Chapter 13.12
CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL PROGRAM
Sections:
13.12.030 Cross-connection protection requirements.
13.12.040 Backflow prevention assemblies.
13.12.050 Type of backflow protection required.
13.12.070 Water service termination.
13.12.080 Procedures for suspected backflow response.
13.12.010 Purpose.
The purpose of the city’s cross-connection control program is to prevent the occurrence of backflow into a public water system’s distribution system in order to protect customers from contamination or pollution from any on-site hazards. Properly installed and maintained backflow prevention assemblies (BPAs), devices, or methods provide protection against the threat posed by many conditions typically found on a user’s premises.
This chapter is adopted pursuant to the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH). The CCCPH is a technical guidance document published by the State Water Resources Control Board that outlines policies, procedures, and best practices for public water systems to develop and maintain an effective cross-connection control program, including the prevention of backflow and protection of public health. (Ord. 1050 § 2, 2025; Ord. 681 § 1 (part), 1988)
13.12.015 Definitions.
The following definitions apply to the terms used in the CCCPH:
(1) “Air-gap separation” or “AG” means a physical vertical separation of at least two times the effective pipe diameter between the free-flowing discharge end of a potable water supply pipeline and the flood level of an open or non-pressurized receiving vessel, and in no case less than one inch.
(2) “Approved water supply” means a water source that has been approved by the State Water Board for domestic use in a public water system and designated as such in a domestic water supply permit issued pursuant to Section 116525 of the CHSC.
(3) “Auxiliary water supply” means a source of water, other than an approved water supply, that is either used or equipped, or can be equipped, to be used as a water supply and is located on the premises of, or available to, a water user.
(4) “Backflow” means an undesired or unintended reversal of flow of water and/or other liquids, gases, or other substances into a public water system’s distribution system or approved water supply.
(5) “Backflow prevention assembly” or “BPA” means a mechanical assembly designed and constructed to prevent backflow, such that while in-line it can be maintained and its ability to prevent backflow, as designed, can be field tested, inspected and evaluated.
(6) “Backflow prevention assembly tester” means a person who is certified as a backflow prevention assembly tester.
(7) “California Code of Regulations” or “CCR” means the official compilation of rules and regulations adopted by California state agencies to implement state laws.
(8) “California Health and Safety Code” or “CHSC” means the set of state laws that govern public health, sanitation, environmental safety, and related regulations in California.
(9) “Community water system” means a public water system that serves at least fifteen service connections used by yearlong residents or regularly serves at least twenty-five yearlong residents of the area served by the system.
(10) “Contact hour” means not less than fifty minutes of a continuing education course.
(11) “Continuing education course” means a presentation or training that transmits information related to cross-connection control programs and backflow prevention and protection.
(12) “Cross-connection” means any actual or potential connection or structural arrangement between a public water system, including a piping system connected to the public water system and located on the premises of a water user or available to the water user, and any source or distribution system containing liquid, gas, or other substances not from an approved water supply.
(13) “Cross-connection control specialist” means a person who is certified as a cross-connection control specialist.
(14) “Distribution system” has the same meaning as defined in Section 63750.50 of CCR, Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 2.
(15) “Double check detector backflow prevention assembly” or “DCDA” means a double check valve backflow prevention assembly that includes a bypass with a water meter and double check backflow prevention assembly, with the bypass’s water meter accurately registering flow rates up to two gallons per minute and visually showing a registration for all rates of flow. This type of assembly may only be used to isolate low hazard cross-connections. See Diagram 1, Appendix C of the CCCPH.
(16) “Double check detector backflow prevention assembly—Type II” or “DCDA-II” means a double check valve backflow prevention assembly that includes a bypass around the second check, with the bypass having a single check valve and a water meter accurately registering flow rates up to two gallons per minute and visually showing a registration for all rates of flow. This type of assembly may only be used to isolate low hazard cross-connections. See Diagram 2, Appendix C of the CCCPH.
(17) “Double check valve backflow prevention assembly” or “DC” means an assembly consisting of two independently-acting internally-loaded check valves, with tightly closing shut-off valves located at each end of the assembly (upstream and downstream of the two check valves) and fitted with test cocks that enable accurate field testing of the assembly. This type of assembly may only be used to isolate low hazard cross-connections. See Diagram 3, Appendix C of the CCCPH.
