Coachella Municipal Code Art. VI Backflow Prevention

The purpose of this chapter is:

A. To protect the public water supply of the city by isolating the customer's water system from the city water service, thus preventing contamination or pollution from the customer's premises to the city water system;

B. To eliminate both potential and existing cross-connections between the potable water system and non-potable water systems within the customer's premises;

C. To maintain the backflow prevention program by administering an inspection and testing program of backflow prevention assemblies installed near the meter.

(Ord. No. 1057, § 3(Exh. C), 10-23-13)

A. The city of Coachella utilities department has a responsibility to protect the public water system from contamination caused by the backflow of contaminants through the water service connection. If in the judgment of the department, where contamination is possible, an approved backflow prevention assembly is required, the department shall give notice to the customer to install the approved assembly or assemblies at the service connection to the premises. The customer shall immediately install the approved assembly or assemblies at the customer's own expense. Failure, refusal or inability on the part of the customer to install the approved assembly or assemblies shall constitute grounds for disconnecting water service to the premises until the backflow assembly or assemblies have been installed.

B. These regulations shall apply to all premises served water by the department.

C. These regulations are adopted pursuant to the state of California Administrative Code Title 17, Public Health, entitled "Regulations Relating to Cross-Connections" and all subsequent amendments. This title requires that each water purveyor develop and implement a comprehensive backflow prevention program for protecting the public water supply from contamination or pollution.

(Ord. No. 1057, § 3(Exh. C), 10-23-13)

The following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them, unless otherwise noted:

"Approved backflow prevention assembly" means a device or a physical separation that has been designed specifically for preventing the backflow of water or liquid from entering the system and the device that has passed laboratory and field evaluation tests performed by a recognized testing organization which has demonstrated their competency to perform such tests to the California Department of Public Health.

"Approved water supply" means any water supply whose use is regulated by the state or local health agency.

"Auxiliary supply" means any water supply on or available to the premises other than the city water supply.

"AWWA standard" means an official standard developed and approved by the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

"Backflow" means a flow condition, caused by a differential in pressure, that causes the flow of water or other liquids, gases, mixtures or substances into the distributing pipes of a potable supply of water from any source or sources other than an approved water supply source. Back siphonage is one cause of backflow. Back pressure is the other cause.

"Backflow prevention supervisor" means a person, designated by the utilities general manager and at the expense of the water user, to maintain the backflow prevention assemblies and to prevent cross-connections on the premises.

"City water system" means the source facilities and distribution system under the control of the utilities department up to and including the meter.

"Contamination" means an impairment of the quality of the potable water by sewage, industrial fluids or waste liquids, compounds or other materials to a degree which creates an actual or potential hazard to the public health.

"Cross-connection," means and includes any unprotected actual or potential connection or structural arrangement between a potable water system used to supply for drinking purposes and any source or system containing unapproved water or a substance that is not or cannot be approved as safe, wholesome and potable. Bypass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or change-over devices and other temporary or permanent devices through which or because of which "backflow" can or may occur are considered to be cross-connections.

"Customer's water system" means and includes all facilities beyond the service meter. The system or systems may include both potable and non-potable water systems.

"Department," when used in this chapter, means the utilities department of the city.

"Double check detector assembly" (DCDA) means a backflow prevention device consisting of a line size double check valve assembly in parallel with a detector meter and meter size double check valve assembly. Each double check valve assembly is to be equipped with properly located test cocks and a tightly closing shutoff valve at the end of the assembly.

"Double check valve assembly" (DCVA) means an assembly composed of at least two independently acting check valves including tightly closing shutoff valves on each side of the check valve assembly and test cocks available for testing the water-tightness of each check valve.

"Double check valve backflow prevention assembly" (DCV) means a backflow prevention device consisting of two independently operating spring-loaded check valves. In the event one valve is obstructed, the second valve should close to prevent reverse flow. The device should include tightly closing resilient seated shutoff valves at each end of the assembly and be fitted with properly located resilient seated test cocks.

"Hazard, degree of." "Degree of hazard" is a term derived from an evaluation of the potential risk to public health and the adverse effect of the hazard upon the potable water system.

1. "Health hazard" means any condition, device, or practice in the water supply system and its operation which could create, or in the judgment of the division, county or state health official, may create a danger to the health and well-being of the water customer.

2. "Plumbing hazard" means a plumbing type cross-connection in a customer's potable water system that has not been properly protected by an approved air-gap or approved backflow prevention assembly.

3. "Pollution hazard" means an actual or potential threat to the physical properties of the water system or to the drinkability of the public of the customer's potable water system but which would constitute a nuisance or be aesthetically objectionable or could cause damage to the system or its appurtenances, but would not be dangerous to health.

