not be given to
any other than a person who is properly bonded and insured to protect
persons and property against any injury liable to be caused by reason
of such excavation.
[Amended 7-19-1995]
No person, other than an employee of the Water
Department, shall open, close or interfere in any manner with any
valve or gate in any water main or street pipe belonging to the Department
without special written permission of the Director.
A.
No person shall open, carry from or tamper in any
manner with a fire hydrant connected to City mains unless a written
permit is obtained from the Director. However, this does not apply
to employees of the Fire Department engaged in the pursuit of their
regular duties.
[Amended 7-19-1995]
B.
The Water Department shall be notified within 24 hours
of the use of any hydrant by the Fire Department.
C.
Wrenches other than regulation hydrant wrenches must
not be used for the operation of fire hydrants. The use of any other
type of wrench shall be considered sufficient cause for cancellation
of any permit issued.
D.
The general use of hydrants for construction purposes
will be restricted when a service line to a building or structure
will eventually be required. When a hydrant is being used under permit,
regular reducing couplings attached to the nozzle of the hydrant and
equipped with an independent valve for regulating flow must be used.
The main valve of such hydrant must be opened fully at the beginning
of each workday and remain open until the finish of work on that day,
when it shall be completely closed.
E.
The billing of the cost of water and hydrant use will
include hydrant permit and inspection fees as set by the Water Department
Fee Schedule[1] and minimum usage of 10,000 gallons and additional usage
at the bulk water rate as set by Common Council resolution.
[Amended 2-6-2002; 1-21-2004; 8-19-2009]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Water Department Fee Schedule is on file
in the City offices.
F.
In obtaining water from a fire hydrant in conformity
with the foregoing sections, no leakage will be tolerated. The hydrant
permit shall be rescinded for any violation.
G.
No person shall obstruct access to any fire hydrant
in any manner whatsoever. It shall be the decision of the Water Department
to best locate hydrants on City rights-of-way.
A.
No charge shall be made for actual use of water for
fire protection purposes only, whether it be taken from a hydrant,
through sprinklers or by any other means. However, standby fees shall
be charged for availability of water, not applicable at this time.
B.
The requirement that meters shall be installed on
all service branches shall be waived in the case of service branches
for fire protection only, including sprinkling systems. However, a
detector check valve is required on such services.
C.
Water may not be used off of services that have a
detector check valve except for fire protection.
D.
A detector check valve to indicate when water has
been used shall be installed on all fire services.
E.
Plans for fire protection installations in multiple
dwellings must be approved by the Building Inspector and the Fire
Department before approval by the Water Department.
F.
All fire protection branches must be provided with
a valve between the street main and the building or private fire lines
supplied with water.
G.
The Department shall place its seal upon any opening
or valve connected with or to any fire protection service branch to
seal such valve either open or closed.
H.
When a Department seal is broken, either accidentally
or in order to obtain water for fire protection, the Department must
be notified immediately by the person breaking the seal or by any
employee of the Department having knowledge thereof. A new seal will
then be set and so recorded.
A.
No person other than a duly licensed plumber shall do any plumbing in connection with any attachment to the mains of the Department without the written permission of the Department, except as provided in § 185-5J.
C.
Curb boxes and valve boxes on services shall be kept
uncovered and readily accessible during construction or repair work.
D.
When plumbing work is completed in any new building,
a space suitable for the installation of a water meter must be left
and water shut off. In no case shall the water be turned on at any
premises by the plumber or owner or other person, unless written permission
has been granted by the Water Department, and all bills in arrears
have been paid.
E.
The installation of nipples and unions in order that
meter may be obtained to test the plumbing will be allowed. Such nipples
and unions shall be removed after such tests are completed.
F.
No person shall break a Department seal or disconnect
a water meter without obtaining permission from the Department.
G.
No licensed plumber nor any other person shall make
any attachment to an old pipe or other fixture through which the supply
of water has been discontinued or which is out of use until permission
has been obtained from the Department.
H.
No plumber or other person shall alter in any way
the service branch pipes attached to the waterwork's mains without
written permission of the Department.
I.
No plumber or other person shall make an attachment
to any service branch or other pipe in such a manner that the water
passing through such attachment is not registered by the water meter.
J.
No person shall, by means of false keys or other means,
cause or suffer any premises to be supplied with water after the water
supply has been discontinued by the Department and when such act is
contrary to the true intent and meaning of this chapter.
K.
All cast-iron water services, after pressure-testing
to 150 pounds per square inch, shall be chlorinated by the plumber
or contractor, and they shall cooperate with the Department with reference
to time and place of such chlorination. Points for the application
of chlorine and subsequent drainage shall be determined by the Department
and provided by the plumber or contractor. No water shall be provided
through such service until results of chlorination have been approved
by the Department chemist. Bills shall be rendered to the plumber
or contractor at full cost to the Department.
[Added 5-20-1987]
A.
Purpose.
(1)
The purpose of this section is to safeguard potable
water supplies by preventing backflow into public water systems.
(2)
This section is to be reasonably interpreted. It is
the intent of this section 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.
(3)
This section shall comply with the requirements of
the New York State Sanitary Code 5-1.31.
B.