(18) “Existing public water system” or “existing PWS” means a public water system initially permitted on or before July 1, 2024, as a public water system by the State Water Board.
(19) “Hazard assessment” means an evaluation of a user’s premises designed to evaluate the types and degrees of hazard at a user’s premises.
(20) “High hazard cross-connection” means a cross-connection that poses a threat to the potability or safety of the public water supply. Materials entering the public water supply through a high hazard cross-connection are contaminants or health hazards. See Appendix D of the CCCPH for some examples.
(21) “Low hazard cross-connection” means a cross-connection that has been found to not pose a threat to the potability or safety of the public water supply but may adversely affect the aesthetic quality of the potable water supply. Materials entering the public water supply through a low hazard cross-connection are pollutants or non-health hazards.
(22) “New public water system” or “new PWS” means a public water system permitted after July 1, 2024, as a public water system by the State Water Board. A new public water system includes a public water system receiving a new permit because of a change in ownership.
(23) “Noncommunity water system” means a public water system that is not a community water system.
(24) “Nontransient noncommunity water system” means a public water system that is not a community water system and that regularly serves at least twenty-five of the same persons over six months per year.
(25) “Premises containment” means protection of a public water system’s distribution system from backflow from a user’s premises through the installation of one or more air gaps or BPAs, installed as close as practical to the user’s service connection, in a manner that isolates the water user’s water supply from the public water system’s distribution system.
(26) “Pressure vacuum breaker backsiphonage prevention assembly” or “PVB” means an assembly with an independently-acting internally-loaded check valve and an independently-acting loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check valve; with test cocks and tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly that enable accurate field testing of the assembly. This type of assembly may only be used for protection from backsiphonage and is not to be used to protect from backpressure. See Diagram 4, Appendix C of the CCCPH.
(27) “Public water system” or “PWS” has the same meaning as defined in Section 116275(h) of the CHSC.
(28) “Recycled water” means a wastewater which as a result of treatment is suitable for uses other than potable use.
(29) “Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly” or “RP” means an assembly with two independently acting internally-loaded check valves, with a hydraulically operating mechanically independent differential-pressure relief valve located between the check valves and below the upstream check valve. The assembly shall have shut-off valves located upstream and downstream of the two check valves, and test cocks to enable accurate field testing of the assembly. See Diagram 5, Appendix C of the CCCPH.
(30) “Reduced pressure principle detector backflow prevention assembly” or “RPDA” means a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly that includes a bypass with a water meter and reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly, with the bypass’s water meter accurately registering flow rates up to two gallons per minute and visually showing a registration for all rates of flow. See Diagram 6, Appendix C of the CCCPH.
(31) “Reduced pressure principle detector backflow prevention assembly—Type II” or “RPDA-II” means a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly that includes a bypass around the second check, with the bypass having a single check valve and a water meter accurately registering flow rates up to two gallons per minute and visually showing a registration for all rates of flow. See Diagram 7, Appendix C of the CCCPH.
(32) “Spill-resistant pressure vacuum breaker backsiphonage prevention assembly” or “SVB” means an assembly with an independently-acting internally-loaded check valve and an independently-acting loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check valve; with shutoff valves at each end and a test cock and bleed/vent port, to enable accurate field testing of the assembly. This type of assembly may only be used for protection from backsiphonage and is not to be used to protect from backpressure. See Diagram 8, Appendix C of the CCCPH.
(33) “State Water Board,” unless otherwise specified, means the State Water Resources Control Board or the local primacy agency having been delegated the authority to enforce the requirements of the CCCPH by the State Water Resources Control Board.
(34) “Swivel-ell” means a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly combined with a changeover piping configuration (swivel-ell connection) designed and constructed pursuant to this chapter. See design and construction criteria, as well as Diagrams 9a and 9b, Appendix C of the CCCPH.
(35) “Transient noncommunity water system” means a noncommunity water system that does not regularly serve at least twenty-five of the same persons over six months per year.
(36) “User’s premises” means the property under the ownership or control of a water user and is served, or is readily capable of being served, with water via a service connection with a public water system.
(37) “User’s service connection” means either the point where a water user’s piping is connected to a water system or the point in a water system where the approved water supply can be protected from backflow using an air gap or backflow prevention assembly.
(38) “User supervisor” means a person designated by a water user to oversee a water use site and responsible for the avoidance of cross-connections.
(39) “Water supplier” means a person or entity who owns or operates a public water system.
