Fort Jones Municipal Code Ch. 13.20 Cross Connection Control

The purpose of this chapter is:

(1) To protect the public potable water supply of town from the possibility of contamination or pollution by isolating within the consumer's internal distribution systems or the consumer's private water systems such contaminants or pollutants which could backflow into the public water systems;

(2) To promote the elimination or control of existing cross connections, actual or potential, between the consumer's in-plant potable water systems and non-potable water systems, plumbing fixtures and industrial piping systems; and

(3) To provide for the maintenance of a continuing program of cross connection control which will systematically and effectively prevent the contamination or pollution of all potable water systems.

(Ord. No. 2021-5, § 13.20.1, 5-10-2021)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Approved means accepted by the director of utilities or designee, as meeting an applicable specification stated or cited in this policy, or as suitable for the proposed use.

Approved backflow prevention assembly means an assembly that has been manufactured in full conformance with the standards established by the American Water Works Association entitled: AWWA/ANSI C510-2007 Standard for Double Check Valve Backflow Prevention Assemblies; AWWA/ANSI C511-2007 Standard for Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assemblies; and, have met completely the laboratory and field performance standard of the Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research of the University of Southern California (USC FCCCHR) established in: Standards of Backflow Prevention Assemblies chapter 10 of the most current edition of the Manual of Cross Connection Control. The AWWA and USC FCCCHR standards have been adopted by town. Final approval shall be evidenced by a certificate of compliance for the AWWA standards; or the appearance of the specific model and size on the List of Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies published by the USC FCCCHR along with a certificate of approval for the USC FCCCHR Standards; issued by an approved testing laboratory.

Auxiliary water supply means any water supply on or available to the premises other than the purveyor's approved public potable water supply. These auxiliary waters may include water from another purveyor's public potable water supply or any natural sources such as well, spring, river, stream, harbor, etc., or used waters or industrial fluids. These waters may be polluted or contaminated, or they may be objectionable and constitute an unacceptable water source over which the water purveyor does not have sanitary control.

Backflow means the flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances under pressure into the distributing pipes of a potable water supply system from any source or sources other than its intended source.

Backflow preventer: A device, assembly or means designed to prevent backflow. These devices or assemblies are described below:

Air-gap means a physical separation between the free-flowing discharge end of a potable water supply pipeline and an open or non-pressure receiving vessel. An approved air gap separation shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the top of the rim of the vessel. In no case shall it be less than one inch. When an air-gap is used at the service connection to prevent the contamination or pollution of the public potable water system, an emergency bypass shall be installed around the airgap system and an approved reduced pressure principal assembly shall be installed in the bypass system.

Approved backflow prevention device. An approved backflow prevention device must include isolation valves and test cocks to facilitate in-line testing and repair. The assembly must appear on a current approval list from the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE) or on an approval list from the Foundation of Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research at the University of Southern California (FCCC & HR @ USC).

Atmospheric vacuum breaker means an anti-siphon backflow prevention device that incorporates an air inlet to prevent backflow by backsiphonage. Designed to protect against high and low hazards during a backsiphonage condition only. Sometimes includes a shut-off valve on the upstream side only.

Double check valve assembly means an assembly composed of two single, independently acting, check valves, including tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly and suitable connections for testing the water tightness of each check valve, plus properly located test cocks for the testing of each check valve. A check valve is a valve that is drip-tight in the normal direction of flow when the inlet pressure is one psi and the outlet pressure is zero. The check valve shall permit no leakage in a direction reverse to the normal flow. The closure element (e.g., clapper) shall be internally weighted or otherwise internally loaded to promote rapid and positive closure. The entire assembly shall meet the design and performance specifications and approval of a recognized and RCSD-approved testing agency for backflow prevention assemblies. To be approved, these assemblies must be readily accessible for in-line maintenance and testing.

Double check valve means a compact unit manufactured with two independent spring actuated check valves. The residential dual check is acceptable for use back-flow prevention in areas served by reuse systems defined in title 17 CCR.

Hose bib vacuum breaker means a device which is permanently attached to a hose bib, and which acts as an atmospheric vacuum breaker.

