Imperial County Municipal Code Ch. 13.16 Cross-Connection Control Program

The purpose of this chapter is to protect the public water supply system from contamination due to potential and actual cross-connections. This shall be accomplished by the establishment of a cross-connection control program as required by state regulations. The ordinance codified in this chapter is adopted pursuant to Title 17, Sections 7583 through 7605, inclusive, of the California Code of Regulations, entitled "Regulations Relating to Cross-Connections. "

(Ord. 1327 § 1 (part), 2000: prior code § 26700)

The Gateway of the Americas County Service Area (Gateway CSA) Manager shall be responsible for implementing and enforcing the cross-connection control program. An appropriate backflow prevention assembly shall be installed by and at the expense of the water user at the user's connection where required to prevent backflow from the water user's premises to the domestic water system. It shall be the water user's responsibility to comply with the Gateway CSA's requirements.

(Ord. 1327 § 1 (part), 2000: prior code § 26701)

The type of protection that shall be provided to prevent backflow into the public water supply system shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard, actual or potential, that exists on the water user's premises. Unprotected cross-connections with the public water supply are prohibited. The type of backflow prevention assembly that may be required (listed in decreasing level of protection) includes: air-gap separation (AG), reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly (RP), and a double check valve assembly (DC). The water user may choose a higher level of protection than required by the water supplier. The minimum types of backflow protection required to protect the approved water supply at the user's water connection to premises with varying degrees of hazard are listed in Table 1 of Section 7604, Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations. Situations which are not covered in Table 1 shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and the appropriate backflow protection shall be determined by the water supplier or health agency.

(Ord. 1327 § 1 (part), 2000: prior code § 26702)

Only backflow prevention assemblies which have been approved by the Gateway CSA shall be acceptable for installation by a water user. A list of approved backflow prevention assemblies shall be provided upon request to any affected customer. Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in a manner prescribed in Section 7603, Title l7 of the California Code of Regulations. Location of the assemblies shall be as close as practical to the user's connection. Gateway CSA shall have the final authority in determining the required location of a backflow prevention assembly.

Testing of backflow assemblies shall be conducted by a qualified tester only and testing will be the responsibility of the water user. Backflow prevention assemblies must be tested annually and immediately after installation, relocation or repair. More frequent testing may be required if deemed necessary by the Gateway CSA. No assembly shall be placed back in service unless it is functioning as required. These assemblies 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. Approval must be obtained from the Gateway CSA prior to removing, relocating or replacing a backflow prevention assembly.

(Ord. 1327 § 1 (part), 2000: prior code § 26703)

The cross-connection control program shall be administered by the Gateway CSA Manager. The Gateway CSA will establish and maintain a list of approved backflow prevention assemblies as well as a list of approved backflow prevention assembly testers. The Gateway CSA shall conduct necessary surveys of water user premises to evaluate the degree of potential health hazards. The Gateway CSA shall notify users when an assembly needs to be tested. The notice shall contain the date when the test must be completed.

(Ord. 1327 § 1 (part), 2000: prior code § 26704)

A. When the Gateway CSA encounters water uses that represent a clear and immediate hazard to the potable water supply that cannot be immediately abated, the procedure for terminating water service shall be instituted. Conditions or water uses that create a basis for water service termination shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Refusal to install or to test a backflow prevention assembly, or to repair or replace a faulty backflow prevention assembly;

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

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

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

B. For conditions set out in subsection (A)(1) of this section, the Gateway CSA will terminate service to a water user's premises after proper notification has been sent. If no action is taken within the allowed time period, water service shall be terminated.

C. For conditions set out in subsection (A)(2), (3) or (4) of this section, the Gateway CSA shall take the following steps:

1. Make reasonable effort to advise the water user of intent to terminate water service; and

2. Terminate water service and lock service valve. The water service shall remain inactive until correction of violations has been approved by the Gateway CSA.

(Ord. 1327 § 1 (part), 2000: prior code § 26705)