Lomita Municipal Code Art. 2 Cross-Connection Control Program

The purpose of this article is (1) to protect the public water supply against actual or potential contamination through cross-connections by isolating sources of contamination that may occur within a water user's premises because of some undiscovered or unauthorized cross-connection on the premises; (2) to eliminate existing connections between drinking water systems and other sources of water that are not approved as safe and potable for human consumption; (3) to eliminate cross-connections between drinking water systems and sources of contamination; (4) to prevent the making of cross-connections in the future.

This article is adopted pursuant to the California Health and Safety Code (Sections 4026., 4026.5., 4049.50 and 4049.51 and California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Sections 7583—7605, entitled "Regulations Relating to Cross-Connections".

It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation at any time to make or maintain or cause to be made or maintained, temporarily or permanently, for any period of time whatsoever, any cross-connection between plumbing pipes or water fixtures being served with water by the city and any other source of water supply or to maintain any sanitary fixture or other appurte nances or fixtures which, by reason of their construction, may cause or allow backflow of water or other substances into the water supply system of the city and/or the service of water pipes or fixtures of any consumer of the city.

(Ord. No. 525, § 1, 7-18-94)

[For the purpose of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section.]

(a) Air-gap separation: The term "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 (1) inch.

(b) Approved backflow prevention assembly: The term "approved backflow prevention assembly" shall mean an assembly which has passed laboratory and field evaluation tests performed by a recognized testing organization which has demonstrated their competency to perform such tests to the California Department of Health Services.

(c) Approved water supply: The term "approved water supply" means any water supply whose potability is regulated by a state or local health agency.

(d) Auxiliary water supply: The term "auxiliary water supply" means any water supply on or available to the premises other than an approved water supply.

(e) AWWA standard: The term "AWWA standard" means an official standard developed and approved by the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

(f) Backflow: The term "backflow" shall mean 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 supply of water from any source or sources other than an approved water supply source. Back siphonage is one cause of backflow. Back pressure is, the other cause.

(g) City: The City of Lomita, California.

(h) Contamination: The term "contamination" means 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.

(i) Cross-Connection: The term "cross-connection" as used in this article means any unprotected actual or potential connection between a potable water system used to supply water for drinking purposes and any source or system containing unapproved water or a substance that is not or cannot be approved as safe, wholesome, and potable. Bypass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeover assemblies, or other devices through which backflow could occur, shall be considered to be cross-connections.

(j) Double check valve assembly: The term "double check valve assembly" means 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.

(k) Health agency: The term "health agency" means the California Department of Health Services.

(l) Local health agency: The term "local health agency" means the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.

(m) Person: The term "person" means an individual, corporation, company, association, partnership, municipality, public utility, or their public body or institution.

(n) Premises: The term "premises" means any and all areas on a water user's property which are served or have the potential to be served by the public water system.

(o) Public water system: The term "public water system" means a system for the provision of piped water to the public for human consumption that has five (5) or more service connections or regularly serves an average of twenty-five (25) individuals daily at least sixty (60) days out of the year.

(p) Reclaimed water: The term "reclaimed water" means a wastewater which, as a result of treatment, is suitable for uses other than potable use.

(q) Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly: The term "reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly" means an assembly incorporating two (2) internally loaded, independently operating check valves and an automatically operating differential relief valves [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.

(r) Service connection: The term "service connection" refers to the point of connection of a user's piping to the water supplier's facilities.

(s) Water supplier: The term "water supplier" means the city who owns and operates the approved water supply system.

(t) Water user: The term "water user" means any person obtaining water from an approved water supply stem.

(Ord. No. 525, § 1, 7-18-94)

(a) General Provisions.

(1) Unprotected cross-connections with the public water supply are prohibited.

(2) Whenever backflow protection has been found necessary, the city will require the water user to install an approved backflow prevention assembly by and at his expense for continued services or before a new service will be granted.

