Chapter 13.45
CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL
Sections:
13.45.010 Interpretation and intent.
13.45.020 Conformance to rules and regulations.
13.45.030 Organization – Conformance.
13.45.050 Cross-connection prohibited – Exceptions.
13.45.060 Cross-connection – Failure to discontinue.
13.45.070 Cross-connection removal.
13.45.080 Backflow prevention device – Installation required when.
13.45.090 Backflow prevention device – Degree of hazard determination.
13.45.100 Backflow prevention device – Location.
13.45.110 Backflow prevention device – Installation supervision.
13.45.120 Backflow prevention device – Approval required.
13.45.130 Backflow prevention device – Annual inspection and tests.
13.45.140 Failure to comply – Termination of service.
13.45.010 Interpretation and intent.
The regulations set out in this chapter are to be reasonably interpreted. It is their intent to recognize the varying degrees of hazard and to apply the principal that the degree of protection should be commensurate with the degree of hazard. (Ord. 1840 § 1, 1989).
13.45.020 Conformance to rules and regulations.
Any customer, regardless of whether residing within or without the City limits, who is now receiving water from the City system or who will in the future receive water from the City, shall comply with the rules and regulations contained in this chapter. (Ord. 1840 § 2, 1989).
13.45.030 Organization – Conformance.
Any water district, municipal organization, or other organization, which is connected to the City water supply and/or which is furnished to people within said district or organization, shall cause all the people or members within said district or organization as well as the district or organization itself, to comply with the rules and regulations contained in this chapter. (Ord. 1840 § 3, 1989).
13.45.040 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context states otherwise, the following definitions shall apply:
A. “Air-gap separation” means the unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other device, and the flood level rim of the receptacle, and shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the flood level rim of the vessel. In no case shall the gap be less than one inch.
B. “Auxiliary supply” means any water source other than the public water supply that may be available in the building or premises.
C. “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.
D. “Backflow prevention device” means a device to counteract backflow pressures or prevent back-siphonage.
E. “Back pressure” means backflow caused by a pump, elevated tank, boiler, or other means that could create pressure within the system greater than the supply pressure.
F. “Back siphonage” means a form of backflow due to a negative or sub-atmospheric pressure within a water system.
G. “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 liquid of unknown or unsafe quality which may be capable of imparting contamination to the public water supply as a result of backflow, by-pass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeover devices, and other temporary or permanent devices through which, or because of which, backflow could occur.
H. “Customer” means any person, family, business, corporation, partnership or firm connected to the City water supply.
I. “Double check valve assembly” means an assembly composed of two single, independently acting check valves, including tightly closing shut-off valves located at each end of the assembly and suitable connections for testing the watertightness of each check valve.
J. “Reduced pressure principal backflow prevention device” means a device incorporating two or more check valves and an automatically operating differential relief valve, located between the two checks, two shut-off valves, and equipped with necessary appurtenances for testing. The device shall operate to maintain the pressure in the zone between the two check valves less than the pressure on the public water supply side of the device. At the cessation of normal flow, the pressure between the check valves shall be less than the supply pressure. In the case of leakage of either check valve, the differential relief valve shall operate to maintain this reduced pressure by discharging to the atmosphere. When the inlet pressure is two pounds per square inch or less, the relief valve shall open to the atmosphere, thereby providing an air gap in the device. (Ord. 1840 § 4, 1989).
13.45.050 Cross-connection prohibited – Exceptions.
Except as provided in MTMC 13.45.080, all cross-connections, as defined in MTMC 13.45.040, whether or not such cross-connections are controlled by automatic devices such as check valves or by hand-operated mechanisms such as a gate valve or stopcocks, are prohibited. (Ord. 1840 § 5, 1989).
13.45.060 Cross-connection – Failure to discontinue.
Failure on the part of persons, firms, or corporations to discontinue the use of any and all cross-connections, will be sufficient cause for the discontinuance of the public water service to the premises on which the cross-connection exists. (Ord. 1840 § 6, 1989).
