Chapter 13.08
CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL
Sections:
13.08.010 Purpose of provisions.
13.08.030 Cross-connection between plumbing and water pipes unlawful.
13.08.050 Health regulation requirements.
13.08.060 Where protection required.
13.08.070 Installation and maintenance.
13.08.080 Device tester certification requirements.
13.08.110 Protection against interstreet main flow.
13.08.120 Discontinuance of service.
13.08.010 Purpose of provisions.
A. The purpose of these regulations is:
1. To protect the public water supply against actual or potential cross-connections by isolating within the premises contamination or pollution that may occur because of some undiscovered or unauthorized cross-connection on the premises;
2. To eliminate existing connections between drinking water systems and other sources of water that are not approved as safe and potable for human consumption;
3. To eliminate cross-connections between drinking water systems and other sources of water or process water used for any purpose whatsoever which jeopardize the safety of the drinking water supply; and
4. To prevent the making of cross-connections in the future.
B. These regulations are in accordance with the state of California Administrative Code, Title 17 — Public Health, entitled “Regulations Relating to Cross-Connections.” (Ord. 412-87 § 1, 1987)
13.08.020 Definitions.
The following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this chapter:
“Air-gap separation” means a physical break between a supply pipe and a receiving vessel. The air-gap shall be at least double the diameter of the supply.
“Approved backflow prevention devices” means an approved double check valve assembly, an approved air-gap separation or an approved reduced pressure principal backflow prevention device.
“Approved check valve” means a check valve that seats readily and completely and has been approved for use in this service by the city.
“Approved double check valve assembly” means an assembly of at least two independently acting approved check valves including tightly closing shutoff valves on each side of the check valve assembly and suitable leak-detector drains plus connections available for testing the watertightness of each check valve.
“Approved reduced pressure principle 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 shutoff 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.
“Approved water supply” means any water supply approved by or under the public health supervision of a public health agency of the state of California, or its political subdivisions. In determining what constitutes an approved water supply, the State Department of Public Health reserves final judgment as to its safety and potability.
“Auxiliary supply” means any water supply on or available to the premises other than the public water supply.
“Cross-connection” means any unprotected connection between any part of a water system used or intended to supply water for drinking purposes and any source or system containing water or a substance that is not or cannot be approved as safe, wholesome and potable for human consumption. (Ord. 412-87 § 2, 1987)
13.08.030 Cross-connection between plumbing and water pipes unlawful.
It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation at any time to make or maintain or cause to be made or maintained, temporarily or permanently, for any period of time whatever, any cross-connection between plumbing pipes or water fixtures being served with water by the city water department and any other source of water supply or to maintain any sanitary fixture or other appurtenances or fixtures which by reason of their construction may cause or allow backflow of water or other substances into the water supply system of the city and/or the service of water pipes or fixtures of any consumer of the city. (Ord. 412-87 § (3)(A), 1987)
13.08.040 Permit required.
The regulations of the California State Department of Health and the Drinking Water Standards of the United States Public Health Service prohibit unprotected cross-connections between the public water supply and any unapproved source of water. All water cross connections must be approved by the city and a permit issued by the city building official prior to installation. (Ord. 412-87 § 3 (B)(1), 1987)
13.08.050 Health regulation requirements.
To comply with the regulations of health agencies, the city will require the installation of approved backflow prevention devices by and at the expense of the customer for continued service or before a new service will be granted. (Ord. 412-87 § 3 (B)(2), 1987)
13.08.060 Where protection required.
A. Each service connection from the city water system for supplying water to premises having an auxiliary water supply shall be protected against backflow of water from the premises into the public water system unless the auxiliary water supply is accepted as an additional source by the city, and is approved by the public health agency having jurisdiction.
B. Each service connection from the city water system for supplying water to any premises on which any substance is handled under pressure in such fashion as to permit entry into the water system shall be protected against backflow of the water from the premises into the public system. This shall include the handling of process waters and waters originating from the city water system which have been subjected to deterioration in sanitary quality.
C. Backflow prevention devices shall be installed on the service connection to any premises that have internal cross-connection unless such cross-connections are abated to the city’s satisfaction and approved by the state or local health department. (Ord. 412-87 § 3 (B)(3), 1987)
13.08.070 Installation and maintenance.
Wherever backflow protection has been found necessary on a water supply line entering a customer’s premises, then any and all water supply lines from the city’s mains entering such premises, buildings or structures shall be protected by an approved backflow prevention device. Installation and maintenance of the approved backflow with the following:
A. A permit shall be obtained from the city building official prior to installing any devices.
B. Only backflow prevention devices approved by the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research of the University of Southern California shall be approved for installation.
