Chapter 13.06 — CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 601, § 2, adopted Jan. 26, 2026, repealed the former Ch. 13.06, §§ 13.06.010— 13.06.060, and enacted a new Ch. 13.06 as set out herein. The former Ch. 1306 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Code 1985, §§ 13.06.010—13.06.060; Ord. No. 451, §§ 1—6, adopted 1988; Ord. No. 596, § 2, adopted June 9, 2025.

The purpose of this chapter is to protect the City of Bishop public water system from contamination and pollution caused by actual or potential cross-connections. The city shall administer a cross-connection control program in accordance with the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH), June 2025 edition, as amended or superseded. This chapter establishes the authority of the city to regulate crossconnections, require appropriate backflow protection, and enforce compliance in order to protect the potable water supply.

(Ord. No. 601, § 2, 1-26-2026)

For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply. Terms not defined in this section shall have the meanings set forth in the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH), June 2025 edition, as amended or superseded.

A.

Backflow prevention assembly (BPA). An assembly, device, or method approved for the prevention of backflow, including reduced-pressure principle assemblies (RP), double check valve assemblies (DC), and other assemblies recognized by the CCCPH.

B.

CCCPH. The Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, June 2025 edition, as amended or superseded.

C.

Cross-Connection. Any physical or potential connection between the public water system and a source or system that could introduce contamination or pollution into the public water system.

D.

Customer. Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, public agency, or other entity supplied water by the city's public water system, including the owner or occupant of property served by the system.

E.

Program coordinator. The individual designated by the public works director to administer and enforce the City's Cross-Connection Control Program.

F.

Public water system. The City of Bishop public water system, as regulated by the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water.

(Ord. No. 601, § 2, 1-26-2026)

A.

The public works department shall administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter.

B.

The public works director, or designee, is authorized to establish, implement, and administer a CrossConnection Control Program consistent with this chapter and the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH), as amended.

C.

The public works director is authorized to adopt and maintain written policies, procedures, and standard operating procedures necessary to implement this chapter and ensure compliance with applicable state requirements.

D.

The city is authorized to conduct inspections, hazard assessments, investigations, and other actions necessary to identify and control actual or potential cross-connections, and to require the installation, testing, maintenance, repair, or replacement of backflow protection as necessary to protect the public water system.

E.

Authorized city representatives may enter upon customer premises at reasonable times for purposes of administering and enforcing this chapter. When practicable, advance notice shall be provided. Refusal of access may constitute a violation of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 601, § 2, 1-26-2026)

A.

Customers shall comply with the requirements of this chapter and shall take all necessary actions to prevent actual or potential cross-connections on their premises.

B.

Customers shall install, operate, maintain, repair, and replace required backflow prevention assemblies or containment air gaps at their own expense, as directed by the city, and in accordance with applicable state requirements and city standards.

C.

Customers shall ensure that required backflow protection remains accessible for inspection, testing, and maintenance and shall not enclose, bury, bypass, disable, remove, or otherwise tamper with any required backflow prevention assembly or containment air gap.

D.

Customers shall allow authorized city representatives access to their premises at reasonable times for purposes of inspection, hazard assessment, testing, enforcement, or investigation related to crossconnection control.

E.

Customers shall promptly notify the city of any change in water use, plumbing configuration, fire protection systems, irrigation systems, auxiliary water supplies, or other conditions that may affect the degree of hazard or cross-connection risk.

F.

All costs associated with compliance with this chapter, including but not limited to installation, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement, and enforcement, shall be the responsibility of the customer, unless otherwise determined by the city.

G.

Failure to comply with the requirements of this section may constitute a violation of this chapter and may result in enforcement action, including discontinuance of water service in accordance with this chapter.

(Ord. No. 601, § 2, 1-26-2026)

A.

Backflow protection required under this chapter shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard posed by the customer's premises, as determined by the city in accordance with applicable state requirements.

B.

The city may require containment backflow protection at the service connection whenever an actual or potential cross-connection exists, or when the city determines that the degree of hazard warrants such protection.

C.

Premises determined by the city to present a high hazard to the public water system shall be required to install a reduced-pressure principle backflow prevention assembly (RP) or an approved air gap, as directed by the city.

D.

The presence of an auxiliary water supply or access to an unapproved water source shall constitute a highhazard condition requiring containment backflow protection.

E.

Fire sprinkler and fire protection systems connected to the public water system shall be protected in accordance with applicable state requirements.

