Chapter 13.11
BACKFLOW CROSS-CONNECTION REGULATIONS
Sections:
13.11.001 Purpose – Installation of backflow prevention devices.
13.11.002 Installation of backflow prevention devices and inspection.
13.11.003 Situations warranting installation of backflow devices.
13.11.004 Backflow prevention policy.
13.11.001 Purpose – Installation of backflow prevention devices.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide specified and detailed rules in order to protect the public potable water supply of the city of La Center from the possibility of contamination or pollution by isolating within the customers’ system such contaminants or pollutants which could backflow into the public water system. [Ord. 2019-15 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2019.]
13.11.002 Installation of backflow prevention devices and inspection.
(1) Installation. Every property owner with any of the situations listed in LCMC 13.11.003 shall install one or more suitable backflow prevention device(s) at the connection point of the equipment or device that creates the situation listed. The backflow prevention device shall be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
(2) Inspection. After installation, the property owner shall contact the city public works department to obtain a city inspection of the backflow prevention device. The property owner shall implement any and all requirements of the city inspector to obtain a satisfactory inspection.
(3) Preexisting Situations. Every property owner with a situation listed in LCMC 13.11.003 that exists on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall comply with the requirements of this chapter within six months of its effective date.
(4) Violation. Any violation of the requirements of this chapter shall constitute a nuisance and a civil infraction that is subject to enforcement under Chapter 2.15 LCMC (Code Enforcement). [Ord. 2019-15 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2019.]
13.11.003 Situations warranting installation of backflow devices.
Backflow prevention devices shall be installed at the service connection or within any premises where required under WAC 246-290-490, as adopted or hereafter amended, or where, in the judgment of the community development manager, the nature and extent of activities on the premises, or the materials used in connection with the activities, or materials stored on the premises could contaminate or pollute the potable water supply, even though such cross-connection does not exist at the time the backflow prevention device is required to be installed. This shall include but not be limited to the following situations:
(1) Premises having any one or more cross-connections or potential cross-connections as that term is used in the Chapter 246-290 WAC and all applicable plumbing codes;
(2) Premises having an auxiliary water supply, unless the quality of the auxiliary supply is in compliance with Chapter 246-290 WAC and is acceptable to the community development manager;
(3) Premises having internal cross-connections that are not correctable, or intricate plumbing arrangements which make it impracticable to ascertain whether or not cross-connections exist;
(4) Premises where entry is restricted so that inspections for cross-connections cannot be made with sufficient frequency or at sufficiently short notice to assure that cross-connections do not exist;
(5) Premises having a repeated history of cross-connections being established or reestablished;
(6) Premises on which any substance is handled under pressure so as to permit entry into the public water system, or where cross-connection could reasonably be expected to occur. This shall include the handling of process waters and cooling waters;
(7) Premises where materials of a toxic or hazardous nature are handled such that if back siphonage should occur, a serious health hazard may result;
(8) Installation of an approved backflow prevention assembly is deemed to be necessary in the judgment of the CCS to accomplish the purpose of these regulations;
(9) In the event an in-premises assembly has not been tested or repaired as required by WAC 246-290-490, or as amended, and this section;
(10) If it is determined that additions or rearrangements have been made to the plumbing system without obtaining proper permits as required by the city code enforcement division;
(11) When a cross-connection survey report form is required by the city to be filled out and the city has not received it;
(12) All high health hazard premises, which are defined in Table 9 of WAC 246-290-490, as amended, are required to have premises isolation by installing a reduced pressure principle assembly in accordance with this section;
(13) When a garden hose attachment is connected to the premises’ plumbing, including but not limited to fertilizer applicators, pesticide applicators and radiator flush kits; and
(14) Where reclaimed or reused water systems are installed. [Ord. 2019-15 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2019.]
13.11.004 Backflow prevention policy.
No water service connection to any customer’s premises shall be permitted by the city unless the public water supply is protected as required by this title. Service of water to any customer’s premises shall be discontinued by the community development manager if a backflow prevention assembly required by this title is not installed, tested and maintained, or if it is found that a backflow prevention assembly has been removed, bypassed, or if an unprotected cross-connection exists on the premises. Service will not be restored until such conditions are corrected. [Ord. 2019-15 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2019.]