Chapter 13.09
CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL PROGRAM
Sections:
13.09.040 Cross-connection protection requirements.
13.09.050 Type of backflow protection required (degree of hazard).
13.09.060 Backflow prevention assemblies.
13.09.080 Administrative procedures.
13.09.090 Water service termination.
13.09.100 Requirements for the certification of backflow prevention device technician.
13.09.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to (1) protect the public water supply against actual or potential contamination through cross-connections by isolating sources of contamination that may occur within a water user’s premises because of some undiscovered or unauthorized cross-connection on the premises; (2) eliminate existing connections between drinking water systems and other sources of water that are not approved as and potable for human consumption; (3) eliminate cross-connections between drinking water systems and sources of contamination; (4) prevent the making of cross-connections in the future.
These regulations are adopted pursuant to the State of California Administrative Code, Title 17 – Public Health entitled “Regulations Relating to Cross-Connections.”
It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation at any time to make or maintain or cause to be made or maintained, temporarily or permanently, for any period of time whatsoever, any cross-connection between plumbing pipes or water fixtures being served with water by the city water department and any other source of water supply or to maintain any sanitary fixture or other appurtenances or fixtures which, by reason of their construction, may cause or allow backflow of water or other substance into the water supply system of the city and/or the service of water pipes or fixtures of any consumer of city. (Ord. 429 § 1, 1995).
13.09.020 Responsibility.
The {general manager/cross-connection control specialist} 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 user 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 water supplier’s requirements. (Ord. 429 § 1, 1995).
13.09.030 Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
A. “Air-gap separation” means 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.
B. “Approved backflow prevention assembly” means an assembly which has passed laboratory and field evaluation tests performed by a recognized testing organization which has demonstrated its competency to perform such tests to the California Department of Health Services.
C. “Approved water supply” means any water supply whose potability is regulated by state or local health agency.
D. “Auxiliary supply” means any water supply on or available to the premises other than the approved water supply.
E. “AWWA standard” means an official standard developed and approved by the American Water Works Association (AWWA).
F. “Backflow” means a flow condition, caused by differential in pressure, that causes the flow of water from or other liquids, gases, mixtures or substances onto the distributing pipes of a potable supply of water from any source or sources other than an approved water supply source. Backsiphonage is one cause of backflow. Back pressure is the other cause.
G. “Contamination” means a degradation of the quality of the potable water by any foreign substance which creates a hazard to the public health, or which may impair the usefulness or quality of water.
H. “Cross-connection” as used in this chapter means any unprotected actual or potential connection between a potable water system used to supply water for drinking purposes and any other source or system containing unapproved water or a substance that is not or cannot be approved as safe, wholesome and potable. Bypass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeover assemblies, or other assemblies through which backflow could occur, shall be considered to be cross-connections.
I. “Double check valve assembly” means an assembly of two internally loaded, independently acting check valves, including resilient seated shut-off valves on each end of the assembly and test cocks for testing the watertightness of each check valve.
J. “Health agency” means the California Department of Health Services, or the local health agency with respect to a small water system.
K. “Local health agency” means the county or city health authority.
L. “Person” means an individual, corporation, company, association, partnership, municipality, public utility, or other public body or institution.
M. “Premises” means any and all areas on water user’s property which are served or have the potential to be served by the public water system.
N. “Public water system” means a system for the provisions of piped water to the public for human consumption that has five or more service connections or regularly serves an average of 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year.
O. “Reclaimed water” means a wastewater which, as a result of treatment, is suitable for uses other than potable use.
P. “Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly” means an assembly incorporating two internally loaded, independently operating check valves and an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two check valves including resilient seated shut-off valves on each end of assembly, and equipped with necessary test cocks for testing the assembly.
Q. “Service connection” means and refers to the point of connection of user’s piping to the water supplier’s facilities.
R. “Water supplier” means the person who owns or operates the approved water supply system.
S. “Water user” means any person obtaining water from an approved water supply system. (Ord. 429 § 1, 1995).
13.09.040 Cross-connection protection requirements.
A. General Provisions.
1. Unprotected cross-connections with the public water supply are prohibited.
2. Whenever backflow protection has been found necessary, the city will require the water user to install an approved backflow prevention assembly by and at his expense for continued services or before a new service will be granted.