13.45.070 Cross-connection removal.
The Public Works Superintendent shall, in cooperation with the local plumbing inspector, make periodic inspections of the premises served by the public water supply to check for the presence of cross-connections. Any cross-connection found in such inspection shall be ordered removed by the responsible agency or authority. If an immediate hazard to health is caused by the cross-connection, water service to the premises shall be discontinued until it is verified that the cross-connection has been removed. (Ord. 1840 § 7, 1989).
13.45.080 Backflow prevention device – Installation required when.
Backflow prevention devices shall be installed at the service connection or within any premises where in the judgment of the Public Works Superintendent the nature and extent of the activities, or the materials used in connection with the activities on the premises, or materials stored on the premises, would present an immediate and dangerous hazard to health should a cross-connection occur, even though such cross-connection does not exist at the time the backflow device is required to be installed. This shall include, but not be limited to, the following situations:
A. Premises having an auxiliary water supply, unless the quality of the auxiliary supply is in compliance with the rules and regulations of the state;
B. Premises having internal cross-connections that are not correctable, or intricate plumbing arrangements which make it impractical to ascertain whether or not a cross-connection exists;
C. 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;
D. Premises having a repeated history of cross-connections being established, or re-established;
E. Premises on which any substance is handled under pressure so as to permit entry into the public water supply or where a cross-connection could reasonably be expected to occur. This shall include the handling of process waters and cooling waters;
F. Premises where material of a toxic or hazardous nature are handled such that if back siphonage should occur, a serious health hazard may result;
G. The following types of facilities will fall into one of the above categories where a backflow prevention device shall be installed at these facilities as set forth in this section, unless the Public Works Superintendent determines no hazard exists:
1. Hospitals, mortuaries, clinics;
2. Laboratories;
3. Sewage treatment plants;
4. Food and beverage processing plants;
5. Chemical plants using a water process;
6. Petroleum processing or storage plans;
7. Other specified by the Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services, state of Washington.
H. Premises requiring the installation or replacement of backflow prevention assemblies under the conditions described below:
1. The following requirements and regulations apply to piping installations, or portions thereof, that require backflow prevention, except fire sprinkler systems that on February 1, 1992, were not in compliance with the 5th Edition of AWWA’s “Cross-Connection Control Manual Accepted Procedure and Practice”:
a. Backflow prevention assemblies in service, but not currently listed as approved in accordance with MTMC 13.45.120, may remain in service provided the backflow prevention assemblies:
i. Were listed on the current list of approved backflow prevention devices at the time of installation;
ii. Are properly maintained;
iii. Are of the type appropriate for the degree of hazard in accordance with MTMC 13.45.090; and
iv. Are tested and successfully pass the test annually.
b. Backflow prevention assemblies in service, but not currently listed as approved in accordance with MTMC 13.45.120, shall be replaced by an assembly on the current list of approved assemblies if the not currently listed assemblies are relocated or require more than minimum maintenance to successfully pass the annual test.
c. Backflow prevention assemblies in service and currently listed as approved in accordance with MTMC 13.45.120 shall be replaced in accordance with MTMC 13.45.130.
d. If a water system protected by a backflow prevention assembly currently listed as approved in accordance with MTMC 13.45.120 is modified to include components or additives requiring a higher level of protection against backflow as determined in accordance with MTMC 13.45.090, the backflow assembly shall be replaced with an assembly currently listed as approved in accordance with MTMC 13.45.120 of the type appropriate for the degree of hazard in accordance with MTMC 13.45.090.
2. The following requirements and regulations apply to all fire sprinkler systems that on February 1, 1992, were not in compliance with the 5th Edition of AWWA’s “Cross-Connection Control Manual Accepted Procedure and Practice”:
a. The existing fire sprinkler system may remain in service provided none of the following conditions are satisfied:
i. The fire system causes contamination of any potable water system that exceeds the maximum contaminate levels (MCLs) or violates other drinking water standards currently required by state and federal regulations to be met by the City.
ii. A backflow from the system results in sickness, injury, or death.
iii. The existing backflow prevention assembly is relocated.
iv. The fire system is modified to include components or additives requiring a higher level of protection against backflow as determined in accordance with MTMC 13.45.090.
v. The fire sprinkler system is modified or expanded such that the total number of fire sprinkler heads added to the system after February 1, 1992, exceeds 50 percent of the fire sprinkler heads existing in the system on February 1, 1992.
