Chapter 13.12
BACKFLOW AND CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL*
Sections:
13.12.030 Cross-connection protection requirements.
13.12.040 Backflow prevention assemblies.
13.12.060 Water service termination.
*Prior ordinance history: Ord. 90-07.
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. The ordinance codified in this chapter is adopted pursuant to Title 17, Sections 7583 through 7605, inclusive, of the California Code of Regulations, entitled “Regulations Relating To Cross-Connections.” (Ord. 93-002 § 1 (part): prior code § 10-10.01)
13.12.020 Responsibility.
The director of public works or designee shall be responsible for implementing and enforcing the cross-connection control program. A backflow prevention assembly acceptable to the director of public works 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 city’s requirements. (Ord. 93-002 § 1 (part): prior code § 10-10.02)
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 (AG), reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly (RP), and a double check valve assembly (DC). The water user may choose a higher level of protection than required by the water supplier. The minimum type 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 of Section 7604, Title 17 California Code of Regulations. 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 water supplier or Yolo County environmental health department. (Ord. 93-002 § 1 (part): prior code § 10-10.03)
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 of the California Code of Regulations. 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 type, size, and location of a backflow prevention assembly. Ownership of all required backflow prevention assemblies shall vest solely with the water user.
Testing of backflow assemblies shall be conducted only by AWWA certified testers approved by the director of pub1ic works 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 director of public works prior to removing, relocating or replacing a backflow prevention assembly. (Ord. 93-002 § 1 (part): prior code § 10-10.04)
13.12.050 Administration.
The cross-connection control program shall be administered by the director of public works or designee/cross-connection control specialist. The director of public works will establish and maintain a list of approved backflow prevention assemblies. The director of public works shall conduct necessary surveys of water user premises to evaluate the degree or potential health hazards. The director of public works shall notify user when an assembly needs to be tested. The notice shall contain the date when the test must be completed. Results of the test shall be supplied to the director of public works within thirty (30) days of the required test. (Ord. 93-002 § 1 (part): prior code § 10-10.05)
13.12.060 Water service termination.
When the director of public works encounters water uses that represent a clear 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.
For condition 1, the director of public works 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 conditions 2, 3, or 4, the director of public works shall take the following steps:
1. Make reasonable effort to advise the water user of the intention 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 director of public works. (Ord. 93-002 § 1 (part): prior code § 10-10.06)
13.12.070 Installation.
Upon adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter, the director of public works shall notify, in writing, all water users whose service represents a hazard under this chapter. Within forty-five (45) days of the notice, the user shall either eliminate the hazard to the satisfaction of the director of public works or install an approved protective device on their service. Failure to comply with this requirement shall result in immediate termination of service as outlined in Section 13.12.060. (Ord. 93-002 § 1 (part): prior code § 10-10.07)