Chapter 13.08
CROSS-CONNECTIONS
Sections:
13.08.005 Water supply protection required.
13.08.040 Installation required.
13.08.060 Repair and maintenance of equipment.
13.08.070 Access for inspection.
13.08.080 Certified backflow technician.
13.08.090 Public notification.
13.08.005 Water supply protection required.
No water service connection to any premises shall be installed or maintained by the town or any other water utility unless the water supply in the premises is protected as required. [Ord. 0607-01.]
13.08.010 Definitions.
“Backflow” means the reversal of the normal flow of water caused by either back-pressure or back-siphonage.
“Back-pressure” means the flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances under pressure into the feeding distribution pipes of a potable water supply system from any source other than the intended source.
“Back-siphonage” means the flow of water or other liquids or substances into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply from any source other than the intended source caused by the reduction of pressure in the potable water supply system.
“Cross-connections” means any connection which may allow nonpotable water or industrial fluids or other materials of questionable quality to come into contact with potable water inside a distribution system, including any temporary connections, swing connections, removable connections, four-way plug valves, swivel change-over devices, or other similar plumbing arrangements.
1. “Water, potable” means water that is safe for human consumption as described by the public health authority having jurisdiction.
2. “Water, nonpotable” means water that is not safe for human consumption or that is of questionable quality.
“Flow prevention assembly” means assembly or means designed to prevent backflow. See Appendix J, Chapter 10, Utah Plumbing Code, as adopted for specifications of such assemblies. [Ord. 0607-01 § A.]
13.08.020 Duty to inspect.
It shall be the responsibility of the water consumer to purchase, install, test and maintain backflow prevention devices where necessary and to control cross-connections. The consumer shall have certified inspections and operational tests at least once a year upon request of the town. Where the town deems a hazard to be great, the consumer may be required to have such inspections and test at a more frequent interval as prescribed by the town. All such tests shall be made according to the standard set forth by the Utah Department of Health. [Ord. 0607-01 § B.]
13.08.030 New construction.
The water department official of the town will review all plans for new construction and ensure that unprotected cross-connections are not an integral part of the consumer’s water system. If a cross-connection cannot be eliminated, protection will be required by installation of an air gap or other approved backflow prevention device in accordance with the International and Utah Plumbing Codes as adopted. Water vacating the drinking water supply must do so by means of an approved air gap or mechanical backflow prevention assembly as required by the code. [Ord. 0607-01 § C.]
13.08.040 Installation required.
Whenever the town deems a service connection’s water usage contributes a sufficient hazard to the water supply, installation of an approved backflow prevention assembly shall be required on the lateral service line of the consumer’s water system at or near the property line, or immediately inside the building being served, but before the first branch line leading off the lateral water line in any event. [Ord. 0607-01 § D.]
13.08.050 Existing equipment.
All backflow prevention assemblies existing at the time the ordinance codified in this chapter is adopted which do not meet the requirements hereof shall be excluded from the requirements hereof, provided they were approved for the purposes described herein at the time of installation and have been properly maintained. Such previously existing assemblies shall be subject to the periodic inspection and testing required by MMC 13.08.020. Whenever an existing assembly is moved to another location, or where it is determined to constitute a hazard to health, the unit shall be replaced by an approved backflow prevention assembly. [Ord. 0607-01 § E.]
13.08.060 Repair and maintenance of equipment.
The maintenance of all backflow prevention assemblies and cross-connection control devices required hereunder shall be the responsibility of the consumer, and failure to adequately maintain the required equipment shall be a violation. All installations and repairs of such equipment shall be effected by a certified backflow technician as provided in MMC 13.08.080. [Ord. 0607-01 § F.]
13.08.070 Access for inspection.
A consumer system shall be open for inspection at all reasonable times to authorized representatives of the town in order to determine if cross-connections or other hazards exist. Consumers shall be responsible to provide access across their property for inspection purposes free from litter, overgrowth, threat of vicious animals, or other hindrance that may be detrimental to ease of access. [Ord. 0607-01 § G.]
13.08.080 Certified backflow technician.
All tests of mechanical devices shall be conducted by a certified backflow technician. Such technician shall be responsible for the following:
A. Assure that acceptable testing equipment and procedures are used for the testing, repairing or overhauling of backflow prevention assemblies.
B. Make reports of such testing and/or repair to the consumer, the town and the Division of Drinking Water. Reports shall be in accordance with the Division of Drinking Water’s requirements.
C. Include in all reports a list of any materials or replacement parts used.
D. Assure that replacement parts are equal in quality to original parts and that any testing, repair or replacement does not change the design or operational characteristics of the assembly.
E. Maintain license in current condition and testing equipment in proper operating conditions.
F. Be competent to use all necessary equipment to properly test and maintain backflow prevention assemblies.
G. Tag each double check valve and pressure vacuum breaker; reduced pressure backflow assembly and high hazard air gap; show the serial number, date tested and by whom, including the technician’s license number. [Ord. 0607-01 § H.]
13.08.090 Public notification.
Although failure of a consumer to be aware of this chapter shall be no defense to violation, the water department shall use reasonable means to notify its customers of the hazards of cross-connections and the need for annual inspection of backflow assemblies. [Ord. 0607-01 § I.]
13.08.100 Records.
The water department shall keep reasonable records of cross-connection hazards and the condition of backflow assemblies, including those records required by state and federal agencies. It shall provide the tags required by MMC 13.08.080(G) upon request. [Ord. 0607-01 § J.]
13.08.110 Violations.
Service of water to a consumer found to be in violation of this chapter shall be discontinued by the town after written notice of the violation, 10 days suspended for voluntary compliance, and due process otherwise extended by the town before termination of water service. A violation exists:
A. If backflow prevention assembly required herein for control of cross-connections is not installed, tested or maintained;
B. It is found that a backflow prevention assembly is removed or has been bypassed;
C. If an unprotected cross-connection exists on the premises.
In addition to any penalty provided herein, violation of this chapter shall be a class B misdemeanor. [Ord. 0607-01 § K.]