Chapter 13.30
CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL AND BACKFLOW PREVENTION
Sections:
13.30.020 Purpose of chapter – Establishment of control program.
13.30.030 Appeals from decisions under chapter.
13.30.040 Protection of potable water supply generally – Labeling of certain outlets.
13.30.050 Adoption of state regulations.
13.30.060 Inspections for cross-connections.
13.30.070 Duties of property owners as to inspection and testing of backflow prevention devices.
13.30.010 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
“Backflow” means the flow of contaminants, pollutants, process fluids, untreated waters, chemicals, gases or nonpotable waters into any part of a waterworks.
“Backflow prevention device” means any approved device, method or type of construction intended to prevent backflow into a waterworks.
“Consumer” means the owner or person in control of any premises supplied by, or in any manner connected to, a waterworks.
“Consumer’s water system” means any water system located on the consumer’s premises, supplied by or in any manner connected to, a waterworks.
“Contamination” means any introduction into pure water of microorganisms, wastes, wastewater, undesirable chemicals or gases.
“Cross-connection” means any connection or structural arrangement, direct or indirect, to the waterworks whereby backflow can occur.
“Degree of hazard” is a term derived from an evaluation of the potential risk to health and the adverse effect upon the waterworks.
“Health hazard” means any condition, device or practice in a waterworks or its operation that creates or may create a danger to the health, safety or well-being of the water consumer.
“Pollution” means the presence of any foreign substance (chemical, physical, radiological or biological) in water that tends to degrade its quality so as to constitute an unnecessary risk or impair the usefulness of the water.
“Pollution hazard” means a condition through which an aesthetically objectionable or degrading material may enter the waterworks or a consumer’s water system.
“Process fluids” means any fluid or solution which may be chemically, biologically or otherwise contaminated or polluted which would constitute a health, pollutant or system hazard, if introduced into the waterworks. This includes, but is not limited to:
(1) Polluted or contaminated waters.
(2) Process waters.
(3) Cooling waters.
(4) Contaminated natural waters taken from wells, lakes, streams or irrigation systems.
(5) Chemicals in solution or suspension.
(6) Oils, gases, acids, alkalis and other liquid and gaseous fluids used in industrial or other processes or for firefighting purposes.
“Pure water” or “potable water” means water fit for human consumption and use which is sanitary and normally free of minerals, organic substances and toxic agents in excess of reasonable amounts for domestic usage in the area served and normally adequate in supply for the minimum health requirement of the person served.
“Service connection” means the terminal end of a service line from the waterworks. If a meter is installed at the end of the service, then the service connection means the downstream end of the meter.
“System hazard” means a condition posing an actual, or threat of, damage to the physical properties of the waterworks or a consumer’s water system.
“Water purveyor” means an individual, group of individuals, partnership, firm, association, institution, corporation, municipal corporation, city or authority which supplies water to any person within this city from or by means of any waterworks.
“Waterworks” means all structures and appliances used in connection with the collection, storage, purification and treatment of water for drinking or domestic use and the distribution thereof to the public or residential consumers as set forth in Section 32.1-167 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. (Code 1964, § 19-26; Code 1985, § 29-63).
13.30.020 Purpose of chapter – Establishment of control program.
(1) The purpose of this chapter is:
(a) To protect the public potable water supply of the city and the city’s complete water system, including the system of the Augusta County Service Authority, from the possibility of contamination or pollution, by isolating within its customers’ internal distribution systems contaminants or pollutants which could backflow into the public water supply system; and
(b) To eliminate or control existing cross-connections, actual or potential, at each water outlet from the consumer’s service line; and
(c) To provide for the maintenance of a continuing program of cross-connection control which will systematically and effectively prevent the contamination or pollution of the potable water system.
(2) There is hereby established a cross-connection control program which shall be in the charge of the building official. (Code 1964, § 19-28; Code 1985, § 29-64).