4. "System hazard" means an actual or potential threat of severe damage to the physical properties of the public potable water system or the customer's potable water system or of a pollution or contamination which would have a protracted effect on the quality of the potable water in the system.

"Health agency" means the California Department of Public Health.

"Local health agency" means the County of Riverside Department of Public Health.

"Person" means an individual, corporation, company, association, partnership, municipality, public utility or other public body or institution.

"Pollution" means the presence of any foreign substance (organic, inorganic or biological) in water which tends to degrade its quality so as to constitute a hazard or impair the usefulness or quality of the water to a degree which does not create an actual hazard to the public health but which does adversely and unreasonably affect such waters for domestic use.

"Premises" means any and all areas on a customer's property which are served or have the potential to be served with water.

"Public water system" means a system for the provision of piped water to the public for human consumption by the city.

"Reduced pressure detector check assembly" means a backflow prevention device consisting of a line size reduced pressure principle device in parallel with a detector meter and meter size reduced pressure principle device. Each reduced pressure principle device is to be equipped with properly located test cocks and a tightly closing shutoff valve at each end of the assembly.

"Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly" (RPBA) means an assembly incorporating not less than two independently acting approved check valves together with an automatically operated differential relief valve located between the check valves. The unit shall include properly located test cocks and tightly closing shutoff valves at each end of the assembly.

"Service connection" means the point of connection of a user's piping to the water supplier's facilities.

"Water supplier" means the city of Coachella utilities department.

"Water user" means any person obtaining water from an approved water supply system.

(Ord. No. 1057, § 3(Exh. C), 10-23-13)

No water service connection shall be installed or maintained to any premises where actual or potential cross-connections are known to exist unless such cross-connections are abated or controlled to the satisfaction of the department.

(Ord. No. 1057, § 3(Exh. C), 10-23-13)

A. Existing Facilities. At all reasonable times, the customer's premises shall be open to the department for the purpose of conducting surveys and investigations to determine whether there are actual or potential cross-connections within the customer's premises through which contamination or pollution could backflow into the city water system, provided, however, that the department will seek permission to enter any occupied residence unless there exists an emergency or condition immediately threatening the public health, safety or welfare.

B. New Buildings and Facilities. The city development services and engineering departments, in cooperation with the utilities department, will review plans and other conditions to determine if a backflow assembly is required or waived as water service protection for new buildings and facilities. If the installation of a backflow prevention assembly is required in the building or as a meter protection, a plumbing permit shall be issued by the city to comply with the city plumbing code. Existing commercial and industrial buildings and facilities will be reviewed for compliance with City backflow prevention ordinance when changes in occupancy occur or when required by the utilities general manager.

(Ord. No. 1057, § 3(Exh. C), 10-23-13)

A. The type of protective device that may be required to prevent backflow into the approved water supply (listing in an increasing level of protection) includes: double check valve assembly (DC), reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly (RP), and an air-gap separation (AG). The customer may choose a higher level protection than required by the department.

B. The minimum types of backflow protection that shall be installed on customer's premises at the service connection whenever the following degrees of hazard exist are as follows:

(Ord. No. 1057, § 3(Exh. C), 10-23-13)

A. Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies. Only backflow prevention devices which have been approved by the utilities general manager shall be acceptable for installation by a water user connected to the public water system.

B. Backflow Prevention Assembly Installation.

1. The approved backflow assembly shall be installed at the expense of the customer.

2. Air-Gap Separation (AG). The air-gap separation shall be located on the customer's premises 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 a distance of at least two (2) pipe diameters of the supply inlet, but in no case less than one (1) inch above the overflow rim of the receiving tank as specified in the current edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code requirements for minimum air-gaps for water distribution.

3. Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assembly (RP). The approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device shall be installed on the customer's premises and as close to the service connection as is practical. The device shall be installed a minimum of twelve (12) inches above grade and no more than thirty-six (36) inches above grade measured from the bottom of the device and with a minimum of twelve (12) inches side clearance. The assembly 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 utilities general manager.

4. Double Check Valve Assembly (DC). The approved double check valve assembly shall be located as close as practical to the user's connection and shall be installed horizontally above grade and in a manner where it is readily accessible for testing and maintenance. If it is necessary to put a double check valve assembly below the grade, upon the approval of the assistant general manager and the local health agency, it must be installed in a vault such that there is a minimum of twelve (12) inches between the bottom of the vault and the bottom of the assembly so that the top of the assembly is not more than a maximum of eight (8) inches below grade, so there is a minimum of twenty-four (24) inches of clearance between the side of the assembly with the test cocks and the side of the vault, and a minimum of twelve (12) inches clearance between the other side of the assembly and the side of the vault. The vault must have adequate drainage to prevent flooding. Special consideration must be given to double check valve assemblies of the "Y" type. These devices must be installed on their "side" with the test cocks in a vertical position so that either check valve may be removed for service without removing the assembly. Vaults which do not have an integrated bottom must be placed on a three-inch layer of gravel.

