Chapter 13.16 — BACKFLOW AND CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROLS

• A. It is the intent of the City Council, in enacting this Chapter 13.16, to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the community and to protect the public water supply of the city from contamination or pollution by isolating within the water customer's internal distribution or private water system contaminants or pollutants which could backflow into the public water system.

• B. Further, it is the intent of this Council to promote the elimination or control of existing cross-connections, actual or potential, between in-plant potable water systems and nonpotable water systems, plumbing fixtures and industrial piping systems, and to provide for a continuing program of cross-connection control which will systematically and effectively prevent the contamination or pollution of the city's water system.

• C. Further, it is a major goal of this Council to ensure the distribution of a safe and potable water supply to all domestic water users. In order for the city to achieve this goal, a CrossConnection Control Management Plan has been developed pursuant to the State Water Resources Control Board's Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook, which applies to all California public water systems.

• D. Nothing contained in this Chapter 13.16 shall be construed to abrogate or supersede any provision or provisions of the Uniform Plumbing Code, as most recently adopted by this Council, and the provisions of such Uniform Plumbing Code shall be considered complementary and an addition to the requirements of this Chapter 13.16.

• (1961 Code, § 24B.1; Ord. 835; Ord. 1261, 5-20-2025)

For the purpose of this chapter, the definitions in the then-current edition of the CrossConnection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH) adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board and the then-current edition of the Cross-Connection Control Management Plan (CCCMP) adopted by the Council shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

(1961 Code, § 24B.2; Ord. 835; Ord. 1261, 5-20-2025)

The Director of Public Works (Director) shall enforce the provisions of this chapter and the CCCMP or shall designate a Program Coordinator (Coordinator) to perform such enforcement. The Director or Coordinator shall have the responsibility for making interpretations of this chapter, issuing operating permits, for deciding upon the approval of materials, equipment and devices required to be installed hereunder and establishing approved testing facilities. (1961 Code, § 24B.3; Ord. 835; Ord. 1261, 5-20-2025)

• A. Where required. An approved backflow prevention assembly shall also be installed on each service line to the customer system at or near the property line or immediately inside the building being served, but in all cases before the first branch line leading off the service line, wherever the following conditions exist:

  1. In the case of premises having an auxiliary water supply which is not or may not be of safe bacteriological or chemical quality and which has not been accepted as an additional source by the city, the public water system shall be protected against backflow from the premises by installing an approved backflow prevention assembly in the service line appropriate to the degree of hazard.

  2. In the case of premises on which any industrial fluids or any other objectionable substance is handled in such a fashion as to create an actual or potential hazard to the public water system, the public system shall be protected against backflow from the premises by installing an approved backflow prevention assembly in the service line appropriate to the degree of hazard. This shall include the handling of process waters and waters originating from the utility system which have been subject to deterioration in quality.

  3. In the case of premises having internal cross-connection that cannot be permanently corrected or controlled; or intricate plumbing and piping arrangements or where entry to all portions of the premises is not readily accessible for inspection purposes, making it impracticable or impossible to ascertain whether or not dangerous crossconnections exist, the public water system shall be protected against backflow from the premises by installing an approved backflow prevention assembly in the service line.

  4. In the event that the provisions of the CCCPH as the same may be amended from time to time or its successor provisions, pertaining to where backflow and cross-connection devices are required, mandate greater or more stringent requirements than as set forth in this § 13.16.040, then such provisions shall apply notwithstanding the provisions of this § 13.16.040.

• B. Type required. The type of protective assembly required for the premises shall depend upon the degree of hazard which exists, as follows:

  1. In the case of any premises where there is an auxiliary water supply as stated in paragraph A. above of this section and it is not subject to any of the following rules, the public water system shall be protected by an approved air-gap separation or an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly.

  2. In the case of any premises where there is water of a substance that would be objectionable but not hazardous to health, if introduced into the public water system, the public water system shall be protected by an approved double check valve assembly at each service connection.

3. In the case of any premises where there is any material dangerous to health which is handled in such a fashion as to create an actual or potential hazard to the public water system, the public water system shall be protected by an approved air-gap separation or an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly at each service connection. Examples of premises where these conditions exist, include, but are not limited to, sewage treatment plants, sewage pumping stations, chemical manufacturing plants, hospitals, mortuaries and plating plants.

