Beverly Hills Municipal Code Art. 6 Cross Connection Control Program

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation at any time to make or maintain or cause to be made or maintained, temporarily or permanently:

A. Any cross connection between plumbing pipes or water fixtures being served by an approved water supply and plumbing pipes or fixtures being served by any other source of water, or

B. To maintain any sanitary fixture or other appurtenance or fixture which, by reason of its construction, may cause or allow backflow of water or other substances into the water supply system of the city and/or the water service of any consumer of the city. (1988 Code)

For the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

Unprotected cross connections are prohibited.

If backflow protection has been found necessary on a water supply line entering a water user's premises, then any and all water supply lines from the public water system entering such premises shall be protected by an approved backflow prevention device. The device installed shall be in accord with the requirements of this article.

A. Cost: Whenever protection against backflow is required, the city will require the water user to install an approved backflow prevention device at the user's expense.

B. Where Protection Is Required:

1. Each service connection from the public water system to a 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 health agency.

2. For each premises on which a substance is handled so that it may enter the public water system, each service connection from the public water system to such premises shall be protected against the backflow of water from that premises into the public water system. This requirement shall apply to each premises on which persons handle process waters and waters originating from the public water system which have been subjected to deterioration in sanitary quality.

3. Backflow prevention devices shall be installed on a service connection to a premises having: a) internal cross connections that cannot be permanently corrected and controlled to the satisfaction of the health agency and the city, or b) an intricate plumbing and piping arrangement which make it impracticable to ascertain whether cross connections exist.

Backflow prevention devices shall also be installed on a service connection to a premises where all portions of the premises cannot be readily accessed for inspection purposes, making it impracticable to ascertain whether cross connections exist.

4. If an interstreet main flow may occur through two (2) or more services supplying water from different street mains to the same building, structure, or premises, then a standard check valve shall be installed adjacent to, and on the property side of, the respective meters. Such check valve shall not be considered adequate if a backflow prevention device is deemed necessary to protect the public water system's mains from pollution or contamination. In such cases the installation of approved backflow prevention devices shall be required.

C. Type Of Protection Required: The type of protection required to prevent backflow into an approved water supply shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard that exists on the water user's premises. The minimum types of backflow protection required to protect the approved water supply are set forth in table 6-1.5.1 of this section. However, the water user may choose a higher level of protection than required by the city.

Situations which are not covered in table 6-1.5.1 of this section shall be evaluated on a case by case basis and the required backflow protection shall be determined by the city or health agency.

TABLE 6-1.5.1 Type Of Backflow Protection Required

(1988 Code)

A. Approval: Only approved backflow prevention devices shall be acceptable for installation by a water user. Upon request, the city will provide a list of approved backflow prevention devices to any affected user.

B. Installation: Backflow prevention devices shall be installed in a manner prescribed by section 7603 of title 17 of the California Code of Regulations. Location of the devices should be as close as practical to the user's service connection. However, the city shall have the authority to determine the required location of a backflow prevention device. Installation shall also be consistent with the following requirements:

1. Air Gap Separation (AG): An air gap separation shall be located on the user's side of the service connection and as close to the service connection as is practical. All piping from the service connection to the receiving tank shall be above grade and be entirely visible. No water use shall be provided from any point between the service connection and the air gap separation. The water inlet piping shall terminate at a distance of at least two (2) pipe diameters of the supply inlet, but in no case less than one inch (1"), above the overflow rim of the receiving tank.

2. Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Device (RP): The approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device shall be installed on the user's side of the service connection and as close to the service connection as is practical. The device shall be installed a minimum of twelve inches (12") above grade and not more than thirty six inches (36") above grade measured from the bottom of the device and with a minimum of twelve inches (12") side clearance. The device shall be installed so that it is readily accessible for maintenance and testing. Water supplied from any point between the service connection and the RP device shall be protected in a manner approved by the city.

3. Double Check Valve Assembly (DC): The approved double check valve assembly shall be located as close as practical to the user's service connection and shall be installed above grade, if practicable, and in a manner where it is readily accessible for testing and maintenance. If a double check valve assembly is installed below grade, it must be installed in a vault so that there is a minimum of twelve inches (12") between the bottom of the vault and the bottom of the device, so that the top of the device is no more than a maximum of eight inches (8") below grade, so that there is a minimum of twenty four inches (24") of clearance between the side of the device with the test cocks and the side of the vault, and so that there is a minimum of twelve inches (12") clearance between the other side of the device and the side of the vault. Vaults which do not have an integrated bottom must be placed on a three inch (3") layer of gravel.

Double check valve assemblies of the "Y" type must be installed on their "side" with tests cocks in a vertical position so that either check valve may be removed for service without removing the device. (1988 Code)

A. Testing And Maintenance: The owners of any premises on which, or on account of which, backflow prevention devices are installed, shall have the devices tested by a person who has demonstrated to the city his competence in the testing of these devices. Backflow prevention devices must be tested at least annually and must also be tested immediately after installation, relocation or repair. However, the city may require a more frequent testing schedule.

No device shall be placed in service unless it is functioning as required. A report in a form acceptable to the city shall be filed with the city each time a device is tested, relocated, or repaired. 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 water user.