(40) “Water user” means a person or entity who is authorized by the PWS to receive water. (Ord. 1050 § 2, 2025)
13.12.020 Responsibility.
(a) The city must protect the public water supply through implementation and enforcement of a cross-connection control program. Unless otherwise specified by Chapter 3 of the CCCPH or directed by the State Water Board, the city may implement its cross-connection control program, in whole or in part, either directly or by way of contract or agreement with another party. The city, however, shall not be responsible for abatement of cross-connections which may exist within a user’s premises. The cross-connection control program must include at a minimum the following elements:
(1) Operating Rules or Ordinances. The city must have operating rules, ordinances, by-laws or a resolution to implement the cross-connection program. The city must have legal authority to implement corrective actions in the event a water user fails to comply in a timely manner with the city’s provisions regarding the installation, inspection, field testing, or maintenance of BPAs required pursuant to this chapter. Such corrective actions must include the city’s ability to perform at least one of the following:
(i) Deny or discontinue water service to a water user;
(ii) Install, inspect field test, and/or maintain a BPA at a water user’s premises; or
(iii) Otherwise address in a timely manner a failure to comply with the cross-connection control program.
(2) Cross-Connection Control Program Coordinator. The city must designate at least one individual involved in the development to be responsible for the reporting, tracking, and other administration duties of its cross-connection control program.
(3) Hazard Assessments. The city must survey its service area and conduct hazard assessments per Article 2 of the CCCPH that identifies actual or potential cross-connection hazards, degree of hazard, and any backflow protection needed.
(4) Backflow Prevention. The city must ensure that actual and potential cross-connections are eliminated when possible or controlled by the installation of approved BPAs or AGs consistent with the requirements of the Article 3 of the CCCPH.
(5) Certified Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers and Certified Cross-Connection Control Specialists. The city must ensure all BPA testers and cross-connection control specialists used are certified per Article 4 of the CCCPH.
(6) Backflow Prevention Assembly Testing. The city must develop and implement a procedure for ensuring all BPAs are field tested, inspected, and maintained and AGs are inspected and maintained in accordance with Article 3 of the CCCPH.
(7) Recordkeeping. The city must develop and implement a recordkeeping system in accordance with Article 5 of the CCCPH.
(8) Backflow Incident Response, Reporting and Notification. The city must develop and implement procedures for investigating and responding to suspected or actual backflow incidents in accordance with Article 5 of the CCCPH.
(9) Public Outreach and Education. The city must implement a cross-connection control public outreach and education program element that includes educating staff, customers, and the community about backflow protection and cross-connection control. The city may implement this requirement through a variety of methods which may include providing information on cross-connection control and backflow protection in periodic water bill inserts, pamphlet distribution, new customer documentation, email, and consumer confidence reports.
(10) Local Entity Coordination. The city must coordinate with applicable local entities that are involved in either cross-connection control or public health protection to ensure hazard assessments can be performed, appropriate backflow protection is provided, and provide assistance in the investigation of backflow incidents. Local entities may include but are not limited to plumbing, permitting, or health officials, law enforcement, fire departments, maintenance, and public and private entities.
(b) The city must have at least one cross-connection control specialist as a permanent or contracted employee of the PWS, and that specialist, or their designee, must be able to be contacted within one hour.
(c) The water user shall assume responsibility for the testing, installation, maintenance, repair, and/or replacement of any backflow prevention assembly(ies) within the premises of the water user, as well as any costs incurred. An appropriate backflow prevention assembly shall be installed by and at the expense of the water user at each connection where necessary to prevent backflow from the premises of the water user to the domestic water system. It shall be the responsibility of the water user to ensure compliance with the city’s requirements.
BPAs that do not pass field tests must be repaired or replaced to restore proper working order within 30 days following notification. Failure to comply will result in discontinuation of water service. (Ord. 1050 § 2, 2025; Ord. 681 § 1 (part), 1988)
13.12.030 Cross-connection protection requirements.
The type of protection that shall be provided to prevent backflow into the public water supply system shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard, actual or potential, that exists on the water user’s premises. Unprotected cross-connections with the public water supply are prohibited. The type of backflow prevention assembly that may be required (listed in decreasing level of protection) includes: air-gap separation, reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly and a double-check valve assembly. The water user may choose a higher level of protection than required by the water supplier. The minimum types of backflow protection required to protect the approved water supply at the user’s water connection to premises with varying degrees of hazard are listed in Table 1. Situations which are not covered in Table 1 shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and the appropriate backflow protection shall be determined by the city. (Ord. 1050 § 2, 2025; Ord. 681 § 1 (part), 1988)
13.12.040 Backflow prevention assemblies.
All commercial/industrial/institutional metered services shall be protected by a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device.
