Chapter 13.10
CROSS CONNECTIONS
Sections:
13.10.030 Cross connections regulated.
13.10.040 Backflow prevention device requirement.
13.10.050 Installation requirements.
13.10.080 Costs of compliance.
13.10.090 Termination of service.
13.10.010 Definitions.
A. “Okanogan” means city of Okanogan.
B. “Cross connection” means any physical arrangement where a public water system is connected, directly or indirectly, with any other nondrinkable water system or auxiliary system.
C. “Backflow” means the flow in the direction opposite to the normal flow or the introduction of any foreign liquids, gases, or substances into the water system of Okanogan.
D. “Auxiliary supply” means any water source or system other than the public water system that may be available in the building or on the premises.
E. “Approved backflow prevention device” means a device to counteract back pressures or prevent back siphonage. This device must appear on the list of approved devices issued by the Washington State Board of Health.
F. “Reduced pressure principle device” shall mean an assembly containing two independently acting approved check valves together with a hydraulically operated, mechanically independent, differential relief valve located between the check valves and at the same time below the first check valve. The device shall include properly located test cocks and tightly closing shut-off valves at the end of the assembly. A check valve is approved if it appears on the list of approved devices issued by the Washington State Board of Health.
G. “Premises” means any piece of land to which water is provided including any structure, improvement, or mobile home located on it. (Ord. 788B § 1:01, 1994)
13.10.020 Purpose.
The purpose of these regulations is to protect the water supply of Okanogan from contamination or pollution due to any existing or potential cross connections. (Ord. 788B § 1:02, 1994)
13.10.030 Cross connections regulated.
No cross connections shall be created, installed, used or maintained within the territory served by Okanogan, except in accordance with these regulations. (Ord. 788B § 1:03, 1994)
13.10.040 Backflow prevention device requirement.
A. Approved backflow prevention devices shall be installed at the expense of the user, at the service connection or within the premises, as determined by a certified cross connection inspector employed by the city in each of the following circumstances, appropriate to counter the degree of hazard:
1. If the nature and extent of any activity on the premises, or the materials used in connection with any activity on the premises, or the materials stored on the premises, could contaminate or pollute the drinking water supply;
2. On premises having any one or more cross connections;
3. Internal cross connections that are not correctable, or intricate plumbing arrangements which make it impractical to ascertain whether cross connections exist;
4. A repeated history of cross connections being established or reestablished;
5. Unduly restricted entry so that inspections for cross connections cannot be made with sufficient frequency or with sufficient notice to assure that cross connections do not exist;
6. Materials of a toxic or hazardous nature being used such that if back-siphonage should occur, a health hazard could result;
7. Any mobile apparatus which uses the city’s system or water from any premises within the city;
8. On any premises where installation of an approved backflow prevention device is deemed to be necessary to accomplish the purpose of these regulations in the judgment of a certified cross connection inspector employed by the city; and
9. On premises where auxiliary water systems are in place.
B. If a cross connection cannot be eliminated, then the following backflow prevention devices are approved for use by the city:
1. An air gap separation, reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly (RPBA) or a reduced pressure principle detector backflow prevention assembly (RPDA) shall be installed if the cross connection creates an actual or potential health or system hazard.
2. An air gap separation, RPBA, RPDA, double-check valve backflow prevention assembly (DCVA), or double-check detector backflow prevention assembly (DCDA) shall be installed if the cross connection is objectionable, but does not pose an unreasonable risk to health.
3. A pressure vacuum breaker assembly (PVBA) or an atmospheric vacuum breaker may be installed where the substance that could backflow is objectionable or back pressure is present in the downstream piping.
