Chapter 6.30
PROTECTION OF DRINKING WATER
Sections:
6.30.030 Protection of public water system at service connection.
6.30.040 Customer responsibility.
6.30.050 Application for certification.
6.30.060 Certification of testers.
6.30.070 Certification renewal.
6.30.080 Certification suspension or revocation.
6.30.090 Authority to inspect.
6.30.110 Existing backflow prevention assemblies.
6.30.130 Rules and regulations.
6.30.010 Purpose.
A. The purposes of this chapter are:
1. To protect public water systems against actual or potential cross-connections by isolating, within premises, contamination or pollution that may occur because of undiscovered or unauthorized cross-connections on premises;
2. To eliminate existing connections between public water systems and other sources of water that are not approved as safe and potable for human consumption;
3. To prevent the making of cross-connections in the future;
4. To encourage the exclusive use of public water systems as sources of water supply.
B. It is the intent of this chapter to recognize that there are varying degrees of hazard and to apply the principle that the degree of protection should be commensurate with the degree of hazard. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 676 § 1, 1987].
6.30.020 Definitions.
The meanings of terms used in this chapter are as follows:
“Air-gap separation” shall mean a physical separation between the discharge end of a potable water supply pipeline and an open or nonpressure receiving vessel. An “approved air-gap separation” shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the overflow rim of the receiving vessel and in no case shall be less than one inch.
“Approved,” as herein used in reference to a public water system, shall mean a water supply that has been approved by the health agency having jurisdiction; or, as herein used in reference to backflow prevention assemblies, shall mean approval by the department.
“Approved testing laboratory” shall mean a person or entity that is competent and possesses the necessary facilities, as determined by the department, to investigate and evaluate backflow prevention assemblies.
“Atmospheric vacuum breaker (nonpressure)” shall mean a backflow prevention device containing a shut-off valve followed by a valve body containing a float-check, a check seat and an air inlet port.
“Auxiliary water system” shall mean any water supply on or available to a customer’s premises other than an approved public water system.
“Backflow” shall mean the undesirable reversal of the flow of water or any mixture of water and other liquid, gas or other substance into the distribution pipes of a public water system from any source or sources.
“Certified backflow prevention assembly tester” shall mean a person who has been certified by the health officer as having the necessary training and competence to test backflow prevention assemblies.
“Cross-connection” shall mean any unprotected actual or potential connection or structural arrangement between any part of a public water system used or intended to supply water for human consumption, and any source or system containing used water, industrial fluid, gas or other substance that is not or cannot be approved as safe, wholesome and potable for human consumption.
“Customer” shall mean any person or entity to whom water is furnished or sold from an approved public water system.
“Department” shall mean the department of health for the city of Rancho Cordova.
“Double check valve assembly” shall mean a backflow prevention device incorporating two single, independently acting check valves, a shut-off valve at each end of the device and necessary appurtenances for testing as required by the department.
“Health officer” shall mean the health officer for the city of Rancho Cordova or a designated representative of the health officer.
“Hearing officer” shall mean the health officer for the city of Rancho Cordova or a designated representative of the health officer.
“Pressure vacuum breaker assembly” shall mean a backflow prevention device incorporating one or two independently operating loaded check valve(s), an independently operating loaded air inlet valve, a shut-off valve at each end of the device and necessary appurtenances for testing as required by the department.
“Public water system” shall mean any potable water supply approved by, or under the public health supervision of, a public health agency of the state of California or the city of Rancho Cordova.
“Reduced pressure principle assembly” shall mean a backflow prevention device incorporating two independently acting check valves, a hydraulically operating, mechanically independent pressure relief valve, a shut-off valve at each end of the device and necessary appurtenances for testing as required by the department.
“Service connection” shall mean the point at which the public water system piping ends and the water system piping of the customer begins. If a meter is installed as part of the public water system, then the term “service connection” shall mean the downstream end of the meter.
“Water purveyor” shall mean any person, corporation, public utility, municipality, district or other agency or institution that operates a public water system. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 676 § 1, 1987].
6.30.030 Protection of public water system at service connection.
A. Where Protection Is Required.
1. Protection shall be required at each service connection from a public water system that supplies water to premises having an auxiliary water system.
2. Protection shall be required at each service connection from a public water system that supplies water to premises on which any substance is or may be handled in such a manner as to permit entry into a public water system, including water originating from a public water system which is or may be subjected to deterioration in sanitary quality.
3. Protection shall be required at each service connection to any premises that has cross-connections unless such cross-connections are abated to the satisfaction of the department.
B. Type of Protection. The type of protection required shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard. In determining the degree of hazard and the type of protection required, the following criteria shall be used:
1. At each service connection to any premises where there exists an auxiliary water system with no known cross-connections, the public water system shall be protected by an approved double check valve backflow prevention assembly or an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly.
2. At each service connection to any premises on which there is an auxiliary water system where cross-connections are known to exist, the public water system shall be protected by an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly.
3. At each service connection to any premises on which an objectionable but nonhazardous substance is, or may be, handled in such a manner as to permit entry into a public water system, the public water system shall be protected by an approved double check valve backflow prevention assembly or an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly.
4. At each service connection to any premises on which any hazardous substance is or may be handled in such a manner as to permit entry into a public water system, the public water system shall be protected by an approved air-gap separation. The air-gap shall be located as close as practicable to the service cock and all piping between the service cock and any receiving vessel shall be visible. If these conditions cannot reasonably be met, the public water system shall be protected by an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly; provided, that this alternative is acceptable to the department.