Pressure vacuum breaker means an assembly containing one independently operated internally loaded check valve and an independently operated internally loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check. Assembly includes tightly closing shut-off valves on the inlet and outlet sides of the assembly and properly located test cocks.

Reduced pressure principal assembly means a device containing within its structure a minimum of two independently acting approved check valves, together with an automatically operating pressure differential relief valve located between the two check valves. The first check valve reduces the supply pressure a predetermined amount so that during normal flow and at cessation of normal flow the pressure between the checks shall be less than the supply pressure. In case of leakage of either check valve, the differential relief valve, by discharging to the atmosphere, shall operate to maintain the pressure between the checks less than the supply pressure. The unit shall include tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the device, and each device shall be fitted with properly located test cocks. The entire assembly shall meet the design and performance specifications and approval of a recognized and approved testing agency for backflow prevention assemblies. To be approved, these assemblies must be readily accessible for in-line maintenance and testing and be installed in a location where no part of the assembly will be submerged.

Spill resistant pressure vacuum breaker means an assembly designed to prevent backsiphonage that can be used under continuous pressure; the assembly includes an independently operating spring loaded check valve and an independently loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check with shut-off valves located on the inlet and outlet side of the assembly, a resilient seated test cock located downstream of the number one shut-off valve and upstream of the check valve with a properly located air vent above the check valve and below the air inlet valve.

Backpressure means a pressure, higher than the supply pressure, caused by a pump, elevated tank, boiler, or any other means that may cause backflow.

Backsiphonage means the flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distributing pipes of a potable water supply system from any other source other than its intended source caused by the sudden reduction of pressure in the potable water supply system.

Backflow prevention assembly means a mechanical backflow preventer (i.e., SVB, PVB, DCVA, RP), used to prevent the backward flow of contaminants or pollutants into a potable water distribution system. An assembly has a resilient seated, full-flow shut-off valve before and after the backflow preventer making it testable in-line. The assembly is shipped with the shut-off valves attached to the backflow preventer. An assembly is labeled with the manufacture's symbol, size, serial number, model number, the working pressure, and the direction of flow. The Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research at the University of Southern California tests and approves backflow prevention assemblies.

Backflow prevention device means a means of backflow protection, usually mechanical, that does not require shut-off valves and test cocks. Any backflow prevention assembly without the shut-off valves is called a device. The American Society of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE) approves backflow prevention devices.

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 hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease.

Cross connection means any physical connection or arrangement of piping or fixtures between two otherwise separate piping systems one of which contains potable water and the other non-potable water or industrial fluids of questionable safety, through which, or because of which, backflow by backpressure or backsiphonage may occur into the potable water system. A water service connection between a public potable water distribution system and a customer's water distribution system which is cross connection to a contaminated fixture, industrial fluid system, or with a potentially contaminated supply or auxiliary water system, constitutes one type of cross connection. Other types of cross connections include connectors such as swing connections, removable sections, four-way valves, spools, dummy sections of pipe, swivel or change-over devices, sliding multi-port tube, solid connections, etc.

Cross connections; controlled, means a connection between a potable water system and a non-potable water system with an approved backflow prevention assembly properly installed that will continuously afford the protection commensurate with the degree of hazard.

Cross connection control by containment means the installation of an approved backflow prevention assembly at the water service connection to any customer's premises where it is physically and economically infeasible to find and permanently eliminate or control all actual or potential cross connections within the customer's water system or the installation of an approved backflow prevention assembly on the service line leading to and supplying a portion of a customer's water system where there are actual or potential cross connections which cannot be effectively eliminated or controlled at the point of cross connection.

Hazard, degree of, means derived from an evaluation of the potential risk to public health and the adverse effect of the hazard upon the potable water system.

Hazard, health, means any condition, device or practice in the water supply system and its operation which could create, or in the judgment of the director, or his designee may create a danger to the health and well-being of the water consumer. An example of a health hazard is a structural defect, including cross connection, in a water supply system.

Hazard, plumbing, means a plumbing type cross connection in a consumer's potable water system or to the potability of the public or the consumer'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.

Hazard, potential, means an actual or potential threat to the physical properties of the water system or to the potability of the public or the consumer's potable water system but which would constitute a nuisance or be aesthetically objectionable or could cause damage to the system or its appurtenances.

