Chapter 13.16
CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL
Sections:
13.16.030 Backflow prevention.
13.16.050 Certified backflow assembly testers.
13.16.060 Enforcement – Penalty.
13.16.070 Conformance with state codes.
13.16.010 Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall be defined as follows:
A. “Air gap” means the vertical physical separation between the free flowing discharge end of the potable supply line and the overflow rim of the receiving vessel. This separation must be at least twice the inside diameter of the supply line, but never less than one inch. When located near walls, the air gap separation must be increased.
B. “Approval/approved” means approved in writing by the health authority, town of Waterville, or other agency having jurisdiction.
C. “Auxiliary water supply” means any water supply on, or available to, a premises other than the town of Waterville’s approved public potable water supply.
D. “Backflow” means the flow of water or other liquids, gases or solids from any source back into the distribution piping of the public potable supply system.
E. “Backflow prevention assembly” means an assembly which prevents the backflow of water or other liquids, gases or solids into the town of Waterville’s potable water supply and appears on the health authority approved list.
F. “Backflow prevention device” means a device which prevents the backflow of water or other liquids, gases or solids into the town of Waterville’s potable water supply and does not appear on the health authority approved list.
G. “Certified backflow assembly tester” means a person who is certified by the health authority, or other approval agency, to test backflow prevention assemblies.
H. “Certified cross-connection control specialist/ inspector” means a person who is certified by the health authority, or other approval agency, to administer a cross-connection control program and to conduct cross-connection surveys.
I. “Contamination” means an impairment of the quality of the potable water which creates an actual hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of diseases by sewage, industrial fluids or waste. Also defined as high hazard.
J. “Cross-connection” means a point in the plumbing system where the public potable water supply is connected directly, or has the potential of being connected, to a source of nonpotable substance that is not a part of the public potable water supply.
K. “Double check detector assembly (DCDA)” means an approved assembly consisting of two approved double check valve assemblies, set in parallel, equipped with a meter on the bypass line to detect small amounts of water leakage or use. This unit must be purchased as a complete assembly. The assembly may be allowed on fire line water services in place of an approved double check valve assembly upon approval by the local water authority.
L. “Double check valve assembly (DCVA)” means an approved assembly consisting of two independently operating check valves, loaded to the closed position by springs or weights, and installed as a unit with, and between, two resilient seated shutoff valves and having suitable connections for testing.
M. “High hazard” means a physical or toxic hazard which could be detrimental to one’s health.
N. “Low hazard” means a hazard which could cause aesthetic problems or have a detrimental effect on the quality of the public potable water supply.
O. “Nonpotable fluid” means any water, other liquid, gas, or other substance which is not safe for human consumption, or is not a part of the public potable water supply as described by the health authority.
P. “Pollution” means an impairment of the quality of the public potable water supply which does not create a hazard to the public health but which does adversely affect the aesthetic qualities of such potable waters for domestic use. Also defined as low hazard.
Q. “Potable water” means water which is safe for human consumption, free from harmful or objectionable materials, as described by the health authority.
R. “Pressure vacuum breaker assembly (PVBA)” means an approved assembly consisting of a spring loaded check valve loaded to the closed position, an independently operating air inlet valve loaded to the open position and installed as a unit with and between two resilient seated shutoff valves and with suitable connections for testing. It is designed to protect against backsiphonage only.
S. “Process water” means water that is directly connected to, or could come in contact with, an extreme high hazard situation, and must never be consumed by humans.
T. “Reduced pressure backflow assembly (RPBA)” means an approved assembly consisting of two independently operating check valves, spring loaded to the closed position, separated by a spring loaded differential pressure relief valve loaded to the open position, and installed as a unit with and between two resilient seated shutoff valves and having suitable connections for testing.
U. “Reduced pressure detector assembly (RPDA)” means an approved assembly consisting of two approved reduced pressure backflow assemblies, set in parallel, equipped with a meter on the bypass line to detect small amounts of water leakage or use. This unit must be purchased as a complete assembly. The assembly may be allowed on fire line water services in place of an approved reduced pressure backflow assembly upon approval by the town of Waterville. (Ord. 550 § 2, 1995).
13.16.020 Purpose.
The purpose of the cross-connection control program is to protect the health of water consumers and the potability of the public water system by assuring:
A. The inspection and regulation of plumbing and existing and proposed piping networks; and
B. The proper installation and surveillance of backflow prevention assemblies when actual or potential cross-connections exist and cannot be eliminated.
