Article II — Regulations

A.

Each service connection to premises having an auxiliary water supply shall be protected against backflow into the public water system.

B.

Each service connection to premises on which any substance is or may be handled such that entry into the on-site water system is possible shall be protected against backflow of the substance into the public water system. This shall include the handling of process waters and water originating from the public water system which have been subject to deterioration in quality.

C.

Each service connection to any premises that have internal cross connections unless such cross connections are abated to the satisfaction of the city.

(Ord. 1378 (part), 1986)

The protective device required shall depend on the degree of hazard. In determining the degree of hazard and type of backflow prevention device to be required, the following criteria shall be used:

A.

At the service connection to any premises where there is an auxiliary water supply handled in a separate piping system with no known or easily established cross connections, the public water supply shall be protected by a double check valve assembly.

B.

At the service connection to any premises where there is an auxiliary water supply where cross connections are known to exist which cannot be practically eliminated, or where the auxiliary water supply may be contaminated, the public water system shall be protected by an air gap separation or a reduced pressure principle backflow device.

C.

At the service connection to any premises on which a substance that would be objectionable but not hazardous to health is handled in such a manner that may permit its entry into the water system, the public water system shall be protected by a double check valve assembly.

D.

At the service connection to any premises on which any material dangerous to health, or toxic substances handled in toxic concentrations, is handled in such a manner that may permit its entry into the on-site water system, the public water system shall be protected by an air gap separation or a reduced pressure principle backflow device.

E.

At the service connection to any sewage treatment plant, sewage pumping station, storm water pumps or reclaimed water reuse areas, the public water system shall be protected by an air gap separation or a reduced pressure principle backflow device.

F.

At the service connection to hospitals, medical and dental facilities, mortuaries, food or beverage processing facilities, chemical facilities, water systems with chemical additives, irrigation systems, laundries, laboratories, pet hospitals, metal processing facilities, petroleum or gas handling facilities, plating facilities, rubber facilities, cement or concrete mixing facilities, or other premises where the city determines that a special hazard exists, the public water system shall be protected by a backflow prevention device as determined by the degree of hazard.

G.

At all service connections to premises having a multiple service with no known cross connections or special hazards, the public water system may be required to be protected by double check valves, and where there may be cross connections or special hazards, the public water system shall be protected by reduced pressure principle devices.

H.

Where a booster pump is installed on the service to any premise, such pump shall be equipped with regulating devices such that the inlet pressure will not fall below 10 psig.

I.

New commercial/industrial shell buildings with unknown future uses shall leave sufficient space (one foot per diameter inch of service, plus one foot) after the meter box for possible future installation of a backflow prevention device.

(Ord. 1378 (part), 1986)

A.

It is the responsibility of the city to make the determination that a service connection, or the handling of substances within the premises served, constitutes a hazard to the public water system and to determine the degree of hazard and establish the requirements for protection.

B.

It is the responsibility of the consumer, at his own expense, to install, maintain and operate approved backflow prevention devices as directed by the city. The consumer shall be responsible to have tests made at least once a year, or more often in those instances where successive tests indicate defective operation of the backflow prevention devices, by an approved backflow prevention device tester. The records of such tests, repairs or overhauls shall be kept and copies submitted to the city. It is also the responsibility of the consumer to prevent cross connections, or pollutants or contaminates from entering their potable water system(s). The consumer's responsibility begins at the service connection and shall include any and all on- premise water distribution piping. The consumer shall allow the public works director or his agents ready access at all reasonable times to all parts of the premises for the purposes of inspection of either the consumer's water system or backflow prevention device(s).

(Ord. 1378 (part), 1986)

A.

The city shall maintain in a list of approved backflow device testers. No person shall test and/or make reports of tests of backflow prevention devices unless the person's qualifications have been established to the satisfaction of the city.

B.

Every person desiring to qualify as a backflow prevention device tester shall make application to the public works department of the city, and shall have a current city business license.

C.

The city will evaluate the applicant's qualifications as a backflow prevention device tester. Any or all of the following may be considered in approving a tester.

Certification as a backflow prevention device tester with the American Water Works Association (AWWA);

Completion of approved courses in backflow prevention device testing;

Experience in backflow prevention device testing;

Oral and/or performance evaluations conducted by the city.

D.

Approval will be revoked from any tester who fails to comply with any of these regulations or falsifies inspection or maintenance reports. Testers will not be eligible for reapproval for two years.

(Ord. 1378 (part), 1986)