3. Whenever backflow protection has been found necessary on water supply line entering a water user’s premises, then any and all water supply lines from the city’s mains entering such premises, building or structures shall be protected by an approved backflow prevention assembly. The type of assembly to be installed will be in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
B. Where Protection is Required.
1. Each service connection from the city 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 accepted as an additional source by the city, and is approved by the public health agency having jurisdiction.
2. Each service connection from the city water system for supplying water to any premises on which any substance is handled in such fashion as may allow its entry into the water system shall be protected against backflow of the water from the premises onto the public system. This shall include the handling of process waters and waters originating from the city water system which have been subjected to deterioration in sanitary quality.
3. Backflow prevention assemblies will be installed on the service connection to any premises having (a) internal cross-connection that cannot be permanently corrected and controlled to the satisfaction of the state or local health department and the city, or (b) intricate plumbing and piping arrangements or where entry to all portions or the premises is not readily accessible for inspection purposes, making it impracticable or impossible to ascertain whether or not cross-connections exist.
C. Type of Protection Required.
1. The type of protection that will be provided to prevent backflow into the approved water supply will be commensurate with the degree of hazard that exists on the consumer’s premises. The type of protective assembly that may be required (listing in an increasing level of protection) includes double check valve assembly (DC), reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly (RP), and an air-gap separation (AG). The water user may choose a higher level of protection than required by the city. 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 given in HMC 13.09.050. Situations which are not covered in HMC 13.09.050 shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and the appropriate backflow protection shall be determined by the city or health agency. (Ord. 429 § 1, 1995).
13.09.050 Type of backflow protection required (degree of hazard).
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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. An RP may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the health agency and the city. |
(AG) |
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3. Premises where reclaimed water is used and there is no interconnection with the potable water system. An RP may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the health agency and the city. |
(AG) |
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4. Premises where hazardous substances are handled in any manner in which the substance may enter a potable water system. This does not include a single-family residence that has a sewage lift pump. An RP may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the health agency and the city. |
(AG) |
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5. Premises where there are irrigation systems into which fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides are, or can be, injected. |
(RP) |
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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. An RP or DC may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the health agency and the city. |
(AG) |
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2. Premises where there is an unapproved auxiliary water supply and there are not interconnections with the public water system. A DC may be provided in lieu of an RP if approved by the health agency and the city. |
(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. An RP may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the health agency and the city. |
(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 the private reservoirs or tanks are used. |
(DC) |
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D. Premises where entry is restricted so that inspections for cross-connections cannot be made with sufficient frequency or at sufficiently short notice to assure that cross-connections do not exist. |
(RP) |
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E. Premises where there is repeated history of cross-connections being established or re-established. |
(RP) |
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1. Two or more services supplying water from different street mains to the same building, structure or premises through which an interstreet main flow may occur shall have at least a standard check valve on each water service to be located adjacent to and on the property side of the respective meters. Such check valve shall not be considered adequate if backflow protection is deemed necessary to protect the city’s mains from pollution or contamination; in such cases the installation of approved backflow assemblies at such service connections shall be required. |
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(Ord. 429 § 1, 1995).
13.09.060 Backflow prevention assemblies.
A. Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies.
1. Only backflow prevention assemblies which have been approved by the California Department of Health Services shall be acceptable for installation by a water user connected to the city’s potable water system.
2. The city will provide, upon request, to any affected customer with a list of approved backflow prevention assemblies.
B. Backflow Prevention Assembly Installation. Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in a manner prescribed in Section 7603, Title 17 of the California Administrative Code. Location of the assemblies should 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.
1. Air-Gap Separation (AG). The air-gap separation shall be located on the user’s side of and as close to the service connection as is practical. All piping from the service connection to the receiving tank shall be above grade and be entirely visible. No water use shall be provided from any point between the service connection and the air-gap separation. The water inlet piping shall terminate a distance of at least two pipe diameters of the supply inlet, but in no case less than one inch above the overflow rim of the receiving tank.
2. Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assembly (RP). The approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly shall be installed on the user’s side of and as close to the service connection as is practical. The assembly shall be installed a minimum of 12 inches above grade and not more than 36 inches above grade measured from the bottom of the assembly and with a minimum of 12 inches side clearance. The assembly shall be installed so that it is readily accessible from any point between the service connection and the RP assembly shall be protected in a manner approved by the city.
