ARTICLE 14-13
Backflow Control and Cross-Connection Program

Section

14-13-1    Definitions

14-13-2    Termination of potable water service

14-13-3    Installation of and responsibilities for approved backflow prevention assemblies

14-13-4    Inspections

14-13-5    Assembly installation

14-13-6    Fees

14-13-7    Exceptions

14-13-8    Hearing procedure

14-13-1 DEFINITIONS.

For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

APPROVED BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY. An assembly of the size and type approved by the Water Resources Department, because of inventory requirements, repair practices and tool requirements, that has been manufactured in full conformance with the American Water Works Association Standards for reduced pressure principle assembly devices, as modified from time to time, and have met completely the laboratory and field performance specifications of the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research of the University of Southern California as exist from time to time and, where on a fire system, have Underwriters Laboratory and Factory Mutual approval, or as otherwise described, limited or provided for in § 14-13-5.

BACKFLOW. The reversal of flow of water or mixture of water and other liquids, gasses or other substances into municipal distribution pipes or the potable supply of municipal water.

CROSS-CONNECTION. A cross-connection as defined in § 104-M of the Uniform Plumbing Code as amended and as adopted by the city from time to time.

(Ord. 08-1101, passed 2-25-2008)

14-13-2 TERMINATION OF POTABLE WATER SERVICE.

Water service to any premises connected to the city public water distribution system shall be terminated, upon such notice as provided for in § 14-4-3 by the city upon the Water Resources

39 Department determining that a condition in subsections (A) and (B) of this section exists at the premises. Water service shall not be resumed at such premises until the Water Resources Department determines that such conditions have been corrected:

(A) An unprotected cross-connection exists on the premises; or

(B) An approved backflow prevention assembly has not been installed as required in § 14-13-5 is not working, has been altered, removed or bypassed or is found to otherwise require the disconnection of the premises from a city water distribution system by the certified inspector provided for in this article.

(Ord. 08-1101, passed 2-25-2008)

14-13-3 INSTALLATION OF AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR APPROVED BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLIES.

(A) All existing, new or replacement service connections to a city water distribution system with the exception of single-family residential units, shall be fitted with backflow prevention assemblies, hereinafter referred to as assemblies. Assemblies shall be installed and continuously maintained at the customer’s expense to prevent the entry of any substance whatsoever into the public water system, whether by backpressure (overpressure) on the customer side of the meter or by reduced pressure (vacuum) on the public side. These assemblies shall be maintained in the manner provided in subsection (B) of this section.

(B) The city shall maintain, at the city’s expense, all assemblies owned by the city. Maintenance of additional assemblies or other devices on the customer’s side of the meter box, be it for containment (water system protection), or for isolation (irrigation systems, fire systems, water softeners, and the like) shall remain the sole responsibility of the water customer. Presence of an assembly in a service connection shall not modify or reduce any other requirement of the currently adopted Uniform Plumbing Code.

(Ord. 08-1101, passed 2-25-2008)

14-13-4 INSPECTIONS.

All connections to a city water distribution system and assemblies which are required by applicable federal, state, local or other regulation to be tested or inspected at least annually shall be the responsibility of the property owner or consumer at least once in each calendar year. In instances where such connections or assemblies which, if not properly done or maintained, could pose an extreme hazard to the city water distribution system, shall be subject to more frequent inspections. Notice of the date and approximate time of inspection shall be given and governed by the provisions of § 14-4-2.

(A) The inspections required under this section shall be conducted to determine whether cross-connection or other sanitary hazards or violations of this article or other provisions of this chapter exist. Such inspections shall be carried out by a person who is currently certified as a general tester by the American Backflow Prevention Association.

(B) In the case where, because of security requirements or other prohibitions or restrictions, it will be impossible or impractical to make a complete in-plant inspection, the city potable water distribution system shall be protected by an air-gap approved by the Water Resources Department.

(C) In the case where, because of the complexity of the piping system serving the premises, it will be difficult or impractical to make a complete inspection or to ascertain whether any cross-connections exist which affect the public water distribution system, an air-gap or reduced pressure principle assembly shall be used.

(D) The city shall maintain records on the certification status of all assemblies and shall immediately notify the owner in writing if an assembly is due for a recertification test.

(E) If the inspection or testing reveals the assembly or the method of backflow protection to be defective or in unsatisfactory operating condition or otherwise in a non-permitted condition under this article, the tester shall notify the consumer and the city in writing. Any necessary repairs, including replacement or overhaul of the assembly, if necessary, which will return the assembly to satisfactory operating condition shall be performed by the consumer, other than for a single-family residence, within ten days, at the consumer’s expense. After completion of repairs, the property owner shall have the assembly retested and provide the test and repair results to the Water Resources Department within a reasonable time period, not to exceed ten days.

