Chapter 13.12
PROTECTION FROM WATER CONTAMINATION*
Sections:
13.12.020 Installation prohibited.
13.12.030 Levels of protection.
13.12.040 Service – Noncompliance.
13.12.050 Installation conditions.
13.12.060 Minimum requirements.
13.12.070 Inspection – Standards.
*Prior legislation: Prior code §§ 7.08.020 – 7.08.040.
13.12.010 Definitions.
The following words and phrases whenever used in this chapter shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:
A. “Backflow” means the flow other than the intended direction of flow of any foreign liquids, gases, or substances into the distribution system of a public water supply.
B. “Backflow prevention device” means a device to counteract back pressure or prevent back siphonage.
C. “Cross-connection” means any physical arrangement whereby a public water supply is connected, directly or indirectly, with any other water supply system, sewer, drain, conduit, pool, storage reservoir, plumbing fixture, or other device which contains or may contain contaminated water, sewage, or other waste or liquids of unknown or unsafe quality which may be capable of imparting contamination to the public water supply as a result of backflow.
D. “Director” means the director or water superintendent of the water department of the city. (Prior code § 7.08.010).
13.12.020 Installation prohibited.
The installation or maintenance of any cross-connection within the city’s public water supply is prohibited, except as authorized in this chapter. Any such cross-connection now existing or hereafter installed is declared subject to immediate termination of water service, and any such cross-connection shall be abated immediately. A cross-connection is a system that connects a potable water supply with a nonpotable water supply or contaminated water source. (Ord. 1201 § 1, 1999).
13.12.030 Levels of protection.
The control or elimination of cross-connections shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC 246-290-490). The policies, procedures and criteria for determining appropriate levels of protection shall be in accordance with “The Accepted Procedures and Practice in Cross-Connection Control Manual,” as published by the Pacific Northwest Section, American Waterworks Association, May 1990, Fifth Edition. (Ord. 1201 NS § 2, 1999).
13.12.040 Service – Noncompliance.
The city shall deny or discontinue water service to any customer failing to cooperate in the installation, maintenance, testing, or inspection of backflow prevention assemblies required and as stated in WAC 246-290-490. (Ord. 1201 NS § 1, 1999).
13.12.050 Installation conditions.
As a condition of new or continued water service, approved backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed and maintained by all customers who:
A. Operate commercial, industrial or residential fire sprinkler systems connected to their plumbing and the city’s distribution system;
B. Operate irrigation systems connected to the city’s distribution system, directly or indirectly;
C. Maintain cross-connections of their water system with air conditioning systems, medical apparatuses, or other devices or processes where chemicals or other objectionable substances may be siphoned into the water system;
D. Compromises the Uniform Plumbing Code;
E. In the judgment of the director of public works, compromise the public’s health or safety. (Ord. 1201 NS § 4, 1999).
13.12.060 Minimum requirements.
An “approved backflow prevention assembly” means a backflow prevention assembly model approved by the State Department of Health, and the city. The minimum requirement for a backflow prevention assembly shall consist of a double check valve assembly. Pressure vacuum breakers may be substituted for other backflow prevention assemblies required under this regulation, where the director of public works or his/her representative determines that the circumstances and good engineering practices allow such substitution, without compromising protection of water quality and public health. (Ord. 1201 NS § 5, 1999).
13.12.070 Inspection – Standards.
The director of public works and such staff members as he/she may designate or representatives are delegated the authority to inspect, approve and disapprove backflow prevention assemblies, to require corrections, modifications, repairs or maintenance on backflow prevention assemblies, and to inspect all premises of customer where backflow prevention assemblies may be required. A minimum standard for the maintenance and installation of backflow prevention assemblies shall be those set forth in “The Accepted Procedures and Practice in Cross-Connection Control Manual,” May, 1990, Fifth Edition, as published by the Pacific Northwest Section of the American Waterworks Association. The director of public works is authorized to establish higher standards for installation and maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies where he or she finds that good engineering practice, industry standards or the protection of public health requires such higher standards. (Ord. 1201 NS § 6, 1999).
13.12.080 Compliance.
As a condition of a continued water service, customers shall make their premises, including buildings and structures to which water is supplied, accessible to the city personnel or its representative to determine whether backflow prevention assemblies are required or are properly installed and maintained. Testing and inspections will be made annually. (Ord. 1201 NS § 7, 1999).
13.12.090 Permits.
Prior to the installation of irrigation systems and backflow prevention assemblies, the customer shall obtain a permit from the city building department for such installation. (Ord. 1201 NS § 8, 1999).
13.12.100 Requirements.
The requirements in this chapter for backflow prevention assembly installation shall apply even though building codes may not require backflow prevention assemblies. (Ord. 1201 NS § 9, 1999).
13.12.110 Private wells.
The city prohibits interconnection of private water supplies with the city’s distribution system. Auxiliary water supplies (private wells, piped irrigation sources, etc.) are a major cross-connection control hazard and therefore must be effectively isolated from the domestic water supply. The city’s cross-connection control policies and requirements for customers with private wells are as follows:
A. No backflow protection is required if the sources are verified to be permanently inactive and abandoned in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Health.
B. If the well remains active, an approved reduced pressure backflow assembly is required at the city’s service connection to provide a measure of protection against inadvertent interconnection of the supplies.
New services will be locked off until compliance is verified by the city. Visual inspection of piping is required for premises retaining active well systems. (Ord. 1201 NS § 10, 1999).
13.12.120 Inspection costs.
All backflow prevention assemblies are subject to annual inspections and testing. The cost of installation, testing, repair, and maintenance is the responsibility of the property owner. The city will inspect for proper installation at the time of installation, and the city will specify the correct apparatus for the conditions. The city will perform all inspections at city expense. (Ord. 1645 NS § 1, 2019; Ord. 1201 NS § 11, 1999).