vi. Seventy-five percent or more of the building is required to be brought into compliance with the current Uniform Building Code (UBC).
vii. The yearly test and inspection results, as required by subsection (H)(2)(e) of this section, are not provided.
viii. The results of the test and inspection, as required by subsection (H)(2)(e) of this section, indicate that the device identified as providing protection against backflow for the fire sprinkler system is leaking or would be expected to leak.
b. If any of the conditions listed in subsection (H)(2)(a) of this section are satisfied, the backflow prevention assembly, if one exists, shall be replaced by the owner with an assembly meeting requirements of MTMC 13.45.120. If a backflow prevention assembly is not part of the fire sprinkler system, the owner shall install an assembly meeting requirements of MTMC 13.45.120.
c. Owners of the premises shall file a plan with the Fire Department of the entire fire sprinkler system as it existed on February 1, 1992, as well as a plan of all further revisions. This plan shall be filed within 90 days of notification from the City. If this plan is not on file with the City at the time of a proposed modification or expansion to the fire system, it shall be included with the proposal.
d. Once a fire sprinkler system is brought into compliance with current requirements for new assemblies, the replacement of backflow prevention assemblies shall be in accordance with subsection (H)(1) of this section .
e. The results of a yearly test and inspection of the devices identified as providing backflow prevention for the fire sprinkler system shall be provided to the City on or before September 30th each year. The test and inspection shall be performed by a firm or individual licensed by the state of Washington as a fire sprinkler company and shall be listed by the Fire Protection Services Division of the Department of Community Development of the state of Washington as having the appropriate level of classification for the fire sprinkler system being tested and inspected. The results shall appear on forms containing the letterhead of the firm or individual and the signature and printed name of the individual or individuals performing the test and inspection. The test results shall clearly state whether the device is leaking, that is, allowing backflow, or could be expected to leak under situations when the supply side of the device experienced a lower pressure than the fire sprinkler system side of the device. The owner shall install all necessary fittings and measuring instruments, including test ports and gauges, to allow meaningful tests or inspections to be performed. (Ord. 1958, 1992; Ord. 1927, 1991; Ord. 1840 § 8, 1989).
13.45.090 Backflow prevention device – Degree of hazard determination.
All backflow prevention assemblies shall provide the level of protection against backflow as recommended under the latest edition of AWWA’s “Cross-Connection Control Manual Accepted Procedure and Practice.” (Ord. 1958, 1992; Ord. 1840 § 9, 1989).
13.45.100 Backflow prevention device – Location.
Backflow prevention devices required in this chapter shall be installed in a location designated by the Public Works Superintendent. (Ord. 1840 § 10, 1989).
13.45.110 Backflow prevention device – Installation supervision.
Backflow prevention devices required in this chapter shall be installed under the supervision of and with the approval of the City. (Ord. 1840 § 11, 1989).
13.45.120 Backflow prevention device – Approval required.
All backflow prevention assemblies installed shall be listed on the most current list of approved backflow prevention assemblies published by the state of Washington Department of Health and Social Services. Installation of backflow prevention assemblies in existing systems, especially fire sprinkler systems, shall be accompanied by the necessary upsizing of the system to assure adequate flow capacity for proper operation of the system. (Ord. 1958, 1992; Ord. 1840 § 12, 1989).
13.45.130 Backflow prevention device – Annual inspection and tests.
Backflow prevention devices installed under this chapter shall be inspected and tested annually, or more often where successive inspections indicate failure. The devices shall be repaired, overhauled, or replaced whenever they are found to be defective. Inspection, tests, repairs, and records thereof shall be done under the City’s supervision. (Ord. 1840 § 13, 1989).
13.45.140 Failure to comply – Termination of service.
Failure of any customer, or any district, or any organization to cooperate in the installation, maintenance, testing of backflow prevention devices, or the requirements for air-gap separation, shall be grounds for the termination of the water service at a point where such flow, which is to be terminated by the City, would best prevent possible contamination of the public water supply.
Failure to install a cross control prevention assembly or replace the defective, unlisted, or unsuitable assembly within 60 days of receipt of certified mail directing the installation or replacement, shall also result in the termination of water service. (Ord. 1958, 1992; Ord. 1840 § 14, 1989).