The purpose of this article is to:
A. Protect the health and welfare of users of the public
potable water supply of Oconto Falls from the possibility of contamination
or pollution of the potable water system(s) under the direct authority
of the Oconto Falls Water Utility.
B. Promote the control and/or elimination of existing
cross-connection (actual or potential) between the customer's potable
water system(s) and other environment(s) containing substance(s) which
may contaminate or pollute the water supply.
C. Provide for the maintenance of a continuing comprehensive
program of cross-connection control which will systematically and
effectively prevent the contamination or pollution of all potable
water system(s) under the direct authority of the Oconto Falls Water
Utility.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
BACKFLOW
The undesirable flow of water or mixtures of water and other
liquids, solids, gases or other substances under positive or reduced
pressure into the Oconto Falls Water Utility potable supply of water
from any source.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION
A means designed to prevent backflow caused by backpressure
or backsiphonage, most commonly categorized as air gap, reduced pressure
principle backflow assembly, double check valve assembly, pressure
vacuum breaker assembly, backsiphonage backflow vacuum breaker (spill-resistant
pressure vacuum breaker) assembly, pipe applied atmospheric vacuum
breaker, flush tank ballock, laboratory faucet backflow preventer,
backflow preventer for carbonated beverage machine, vacuum breaker
wall hydrants (freeze-resistant automatic draining type), chemical
dispensing machine, hose connection vacuum breaker, hose connection
backflow preventer, backflow preventer with intermediate atmospheric
vent and barometric loop.
BACKPRESSURE
An elevation of pressure in the downstream piping system
(i.e., pump, elevation of piping or steam and/or air pressure) above
the utility supply pressure which would cause or tend a reversal of
the normal direction of flow.
BACKSIPHONAGE
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances
into the utility's potable water system from any source caused by
the sudden reduction of pressure in the utility's potable water supply
system.
CROSS-CONNECTION
Any physical connection or arrangement between two otherwise
separate systems, one of which contains potable water from the utility
and the other containing water from a private source, water of unknown
or questionable safety, or steam, gases or chemicals, whereby there
may be a flow from one system to the other, the direction of flow
depending on the pressure differential between the two systems.
No person shall establish or permit to be established,
or maintain or permit to be maintained, any cross-connection. No interconnection
shall be established whereby potable water from a private or auxiliary
or emergency water supply, other than the public water supply of the
utility, may enter the supply or distribution system of the utility,
unless such private, auxiliary or emergency water supply and the method
of connection and use of such supply have been approved by the utility
and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The Oconto Falls Water Utility shall be responsible
for the protection of the public potable water distribution system
from contamination or pollution due to backflow of contaminants or
pollutants. The utility shall charge fees according the utility's
Cross-Connection Control Manual for maintaining a Comprehensive Cross-Connection
Control Protection Plan.
Upon presentation of credentials, representatives
of the utility shall have the right to request entry at any reasonable
time to examine property served by a connection to the public potable
water system of the utility for cross-connections. If entry is refused,
such representatives shall obtain a special inspection warrant under
§ 66.0119, Wis. Stats. The utility shall charge the property
owner a fee as set by the Common Council per day for refusal to allow
entry to examine any property. Upon request, the owner, lessee or
occupant of any property served shall furnish to the inspection agency
any pertinent information regarding the piping system on such property.
The utility is hereby authorized and directed to discontinue water service to any property wherein any connection in violation of this article exists and to take such other precautionary measures deemed necessary to eliminate any damage or contamination of the potable water system. Water service shall be discontinued if the means of backflow prevention required by the utility is not installed, tested, maintained and/or repaired in compliance with this article, the Department of Commerce Plumbing Code, Chs. Comm 82 to 84, Wisconsin Administrative Code, and the utility's Cross-Connection Control Manual, or if it is found that the means of backflow prevention required by this article has been removed or bypassed. Water service shall be discontinued only after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing under Ch. 68, Wis. Stats., except as provided in §
455-53.
Water service to any property disconnected under
the provisions of this article shall not be restored until the cross-connection(s)
has been eliminated or a backflow prevention means, approved by the
utility, has been installed in compliance with the provisions of this
article.
If it is determined by the utility that a cross-connection
or an emergency endangers public health, safety or welfare and requires
immediate action, service may be immediately discontinued. The owner,
lessee or occupant shall have an opportunity for hearing under Ch.
68, Wis. Stats., within 10 days of such emergency discontinuance.
Such hearing shall be before the Oconto Falls Water and Light Commission
and shall conform to all existing due process requirements.
This article does not supersede the State of
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Administrative Code Ch.
NR 811 but is supplementary to it.
The Oconto Falls Water and Light Commission
adopts by reference the Wisconsin Uniform Plumbing Code, being Chs.
Comm 82 to 84, Wisconsin Administrative Code. This article does not
supersede the Wisconsin Uniform Plumbing Code but is supplementary
to it.