Hillsborough Municipal Code Ch. 13.28 Cross Connections

A. "Backflow" is the undesirable reverse flow of water from a private property into the public potable water system that can introduce contaminants into the potable water supply.

B. "Backflow prevention assembly" (BPA) is an approved device that prevents contaminated or non-potable water from flowing backward into the potable water supply.

C. "Cross-connection" is any physical connection or arrangement between two otherwise separate piping systems, one of which contains potable water and the other water or substances of unknown or questionable safety, whereby water may flow from one system to the other, the direction of flow depending on the pressure differential between the two systems.

D. "California Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook" (CCCPH) is a comprehensive guide, adopted by the California State Water Resources Control Board on July 1, 2024, and replacing the previous Title 17 regulations, that provides regulations and guidance to public water systems to protect against cross-connections and backflow contamination.

E. "Cross-connection control plan" is the plan implemented by the town, in accordance with the CCCPH, to protect its potable water system from contamination resulting from unprotected cross-connections and backflow.

F. "Cross-connection control coordinator" is authorized by the town's director of public works director to perform the daily duties required to implement the town's cross-connection control plan.

G. "Cross-connection control specialist" is certified by an organization recognized in the state to prevent contamination of drinking water supplies by identifying and eliminating potential cross-connections and to comply with the state cross-connection control policy handbook requirements (CCCPH § 3.4.1(a), (c); and § 3.4.1(a), (c)).

H. "Hazard assessment" is required for all town water customers, in accordance with the CCCPH, and at the time of an initiating event, to identify the degree of cross-connection contamination hazard as high, low or no hazard by a certified cross-connection control specialist.

I. "San Mateo County's Cross-Connection Control Program" is a program in which the county's environmental health services contracts with water purveyors to implement a cross-connection program, to protect the public drinking water supply in San Mateo County, as mandated by the state resources control board, drinking water division.

(Ord. 337 § 1 (part), 1976: prior code § 91.10.4)

(Ord. No. 798, § 1(Exh. A), 7-14-2025)

It is unlawful for any person to have, keep, maintain, install, or allow the existence of a cross-connection.

(Ord. 337 § 1 (part), 1976: prior code § 91.10.8)

(Ord. No. 798, § 1(Exh. A), 7-14-2025)

A backflow prevention device installed for the purpose of eliminating a cross-connection shall be approved by and installed in accordance with the requirements of law, including, without limitation, any requirements of the CCCPH, the San Mateo County's Cross-Connection Control Program, Hillsborough's Cross-Connection Control Plan, and the health officer as defined in Chapter 2.08.

This shall not exempt any person from compliance with applicable requirements of the local plumbing code.

(Ord. 608 § 13, 2000; Ord. 337 § 1 (part), 1976: prior code § 91.10.10)

(Ord. No. 798, § 1(Exh. A), 7-14-2025)

No person shall advertise, sell or offer for use or sale, any water-treating chemical or substance, water-using or water-operated equipment, mechanism or contrivance, which may cause contamination or pollution of the domestic water supply. Such devices may be permitted only when equipped with approved backflow protection devices.

(Ord. 608 § 14, 2000; Ord. 337 § 1 (part), 1976: prior code § 91.10.16)

Backflow prevention devices (double check valves, reduced pressure principal devices and pressure vacuum breakers) which have been installed to meet the requirements of the CCCPH and this code shall be tested when installed and at least once each calendar year by a person authorized by the San Mateo County's Cross-Connection Control Program.

(Ord. 337 § 1 (part), 1976: prior code § 91.10.20(a))

(Ord. No. 798, § 1(Exh. A), 7-14-2025)

No person shall test and make reports on backflow prevention devices unless authorized to do so by the San Mateo County's Cross-Connection Control Program. A list of authorized backflow prevention assembly testers is maintained and made available by the San Mateo County's Environmental Health Services. It is unlawful for any person to maintain a backflow prevention device unless it is tested at least annually by a county authorized tester.

(Ord. 337 § 1 (part), 1976: prior code § 91.10.20(b))

(Ord. No. 798, § 1(Exh. A), 7-14-2025)

It is unlawful to use any backflow prevention device installed to meet the requirements of the CCCPH and this code unless it is in good repair. Devices which are defective shall be repaired and tested immediately upon being put into use, and a report of such shall be filed with the San Mateo County's Environmental Health Services within thirty days after such test.

(Ord. 337 § 1 (part), 1976: prior code § 91.10.206)

(Ord. No. 798, § 1(Exh. A), 7-14-2025)

In accordance with the CCCPH, the following events require a cross-connection control specialist complete a hazard assessment and submit to the town's cross-connection control coordinator for approval:

1. If a user premises changes account holder, excluding single-family residences;

2. If a user premises is newly or re-connected to the town's potable water system;

3. If evidence exists of changes in the activities or materials on a user's premises;

4. If backflow from a user's premises occurs;

5. Periodically, as identified in the town's cross-connection control plan required pursuant to CCCPH section 3.1.4

6. If the state water board requests a hazard assessment of a user's premises; and

7. If the town concludes an existing hazard assessment may no longer accurately represent the degree of hazard.

The town's cross-connection control specialist must review or conduct each initial and follow-up hazard assessment pursuant to this section and make a written finding that, in the specialist's judgment based on cross-connection control principles, the hazard assessment properly identified all hazards at the time of the assessment, the appropriate degree of hazards, and the corresponding backflow protection.

(Ord. No. 798, § 1(Exh. A), 7-14-2025)

In interpreting the intent or requirements associated with this chapter, the town's cross control prevention plan shall be used to provide guidance, as reasonably determined by the town. In the event of any inconsistency between this chapter and the town's cross control prevention plan, the plan shall control.

(Ord. No. 798, § 1(Exh. A), 7-14-2025)