5. At each service connection to any sewage treatment plant or sewage pumping station, the public water system shall be protected by an approved air-gap separation. The air-gap shall be located as close as practicable to the service cock and all piping between the service cock and any receiving vessel shall be visible. If these conditions cannot reasonably be met, the public water system shall be protected by an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly; provided, that this alternative is acceptable to the department. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 676 § 1, 1987].
6.30.040 Customer responsibility.
It shall be the responsibility of each customer to furnish, and install in a manner approved by the department, and keep in good working order and safe condition, any and all backflow prevention assemblies as required by this chapter. The city of Rancho Cordova shall not be responsible for any loss or damage directly or indirectly resulting from or caused by any improper or negligent installation, operation, use, repair or maintenance of, or interfering with, any backflow prevention assembly required by this chapter, by any customer or any other person. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 676 § 1, 1987].
6.30.050 Application for certification.
Any person desiring certification as a backflow prevention assembly tester shall make written application to the department on a form provided by, and in a manner prescribed by, the department. Each application shall be accompanied by a fee in an amount to be set by resolution of the city council. Said fee shall not be refundable or transferable. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 676 § 1, 1987].
6.30.060 Certification of testers.
The health officer may conduct examinations to determine the competency of applicants to test backflow prevention assemblies. Those persons determined to be competent by the health officer shall be issued a certificate of competence. Any conditions or limitations imposed by the health officer on the examinee relative to the testing of backflow prevention assemblies shall be stated upon the face of the certificate as issued to the examinee. Every person, after receiving a certificate of competence from the health officer, shall be issued such identification as the department shall deem appropriate, and such identification shall be kept in the immediate possession of every person holding a certificate of competence while said person is testing any backflow prevention assembly within the city of Rancho Cordova. Said certificate shall be valid for three years commencing with the year in which it is issued. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 676 § 1, 1987].
6.30.070 Certification renewal.
A certificate of competence may be renewed for an additional three-year period within 90 days of the date of expiration. Any person desiring certification renewal shall make written application to the department on a form provided by, and in a manner prescribed by, the department. The health officer may conduct examinations to determine the competency of applicants to test backflow prevention assemblies. Each application shall be accompanied by a fee in an amount to be set by resolution of the city council. Said fee shall not be refundable or transferable. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 676 § 1, 1987].
6.30.080 Certification suspension or revocation.
A. If the department determines that a certificate holder has failed to comply with any requirement of this chapter, the department shall issue to the certificate holder a written notice setting forth the acts or omissions with which the certificate holder is charged, and informing the certificate holder of their right to a hearing to show cause why the certificate of competence should not be suspended or revoked. A written request for a hearing shall be made by the certificate holder within 15 calendar days after receipt of the notice. A failure to request a hearing shall be made by the certificate holder within 15 calendar days after receipt of the notice. A failure to request a hearing within 15 calendar days after receipt of the notice shall be deemed a waiver of the right to hearing and the certificate of competence may be suspended or revoked.
B. The hearing shall be conducted within 15 calendar days of the receipt of a request for a hearing. Upon written request of the certificate holder, the hearing officer may postpone any hearing date, if circumstances warrant such action.
C. At the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing officer shall issue a written notice of decision to the certificate holder within five working days following the hearing. In the event of a suspension or revocation, the notice shall specify the acts or omissions with which the certificate holder is charged, and shall state the terms of the suspension or that the certificate of competence has been revoked.
D. Upon revocation of a certificate of competence, the former certificate holder shall not be allowed to make application for a certificate of competence for a period of three years after the revocation date. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 676 § 1, 1987].
6.30.090 Authority to inspect.
The customer’s premises shall be available for inspection at all reasonable times to authorized representatives of the health officer to determine if protection of the public water system is required at the service connection(s). [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 676 § 1, 1987].
6.30.100 Testing and reports.
A. Any customer at whose service connection(s) any backflow prevention assemblies are installed shall have each such assembly tested at the time of installation and annually thereafter or more often as the health officer may require. All such tests shall be conducted by a certified backflow prevention assembly tester. Backflow prevention assemblies shall be repaired or replaced at the expense of the customer whenever they are found to be defective.
B. Reports of tests of backflow prevention assemblies shall be filed with the department within 20 days after said tests are conducted. The department shall accept said reports from only those persons who possess a valid certificate of competence as issued by the health officer. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 676 § 1, 1987].
6.30.110 Existing backflow prevention assemblies.
A. Backflow prevention assemblies in service at the time of adoption of this chapter which do not comply with the provisions of this chapter may continue in use until such time as the assembly is determined to be defective.
B. Any such assembly that is determined to be defective shall be replaced by an assembly that complies with the provisions of this chapter. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 676 § 1, 1987].
6.30.120 Enforcement.
The health officer, or an authorized representative, shall have the authority to enforce this chapter.
The health officer may require a water purveyor to discontinue water service to any premises wherein violations of this chapter exist. Any customer who violates any of the provisions of this chapter or later bypasses or renders inoperative any backflow prevention assembly installed under the provisions of this chapter may, in addition to other penalties prescribed, be subject to discontinuance of water service. Water service shall not again be rendered until such violations have been corrected as ascertained by the department. Any violation of the provisions of this chapter or rules and regulations promulgated thereby shall be an infraction punishable by a fine of not less than $25.00 nor more than $500.00. Each day that a violation exists shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 676 § 1, 1987].
6.30.130 Rules and regulations.
The health officer is authorized to make all necessary and reasonable rules and regulations with respect to the enforcement of this chapter. All such rules and regulations shall be consistent with the provisions of this chapter and shall be effective 30 days after being filed with the clerk of the city council. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 676 § 1, 1987].