Chapter 12.70
BACKFLOW PREVENTION STANDARDS
Sections:
12.70.060 Inspection, testing and repair.
12.70.070 Reporting and recordkeeping.
12.70.100 Violations and penalties.
12.70.110 Conflict with other codes.
12.70.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to protect the city’s water system from contaminants or pollutants that could enter the distribution system by backflow from a customer’s water supply system through the service connection. (Ord. 4-2021 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021).
12.70.020 Authority.
A. The authority to implement this program is contained in the following statutes, legislation, regulations and acts:
1. Sections 1-114 and 1-114.1 of Title 25, C.R.S.;
2. Section 39 of 5 CCR 1002-11, Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations;
3. Colorado Plumbing Code.
B. The city shall have the authority to survey all service connections within the distribution system to determine if the connection is a cross-connection.
C. The city shall have the authority to control all service connections within the distribution system if the connection is a cross-connection.
D. The city may control any service connections within the distribution system in lieu of a survey as long as the service connection is controlled with an air gap or reduced pressure zone backflow prevention assembly.
E. The city may collect fees for the administration of this program.
F. The city shall maintain records of cross-connection surveys and the installation, testing and repair of all backflow prevention assemblies installed for containment and containment by isolation purposes.
G. Except as otherwise provided herein, the city shall administer, implement and enforce the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 4-2021 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021).
12.70.030 Applicability.
This chapter applies to all commercial, industrial and multifamily residential service connections within the city’s water system and to any persons outside the city who are, by contract or agreement with the city, users of the city’s water system. This chapter does not apply to single-family residential service connections unless the city becomes aware of a cross-connection at the single-family connection. (Ord. 4-2021 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021).
12.70.040 Reserved.
(Ord. 4-2021 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021).
12.70.050 Requirements.
A. Commercial, industrial, and multifamily service connections shall be subject to a survey for cross-connections. If a cross-connection has been identified, an appropriate backflow prevention assembly and/or method shall be installed at the customer’s water service connection within 120 days of its discovery. The assembly shall be installed downstream of the water meter or as close to that location as deemed practical by the city. If the assembly or method cannot be installed within 120 days, the city must take action to control or remove the cross-connection, suspend service to the cross-connection or receive an alternative compliance schedule from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
B. In no case shall it be permissible to have connections or tees between the meter and the containment backflow prevention assembly.
C. In instances where a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer cannot be installed, the owner must install approved backflow prevention devices or methods at all cross-connections within the owner’s plumbing system.
D. Backflow prevention assemblies and methods shall be installed in a location which provides access for maintenance, testing and repair.
E. Reduced pressure principle backflow preventers shall not be installed in a manner subject to flooding.
F. Provisions shall be made to provide adequate drainage from the discharge of water from reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assemblies. Such discharge shall be conveyed in a manner which does not impact waters of the state.
G. All assemblies and devices shall be protected to prevent freezing. Those assemblies and methods used for seasonal services may be removed in lieu of being protected from freezing. The devices must be reinstalled and then tested by a certified cross-connection control technician prior to the service being activated.
H. Where a backflow prevention assembly or method is installed on the city’s water supply system using storage water heating equipment such that thermal expansion causes an increase in pressure, a device for controlling pressure shall be installed.
I. All backflow prevention assemblies shall be tested at the time of installation and on an annual schedule thereafter. Such tests must be conducted by a certified cross-connection control technician.
J. The city shall require inspection, testing, maintenance and as needed repairs and replacement of all backflow prevention assemblies and methods, and of all required installations within the owner’s plumbing system in the cases where containment, assemblies and/or methods cannot be installed.
K. All costs for design, installation, maintenance, testing and as needed repair and replacement are borne by the customer.
L. No grandfather clauses exist except for fire sprinkler systems where the installation of a backflow prevention assembly or method will compromise the integrity of the fire sprinkler system.