F.

The city may require modification, replacement, or upgrading of existing backflow protection when necessary to address changes in use, degree of hazard, or state requirements.

G.

Failure to install or maintain required backflow protection shall constitute a violation of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 601, § 2, 1-26-2026)

A.

All backflow prevention assemblies required under this chapter shall be tested, maintained, and kept in proper working condition in accordance with applicable state requirements and city standards.

B.

Required testing shall be performed by individuals or entities approved by the city and possessing qualifications consistent with applicable state requirements.

C.

Backflow prevention assemblies that fail a required test or are found to be defective shall be promptly repaired, replaced, or removed from service, as directed by the city, and shall be retested as required to verify proper operation.

D.

Customers shall ensure that required backflow protection remains accessible and operable at all times and shall take corrective action when notified by the city of deficiencies.

E.

Failure to test, maintain, repair, or replace required backflow protection in accordance with this section may constitute a violation of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 601, § 2, 1-26-2026)

A.

It shall be a violation of this chapter for any customer to fail to comply with the requirements of this chapter, including but not limited to failure to install, test, maintain, repair, or replace required backflow protection; failure to provide access for inspection or testing; or bypassing, disabling, removing, or tampering with required backflow protection.

B.

Upon determination of a violation, the city may require corrective action and may issue notices, orders, or other enforcement actions as necessary to achieve compliance.

C.

If a customer fails to correct a violation after notice, or if the city determines that an actual or potential cross-connection presents a threat to the public water system, the city may pursue enforcement actions, including water service termination in accordance with section 13.06.080.

D.

In exercising enforcement authority under this section, the city may consider the nature of the violation, the degree of hazard, and whether the affected premises constitute a critical facility or provide essential

services, and may allow reasonable interim measures or compliance timelines when consistent with protection of the public water system.

E.

Enforcement actions taken pursuant to this chapter are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other remedies available to the city under applicable law.

F.

The city may recover costs incurred in enforcing this chapter in accordance with applicable provisions of this Code.

(Ord. No. 601, § 2, 1-26-2026)

A.

General. If a customer fails to take corrective action, neglects to test and certify their backflow prevention device as required by section 13.06.060 or presents a clear and immediate hazard to the potable water supply that cannot be immediately abated, the public works director will initiate procedures to discontinue water service.

B.

Basis for termination. Conditions on water use that create a basis for water service termination shall include the following:

1.

Refusal to install a required backflow prevention device;

2.

Refusal to test a backflow prevention device;

3.

Refusal to repair a faulty backflow prevention device;

4.

Refusal to replace a faulty backflow prevention device;

5.

Direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a sewer line;

Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a system or equipment containing contaminants;

7.

Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and an auxiliary water system; or

8.

A situation which presents an immediate health hazard to the public water system.

C.

Water service termination procedures.

1.

For conditions 1, 2, 3 or 4 of subsection (B) of this section, the public works director is authorized to terminate service to a customer's premises after two written mailed notices have been sent specifying the corrective action needed and the time period in which it must be done. If no action is taken within the allowed time period and no appeal is filed in accordance with section 13.06.090 (Appeals), the water service may be terminated.

2.

For conditions 5, 6, 7 or 8 of subsection (B) of this section, the public works director shall make a reasonable effort through a door tag and on-site visit to advise the customers that, because of the potential harm to the public, the city is terminating the water service immediately and locking the service valve. The decision of the public works director pursuant to this subsection (C)(2) may be appealed in accordance with section 13.06.090; however, the water service shall not be reestablished while the appeal is pending.

3.

The city shall restore the water service if the city administrator grants the appeal pursuant to section 13.06.090, or if the customer takes action to remediate the condition and the public works director approves the corrective action.

(Ord. No. 601, § 2, 1-26-2026)

A.

Any customer aggrieved by a determination, requirement, or enforcement action made pursuant to this chapter may file a written appeal with the public works director within ten calendar days of the date of the notice or action being appealed.

B.

The public works director shall review the appeal and issue a written decision. The decision of the public works director may be appealed to the city administrator by filing a written appeal within ten calendar days of the director's decision. The decision of the city administrator shall be final.

C.

The filing of an appeal shall not stay enforcement of this chapter unless the city administrator determines that a stay is appropriate and that the public water system will remain adequately protected during the pendency of the appeal.

(Ord. No. 601, § 2, 1-26-2026)