5. Approved backflow assemblies shall have at least the same cross-sectional area as the water meter. If a continuous water supply is necessary, two sets of approved backflow assemblies shall be installed in parallel. Where parallel assemblies are required, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the assemblies shall be at least equivalent to the cross-sectional area of the meter.

6. There shall be no outlet, tee, tap or connection of any sort between the water meter and the approved backflow assembly. A "Y" strainer and/or pressure-reducing valve installed before the approved backflow assembly are the only exceptions.

7. Approved backflow assemblies shall not be bypassed, made inoperative or removed without specific written authorization by the utilities general manager.

8. Approved backflow assemblies shall be protected, when necessary, from extreme weather or site condition that could cause physical damage to or malfunction of the backflow assembly.

C. Backflow Prevention Device Testing and Maintenance.

1. The owners of any premises on which, or on account of which, backflow prevention assemblies are installed, shall have the assemblies tested by a certified backflow prevention assembly tester licensed by the local health agency. Backflow prevention assemblies must be tested at least annually and immediately after installation, relocation or repair. The department may require a more frequent testing schedule if it is determined to be necessary by the utilities general manager. No device shall be placed back in service unless it is functioning as required. A report in a form acceptable to the city shall be filed with the utilities department each time a device is tested, relocated or repaired. These 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.

2. The department will supply affected water users with a list of certified backflow assembly testers licensed by the local health agency to test backflow prevention assemblies. The department will notify affected customers by mail when annual testing of a device is needed and also supply users with the necessary forms which must be filled out each time a device is tested or repaired.

D. Backflow Prevention Assembly Removal.

1. Approval must be obtained from the utilities general manager before a backflow prevention assembly is removed, relocated or replaced.

a. Removal. The use of a device may be discontinued and the device removed from service upon presentation of sufficient evidence to the utilities general manager to verify that a hazard no longer exists or is not likely to be created in the future.

b. Relocation. An assembly may be relocated following confirmation by the general manager that the relocation will continue to provide the required protection and satisfy installation requirements. A retest will be required following the relocation of the device.

c. Repair. An assembly may be removed for repair, provided the 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 utilities general manager. A retest will be required following the repair of the assembly.

d. Replacement. An assembly may be removed and replaced provided the water use is discontinued until the replacement assembly is installed. All replacement assemblies must be approved by the utilities general manager and must be commensurate with the degree of hazard involved.

(Ord. No. 1057, § 3(Exh. C), 10-23-13)

At each of the premises, where a determination has been made that backflow protection is necessary, a "backflow prevention supervisor" shall be designated by and at the expense of the water customer. Such backflow prevention supervisor shall be responsible for the monitoring of the backflow prevention assemblies and for avoidance of cross-connections. In the event of contamination or pollution of the drinking water system due to a cross-connection on the premises, the utilities general manager shall be promptly notified by the backflow prevention supervisor so that appropriate measures may be taken to overcome the contamination. The water customer shall inform the utilities general manager of the backflow prevention supervisor's identity, mailing address, email address and telephone number on an annual basis and whenever a change occurs.

(Ord. No. 1057, § 3(Exh. C), 10-23-13)

A. Water Supply Survey.

1. The utilities general manager and his/her designee shall review all requests for new services to determine if backflow protection is needed. Plans and specifications must be submitted to the utilities general manager upon request for review of possible cross-connection hazards as a condition of service for new service connections. If it is determined that a backflow prevention assembly is necessary to protect the public water system, the required device must be installed before service will be granted.

2. The utilities general manager may require an on-premises inspection to evaluate cross-connection hazards. Any customer who cannot or will not allow an on premises inspection of their piping system shall be required to install the backflow prevention assembly the utilities general manager considers necessary.

3. The utilities general manager may require a reinspection for cross-connection hazards of any premises to which water is serviced by the department. Any customer who cannot or will not allow an on premises reinspection of their piping system shall be required to install, at the meter, the backflow prevention assembly the utilities general manager considers necessary.

B. Customer Notification—Device Installation.

1. The utilities general manager shall notify the water user of the survey findings, listing corrective action to be taken if required. A period of thirty (30) days shall be given to complete all corrective action required including installation of backflow prevention assemblies. The notice shall be in writing and shall also state that service to the water use may be terminated should the water user fail to take the required corrective actions within the allotted time period.