B. Notice: The city shall give customers mailed notice of the need for annual testing of a device, and shall also supply customers with the necessary forms which must be completed each time a device is tested or repaired. Failure to provide notice as provided by this section does not excuse the water user's duty to test the backflow prevention device pursuant to this section. (1988 Code)

Approval must be obtained from the city before a backflow prevention device is removed, relocated, or replaced.

A. Removal: The use of a backflow prevention device may be discontinued, and the device removed from service, upon written permission by the city after presentation to the city of sufficient evidence to verify that a hazard no longer exists and is not likely to be created in the future;

B. Relocation: A backflow prevention device may be relocated following written confirmation by the city that the relocation will continue to provide the required protection and satisfy installation requirements. A device may not be removed for relocation unless water use is discontinued until the relocation is complete or the service connection is equipped with other backflow protection approved by the city and sufficient to prevent backflow during relocation. A retest will be required following the relocation of the device.

C. Repair: A backflow prevention device may be removed for repair, provided that water use is either discontinued until repair is completed and the device is returned to service, or the service connection is equipped with other backflow protection approved by the city and sufficient to prevent backflow during repair. A retest will be required following the repair of the device.

D. Replacement: A device may be removed and replaced provided that water use is discontinued until the replacement device is installed, or the service connection is equipped with other backflow protection approved by the city and sufficient to prevent backflow during replacement. All replacement devices must be approved by the city and must be commensurate with the degree of hazard involved. (1988 Code)

At each premises where the city deems necessary, a user supervisor shall be designated by, and at the expense of, the water user. This user supervisor shall be responsible for monitoring backflow prevention devices and for avoiding cross connections. The user supervisor shall promptly notify the city in the event of contamination or pollution of the public water system due to a cross connection on the premises. Such notice will allow the city to take appropriate measures to mitigate the contamination. The water user shall inform the city annually of the user supervisor's identity and whenever a change in user supervisors occurs. (1988 Code)

A. Water System Survey: The city shall review all requests for new water services to determine if backflow protection is needed. Upon request, plans and specifications must be submitted to the city for review of possible cross connection hazards. Failure to provide plans and specifications upon request will be grounds for denial of a new water service connection. If it is determined that a backflow prevention device is necessary to protect the public water system, the required device must be installed before service is initiated.

The city may require an on premises inspection to evaluate cross connection hazards. Such inspection shall be limited to reasonable times. Any customer which cannot, or will not, allow an on premises inspection of the premises' piping system shall be required to install any backflow prevention device deemed necessary by the city.

B. Customer Notification; Device Installation: The city shall notify a water user of any inspection or plan check findings, listing any corrective action to be taken. The user must complete all required corrective action, including installation of backflow prevention devices, within sixty (60) days after receiving notice of the need for corrective action. Notice shall be deemed received three (3) days after deposit within the United States mail service, postage paid.

Upon failure to take the required action within sixty (60) days after receiving the notice of the need for corrective action, the city may terminate water service to the affected water user until the required corrective action is taken and take any legal action to enforce compliance.

C. Customer Notification; Testing And Maintenance: The city will notify by mail, postage paid, each affected water user whenever there is a need for testing the backflow prevention device installed on that user's service connection. This notice shall be in writing and shall give the water user thirty (30) days to have the device tested and furnish the city with the results of the test on the form provided by the city. The notice shall also supply the water user with the necessary form to be completed and resubmitted to the city.

If no action is taken within the thirty (30) day period, the city may terminate water service to the affected water user until the subject device is tested.

Failure to give notice as prescribed in this section does not excuse the user from the duty to test the backflow prevention device as set forth in other sections of this chapter. However, water service may not be terminated for failure to test the backflow prevention device unless notice is given as prescribed by this section. (1988 Code)

When the city encounters a water use that represents a clear and immediate hazard to the potable water supply, and when this use cannot be immediately abated, the city shall institute the procedure described in section 6-1-510 of this article for discontinuing the public water service. Conditions or water uses that create a basis for water service termination shall include, but are not limited to, the following items:

A. Refusal to install a required backflow prevention device,

B. Refusal to test a backflow prevention device,

C. Refusal to repair a faulty backflow prevention device,

D. Refusal to replace a faulty backflow prevention device,

E. Direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a sewer line,

F. Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a system or container containing contaminants,

G. Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and an auxiliary water system,

H. Any situation which presents an immediate health hazard to the public. (1988 Code)

A. With regard to conditions that do not present an immediate threat to the public health or safety, the city may only terminate service to a customer's premises after written notice has been mailed, postage prepaid, specifying the corrective action needed and the time period in which it must be done. If action is not taken within the allowed time period, water service may be terminated.

B. With regard to conditions that present an immediate threat to the public health or safety, the city shall make a reasonable effort to advise the water user of the city's intent to terminate water service; then the city shall terminate the user's water supply and lock the service valve. The water service will remain inactive until correction of the violations has been approved by the city and reestablishment of the service connection will no longer threaten the public health or safety. (1988 Code)

The city council may, by resolution, establish fees to reimburse the city for the cost of inspections and services provided pursuant to this article. (1988 Code)

The public works administrator shall have the authority to prescribe and promulgate rules and regulations for implementation of the water system cross connection control program established by this article. Such rules and regulations shall be consistent with the provisions of this article. (Ord. 89-O-2058, eff. 5-18-1989)