(a) Standards for Types of Backflow Protection.
(1) The city must ensure that each AG used for its cross-connection control program meets the requirements in Table 1, Minimum Air Gaps for Generally used Plumbing Fixtures, page 4 of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), A112.1.2-2012(R2017) (see Appendix B of the CCCPH).
(2) The city must ensure that each replaced or newly installed PVB, SVB, DC, and RP for protection of the city is approved through both laboratory and field evaluation tests performed in accordance with at least one of the following:
(i) Standards found in Chapter 10 of the Manual of Cross-Connection Control, Tenth Edition, published by the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research; or
(ii) Certification requirements for BPAs in the Standards of ASSE International current as of 2022 that include ASSE 1015-2021 for the DC, ASSE 1048-2021 for the DCDA and DCDA-II, ASSE 1013-2021 for the RP, and ASSE 1047-2021 for the RPDA and RPDA-II and must have the 1YT mark.
(3) BPAs must not be modified following approval granted under CCCPH Section 3.3.1(b). PWS must require BPA testers to notify the PWS if a water user or PWS-owned BPA has been modified from the CCCPH Section 3.3.1(b) approval.
(b) Installation Criteria for Backflow Protection.
(1) For AGs, the following is required:
(i) The receiving water container must be located on the water user’s premises at the water user’s service connection unless an alternate location has been approved by the city;
(ii) All piping between the water user’s service connection and the discharge location of the receiving water container must be above finished grade and be accessible for visual inspection unless an alternative piping configuration is approved by the city;
(iii) The city must ensure that the AG specified in CCCPH Section 3.3.1(a) has been installed; and
(iv) Any new air gap installation at a user’s service connection must be reviewed and approved by the State Water Board prior to installation.
(2) RPs must be installed such that the lowest point of an assembly is a minimum of twelve inches above grade, and a maximum of thirty-six inches above the finished grade, unless an alternative is approved by the city.
(3) DCs installed or replaced after the adoption of the CCCPH must be installed according to CCCPH section 3.3.2(b). Belowground installation can be considered if approved by the city where it determines no alternative options are available.
(4) A PVB or SVB must be installed a minimum of twelve inches above all downstream piping and outlets.
(5) SVBs may not be used for premises containment. PVBs may only be used for roadway right-of-way irrigation systems as premises containment where there is no potential for backpressure.
(6) An RP or DC installed after the adoption of the CCCPH must have a minimum side clearance of twelve inches, except that a minimum side clearance of twenty-four inches must be provided on the side of the assembly that contains the test cocks. The city may approve alternate clearances; providing, that there is adequate clearance for field testing and maintenance.
(7) Backflow protection must be located as close as practical to the water user’s service connection unless one or more alternative locations have been approved by the city. If internal protection is provided in lieu of premises containment, the city must obtain access to the user’s premises and must ensure that the on-site protection meets the requirements for installation, field testing, and inspections.
(8) Each BPA and air-gap separation must be accessible for field testing, inspection, and maintenance.
(c) Field Testing and Repair of Backflow Prevention Assemblies and Air Gap Inspection.
(1) The city must ensure that all BPAs installed for its cross-connection control program are field tested following installation, repair, depressurization for winterizing, or permanent relocation. All required field testing must be performed by certified backflow prevention assembly testers.
(2) BPAs must be field tested at least annually. The CCCPH does not preclude the city, State Water Board, or a local health agency from requiring more frequent field testing for premises with high hazard cross-connection or BPA at increased risk of testing failure.
(3) Air-gap separations must be visually inspected at least annually to determine compliance by persons certified as backflow prevention assembly testers or certified as a cross-connection control specialist.
(4) The city must receive passing field tests before providing continuous service to a water user with a newly installed BPA.
(5) The city must ensure that BPAs that fail the field test are repaired or replaced within thirty days of notification of the failure. Extensions may be allowed by the city if included as part of the cross-connection control plan.