13.30.030 Appeals from decisions under chapter.
The board of building code appeals shall act as the appeal board to review decisions of the building official or any inspector made pursuant to this chapter. The owner, or his designated agent, may submit, in writing, to the chairman of such board his desire to appeal a decision concerning an alleged violation found during an inspection of his property pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. (Code 1964, § 19-32; Code 1985, § 29-65).
13.30.040 Protection of potable water supply generally – Labeling of certain outlets.
The potable water made available on the properties served by the waterworks shall be protected from possible contamination or pollution by enforcement of this chapter and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Any water outlet which could be used for potable or domestic purposes and is not supplied by the potable system must be labeled as “Water Unsafe for Drinking” in a conspicuous manner. (Code 1964, § 19-29; Code 1985, § 29-66).
13.30.050 Adoption of state regulations.
In addition to the provisions of this chapter, the city council hereby adopts by reference Section 6.00, Cross-Connection and Backflow Prevention Control in Waterworks, of the Commonwealth of Virginia Waterworks Regulations. For the purposes of this section, lawn sprinkler systems and irrigation systems, as referred to in paragraph 6.03.03, line k, of such Section 6.00, are defined as permanent underground systems. (Code 1964, § 19-26; Code 1985, § 29-67).
13.30.060 Inspections for cross-connections.
(1) It shall be the duty of the building official to cause inspections to be made of properties served by the waterworks where cross-connection with the waterworks is deemed possible. The frequency of inspections and re-inspections, based on the potential health hazards involved, shall be established by the building official in the cross-connection control and backflow prevention program, as approved by the state Department of Health.
(2) The building official or his designated agent shall inspect the plumbing in every building or premises in the city, as frequently as, in his judgment, may be necessary, to ensure that such plumbing has been installed and is maintained in such a manner as to prevent the possibility of pollution or contamination of the public water supply. The building official shall notify or cause to be notified, in writing, the owner, or his designated agent, of any such building or premises to correct, within a reasonable time set by the building official, any plumbing installed or existing contrary to or in violation of this chapter and which, in his judgment, may permit the pollution of the city water supply or otherwise adversely affect the public health.
(3) The building official or his authorized representative shall have the right to enter, at any reasonable time, properties served by a connection to the waterworks of the city, for the purpose of inspecting the piping system for cross-connections. Upon request, the owner or occupant of the property served shall furnish to the building official pertinent information regarding the piping system on such property. The refusal of such information or refusal of access, when requested, shall be deemed evidence of the presence of cross-connections. (Code 1964, § 19-27; Code 1985, § 29-68).
13.30.070 Duties of property owners as to inspection and testing of backflow prevention devices.
It shall be the duty of the owner of any premises where backflow prevention devices are installed to have a competent inspection made of such devices at least once a year. The inspection must be made at the expense of the owner on or before January 31st of each year following the initial installation. Records of the tests and necessary repairs, if any, shall be kept by the owner, and a copy must be filed with the office of the building official within 10 days after completion of the tests and necessary repairs. It shall also be the duty of the owner to provide sufficient information to the office of the building official to ensure that all required tests are conducted by persons duly certified by an examining agent approved by the building official. (Code 1964, § 19-31; Code 1985, § 29-69).
13.30.080 Denial or discontinuance of service for lack of backflow prevention device, existence of cross-connection, etc.
The water purveyor may deny or discontinue water service to a consumer, if any required backflow prevention device is not installed. If it is found that any such device has been removed or bypassed, or if a cross-connection exists on the premises, or if the pressure in the waterworks is lowered by the consumer below 10 psi, the purveyor shall take positive action to ensure that the waterworks is adequately protected at all times. Water service to such premises shall not be restored until the deficiencies have been corrected or eliminated in accordance with Commonwealth of Virginia Waterworks Regulations and to the satisfaction of the purveyor. (Code 1964, § 19-29; Code 1985, § 29-70).