   4. In the case of any premises where there are uncontrolled cross-connections, either actual or potential, the public water system shall be protected by an approved air-gap separation or an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly at each service connection.

   5. In the case of any premises where, because of security requirements or other prohibitions or restrictions, it is impossible or impractical to make a complete in-plant cross-connection survey, the public water system shall be protected against backflow from the premises by either an approved air-gap separation or an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly on each service connection to the premises.

   6. In the event that the provisions of the CCCPH as the same may be amended from time to time or its successor provisions, pertaining to the type of backflow and crossconnection devices required to be installed for a given degree of hazard, mandate a different or more stringent requirement for a given degree of hazard, then such provisions shall apply notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph B.

• C.

Approval.

1. Any backflow prevention assembly required herein shall be a model and size approved by the Director or Coordinator. The term "approved backflow prevention assembly" shall mean an assembly that has been manufactured in full conformance with the standards established by the American Water Works Association entitled:

AWWA C506-84 Standards for Reduced Pressure Principle and Double Check Valve Backflow Prevention Devices; and that meets laboratory and field performance specifications of the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research of the University of Southern California established by: Specifications of Backflow Prevention Assemblies § 10 of the most current issue of the Manual of Cross-Connection Control.

2. AWWA standards and specifications have been adopted by the Director. Final approval shall be evidenced by a "certificate of approval" issued by an approved testing laboratory certifying full compliance with such AWWA standards and specifications.

(1961 Code, §§ 24B.4, 24B.5 and 24B.6; Ord. 835; Ord. 1261, 5-20-2025)

• A. Required. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, partnership or corporation which is a water customer of the city and whose premises requires the installation and maintenance of a backflow prevention device to obtain water from the city without first obtaining an operating permit issued by the Director or Coordinator and approval the backflow prevention device(s) installed, or to be installed, at the premises and otherwise complying with any and all terms and provisions of this chapter.

• B. Application. Every person, firm, partnership or corporation required to obtain an operating permit hereunder shall make application to the Director or Coordinator for issuance of such operating permit prior to commencement of any activities requiring the installation of a backflow prevention device. Such application shall be in the form prescribed by the Director or Coordinator and shall include therein the following information:

  1. Location of premises.

  2. Numbered and location of service connections.

  3. Name, model and type of device proposed to be installed and the location thereof.

  4. Type of use requiring installation of backflow prevention device; i.e., process water, contaminated water, plating operation, and the like.

  5. Plans and specifications as necessary to show the method of operation of the customer's premises.

  6. Such other and further information as the Director or Coordinator may require.

  7. The application shall be executed by the owner, or authorized representative thereof, under penalty of perjury as to the truth of the facts contained therein.

• C. Renewal. Any water customer upon whose premises exists a previously approved backflow prevention device shall provide the Director or Coordinator the information required under paragraph A. above, certifying, under penalty of perjury, that the conditions under which the operating permit was initially issued have not changed or, if changed, the changed conditions existing at the premises.

• D. Inspection. Upon approval by the Director or Coordinator of the type of backflow prevention device to be installed, and the location thereof, the customer shall obtain any and all building, plumbing, mechanical or other permits required by the city code and cause the same to be installed in accordance therewith. Upon installation, and prior to operation of the facility, the backflow prevention device shall be inspected and subjected to such testing as the Director or Coordinator may require to ensure proper operation thereof. Upon successful completion of such inspection and testing, the Director or Coordinator shall issue the operating permit.

• E. Annual inspection. Every person, firm, partnership or corporation required to install and maintain a backflow prevention device pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall have such device tested and inspected by the Director or Coordinator, at least annually. Failure to allow such inspection and testing, or failure of the device to pass any such test or inspection in accordance with the standards imposed hereby, shall be grounds for cessation of water service to the premises. Except where the Director or Coordinator determines that the public health and safety mandate the immediate disconnection of the premises from the city water supply, the Director or Coordinator shall provide to the water customer a reasonable time, not to exceed ten (10) days, to repair or replace the defective device and cause the same to be tested and inspected, or to permit entry to the premises for inspection and testing.