(6) The city must require backflow prevention assembly testers to notify the city as soon as possible within twenty-four hours if a backflow incident or an unprotected cross-connection is observed at the BPA or prior to the user’s premises during field testing. The city must immediately conduct an investigation and discontinue service to the user’s premises if a backflow incident is confirmed, and water service must not be restored to that user’s premises until the city receives a confirmation of a passing BPA field test from a backflow prevention assembly tester and the assembly is protecting the city. (Ord. 1050 § 2, 2025; Ord. 681 § 1 (part), 1988)
13.12.050 Type of backflow protection required.
The type of protection that shall be provided to prevent backflow into the public water supply shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard that exists on the consumer’s premises. The type of protection device that may be required (listed in an increasing level of protection) includes: double-check valve assembly (DC), reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device (RP), and an air-gap separation (AG). The water user may choose a higher level of protection than required by the water supplier. The minimum types of backflow protection required to protect the public water supply, at the water user’s connection to premises with various degrees of hazard are shown below. Situations which are not covered shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and the appropriate backflow protection shall be determined by the water supplier or health agency.
(a) Residential Fire Services. A BPA is required for retrofitted and/or new installations on residential fire services if one or more of the following conditions are not satisfied:
(1) The user’s premises has only one service connection to the city;
(2) A single service line onto the user’s premises exists, which subsequently splits on the property for domestic flow and fire protection system flow, ensuring that the fire protection system may be isolated from the remainder of the user’s premises;
(3) A single, water industry standard water meter is provided to measure combined domestic flow and fire protection system flow;
(4) The fire protection system is constructed of piping materials certified as conforming to NSF/ANSI Standard 61, a national standard that sets health effects criteria for the safety of drinking water system components in contact with potable water; and
(5) The piping of the fire protection system is looped within the structure and is connected to one or more routinely utilized fixtures (such as a water closet) to prevent the stagnation of water.
DEGREE OF HAZARD
The city may require an RP subject to the design of the fire system including but not limited to piping materials, chemical additives or booster pumps installed on fire system.
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Minimum Type of Backflow Prevention |
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(a) Sewage and Hazardous Substances. |
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(1) Premises where the public water system is used to supplement the reclaimed water supply. |
AG |
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(2) Premises where there are wastewater pumping and/or treatment plants and there is no interconnection with the potable water system. This does not include a single-family residence that has a sewage lift pump. An RP may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the health agency and water supplier. |
AG |
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(3) Premises where reclaimed water is used and there is no interconnection with the potable water system. An RP may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by health agency and water supplier. |
AG |
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(4) Premises where hazardous substances are handled in any manner in which the substances may enter the potable water system. This does not include a single-family residence that has a sewage lift pump. An RP may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the health agency and water supplier. |
AG |
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(5) Premises where there are irrigation systems into which fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides are, or can be, injected. |
RP |
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(b) Auxiliary Water Supplies. |
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(1) Premises where there is an unapproved auxiliary water supply which is interconnected with the public water system. An RP or DC may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the health agency and water supplier. |
AG |
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(2) Premises where there is an unapproved auxiliary water supply and there are no interconnections with the public water system. A DC may be provided in lieu of an RP if approved by the health agency and water supplier. |
RP |
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(c) Fire Protection Systems. |
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(1) Premises where the fire system is directly supplied from the public water system and there is an unapproved auxiliary water supply on or to the premises (not interconnected). |
DC |
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(2) Premises where the fire system is supplied from the public water system and interconnected with an unapproved auxiliary water supply. An RP may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the health agency and water supplier. |
AG |
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(3) Premises where the fire system is supplied from the public water system and where either elevated storage tanks or fire pumps which take suction from private reservoirs or tanks are used. |
DC |
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(d) Dockside Watering Points and Marine Facilities. |
RP |
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(1) Pier hydrants for supplying water to vessels for any purpose. |
RP |
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(2) Premises where there are marine facilities. |
RP |
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(e) Premises where entry is restricted so that inspections for cross-connections cannot be made with sufficient frequency or at sufficient short notice to ensure that cross-connections do not exist. |
RP |
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(f) Premises where there is a repeated history of cross-connections being established or reestablished. |
RP |
(Ord. 1050 § 2, 2025; Ord. 681 § 1 (part), 1988)