(1) It shall be the duty of the person doing the repair, replacement or overhaul to notify the City Water Resources Department verbally or in writing that said work is completed. Such notification shall be given not less than 24 hours before the work is to be inspected and shall be given only if there is reason to believe that the work will meet current University of Southern California Standards as referenced in the Manual of Cross-Connection Control.

(2) The consumer shall maintain records, on forms approved by the Water Resources Department, of the results of all tests, services, repairs, overhauls or replacements of assemblies or permitted methods of backflow prevention. A copy of the records shall also be provided to and kept on file by the Water Resources Department after completion of the activity for which the record was made until destruction thereof can be made in connection with the city’s policy on record retention.

(Ord. 06-1012, passed 6-26-2006)

14-13-5 ASSEMBLY INSTALLATION.

(A) An assembly shall be installed on the consumer side and adjacent to the meter. Where construction or equipment location presents siting problems for the assembly, a location variance may be granted by the city through its Water Resources Department, provided such request is made in writing and approval is granted prior to the installation of the assembly; in all cases the assembly must be installed before the first branch line leading off the service line. The type of assembly required regardless of the degree of hazard shall be an approved reduced pressure principal backflow prevention assembly, other than for a single-family residence.

(1) Contamination. In the case of any premises where any condition, device, practice or material may create an actual or potential introduction of water or substance which would be hazardous to the public health into a city water distribution system shall be protected by an approved air-gap separation or an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly at the service connection to the premises.

(2) Plumbing. In the case of any premises where there are conditions as defined in § 14-13-5(C), either actual or potential, the public water system shall be protected by an approved air-gap method or an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly at the service connection.

(3) Auxiliary water supply. In the case of any premises where there is an auxiliary water supply, whether or not directly connected with a municipal water distribution system, the municipal water or distribution system shall be protected by an approved air-gap method or an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly.

(4) Pollution. In the case of any premises where there is a water or substance that would be objectionable but not hazardous to the public health if introduced into the public potable water distribution system would constitute a nuisance or be aesthetically objectionable, a municipal water distribution system shall be protected by an approved reduced pressure principal backflow assembly.

(B) Assemblies and methods shall be installed by the consumer, at the consumer’s expense, other than for single-family residence.

(1) Installation permits for the installation of all assemblies or methods required by the city for other than single-family residences shall be obtained from the Building Safety Department prior to installation. A separate permit shall be obtained for each assembly or methods to be installed, including replacement.

(2) It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by the permit to notify the City Water Resources Department in writing that said work is ready for inspection. Such notification shall be given not less than 24 hours before the work is to be inspected and shall be given only if there is reason to believe that the work done will meet current Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research of the University of Southern California University Standards, as referred to in the Manual of Cross-Connection Control.

(C) The city shall maintain a list of backflow prevention assemblies by type and manufacturer. The list shall be available to any consumer required to install a backflow prevention assembly, together with instructions for proper installation.

(Ord. 08-1101, passed 2-25-2008)

14-13-6 FEES.

In order to defray the city’s costs in establishing, supervising and implementing the policies, inspections and the terms and conditions contained in this article, a monthly fee shall be charged to each consumer, except for single-family residential, connected into a city water distribution system. The consumer shall be entitled to up to two inspections per assembly or method of backflow prevention per calendar year. In the event more than two inspections are required for the assembly to pass, a fee for each additional inspection shall be added to the consumer’s next water usage billing. All fees pursuant to this section shall be established by resolution of Council.

(Ord. 06-1012, passed 6-26-2006)

14-13-7 EXCEPTIONS.

No bypassing of required assemblies or methods of backflow prevention shall be allowed under any circumstances excepting fire emergency. Wherever an uninterrupted water supply is required, multiple assemblies mounted for parallel flow shall be required. Temporary or construction service connections shall meet the same backflow prevention requirements as permanent connections.

(Ord. 06-1012, passed 6-26-2006)

14-13-8 HEARING PROCEDURE.

(A) To the extent any subsection in this chapter provides for a hearing, a written request for hearing must be received by the city within ten days of the date of the receipt of notice of the action forming, basis of the complaint. If the city is entitled to take action without prior notice and a hearing right is granted by this chapter, a request for hearing may be made upon the discovery of the action taken. The request for hearing must provide the name of the party requesting the hearing, an address for the receipt of notice of hearing, the service address, and the reasons(s) that form the basis for the complaint.

(B) Notice of the hearing shall be given in writing by setting forth specifically the reasons for the complaint and the time and place set for the hearing. Such notice shall be mailed, postage prepaid, to the person requesting the hearing at the address provided in the request for hearing.

(C) The City Manager or designee(s) will preside over the hearing, and the decision shall be final.

(D) The request for hearing shall not waive or stay the collection of any fees or charges that may be due.

(Ord. 06-1012, passed 6-26-2006)