Chapter 13.12
CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL PROGRAM
Sections:
13.12.030 Cross-connection protection requirements.
13.12.040 Backflow prevention assemblies.
13.12.050 Type of backflow protection required.
13.12.070 Water service termination.
13.12.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to protect the public water supply system from contamination due to potential and actual cross-connections. This shall be accomplished by the establishment of a cross-connection control program as required by state regulations. This chapter is adopted pursuant to Title 17, Section 7583-7605, inclusive, of the California Code of Regulations (CCR). (Ord. 681 § 1 (part), 1988)
13.12.020 Responsibility.
The water superintendent shall be responsible for implementing and enforcing the cross-connection control program. An appropriate backflow prevention assembly shall be installed by and at the expense of the water user at each connection where required to prevent backflow from the water user’s premises to the domestic water system. It shall be the water user’s responsibility to comply with the city’s requirements. (Ord. 681 § 1 (part), 1988)
13.12.030 Cross-connection protection requirements.
The type of protection that shall be provided to prevent backflow into the public water supply system shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard, actual or potential, that exists on the water user’s premises. Unprotected cross-connections with the public water supply are prohibited. The type of backflow prevention assembly that may be required (listed in decreasing level of protection) includes: air-gap separation, reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly and a double-check valve assembly. The water user may choose a higher level of protection than required by the water supplier. The minimum types of backflow protection required to protect the approved water supply at the user’s water connection to premises with varying degrees of hazard are listed in Table 1, Section 7604, Title 17, CCR. Situations which are not covered in Table 1 shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and the appropriate backflow protection shall be determined by the city. (Ord. 681 § 1 (part), 1988)
13.12.040 Backflow prevention assemblies.
Only backflow prevention assemblies which have been approved by the city shall be acceptable for installation by a water user. A list of approved backflow prevention assemblies will be provided upon request to any affected customer. Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in a manner prescribed in Section 7603, Title 17, CCR. Location of the assemblies shall be as close as practical to the user’s connection. The city shall have the final authority in determining the required location of a backflow prevention assembly. Testing of backflow assemblies shall be conducted only by qualified testers and testing will be the responsibility of the water user. Backflow prevention assemblies must be tested at least annually and immediately after installation, relocation or repair. More frequent testing may be required if deemed necessary by the city. No assembly shall be placed back in service unless it is functioning as required. These assemblies shall be serviced, overhauled, or replaced whenever they are found to be defective and all costs of testing, repair, and maintenance shall be borne by the water user. Approval must be obtained from the city prior to removing, relocating or replacing a backflow prevention assembly. (Ord. 681 § 1 (part), 1988)
13.12.050 Type of backflow protection required.
The type of protection that shall be provided to prevent backflow into the public water supply shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard that exists on the consumer’s premises. The type of protection device that may be required (listed in an increasing level of protection) includes: double-check valve assembly — (DC), reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device — (RP), and an air-gap separation — (AG). The water user may choose a higher level of protection than required by the water supplier. The minimum types of backflow protection required to protect the public water supply, at the water user’s connection to premises with various degrees of hazard are shown below. Situations which are not covered shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and the appropriate backflow protection shall be determined by the water supplier or health agency.
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Minimum Type of Backflow Prevention |
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(a) Sewage and Hazardous Substances. |
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(1) Premises where the public water system is used to supplement the reclaimed water supply. |
AG |
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(2) Premises where there are wastewater pumping and/or treatment plants and there is no interconnection with the potable water system. This does not include a single-family residence that has a sewage lift pump. A RP may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the health agency and water supplier. |
AG |
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(3) Premises where reclaimed water is used and there is no interconnection with the potable water system. A RP may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by health agency and water supplier. |
AG |
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(4) Premises where hazardous substances are handled in any manner in which the substances may enter the potable water system. This does not include a single-family residence that has a sewage lift pump. A RP may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the health agency and water supplier. |
AG |
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(5) Premises where there are irrigation systems into which fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides are, or can be injected. |
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(b) Auxiliary Water Supplies. |
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(1) Premises where there is an unapproved auxiliary water supply which is interconnected with the public water system. A RP or DC may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the health agency and water supplier. |
AG |
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(2) Premises where there is an unapproved auxiliary water supply and there are no interconnections with the public water system. A DC may be provided in lieu of a RP if approved by the health agency and water supplier. |
RP |
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(c) Fire Protection Systems. |
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(1) Premises where the fire system is directly supplied from the public water system and there is an unapproved auxiliary water supply on or to the premises (not interconnected). |
DC |
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(2) Premises where the fire system is supplied from the public water system and interconnected with an unapproved auxiliary water supply. A RP may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the health agency and water supplier. |
AG |
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(3) Premises where the fire system is supplied from the public water system and where either elevated storage tanks or fire pumps which take suction from private reservoirs or tanks are used. |
DC |
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(d) Dockside Watering Points and Marine Facilities. |
DC |
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(1) Pier hydrants for supplying water to vessels for any purpose. |
RP |
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(2) Premises where there are marine facilities. |
RP |
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(e) Premises where entry is restricted so that inspections for cross-connections cannot be made with sufficient frequency or at sufficient short notice to assure that cross connections do not exist. |
RP |
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(f) Premises where there is a repeated history of cross-connections being established or reestablished. |
RP |
(Ord. 681 § 1 (part), 1988)
13.12.060 Administration.
The cross-connection control program shall be administered by the water superintendent. The city will establish and maintain a list of approved backflow prevention assemblies as well as a list of approved backflow prevention assembly testers. The city shall conduct necessary surveys of water user premises to evaluate the degree of potential health hazards. The city shall notify users when an assembly needs to be tested. The notice shall contain the date when the test must be completed. (Ord. 681 § 1 (part), 1988)
13.12.070 Water service termination.
(a) When the city encounters water uses that represent a dear and immediate hazard to the potable water supply that cannot be immediately abated, the procedure for terminating water service shall be instituted. Conditions or water uses that create a basis for water service termination shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Refusal to install or to test a backflow prevention assembly, or to repair or replace a faulty backflow prevention assembly;
(2) Direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a sewer line;
(3) Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a system or equipment containing contaminants;
(4) Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and an auxiliary water system.
(b) For subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section, the city will terminate service to a water user’s premises after proper notification has been sent. If no action is taken within the allowed time period water service shall be terminated.
For subdivisions (2), (3) or (4) of subsection (a) of this section, the city shall take the following steps:
(1) Make reasonable effort to advise the water user of intent to terminate water service;
(2) Terminate water service and lock service valve. The water service shall remain inactive until correction of violations has been approved by the city. (Ord. 681 § 1 (part), 1988)