No cross-connections will exist except in accordance with this chapter. (Ord. 550 § 3, 1995).
13.16.030 Backflow prevention.
A. Elimination. Cross-connections shall be removed and eliminated where reasonably practical.
B. Alternatives to Elimination. Where it is not reasonably practical to remove or eliminate a cross-connection, then:
1. An air gap separation, reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly (RPBA) or a reduced pressure principle detector 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, or double checked 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 (AVB) may be installed where the substance which could backflow is objectionable, but does not pose an unreasonable risk to health and where there is no possibility of back pressure 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 town of Waterville and the department of health, no hazard exists: Hospitals, mortuaries, clinics, laboratories, sewage treatment plants, food and beverage processing plants, chemical plants using water process, metal plating industries, petroleum processing or storage plants, radioactive material processing plants or nuclear reactors, car washes, facilities having a nonpotable auxiliary water supply, and other specified by the department.
C. Backflow Prevention Assemblies/ Devices. All installed RPBAs, RPDAs, DCVAs, DCDAs and PVBAs shall be models included on the current list of Washington State approved cross-connection control assembly devices at the time of installation. All installed RPBAs, RPDAs, DCVAs, DCDAs, and PVDAs in service, but not listed on the current state approved cross-connection control assembly list, may remain in service; provided the backflow prevention assemblies were:
1. Listed on the current Washington State approved cross-connection control assembly list at the time of installation;
2. Are properly maintained;
3. Are of a type appropriate for the degree of hazard; and
4. Are tested and successfully passed 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.
D. Installation of Backflow Prevention Assemblies/Devices. All air gaps and backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in accordance with the cross-connection control manual of the Pacific Northwest Section – American Water Works Association adopted by WAC 246-290-490.
E. Substitution. The town of Waterville 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.
F. Inspection and Testing. A Washington State certified backflow assembly tester shall inspect and test all:
1. RPBAs;
2. RPDAs;
3. DCVAs;
4. DCDAs;
5. New PVDA installations; and
6. Existing PVBAs discovered through routine inspections.
Tests and/or inspections shall be conducted as follows:
1. At the time of initial installation;
2. Annually after initial installation, or more frequently if tests indicate repeated failures; and
3. After the assembly is repaired.
G. Repair/Replacement. The assemblies shall be repaired, overhauled, or replaced whenever found to be defective. Improperly installed or altered air gaps must be replumbed or replaced by an approved RPBA at their discretion. Inspections, tests, and repairs shall be made under the town of Waterville’s supervision and records thereof kept as required by the town of Waterville. (Ord. 550 § 4, 1995).
13.16.040 Responsibilities.
It is the responsibility of all property owners and their renters to abide by the conditions of this chapter. In the event of any changes to the plumbing system, it is the responsibility of the property owners and their renters to notify the town of Waterville. All costs associated with this chapter and the purchase, installation, testing and repair of devices are the responsibility of the property owner and their renters. (Ord. 550 § 5, 1995).
13.16.050 Certified backflow assembly testers.
A backflow assembly tester shall become certified and maintain certification per department of health backflow assembly testers certification program guidelines. The department of health will maintain a list of persons certified to test backflow prevention assemblies. (Ord. 550 § 6, 1995).
13.16.060 Enforcement – Penalty.
Failure of the town of Waterville water system customer to cooperate in the installation, maintenance, repair, inspection or testing of backflow prevention assemblies shall be grounds for termination of water service to the premises or the requirement for an air gap separation. If an emergency situation exists in the discretion of the town of Waterville water systems superintendent, water service may be terminated immediately. If an emergency situation is not determined to exist, the water service may be terminated after seven days’ written notice to the customer. Notice will be deemed to have been given when deposited in the Waterville branch of the United States Postal Service. (Ord. 550 § 7, 1995).
13.16.070 Conformance with state codes.
All cross-connections and backflow prevention assemblies and devices shall conform with the Uniform Plumbing Code, 1994 Edition, and as hereafter amended, and the State of Washington Board of Health Drinking Water Regulations, WAC 246-290-490, and said codes are hereby adopted by reference as if set forth in full herein. (Ord. 550 § 8, 1995).