Hazard, system, means an actual or potential threat of severe damage to the physical properties of the public potable water system or the consumer'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.

Industrial fluids system means any system containing a fluid or solution which may be chemically, biologically or otherwise contaminated or polluted in a form or concentration such as would constitute a health, system, pollution or plumbing hazard is introduced into an approved water supply. This may include, but not be limited to, polluted or contaminated waters; all types of process waters and used waters originating from the public potable water system which may have deteriorated in sanitary quality; chemicals in fluid form; plating acids and alkalis, circulated cooling water connected to an open cooling tower or cooling towers that are chemically or biologically treated or stabilized with toxic substances; contaminated natural water such as from wells, springs, streams, rivers, bays, harbors, seas, irrigation canals or systems, etc.; oils, gases, glycerin, paraffin's, caustic and acid solutions and other liquids and gaseous fluids used in industrial or other purposes or for firefighting purposes.

Isolation. The term "isolation" consists of two types, fixture isolation and area or zone isolation. Isolation at a fixture means installing an approved backflow preventer at the source of the potential contamination. Isolation at an area or zone is confining the potential source of contamination within a specific area. Isolation may be appropriate with or without containment depending on the whether the conditions create a health or non-health hazard.

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.

Water, non-potable, means water which is not safe for human consumption, or which is of questionable potability.

Water, potable, means any water, which, according to recognized standards is safe for human consumption.

Water purveyor means the owner or operator of the public potable water system supplying an approved water supply to the public. As used herein, the terms water purveyor and RCSD may be used synonymously.

Water service connections means the terminal end of a service connection from the public potable water system i.e., where the water purveyor loses jurisdiction and sanitary control over the water at its point of delivery to the customer's water system. If a meter is installed at the end of the service connection, then the service connection shall mean the downstream and of the meter. There should be no unprotected takeoffs from the service line ahead of any meter or backflow prevention assembly located at the point of delivery to the customer's water system. The term "water service connections" shall also include water service connection from a fire hydrant and all other temporary or emergency water service connections form the public water system.

Water, used, means any water supplied by a water purveyor from a public potable water system to a consumer's water system after it has passed through the point of delivery and is no longer under the sanitary control of the water purveyor.

(Ord. No. 2021-5, § 13.20.2, 5-10-2021)

The chief water operator shall be responsible for the protection of the public potable water distribution system from contamination or pollution due to the backflow of contaminants or pollutants through the water service connection.

(Ord. No. 2021-5, § 13.20.2, 5-10-2021)

The chief water operator is authorized to make all necessary and reasonable rules and policies with respect to the enforcement of this chapter. All such rules and policies shall be consistent with the provisions of this chapter and shall be effective 30 days after being filed with the board of directors.

(Ord. No. 2021-5, § 13.20.3.2.8, 5-10-2021)

The water system shall be considered as made up of two parts: the water supplier's system and the consumer's system, as follows:

(1) The water supplier's system shall consist of the source facilities and the distribution system; and shall include all those facilities of the water system under the complete control of the utility, up to the point where the consumer's system begins.

(2) The source shall include all components of the facilities utilized in the production, treatment, storage, and delivery of water to the distribution system.

(3) The distribution system shall include the network of conduits used for the delivery of water from the source to the consumer's system.

(4) The consumer's system shall include those parts of the facilities beyond the termination of the water supplier distribution system which are utilized in conveying potable water to points of use.

(Ord. No. 2021-5, § 13.20.3.1, 5-10-2021)

No water service connection to any premises shall be installed or maintained by the water supplier unless the water supply is protected as required by town laws and regulations and this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2021-5, § 13.20.3.2.1, 5-10-2021)

Service of water to any premises shall be discontinued by the water supplier if a backflow prevention assembly required by this chapter is not installed, tested and maintained, or if it is found that a backflow prevention assembly has been removed, bypassed, or if an unprotected cross connection exists on the premises. Service will not be restored until such conditions or defects are corrected.

