Chapter 2.07
CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL
Sections:
2.07.020 Cross connection protection requirements – General provisions.
2.07.030 Where protection is required.
2.07.040 Type of protection required.
2.07.050 Backflow prevention device.
2.07.080 Customer notification – Device installation.
2.07.090 Customer notification – Testing and maintenance.
2.07.100 Water service termination general.
2.07.110 Basis for termination.
2.07.120 Water service termination procedures.
2.07.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to:
A. 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;
B. To eliminate existing connections between drinking water systems and other sources of water that are not approved as safe and potable for human consumption;
C. To eliminate cross connections between drinking water systems and sources of contamination; and
D. To prevent the making of cross connections in the future.
These regulations are adopted pursuant to the 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 District 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 substances into the water supply system of the District and/or the service of water pipes or fixtures of any consumer of the District.
2.07.020 Cross connection protection requirements – General provisions.
A. Unprotected cross connections with the public water supply are prohibited.
B. Whenever backflow protection has been found necessary, the District will require the water user to install an approved backflow prevention device by and at his expense for continued services or before a new service will be granted.
C. Wherever backflow protection has been found necessary on a water supply line entering a water user’s premises, then any and all water supply line from the District’s mains entering such premises, buildings, or structures shall be protected by an approved backflow prevention device. The type of device to be installed will be in accordance with the requirements this code.
2.07.030 Where protection is required.
A. Each service connection from the District 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 District, and is approved by the public health agency having jurisdiction.
B. Each service connection from the District 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 into the public system. This shall include the handling of process waters and waters originating from the District water system which have been subjected to deterioration in sanitary quality.
C. Backflow prevention devices shall be installed on the service connection to any premises having (1) internal cross connection that cannot be permanently corrected and controlled to the satisfaction of the state or local health department and the District, or (2) intricate plumbing and piping arrangements or where entry to all portions of the premises is not readily accessible for inspection purposes, making it impracticable or impossible to ascertain whether or not cross connection exists.
2.07.040 Type of protection required.
The type of protection that shall be provided to prevent backflow into the approved water supply shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard that exists on the consumer’s premises. The type of protective device that may be required (listing 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 District. 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 Table 2.07.040 below.
Situations which are not covered in Table 2.07.040 shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and the appropriate backflow protection shall be determined by the District or health agency.
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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. |
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(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 District. |
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(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 District. |
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(AG) |
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4. Premises where hazardous substances are handled in any manner in which the substances 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 District. |
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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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(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 District. |
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(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 an RP if approved by the health agency and District. |
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(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 interconnection). |
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(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 District. |
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(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. |
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4. 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. |
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(RP) |
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5. Premises where there is a repeated history of cross connecting being established or reestablished. |
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(RP) |
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6. 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 District’s mains from pollution or contamination; in such cases the installation of approved backflow prevention devices at such service connections shall be required. |
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2.07.050 Backflow prevention device.
A. Approved Backflow Prevention Devices.
1. Only backflow prevention devices which have been approved by the District shall be acceptable for installation by a water user connected to the District’s potable water system.
2. The District will provide, upon request, to any affected customer a list of approved backflow prevention devices.
B. Backflow Prevention Device Installation.
1. Backflow prevention devices shall be installed in a manner prescribed in Section 7603, Title 22 of the California Administrative Code. Location of the devices should be as close as practical to the user’s connection. The District shall have the final authority in determining the required location of a backflow prevention device.
C. 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.
D. Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Device (RP). The approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device shall be installed on the user’s side of and as close to the service connection as is practical. The device shall be installed a minimum of 12 inches above grade and not more than 36 inches above the grade measured from the bottom of the device and with a minimum of 12 inches side clearance. The device shall be installed so that it is readily accessible for maintenance and testing. Water supplied from any point between the service connection and the RP device shall be protected in a manner approved by the District.
E. 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 device, so that the top of the device is no more than a maximum of eight inches below grade, so there is a minimum of six inches of clearance between the side of the device with the test cocks and the side of the vault, and so there is a minimum of three inches clearance between the other side of the device and the side of the vault.
Special consideration must be given to double check valve assemblies of the “Y” type. These devices must be installed on their side with the tests cocks in a vertical position so that either check valve may be removed for service without removing the device. Vaults which do not have an integrated bottom must be placed on a three-inch layer of gravel.