3. Double Check Valve Assembly (DC). The approved double check valve assembly shall be located as close as practical to the user’s connection and shall be installed above grade, if possible, and in a manner where it is readily accessible for testing and maintenance. If a double check valve assembly is put below grade it must be installed in a vault such that there is a minimum of six inches between the bottom of the vault and the bottom of the assembly, so that the top of the assembly is no more than a maximum of eight inches below grade, so there is a minimum of 24 inches of clearance between the side of the assembly and the side of the vault. Special considerations must be given to double check valve assemblies of the “Y” type. These assemblies must be installed on their side with the test cocks in a vertical position so that either check valve may be removed for service without removing the assembly. Vaults which do not have an integrated bottom must be placed on a three-inch layer of gravel.
C. Backflow Prevention Assembly Testing and Maintenance.
1. The owners of any premises on which, or on account of which, backflow prevention assemblies are installed shall have the assemblies tested by a person who has demonstrated his/her competency in testing of these assemblies to the city. Backflow prevention assemblies must be tested at least annually and immediately after installation, relocation or repair. The city may require a more frequent testing schedule if it is determined to be necessary. No assembly shall be placed back in service unless it is functioning as required. A report in a form acceptable to the city shall be filed with the city each time an assembly is tested, relocated or repaired. 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 at the consumer’s own expense.
2. In the event the city does not have an employee qualified to perform the testing, the city will supply affected water users with a list of persons acceptable to the city to test, repair and install backflow prevention assemblies. The city will notify affected customers by mail when annual testing of assembly is needed and also supply users with the necessary forms which must be filled out each time an assembly is tested or repaired. All costs of such testing, repair and installation will be billed to the user.
3. The city will test a water user’s backflow prevention assembly to fulfill the requirements of this chapter. The water user will be charged for the test and any maintenance found necessary to keep the assembly in working order on the next regular water bill.
D. Backflow Prevention Assembly Removal. Approval must be obtained from the city before a backflow prevention assembly is removed, relocated or replaced.
1. Removal. The use of an assembly may be discontinued and the assembly removed from service upon presentation of sufficient evidence to the city to verify that a hazard no longer exists or is not likely to be created in the future;
2. Relocation. An assembly may be relocated following confirmation by the city that the relocation will continue to provide the required protection and satisfy installation requirements. A retest will be required following the relocation of the assembly;
3. Repair. An assembly may be removed for repair, provided the water use is either discontinued until repair is completed and the assembly is returned to service, or the service connection is equipped with other backflow protection approved by the city. A retest will be required following the repair of the assembly; and
4. Replacement. An assembly may be removed and replaced provided the water use is discontinued until the replacement assembly is installed. All replacement assemblies must be approved by the city and must be commensurate with the degree of hazard involved. (Ord. 429 § 1, 1995).
13.09.070 User supervisor.
At each premises where it is necessary, in the opinion of the city, a user supervisor shall be designated by and at the expense of the water user. This user supervisor shall be responsible for the monitoring of the backflow prevention assemblies and for avoidance of cross-connections. In the event of contamination or pollution of the drinking water system due to a cross-connection on the premises, the city shall be promptly notified by the user supervisor so that appropriate measures may be taken to overcome that contamination. The water user shall inform the city of the user supervisor’s identity on, as a minimum, an annual basis and whenever a change occurs. (Ord. 429 § 1, 1995).
13.09.080 Administrative procedures.
A. Water System Survey.
1. The city will review all requests for new services to determine if backflow protection is needed. Plans and specifications must be submitted to the city upon request for review of possible cross-connection hazards as a condition of service for new service connections. If it is determined that a backflow prevention assembly is necessary to protect the public water system, the required assembly must be installed before service will be granted.
2. The city will require an on-premises inspection to evaluate cross-connection hazards. The city will transmit a written notice requesting an inspection appointment to each affected water user. Any water user who cannot or will not allow an on-premises inspection of his piping system shall be required to install the backflow prevention assembly the city considers necessary.
3. The city will, at its discretion, require a reinspection for cross-connection hazards of any premises to which it serves water. The city will transmit a written notice requesting an inspection appointment to each affected water user. Any water user who cannot or will not allow an on-premises inspection of his piping system shall be required to install the backflow prevention assembly the city considers necessary.