4. Backflow prevention assemblies, appropriate for the degree of hazard or air gaps and in some cases both, shall be installed at the service connection or within the following facilities, unless in the judgment of the water department, no hazard exists: hospitals, mortuaries, clinics, laboratories, sewage treatment plants, food and beverage processing plants, chemical plants using water processing, metal plating industries, petroleum processing or storage plants, car washes, facilities having a nonpotable auxiliary water supply, and others specified by the water department. (Ord. 913 § 1, 2001; Ord. 788B § 1:04, 1994)
13.10.050 Installation requirements.
A. All installed RPBAs, RPDAs, DCDAs, and PVBAs shall be models included on the current list of backflow assemblies, approved for installation in Washington State, and maintained and published by the department. Backflow prevention assemblies in operation but not currently listed shall remain in service provided the backflow prevention assemblies:
1. Were listed on the current Washington State approved cross connection control assembly list at time of installation;
2. Are properly maintained;
3. Are of a type appropriate for the degree of hazard;
4. Are tested and successfully pass the test annually. When unlisted assemblies are moved or require more than minimum maintenance, the unlisted assemblies shall be replaced by an assembly listed on the current approved model list.
B. All air gap and backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in accordance with the cross connection control manual referenced under WAC 246-290-490.
1. No part of the backflow prevention device shall be submerged in water or installed in a location subject to flooding. If installed in a vault or basement, adequate drainage shall be provided;
2. Devices must be installed at the point of delivery of the water supply, before any branch in the line, or property located just inside the property line. Alternate locations must be approved in writing by the Okanogan public works superintendent prior to installation;
3. The device must be protected from freezing and severe weather conditions;
4. All backflow prevention assemblies shall be of a type and model approved by the Washington State Department of Health and the city of Okanogan;
5. The device shall be readily accessible with adequate room for maintenance and testing;
6. The property owner assumes all responsibility for all maintenance and annual testing of the device.
7. If written permission is granted to install the backflow prevention device inside of the building, the device shall be readily accessible during regular working hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The city may conduct these and other inspections as provided by OMC 13.04.230.
C. The water department may permit the substitution of a properly installed air gap in lieu of an approved backflow prevention assembly. All such air gap substitutions shall be inspected annually by a Washington State certified backflow assembly tester.
D. A Washington State certified backflow assembly tester shall inspect and test all RPBAs, RPDAs, DCVAs, DCDAs, new PVBA installations, and existing PVBAs discovered through routine inspections.
E. Tests and/or inspections shall be conducted:
1. At the time of initial installation; and
2. Annually after initial installation, or more often as needed; and
3. After the assembly is repaired.
F. The assemblies shall be repaired, overhauled, or replaced whenever found to be defective. The water department will require that improperly installed or altered air gaps be replumbed or replaced by an approved RPBA at the city’s discretion. Inspection, tests, and repairs will be reported to the Okanogan water department and copies of said reports will be provided as proof of inspections, tests, and repairs.
G. Okanogan water department shall have the right to deny or discontinue water service to any customers failing to cooperate in the installation, maintenance, testing, or inspection of backflow prevention assemblies according to WAC 246-290-100. (Ord. 913 § 2, 2001; Ord. 788B § 1:05, 1994)
13.10.060 Access to premises.
A. Authorized employees of Okanogan, with proper identification, shall have access during reasonable hours to all parts of a premises and within the building to which water is supplied.
B. However, if any water user refuses access to a premises or to the interior of a structure at reasonable times and on reasonable notice for inspection by a cross connection specialist appointed by Okanogan, a reduced pressure principle device will be required to be installed at the service connection at the premises.
C. All backflow prevention devices installed within the service area of the city of Okanogan shall be tested immediately upon installation and annually thereafter by a state certified tester. All such devices found not properly functioning shall be promptly repaired or replaced by the water user. If any such device is not promptly repaired or replaced the city may deny or discontinue water use to the premises. All testing and repairs are the financial responsibility of the water user. (Ord. 913 § 3, 2001; Ord. 788B § 1:06, 1994)
13.10.070 Variances.
Any variances from these requirements shall be requested in writing by the owner and approved by Okanogan prior to device installation. (Ord. 788B § 1:07, 1994)
13.10.080 Costs of compliance.
All costs associated with purchase, installation, inspections, testing, replacement, maintenance, parts, and repairs of the backflow device are the financial responsibility of the water user. (Ord. 788B § 1:08, 1994)
13.10.090 Termination of service.
A. Failure on the part of any customer to discontinue the use of all cross connections is sufficient cause for the immediate discontinuance of public water service to the premises. (WAC 246-290-490)
B. Service will not be restored until such conditions or defects are corrected. (Ord. 913 § 4, 2001; Ord. 788B § 1:09, 1994)