C. Backflow prevention devices shall be selected and installed in a manner prescribed in the State Department of Health Services Sanitary Engineering Section’s “Manual of Cross-Connection Control Procedures and Practices” or as prescribed by another acceptable authority and plans for which have been approved by the director of public works.
D. The State Department of Public Health requires that the owners of any premises which, or on account of which, check valves or other protective devices are installed, shall have the devices inspected by a certified tester for watertightness annually. A report of inspection shall be filed annually with the city. These devices shall be serviced, overhauled or replaced whenever they are found to be defective and all costs of testing, repair and maintenance shall be borne by the customer.
E. Approved backflow protection devices may be inspected and tested periodically for watertightness by the city. (Ord. 412-87 § 3 (C), 1987)
13.08.080 Device tester certification requirements.
A. Each applicant for certification as a tester of backflow prevention devices shall file an approved application with the city clerk, together with a fee as may be established by the city council.
B. Competency in all phases of backflow prevention device testing and repair must be demonstrated by means of education and/or experience in order to obtain certification.
C. The following are minimum requirements:
1. Applicants shall have had at least two years experience in plumbing or pipe fitting or equivalent qualifications.
2. Hold a valid certification from the American Water Works Association (A.W.W.A.) California/Nevada Section, or satisfactory completion of the Course for the Training and Certification of Testers for Backflow Prevention Devices offered by the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research, University of Southern California, or have equivalent training in the opinion of the city and the health department.
3. Each applicant for certification as a tester of backflow prevention devices shall furnish evidence to show that he has available the necessary tools and equipment to properly test such devices. He shall be responsible for the competency and accuracy of all tests and reports prepared by him.
D. The certificate issued to any tester is valid for a period of one year and may be revoked, suspended or not renewed by the city for improper testing, repairs and/or reporting. (Ord. 412-87 § 6, 1987)
13.08.090 Right of entry.
The city representative assigned to inspect premises relative to possible hazards shall carry proper credentials of his office, upon exhibition of which he shall have the right of entry, during usual business hours, to inspect any and all buildings and premises in the performance of his duty. This right of entry shall be a condition of water service in order to provide assurance that the continuation of service to the premises will not constitute a menace to the health, safety and welfare of the people throughout the public water system. (Ord. 412-87 § 5, 1987)
13.08.100 Timing of installation of backflow prevention devices for services with existing cross-connectors.
A. The city will conduct a survey to determine the current number of existing premises receiving water from the city’s public water supply system that have an actual or potential cross connection by March 15, A list of these services will be prepared. The customer for each of these services will be notified that an approved backflow device is required and must be installed by July 1, 1991.
B. Prior to July 1, 1991, the customer shall be responsible for installing the backflow prevention device on an existing service with an actual or potential cross connection between the public water supply and any source of water.
C. Once the backflow prevention device is installed it shall be owned by the customer and it shall be the responsibility of the customer to provide annual testing, servicing, overhauling, upgrading and/or replacing when found necessary. (Ord. 447-91 § 2, 1991: Ord. 412-87 § 3(D), 1987)
13.08.110 Protection against interstreet main flow.
Two or more services supplying water from different street mains to the same building, structure or premises through which an interstreet main flow may occur, shall have a standard check valve on each water service to be located adjacent to and on the property side of the respective meters. Such check valve shall not be considered adequate if backflow protection is deemed necessary to protect the city’s mains from pollution or contamination; in such cases the installation of approved backflow devices at such meters shall be required to satisfy the requirements for standard check valves. (Ord. 412-87 § 3(E), 1987)
13.08.120 Discontinuance of service.
Service of water to any premises may be discontinued by the city after reasonable notification of unprotected cross-connections exist on the premises, or if any defect is found in an installed backflow preventive device, or if a backflow preventive device has been removed or bypassed, and service will not be restored until such conditions or defects are corrected. (Ord. 412-87 § 4, 1987)
13.08.130 Criminal penalties.
Any customer who fails to install a backflow prevention device or air gap as required by this chapter, or who bypasses, alters or refuses to maintain a backflow prevention device or air gap or otherwise is in violation of this chapter, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or both. Every day any violation of this chapter continues, shall constitute a separate offense. (Ord. 447-19 § 3, 1991)