APPENDIX 'A' - BACKFLOW — Hayward Municipal Code

(a) PURPOSE. To protect the public water supply system from pollution or contamination due to the potential and or actual cross-connections within the customer's internal or private water system(s). To eliminate or control potential or actual cross-connections within the customer's private potable water system(s) and other sources of water that are not approved as safe for human consumption. This shall be accomplished by the establishment of a Cross-Connection Control Program as required by state regulations. This ordinance is adopted pursuant to Title 17, Sections 7583 - 7605, inclusive, of the California Code of Regulations, entitled "Regulations Relating to Cross-Connections.'

(b) DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this section, certain words and phrases are defined and certain provisions shall be construed as herein set out, unless it shall be apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended.

AIR-GAP SEPARATION. A physical break between a supply pipe and a receiving vessel. The air-gap shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the top rim of the vessel, and in no case less than one inch.
APPROVED BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY. An assembly which has passed laboratory and field evaluation tests performed by a recognized testing organization which has demonstrated its competency to perform such tests to the California Department of Health Services.
AUXILIARY WATER SUPPLY. Any water supply on or available to the premises other than the approved water supply.
BACKFLOW. 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 water supply from any source or sources other than an approved water supply source.
BACKPRESSURE. Any elevation of pressure in the downstream piping system (by pump, elevation of piping, or steam and/or air pressure at the point of consideration which would cause, or tend to cause, a reversal of the normal direction of flow.
BACKSIPHONAGE. A form of backflow due to a reduction in system pressure which causes a subatmospheric pressure to exist at a site in the water system.
CONTAMINATION. Degradation of the quality of the potable water by any foreign substance which creates a hazard to the public health, or which may impair the usefulness or quality of the water.
CROSS-CONNECTION. Any unprotected actual or potential connection between a potable water system and any source or system containing unapproved water or a substance that is not or cannot be approved as safe, wholesome, and potable. By-pass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeover assemblies, or other assemblies through which backflow could occur, shall be considered to be cross-connections.
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY. An assembly of two (2) internally loaded, independently acting check valves, including resilient seated shut-off valves on each end of the assembly and test cocks for testing the water tightness of each check valve.
DOUBLE CHECK DETECTOR ASSEMBLY. A specially designed assembly composed of a line-size approved double check valve assembly with a bypass containing a specific water meter and an approved double check valve assembly. The meter shall register accurately for only very low rates of flow up to 3 gpm and shall show a registration for all rates of flow. This assembly shall only be used to protect against a non-health hazard. This assembly is used primarily on fire sprinkler systems.
POLLUTION. An impairment of the quality of the water to a degree which does not create a hazard to the public health but which adversely and unreasonably affects the aesthetic qualities of such waters for domestic use.
PREMISES. Any and all areas on a customer's property which are served or have the potential to be served by the public water system.
PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM. A system for the provision of piped water to the public for human consumption that has five (5) or more water service connections or regularly serves an average of 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year.
REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPLE ASSEMBLY. An assembly incorporating two (2) internally loaded, independently operating check valves and an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two (2) checks, including resilient seated shut-off valves on each end of the assembly, and equipped with necessary test cocks for testing the assembly.
REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPLE DETECTOR ASSEMBLY. A specially designed assembly composed of a line size approved reduced pressure principle assembly with a bypass containing a specific water meter and an approved reduced pressure principle assembly. The meter shall register accurately for only very low rates of flow up to 3 gpm and shall show a registration for all rates of flow. This assembly shall be used to protect against a non-health hazard or a health hazard. This assembly is primarily used on fire sprinkler systems.
WATER—POTABLE. The term "potable water" shall mean water from any source which has been investigated by the California Department of Health Services, and which has been approved for human consumption.
WATER—NON POTABLE. The term "non potable water" shall mean a water supply which has not been approved for human consumption by the California Department of Health Services.

(c) RESPONSIBILITY. The City of Hayward shall be responsible for implementing and enforcing the Cross-Connection Control Program. If, in the judgment of the Director of Public Works or authorized representative, an approved Backflow Prevention Assembly is required (at the customer's water service connection or within the private water system) the City of Hayward shall give notice in writing to said customer. The appropriate Backflow Prevention Assembly shall be immediately installed by and at the expense of the customer at each connection where required to prevent backflow from the customer's premises to the public potable water system. It shall be the customer's responsibility to comply with the City of Hayward's requirements and failure to do so shall constitute grounds for the termination of water service until such requirements have been met.

(d) PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS.

General Provisions

i. Unprotected cross-connections with the public water supply are prohibited.

ii. Whenever backflow protection has been found necessary on a water supply line entering a customer's premises, any and all water supply lines from the City of Hayward's mains entering such premises, buildings, or structures shall be protected by an approved backflow assembly. (Exception: Class 1 and Class 2 Fire Sprinkler Systems.)

iii. The customer's system should be open for inspection at all reasonable times to authorized representatives of the City of Hayward to determine whether unprotected cross-connections or other structural or sanitary hazards, including violations of the regulations, exist. When such a condition becomes known, the City of Hayward shall deny or immediately discontinue service to the premises. Service will not be restored until such condition(s) of defect are corrected.

Where Protection is Required

i. Each water service connection from the City of Hayward's water system for supplying water 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 of Hayward, and is approved by the California Department of Health Services.

ii. Each water service connection from the City of Hayward's water system for supplying water to any premises on which any substance is handled in such manner as may allow its entry into the water system shall be protected against backflow of the water from the premises into the public system. This shall include the handling of process waters and waters originating from the City of Hayward's water system which have been subjected to deterioration in sanitary quality.

iii. Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed on the water service connection to any premises having (a) internal cross-connection that cannot be permanently corrected and controlled to the satisfaction of the City of Hayward, or (b) intricate plumbing and piping arrangements or where entry to all portions of the premises are not readily accessible for inspection purposes, making it impracticable or impossible to ascertain whether or not cross-connections exist.