2. If the required corrective action is not taken within the 30-day period as provided in subsection (B)(1) above, the utilities general manager may terminate water service to the affected water user until the subject device is installed and tested with passing results.

C. Customer Notification—Testing and Maintenance.

1. The utilities general manager shall notify each affected water user when it is time for the backflow prevention assembly installed on their service connection to be tested and verified, by a certified assembly device tester, to be functioning correctly. Said notice shall be in writing and shall provide the water user thirty (30) days to have the device tested. The notice shall include the necessary form(s) to be completed and resubmitted to the department by the water user. The written notice shall also state that service to the water user may be terminated should the water user fail to take the required corrective actions within the allotted time period.

2. If the required action is not taken within the thirty-day period as provided in subsection (C)(1) above, the utilities general manager may terminate water service to the affected water user until the subject device is tested with passing results.

(Ord. No. 1057, § 3(Exh. C), 10-23-13)

A. General. When the department encounters water uses that represent a clear and immediate hazard to the potable water supply that cannot be immediately abated, the utilities general manager shall institute the procedure for terminating the water service.

B. Basis for Termination. Conditions or water uses that create a basis of water service termination shall include, but are not limited to, the following items:

1. Refusal to install required backflow prevention assembly;

2. Refusal to test a backflow prevention assembly;

3. Refusal to repair a faulty backflow prevention assembly;

4. Refusal to replace a faulty backflow prevention assembly;

5. Removal and/or bypassing without prior approval of a backflow assembly where required;

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

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

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

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

10. Non-designation of a user's supervisor when required within a specific time period;

11. Non-submission of records of tests, repairs and maintenance to the department upon a second letter request of their submission; and

12. Non-payment of fees/charges incurred by the department in connection with the administration of the backflow prevention program.

13. Maintenance and utilization of backflow prevention device(s) which is/are not approved by the department.

C. Water Service Termination Procedures.

1. For conditions in subsection (B)(1), (2), (3), (4), (10), (11) or (12) of this section, the water service to a customer's premises shall be terminated after two written 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.

2. For conditions in subsection (B)(5), (6), (7), (8) or (9) of this section, the following steps shall be taken by the department:

a. Make reasonable effort to advise water user of intent to terminate water services;

b. Terminate water supply and lock service valve. The water service shall remain inactive until correction of violations has been approved by the utilities general manager and any charges due to the department have been paid by the water customer.

(Ord. No. 1057, § 3(Exh. C), 10-23-13)

Where backflow prevention assemblies must be maintained and tested, an administrative fee established by ordinance of city council or Authority to be billed per month per backflow prevention assembly shall be charged.

(Ord. No. 1057, § 3(Exh. C), 10-23-13)

A. Upon noncompliance by the water user following the notice pursuant to Section 13.03.260(C)(2) regarding the periodic testing of the backflow prevention assembly, the department shall have the option, at its sole discretion, of hiring a certified contractor to test the backflow prevention assembly, terminating water service, or pursuing any other available remedy. In addition to any available remedy, the department may charge and collect an administrative penalty in the amount of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per assembly device in addition to any other amounts due from the customer including, but not limited to, costs associated with the testing, repair and/or replacement of the assembly device, any related equipment and city personnel time and resources connected to the necessary remedial actions. Nonpayment of such expenses and fee may result in termination of water service or additional administrative, legal, equitable or other remedies.

B. Upon noncompliance by the user following the thirty (30) days notice pursuant to Section 13.03.260(B)(1) regarding the installation of the required backflow prevention assembly, the department shall have the option, at its sole discretion, of installing or hiring a licensed contractor to install the approved assembly, terminating water service, or pursuing any other available remedy. In addition to any available remedy, the department may charge and collect an administrative penalty in the amount of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per assembly device in addition to any other amounts due from the customer including, but not limited to, costs associated with the installation of the device and city personnel time and resources connected to the necessary remedial actions. Nonpayment of such fee and expenses may result in termination of water service or additional administrative, legal, equitable or other remedies.

C. Any water user whose water service has been terminated under the provisions set forth in subsection (A) or (B) above, shall have the service reconnected only upon proper installation, assembly and/or testing of the assembly device(s) and the payment of all outstanding penalties, fees and costs.

D. Any user who has been assessed administrative penalties and costs by the department as a result of noncompliance pursuant to the provisions contained in subsection A or B above, may appeal the assessment of administrative penalties and costs described pursuant to Sections 13.02.780 and 13.02.785.

(Ord. No. 1057, § 3(Exh. C), 10-23-13)