(Ord. No. 2021-5, § 13.20.3.2.1, 5-10-2021)

The consumer's system should be open for inspection at all reasonable times to authorized representatives of the town to determine whether unprotected cross connections or other structural or sanitary hazards, including violations of these regulations, exist. When such a condition becomes known, the town shall deny or immediately discontinue service to the premises by providing for a physical break in the service line until the consumer has corrected the conditions in conformance with state law relating to plumbing and water supplies and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

(Ord. No. 2021-5, § 13.20.3.2.2, 5-10-2021)

An approved backflow prevention assembly shall also be installed on each service line to a consumer's water 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 when 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 is not acceptable as an additional source by town, the public water system shall be protected against backflow from the premises by installing an approved backflow prevention assembly in the service line commensurate with 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 commensurate with the degree of hazard. This shall include the handling of process waters and waters originating from the water supplier's system which have been subject to deterioration in quality.

(3) In the case of premises having internal cross connections that cannot be permanently corrected or protected against, 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 cross connections exist, the public water system shall be protected against backflow from the premises by installing an approved backflow prevention assembly in the service line.

(Ord. No. 2021-5, § 13.20.3.2.3, 5-10-2021)

(a) If, in the judgment of the chief water operator, an approved backflow prevention assembly is required (at the consumer's water service connection; or, within the consumer's private water system) for the safety of the water system, the chief water operator or his designated agent shall give notice in writing to the consumer to install such an approved backflow prevention assemblies at a specific locations on his premises. The consumer shall immediately install an approved backflow prevention assembly at the consumer's own expense.

(b) Failure, refusal or inability on the part of the consumer to install, have tested and maintain the assembly shall constitute grounds for discontinuing water service to the premises until such requirements have been satisfactorily met.

(Ord. No. 2021-5, § 13.20.2, 5-10-2021)

The type of protective assembly required under this section 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 and it is not subject to any of the following rules, the public water system shall be protected by an approved air gap or an approved reduced pressure principal backflow prevention assembly.

(2) In the case of any premises where there is water or 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 backflow prevention assembly.

(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 or an approved reduced pressure principal backflow prevention assembly. Examples of premises where these conditions will exist include sewage treatment plants, sewage pumping stations, chemical manufacturing plants, hospitals, and mortuaries and plating plants.

(4) In the case of any premises where there are unprotected cross connections, either actual or potential, the public water system shall be protected by an approved air gap or an approved reduced pressure principal backflow prevention assembly at the 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 or an approved reduced pressure principal backflow prevention assembly on each service to the premises.

(Ord. No. 2021-5, § 13.20.3.2.4, 5-10-2021)

Any backflow prevention assembly required herein shall be a make, model and size approved by town. Backflow preventers, which may be subjected to backpressure or backsiphonage, that have been fully tested and have been granted a certificate of approval by the qualified laboratory and are listed on the laboratory's current list of approved backflow prevention assemblies may be used without further test or qualification.

(Ord. No. 2021-5, § 13.20.3.2.5, 5-10-2021)

(a) Frequency; exceptions. The town shall have a field test performed by a certified backflow prevention assembly tester upon installation of a device and at least once per year thereafter at any premises where backflow prevention assemblies are installed. In those instances where the town deems the hazard to be great enough, it may require field tests at more frequent intervals.

(b) Notice to consumer; repair or replacement of defective devices. The town shall notify the consumer in advance when the tests are to be undertaken so that an official representative may witness the field tests if so desired. If the text reveals a defective device, the device shall be repaired, overhauled or replaced at the expense of the consumer.

(c) Test costs; required records. Field tests shall be at the expense of the water user and records of such tests, repairs and overhaul shall be submitted to the town.

(Ord. No. 2021-5, § 13.20.3.2.6, 5-10-2021)

Backflow prevention assemblies installed prior to May 10, 2021, that do not meet the requirements of this section but were approved devices for the purposes described herein at the time of installation and which have been properly maintained, shall, except for the field testing and maintenance requirements, be excluded from the requirements of these rules so long as the town is assured that they will satisfactorily protect the water purveyor's system. When the existing device is moved from the present location or requires more than minimum maintenance or when the town finds that the maintenance constitutes a hazard to health, the unit shall be replaced by an approved backflow prevention assembly meeting the requirements of this section.

(Ord. No. 2021-5, § 13.20.3.2.7, 5-10-2021)