13.12.060 Administration.
The cross-connection control program shall be administered by the water superintendent who shall be involved in the development of and be responsible for the reporting, tracking, and other administration duties of its cross-connection control program. The city will establish and maintain a list of approved backflow prevention assemblies as well as a list of approved backflow prevention assembly testers. The city shall conduct necessary surveys of water user premises to evaluate the degree of potential health hazards. The city shall notify users when an assembly needs to be tested. The notice shall contain the date when the test must be completed. (Ord. 1050 § 2, 2025; Ord. 681 § 1 (part), 1988)
13.12.070 Water service termination.
(a) When the city encounters water uses that represent a dire and immediate hazard to the potable water supply that cannot be immediately abated, the procedure for terminating water service shall be instituted. Conditions or water uses that create a basis for water service termination shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Refusal to install or to test a backflow prevention assembly, or to repair or replace a faulty backflow prevention assembly;
(2) Direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a sewer line;
(3) Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a system or equipment containing contaminants;
(4) Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and an auxiliary water system.
(b) For subsection (a)(1) of this section, the city will terminate service to a water user’s premises after proper notification has been sent. If no action is taken within the allowed time period water service shall be terminated.
For subsections (a)(2), (a)(3) or (a)(4) of this section, the city shall take the following steps:
(1) Make reasonable effort to advise the water user of intent to terminate water service;
(2) Terminate water service and lock service valve. The water service shall remain inactive until correction of violations has been approved by the city. (Ord. 1050 § 2, 2025; Ord. 681 § 1 (part), 1988)
13.12.080 Procedures for suspected backflow response.
(a) Determination of a Backflow Incident. The city will regard the following as indicators for investigating potential backflow incidents, including but not limited to:
(1) Changes in water quality brought to the attention of water division staff through routine water quality sampling; and
(2) Water quality complaints received in areas and during days and times of non-routine water-related work that would normally cause customer inquiries such as directional flushing, dead-end flushing.
The city will respond to suspected backflow incidents and use various methods to determine if a backflow event has occurred. These methods may include, but are not limited to, measuring chlorine residuals, conducting pressure readings at system endpoints that reflect the distribution system’s current state, assessing the aesthetic quality of collected water samples, and analyzing data retrieved from the city’s supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. Hydraulic conditions such as the hydraulic gradient line (HGL) and thermal expansion will also be considered.
(b) Notification of a Backflow Incident. Upon the discovery of a backflow incident, the Cross-Connection and Water Pollution Control Program of Los Angeles County Public Health Department will be notified in a timely manner and may be requested to assist. The State Water Board will be notified promptly within twenty-four hours. Customers who may be affected by the incident will be informed through various communication channels, in person, direct mail, and phone notifications.
(c) Response to a Backflow Incident. The city’s cross-connection control program staff will identify the affected area and instruct personnel to isolate an affected area if necessary, by closing water line valves and/or the customers’ angled meter stops, effectively isolating the impacted area from the remainder of the distribution system. Water division staff will assess chlorine residuals to delineate the affected region. Once the source of the backflow has been identified and contained, staff will evaluate the most effective methods for chlorination, flushing of lines, sampling, and restoration of water service to the affected area. Upon achieving a chlorine residual deemed satisfactory by the water superintendent, all valves that were utilized for isolating the area will be reopened.
(d) Documentation of a Backflow Incident. Documentation of a backflow incident and any related follow-up actions shall include all necessary information required by the State Water Board. Records shall be kept for a minimum of three years. (Ord. 1050 § 2, 2025)
13.12.090 Authority.
The CCCPH and its standards apply to all California PWSs, as defined in CHSC, Section 116275(h). Compliance with this CCCPH is mandatory for all California PWSs.
Through the adoption of the CCCPH, the State Water Board is exercising its authority, under California’s Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), to establish enforceable standards applicable to PWSs. Failure to comply with the CCCPH may result in the issuance of compliance, enforcement, or other corrective actions against a PWS.
On October 6, 2017, Assembly Bill 1671 (AB 1671) was approved and filed with the Secretary of State (see Appendix A of the CCCPH). AB 1671 amended the SDWA through the establishment of CHSC Sections 116407 and 116555.5. AB 1671 also amended Section 116810 of the CHSC.
On October 2, 2019, Assembly Bill 1180 (AB 1180) was approved and filed with the Secretary of State. AB 1180 amended Section 116407 of the CHSC and added Section 13521.2 to the Water Code. AB 1180 requires that the CCCPH include provisions for the use of a swivel or changeover device (swivel-ell). (Ord. 1050 § 2, 2025)