Lake County Municipal Code Art. VI Protection of Public Water Systems

40.1 Pursuant to Section 450 of the California Health and Safety Code and Title 17, Section 1174 et seq. of the California Administrative Code, a cross-connection control program is established in the County of Lake for the following purposes:

(a) To protect the public water supply against actual or potential cross-connections by isolating within the premises contamination or pollution that may occur because of some undiscovered or unauthorized cross-connection on the premises;

(b) To eliminate existing connections between drinking water systems and other sources of water that are not approved as safe and potable for human consumption;

(c) To eliminate cross-connections between drinking water systems and other sources of water or process water used for any purpose whatsoever which jeopardize the safety of the drinking water supply; and

(d) To prevent the making of cross-connections in the future.

(Ord. No. 1462, § 1, 4-9-85)

(a) Cross-connection means any unprotected connection between any part of a water system used or intended to supply water for drinking purposes and any source or system containing water or substance that is not or cannot be approved as safe, wholesome, and potable for human consumption.

(Ord. No. 1462, § 1, 4-9-85)

(b) Approved water supply means any water supply approved by or under the public health supervision of a public health agency of the State of California, or its political subdivisions. In determining what constitutes an approved water supply, the State Department of Public Health reserves final judgment as to its safety and potability.

(Ord. No. 1462, § 1, 4-9-85)

(c) Auxiliary supply means any water supply on or available to the premises other than a public water supply.

(Ord. No. 1462, § 1, 4-9-85)

(d) Approved check valve means a check valve that seats readily and completely and has been approved for use in County Service Areas.

(Ord. No. 1462, § 1, 4-9-85)

(e) Approved double check valve assembly means an assembly of at least two independently acting approved check valves including tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valve assembly and suitable leak-detector drains plus connections available for testing the water tightness of each check valve.

(Ord. No. 1462, § 1, 4-9-85)

(f) Air-gap separation means 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, in no case less than one inch.

(Ord. No. 1462, § 1, 4-9-85)

(g) Approved reduced pressure principal back flow prevention device means a device incorporating two or more check valves and an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two checks, two shut-off valves, and equipped with necessary appurtenances for testing. The device shall operate to maintain the pressure in the zone between the two check valves less than the pressure on the public water supply side of the device.

(Ord. No. 1462, § 1, 4-9-85)

(h) Approved back flow device means:

(1) An approved double check valve assembly; or

(2) An approved air-gap separation; or

(3) An approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device.

(Ord. No. 1462, § 1, 4-9-85)

(i) County water system means a system of water delivery operated and maintained by a County Service Area formed pursuant to Section 25210.1 et seq. of the Government code of the State of California.

(Ord. No. 1462, § 1, 4-9-85)

(j) Premise or premises means land and everything appurtenant thereto, including but not limited to, buildings, structures, and mobilehomes.

(Ord. No. 1462, § 1, 4-9-85)

(a) An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed at each service connection of a county water system where the premises served is also served by an auxiliary water supply not approved by the public health agency having jurisdiction.

(b) An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed at each service connection of a county water system where the premises served has upon it any liquid or substance under pressure which may enter a county water system. Such liquid or substance includes, but is not limited to, waters originating from a county water system which have been contaminated below the health standards established for a county water system.

(c) An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed at each service connection of a county water system where the premises served has upon it a cross-connection; provided however, no backflow prevention device is required pursuant to this subdivision where such cross-connection has been modified to prevent any contamination of a county water system and such modification has been approved, in writing, by the County Utilities Manager and has been approved by the State or County Health Department.

(Ord. No. 1462, § 1, 4-9-85)

(a) Any person or entity that is required to install a backflow prevention device pursuant to this article shall first obtain a permit for such installation from the County Building Department.

(Ord. No. 2069, § 1, 3-3-92)

(b) Any backflow prevention device installed must be approved by the Foundation for Cross-connection Control and Hydraulic Research of the University of Southern California.

(c) Any backflow prevention device shall be installed in accordance with the methods of installation prescribed in the "Manual of Cross-connection Control Procedures and Practices" prepared by the California State Department of Health Services Sanitary Engineering Section or as prescribed and approved in writing at his discretion by the county Utilities Manager.

(d) Any person or entity which owns any premises where a backflow prevention device has been installed shall have such device inspected annually by a certified inspector pursuant to the applicable Rules and Regulations of the California State Department of Public Health. The date of inspection shall be annually within one (1) year of the date the device was first installed. A written report of the inspection shall be filed by the owner of the premises with the County Utilities Manager within ten (10) days of the inspection each year, as long as the device remains installed.

(Ord. No. 2069, § 2, 3-3-92)

(e) The County shall not be liable for any costs for the inspection, repair, or maintenance of any backflow prevention device installed pursuant to this article. All such costs shall be borne by the owner of the premises.

(Ord. No. 1462, § 1, 4-9-85)

(a) Obtain a permit pursuant to the provisions of this article, and install the device following the procedures set forth in section 9-44.1, subdivision (c) of this article. The total cost of such installation shall be borne by the owner of the premises; or

(b) Request the County Utilities Manager to install the device; provided however, the owner of the premises shall be liable only for those costs incurred for purchase of the materials used for such installation. Upon installation, the owner of the premises shall be responsible for all costs of inspection, repair, and maintenance of the backflow prevention device.

(Ord. No. 1462, § 1, 4-9-85)

(a) Applicants shall have had at least two (2) years experience in plumbing or pipe fitting or equivalent qualifications;

(b) Applicants shall hold a valid certification from the American Water Works Association, California-Nevada Section, or satisfactory completion of the Course for the Training and Certification of Testers for Backflow Prevention Devices offered by the Foundation for Cross-connection Control and Hydraulic Research, University of Southern California, or have equivalent training as determined by the County Utilities Manager and the Director of the Lake County Health Department or his authorized designee; and

(c) Each applicant shall furnish evidence to show that he has available the necessary tools and equipment to properly test such devices. He shall be responsible for the competency and accuracy of all tests and reports prepared by him.

(Ord. No. 1462, § 1, 4-9-85)