M. For new buildings, all building plans must be submitted to the city’s building department and public works department and approved prior to the issuance of water service. Building plans must show:
1. Water service type, size and location;
2. Meter size and location;
3. Backflow prevention assembly size, type and location; and
4. Fire sprinkler system(s) service line, size and type of backflow prevention assembly.
a. All fire sprinkling lines shall have a minimum protection of an approved double check valve assembly for containment of the system.
b. All glycol (ethylene or propylene), or antifreeze systems shall have an approved reduced pressure principle backflow preventer for containment.
c. Dry fire systems shall have an approved double check valve assembly installed upstream of the air pressure valve.
d. In cases where the installation of a backflow prevention assembly or method will compromise the integrity of the fire sprinkler system the city will not require the backflow protection. The city will measure chlorine residual at the service connection once a month and perform periodic bacteriological testing at the site. If the city suspects water quality issues, the city will evaluate the practicability of requiring that the fire sprinkler system be flushed periodically. (Ord. 4-2021 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021).
12.70.060 Inspection, testing and repair.
A. Backflow prevention devices or methods shall be tested by a certified cross-connection control technician upon installation and tested at least annually thereafter. The tests shall be made at the expense of the customer.
B. Any backflow prevention devices or methods that are nontestable shall be inspected at least annually by a certified cross-connection control technician. The inspections shall be made at the expense of the customer.
C. As necessary, backflow prevention devices shall be repaired and retested or replaced and tested at the expense of the customer whenever the devices are found to be defective.
D. Testing gauges shall be tested and calibrated for accuracy at least once annually. (Ord. 4-2021 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021).
12.70.070 Reporting and recordkeeping.
A. Copies of records of test reports, repairs and retests, and replacements shall be kept by the customer for a minimum of three years.
B. Copies of records of test reports, repairs and retests shall be submitted to the city by mail, facsimile or email by the testing company or testing technician.
C. Information on test reports shall include, but may not be limited to:
1. Assembly or method type;
2. Assembly or method location;
3. Assembly make, model and serial number;
4. Assembly size;
5. Test date;
6. Test results including all results that would justify a pass or fail outcome;
7. Certified cross-connection control technical certification agency;
8. Technician’s certification expiration date;
9. Test kit manufacturer, model and serial number; and
10. Test kit calibration date. (Ord. 4-2021 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021).
12.70.080 Right of entry.
A properly credentialed representative of the city shall have the right of entry to survey any and all buildings and premises for the presence of cross-connections for possible contamination risk and for determining compliance with this chapter. This right of entry shall be a condition of water service in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of customers throughout the city’s distribution system. (Ord. 4-2021 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021).
12.70.090 Compliance.
A. Customers shall cooperate with the installation, inspection, testing, maintenance, and as needed repair and replacement of backflow prevention assemblies and with the survey process. For any identified uncontrolled cross-connections, the city shall complete one of the following actions within 120 days of its discovery:
1. Control the cross-connection;
2. Remove the cross-connection; or
3. Suspend service to the cross-connection.
B. The city shall give notice in writing to any owner whose plumbing system has been found to present a risk to the city’s water distribution system through an uncontrolled cross-connection. The notice and order shall state that the owner must install a backflow prevention assembly or method at each service connection to the owner’s premises to contain the water service. The notice and order will give a date by which the owner must comply with the order.
C. In instances where a backflow prevention assembly or method cannot be installed, the owner must install approved backflow prevention devices or methods at all cross-connections within the owner’s water supply system. The notice and order will give a date by which the owner must comply with the order. (Ord. 4-2021 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021).
12.70.100 Violations and penalties.
Any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be punishable as provided in all applicable statutes, laws, and regulations. (Ord. 4-2021 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021).
12.70.110 Conflict with other codes.
If a dispute or conflict arises between the Colorado Plumbing Code as adopted herein, and any plumbing, mechanical, building, electrical, fire or other code adopted by the city or state, then the most stringent provisions of each respective code shall prevail. (Ord. 4-2021 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021).