F. Backflow Prevention Device Testing and Maintenance.
1. The owners of any premises on which, or on account of which, backflow prevention devices are installed, shall have the devices tested by a person who has demonstrated their competency in testing of these devices to the District. Backflow prevention devices must be tested at least annually and immediately after installation, relocation or repair. The District may require a more frequent testing schedule if it is determined to be necessary. No device shall be placed back in service unless it is functioning as required. A report in a form acceptable to the District shall be filed with the District each time a device is tested, relocated, or repaired. These devices 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.
2. The District will supply affected water users with a list of persons acceptable to the District to test backflow prevention devices. The District will notify affected customers by mail when annual testing of a device is needed and also supply users with the necessary forms which must be filled out each time a device is tested or repaired.
3. Upon request the District will test a water user’s backflow prevention device to fulfill the requirements of this code. The water user will be charged for the test and any maintenance found necessary to keep the device in working order on the next regular water bill.
G. Backflow Prevention Device Removal.
1. Approval must be obtained from the District before a backflow prevention device is removed, relocated, or replaced as follows:
a. Removal. The use of a device may be discontinued and the device removed from service upon presentation of sufficient evidence to the District to verify that a hazard no longer exists or is not likely to be created in the future;
b. Relocation. A device may be relocated following confirmation by the District that the relocation will continue to provide the required protection and satisfy installation requirements. A retest will be required following the relocation of the device;
c. Repair. A device may be removed for repair, provided the water use is either discontinued until repair is completed and the device is returned to service, or the service connection is equipped with other backflow protection approved by the District. A retest will be required following the repair of the device; and
d. Replacement. A device may be removed and replaced provided the water use is discontinued until the replacement device is installed. All replacement devices must be approved by the District and must be commensurate with the degree of hazard involved.
2.07.060 Use supervisor.
At each premises where it is necessary, in the opinion of the District, a use supervisor shall be designated by and at the expense of the water user. This use supervisor shall be responsible for the monitoring of the backflow prevention devices and for avoidance of cross connections. In the event of contamination or pollution of the drinking water system due to a cross connection of the premises, the District shall be promptly notified by the use supervisor so that appropriate measures may be taken to overcome the contamination. The water user shall inform the District of the use supervisor’s identity on, as a minimum, an annual basis and whenever a change occurs.
2.07.070 Water system survey.
A. The District shall review all requests for new services to determine if backflow protection is needed. Plans and specifications must be submitted to the District 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 device is necessary to protect the public water system, the required device must be installed before service will be granted.
B. The District may require an on-premises inspection to evaluate cross connection hazards. The District 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 device the District considers necessary.
C. The District may, at its discretion, require a reinspection for cross connection hazards of any premises to which it serves water. The District 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 device the District considers necessary.
2.07.080 Customer notification – Device installation.
A. The District 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 devices.
B. 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 action. If no action is taken within the two-week period, the District may terminate water service to the affected water user until the required corrective actions are taken.
2.07.090 Customer notification – Testing and maintenance.
A. The District will notify each affected water user when it is time for the backflow prevention device installed on their service connection to be service connection tested. This written notice shall give the water users 30 days to have the device tested and supply the water user with the necessary form to be completed and resubmitted to the District.
B. A second notice shall be sent to each water user which does not have a backflow prevention device 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 backflow prevention device tested. If no action is taken within the two-week period, the District may terminate water service to the affected water user until the subject device is tested.
2.07.100 Water service termination general.
When the District encounters water users that represent a clear and immediate hazard to the potable water supply that cannot be immediately abated, the District shall institute the procedure for discontinuing the District water service.
2.07.110 Basis for termination.
A. 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 device;
2. Refusal to test a backflow prevention device;
3. Refusal to repair a faulty backflow prevention device;
4. Refusal to replace a faulty backflow prevention device;
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 hazard to the public water system.
2.07.120 Water service termination procedures.
A. For conditions 1, 2, 3, or 4, the District 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 may be terminated.
B. For conditions 5, 6, 7, or 8, the District will take the following steps:
1. Make reasonable effort to advise water user of intent to terminate water service.
2. Terminate water supply and lock service valve. The water service will remain inactive until correction of violations has been approved by the District.