B. Customer Notification – Assembly Installation.
1. The city will notify the water user of the survey findings, listing the corrective actions to be taken if any are required. A period of 60 days will be given to complete all corrective actions required, including installation of backflow prevention assemblies.
2. A second notice will be sent to each water user who does not take the required corrective actions prescribed in the first notice within the 60-day period allowed. The second notice will give the water user a two-week period to take the required corrective actions. If no action is taken within the two-week period the city may terminate water service to the affected water user until required corrective actions are taken.
C. Customer Notification – Testing and Maintenance.
1. The city will notify each affected water user when it is time for the backflow prevention assembly installed on their service connection to be tested. This written notice shall give the water user 30 days to have the assembly tested and supply the water user with the necessary form to be completed and resubmitted to the city.
2. A second notice shall be sent to each water user which does not have his/her backflow prevention assembly tested as prescribed in the first notice within the 30-day period allowed. The second notice will give the water user a two-week period to have his/her backflow prevention assembly tested. If no action is taken within the two-week period the city may terminate water service to the affected water user until the subject assembly is tested.
D. The city will install and test a water user’s backflow prevention assembly to fulfill the requirements of this chapter. The water user will be charged for the installation, testing and maintenance found necessary to keep the assembly in working order on the next regular water bill. (Ord. 429 § 1, 1995).
13.09.090 Water service termination.
A. General. When the city encounters water users that represent a clear and immediate hazard to the potable water supply that cannot be immediately abated, the city shall institute the procedure for discontinuing the city water service.
B. Basis for Termination. Conditions or water uses that create a basis for water service termination shall include, but are not limited to, the following items:
1. Refusal to install a required backflow prevention assembly;
2. Refusal to test a backflow prevention assembly;
3. Refusal to repair faulty backflow prevention assembly;
4. Refusal to replace a faulty backflow prevention assembly;
5. Direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a sewer line;
6. Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a system or equipment containing contaminants;
7. Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and an auxiliary water system;
8. A situation which presents an immediate health hazard to the public water system.
C. Water Service Termination Procedures.
1. For conditions 1, 2, 3 or 4 in subsection B of this section, the city will terminate service to a customer’s premises after two written notices have been sent specifying the corrective action needed and the time period in which it must be done. If no action is taken within the allowed time period water service will be terminated.
2. For conditions 5, 6, 7 or 8 in subsection B of this section, the city will take the following steps:
a. Make reasonable effort to advise water user of intent to terminate water service;
b. Terminate water supply and lock service valve. The water service will remain inactive until correction of violations have been approved by the city.
D. Office Hearing. The water supplier should arrange an office hearing at the water user’s request. The participants in the hearing will typically include the customer or his representative, the water supplier’s cross-connection program manager, and the inspector that made the survey of the user’s premises. Additional participants may include the program manager’s supervisor and health agency representative.
The purpose of the hearing is to allow the water user to present his arguments against complying with either the directives or the schedule given in the water supplier’s notice. Because the responsibility for the decision rests upon the water supplier or his agent, the health agency representative should only act in an advisory capacity unless it has contracted with the water supplier to manage his cross-connection program.
The office hearing should result in clear directive to the water user of the corrective actions, if any, that he must take and a schedule for compliance. This should be confirmed in writing by the water supplier within five days. Should the user fail to comply the water supplier may, as appropriate, either schedule another hearing or terminate water service to the user’s premises. (Ord. 429 § 1, 1995).
13.09.100 Requirements for the certification of backflow prevention device technician.
Each applicant for certification as a technician of backflow prevention assemblies shall file an approved application with the city clerk, together with a fee as may be established by the city council by resolution. Competency in all phases of backflow prevention assembly testing and repair must be demonstrated by means of education and/or experience in order to obtain certification.
The following are minimum requirements:
A. Applicants shall have at least two years’ experience in plumbing or pipe fitting or equivalent qualifications.
B. Applicants shall hold a valid certification from the American Water Works Association (AWWA), California-Nevada Section, from a county certification program, or have equivalent training in the opinion of the city and health department.
C. Each applicant for certification as a technician of backflow prevention assemblies shall furnish evidence to show that he has available the necessary tools and equipment to properly test such assemblies. He shall be responsible for the competency and accuracy of all tests and reports prepared by him. The certificate issued to any technician is valid for a period of one year and may be revoked, suspended, or not renewed by the city for improper testing, repairs and/or reporting. (Ord. 429 § 1, 1995).