AIR GAP SEPARATION
APPROVED CHECK VALVE
APPROVED DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY
APPROVED REDUCED-PRESSURE-PRINCIPLE BACK-FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE
APPROVED WATER SUPPLY
AUXILIARY SUPPLY
BAROMETRIC LOOP
CERTIFIED BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE TESTER
CROSS-CONNECTION
VACUUM BREAKER, NON-PRESSURE-TYPE
VACUUM BREAKER, PRESSURE-TYPE
WATER SUPERVISOR
Definitions. As used in this section, 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 seats readily and completely. It must
be carefully machined to have freemoving parts and assured watertightness.
The face of the closure element and valve seat must be 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.
An assembly of at least two independently acting check valves,
including tightly closing shutoff valves on each side of the check
valve assembly, and suitable leak-detector drains plus connections
available for testing the watertightness of each check valve. This
device must be approved as a complete assembly.
A device incorporating two or more check valves and an automatically
operating differential relief valve located between the two checks,
two shutoff valves and equipped with necessary appurtenances for testing.
The device shall operate to maintain the pressure in the zone between
the two check valves less than the pressure on the public water supply
side of the device. At cessation of normal flow, the pressure between
check valves shall be less than the supply pressure. In case of leakage
of either check valve, the differential relief valve shall operate
to maintain this reduced pressure by discharging to the atmosphere.
When the inlet pressure is two pounds per square inch or less, the
relief valve shall open to the atmosphere, thereby providing an air
gap in the device. To be approved, these devices must be readily accessible
for maintenance and testing and installed in a location where no part
of the valve will be submerged. The enclosure must be self-draining,
so that the large amount of water which the relief valve may vent
will be disposed of reliably without submergence of the relief valve.
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.
A loop of pipe rising approximately 35 feet, at its topmost
point, above the highest fixture it supplies.
A person who presents proof of satisfactory completion of
a training course for tests of backflow prevention devices which has
been approved by the New York State Department of Health.
Any unprotected connection between any part of a water system
used or intended to supply water for drinking purposes and any source
or system containing water or a substance that is not or cannot be
approved as equally safe, wholesome and potable for human consumption.
A vacuum breaker which is designed so as not to be subjected
to static line pressure.
A vacuum breaker designed to operate under conditions of
static line pressure.
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.
C.
Protection of the public water system at service connections.
(1)
Where protection is required.
(a)
Each service connection from a public water
system for supplying water to premises having an auxiliary water supply
shall be protected against backflow of water from the premises into
the public water system, unless the auxiliary water supply is approved
as an additional by the water purveyor and is satisfactory to the
public health agency having jurisdiction as to quality and safety.
(b)
Each service connection from a public water
system for supplying water to premises on which any substance is handled
under pressure in such fashion as to permit entry into the water system
shall be protected against backflow of the water from the premises
into the public system. This shall include the handling of process
waters and waters originating from the public water supply system
which may have been subject to deterioration in sanitary or chemical
quality.
(c)
Each service connection from a public water
system for supplying water to premises on which a substance of unusually
toxic concentration or danger to health is handled in liquid form,
even though it is not under pressure, shall be protected into the
public system. Examples are plating factories using cyanide and hospitals.
This is not intended to apply to normal household installations.
(d)
Backflow prevention devices shall be installed
on each service connection to any premises that have internal cross-connections,
unless such cross-connections are abated to the satisfaction of the
water purveyor.
(e)
It shall be the responsibility of the water
user to provide and maintain these protective devices, and each one
must be of a type acceptable to the State Health Department.
(2)
Type of protection. The protective device required
shall depend on the degree of hazard as tabulated below:
(a)
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 double check valve assembly.
(b)
At the service connection on any premises on
which there is an auxiliary water supply where cross-connections are
known to exist, which cannot be presently eliminated, the public water
supply system shall be protected by an air gap separation or an approved
reduced-pressure-principle backflow prevention device.
(c)
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.
(d)
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 water meter, and all piping between the water
meter and receiving tanks shall be entirely visible.
(e)
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 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-principle backflow
prevention device, provided that the alternative is acceptable to
the water purveyor.
(f)
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 with an approved reduced-pressure-principle backflow
prevention device.
(3)
Design and inspection of protective devices.
(a)
The design of the installation of an acceptable
backflow prevention device must be prepared in accordance with New
York State laws and regulations. The design must be approved by the
water purveyor and all agencies required by the applicable New York
State and City of Lockport laws and ordinances.
(b)
The customer's water system shall be open for
inspection at all reasonable times to authorized representatives of
the City of Lockport.
(c)
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 those instances where successive inspections indicate repeated
failure. 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.
(d)
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.
D.
Recourse for noncompliance.
(1)
No water service connection to any premises shall
be installed or maintained by the water purveyor unless the water
supply is protected as required by state regulations and this section.
(2)
Service of water to any premises may be discontinued
by the water purveyor if a backflow prevention device required by
this section is not installed, tested and maintained; if any defect
is found in an installed backflow preventive device; if it is found
that a backflow preventive device has been removed or bypassed; or
if unprotected cross-connections exist on the premises, and service
will not be restored until such conditions or defects are corrected.
Any person violating any of the provisions of
this chapter shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $500 or
imprisoned not more than 90 days, or both.