Type of Protection Required

i. The type of protection that shall be provided to prevent backflow into the approved water supply shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard that exists on the consumer's premises. The type of protective assembly that may be required includes: Air-gap separation, Reduced Pressure Principle Assembly, Reduced Pressure Principle Detector Assembly, and Double Check Valve Detector Assembly. The water consumer may choose a higher level of protection than required by the City of Hayward. Premises shall be evaluated on a case by case basis and the appropriate backflow protection shall be determined by the City of Hayward.

(e) ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES.

General Provisions. The cross-connection control program shall be administered by the City of Hayward and the Cross-Connection Control Specialist. The following are the procedures for achieving a more meaningful involvement and participation of all administrative authorities and customers in the field of cross-connection control.
Water System Survey

i. The City of Hayward shall review all requests for new services to determine if backflow protection is needed. Plans and specifications must be submitted to the City of Hayward upon request for review of possible cross-connection hazards as a condition of service for new water service connections. If it is determined that a backflow prevention assembly is necessary to protect the public water system, the required the required assembly must be installed before water will be supplied to the premises.

ii. The City of Hayward may require an on-premises inspection to evaluate cross-connection hazards. The cross-connection control specialist may request an inspection appointment to each affected customer. An inspection of the premises by the cross-connection control specialist will evaluate the hazards existing. Any customer who cannot or will not allow an on-premise inspection of his piping system shall be required to install the backflow prevention assembly the cross-connection control specialist considers necessary.

iii. The City of Hayward may, at its discretion, require another inspection for cross-connection hazards of any premise to which it provides water service. The Cross-Connection Control Specialist may request an inspection appointment to each affected customer. Any customer who cannot or will not allow an on-premise inspection shall be required to install the backflow prevention assembly the cross-connection specialist considers necessary.

iv. The City of Hayward will notify the customer of the survey findings, listing the corrective actions to be taken if any are required. A reasonable period of time will be given to complete all corrective actions required, including installation of backflow prevention assemblies. Failure to comply with any the required corrective actions within the time given may result in discontinuation of water service.

Water Service Termination

i. When the City of Hayward's representative encounters water use(s) that, in the representative's opinion, represent a clear and immediate hazard to the potable water supply, the City of Hayward shall immediately discontinue water service until such time as the condition(s) for reinstatement outlined by the City of Hayward are satisfied.

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

A situation which presents an immediate health hazard to the public water system.
Direct or indirect connections between the public water system and a sewer line.
Unprotected direct or indirect connections between the public water system and any system or equipment containing contaminants.
Unprotected direct or indirect connections between the public water system and an unapproved auxiliary water system.
Refusal to install a required backflow prevention assembly.
Refusal to repair or replace a faulty backflow prevention assembly.
Water Service Termination Procedures

i. For conditions 1, 2, or 3, or 4, the City of Hayward shall make a reasonable effort to advise the customer of intent to terminate water service. The water supply shall be terminated and the service locked until correction of violation has been approved by the City of Hayward.

ii. For conditions 5 or 6, the City of Hayward will terminate service to a customer's premises after two written notices have been sent specifying the corrective action needed and the time period in which it must be done. The first notice shall give a time period of 30 days to complete all corrective actions required. The second notice shall give a time period of 14 days to complete all corrective actions required. If no corrective action has been taken within the 14-day time period, the City of Hayward may terminate water service to the affected customer until the required actions are taken.

(f) BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLIES

Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies. Only Backflow Prevention Assemblies which are a make, model, and size approved by Department of Health Services and the City of Hayward shall be acceptable for installation by a customer connected to the City of Hayward's potable water system. The City of Hayward shall provide to any customer, upon request, a list of approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies.
Backflow Prevention Assembly Installation. All Backflow Prevention Assemblies shall be installed above grade and as close as practical to the user's connection. The City of Hayward shall have the final authority in determining the required location of a Backflow Prevention Assembly. This assembly shall be installed so that it is readily accessible for testing and maintenance.
Backflow Prevention Assembly Testing and Maintenance. All Backflow Prevention Assemblies shall be tested annually and immediately after installation, relocation or repair. In those instances where the City of Hayward deems the hazard to be great enough, the City of Hayward may require tests at more frequent intervals.
Backflow Prevention Assembly Removal

i. Approval must be obtained from the City of Hayward before a Backflow Prevention Assembly can be removed, relocated or replaced. In addition a Plumbing Permit must be obtained from the City of Hayward before any work can be started.

ii. Removal: The use of a assembly may be discontinued and removed from service upon presentation of sufficient evidence to the City of Hayward to verify that a hazard no longer exists or is not likely to be created in the future.

iii. Relocation: An assembly may be relocated following confirmation by the City of Hayward that the relocation will continue to provide the required protection and satisfy installation requirements. A retest will be required following the relocation of the assembly.

iv. Repair: An assembly may be removed for repair, provided the water use is either discontinued until repair is completed and the assembly is returned to service, or the water service connection is equipped with other backflow protection approved by the City of Hayward. A retest will be required following the repair of the assembly.

v. 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 City of Hayward and must be commensurate with the degree of hazard involved.

Footnotes:

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Cross reference— Chapter 11, Section 11-2.09.