• F. Additional inspections. In the event the Director or Coordinator determines, or has reasonable cause to believe, that a backflow prevention device has been disconnected or tampered with, or the device has failed to operate properly, the Director or Coordinator may require an inspection and testing thereof. In addition, the Director or Coordinator may establish a testing and/or inspection program to monitor such devices on a basis consistent with any apparent threat to the public health, safety or welfare.

• G. Fees. In addition to any other fees or charges levied or imposed by the city code for building, plumbing, mechanical or other permits for installation, any person, firm, partnership or corporation required to install and maintain a backflow prevention device shall pay the fee established by resolution of the City Council for the operating permit and inspection and testing of backflow prevention devices required by this chapter. (1961 Code, §§ 24B.7, 24B.8, 24B.9, 24B.10, 24B.11, 24B.12 and 24B.14; Ord. 835; Ord. 1261, 5-20-2025)

• A. The Director or Coordinator shall have the authority to enter any building or premises for the purpose of investigating the existence of suspected or reported damage, defects, disconnection or tampering with an approved backflow prevention device, or to determine whether or not such a device is required on the premises, in order to protect the public water supply and the public health, safety and welfare of the community. In addition, the Director or Coordinator is authorized to enter any building or premises in order to inspect any backflow prevention device for purposes of issuing an operating permit.

• B. Except in emergency situations, the Director or Coordinator shall not enter any building or premises without the consent of the owner or occupant thereof, unless he or she possesses a search warrant authorizing entry and search of the premises. No person shall hinder or prevent the Director or Coordinator while in the performance of the duties herein described as emergency situations or while in possession of a search warrant, from entering upon and into any and all premises under his or her jurisdiction, at all reasonable hours, for the purpose of inspecting the same to determine whether or not the provisions of this chapter and all other applicable laws or ordinances pertaining to the protection of persons or property are observed therein.

(1961 Code, § 24B.15; Ord. 835; Ord. 1261, 5-20-2025)

A decision of the Director or Coordinator regarding the interpretation or implementation of any provision of this chapter shall be final and shall become effective forthwith upon the service of the decision of the Director or Coordinator, in writing, upon the applicant or water customer. For purposes of this section, service upon the applicant or water customer shall mean either personal delivery or placement in the United States mail, postage prepaid, and addressed to the applicant or water customer at his or her last known business address; provided, however, that the applicant or water customer may, within ten (10) days after the effective date of the decision of the Director or Coordinator, file an appeal with the City Clerk, in writing, specifying the reason or reasons for the appeal and requesting that the board of appeals review the decision of the Director or Coordinator.

(1961 Code, § 24B.16; Ord. 835; Ord. 1261, 5-20-2025)

The City Council shall act as a Board of Appeals in making a final determination of any appeal filed in accordance with this chapter. The City Clerk shall schedule a hearing on the appeal at reasonable times at the convenience of the Board of Appeals, but not later than thirty (30) days after receipt of the written appeal. The applicant or water customer may appear in person before the Board or be represented by an attorney and may introduce evidence to support his or her claim. The Director or Coordinator shall transmit to the Board all records, papers, documents and other materials in support of his or her decision and shall provide a copy thereof to the person appealing the decision of the Director or Coordinator. The person appealing the decision of the Director or Coordinator shall cause, at his or her own expense, any tests or research required by the Board to substantiate his or her claim to be performed or otherwise carried out. The Board may continue such appeal hearing from time to time as deemed necessary by the Board. The Board may, by resolution, affirm, reverse, or modify, in whole or in part, any appealed decision, determination or interpretation of the Director or Coordinator. A copy of the resolution adopted by the Board shall be mailed to the appellant and the Board's decision shall be final upon the mailing, by United States mail, postage prepaid, to the appellant's last known address of record and the decision of the Board shall be final upon the mailing of such resolution. (1961 Code, § 24B.17; Ord. 835; Ord. 1261, 5-20-2025)

The City Council hereby finds the failure to install and/or properly maintain any required backflow prevention device in good working order by any person constitutes a public nuisance. (1961 Code, § 24B.18; Ord. 835; Ord. 1261, 5-20-2025)