(3) Wherever backflow protection has been found necessary on a water supply line entering a water user's premises, then any and all water supply lines from the city's mains entering such premises, buildings, or structures shall be protected by an approved backflow prevention assembly. The type of assembly to be installed will be in accordance with the requirements of this article.

(b) Where Protection is Required.

(1) Each service connection from the city's water system for supplying water to 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, and is approved by the public health agency having jurisdiction.

(2) Each service connection from the city's water system for supplying water to any premises on which any substance is handled in such fashion 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's water system which have been subjected to deterioration in sanitary quality.

(3) Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed on the service connection to any premises having (a) internal cross-connection that cannot be permanently corrected and controlled to the satisfaction of the state or local health department and the city's, or (b) intricate plumbing and piping arrangements or where entry to all portions of the premises is not readily accessible for inspection purposes, making it impracticable or impossible to ascertain whether or not cross-connections exist.

(c) Type of Protection Required.

(1) 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 (listing in an increasing level of protection) includes: Double Check Valve Assembly (DC), Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assembly (RP), and an Air-gap Separation (AG). The water user may choose a higher level of protection than required by the city. 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 given in Table 1. 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 city and the health agency.

Table 1 TYPE OF BACKFLOW PROTECTION REQUIRED

(2) Two (2) or more services supplying water from different street mains to the same building, structure, or premises through which an interstreet main flow may occur, shall have at a minimum an approved double check valve on each water service to be located adjacent to and on the property side of the respective meters. Such an approved double check valve shall not be considered adequate if backflow protection is deemed necessary to protect the city's mains from pollution or contamination; in such cases the installation of an approved reduced pressure backflow assemblies [assembly] at such service connections shall be required.

(Ord. No. 525, § 3, 7-18-94)

(a) Approved backflow prevention assemblies.

(1) Only backflow prevention assemblies which have been approved by the city shall be acceptable for installation by a water user connected to the city's potable water system.

(2) The city will provide, upon request, to any affected customer a list of approved backflow prevention assemblies.

(b) Backflow prevention assembly installation.

(1) Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in a manner prescribed in Section 7603, Title 22 of the California Administrative Code. Location of the assemblies should be as close as practical to the user's connection. The city shall have the final authority in determining the required location of a backflow prevention assembly.

a. Air-gap separation (AG). The air-gap separation shall be located on the user's side of and as close to the service connection as is practical. All piping from the service connection to the receiving tank shall be above grade and be entirely visible. No water use shall be provided from any point between the service connection and the air-gap separation. The water inlet piping shall terminate a distance of at least two (2) pipe diameters of the supply inlet but in no case less than one (1) inch above the overflow rim of the receiving tank.

b. Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly (RP). The approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly shall be installed on the user's side of and as close to the service connection as is practical. The assembly shall be installed a minimum of twelve (12) inches above grade and not more than thirty-six (36) inches above grade measured from the bottom of the assembly and with a minimum of twelve (12) inches side clearance. The assembly shall be installed so that it is readily accessible for maintenance and testing. Water supplied from any point between the service connection and the RP assembly shall be protected in a manner approved by the city.

c. Double check valve assembly (DC). The approved double check valve assembly shall be located as close as practical to the user's connection and shall be installed above grade, if possible, and in a manner where it is readily accessible for testing and maintenance. If a double check valve assembly is put below grade it must be installed in a vault such that there is a minimum of six (6) inches between the bottom of the vault and the bottom of the assembly, so that the top of the assembly is no more than a maximum of eight (8) inches below grade, so there is a minimum of twenty-four (24) inches of clearance between the side of the assembly with the test cocks and the side of the vault, and so there is a minimum of twelve (12) inches clearance between the other side of the assembly and the side of the vault. Special consideration must be given to double check valve assemblies of the "Y" type. These assemblies must be installed on their "side" with the test cocks in a vertical position so that either check valve may be removed for service without removing the assembly. Vaults which do not have an integrated bottom must be placed on a three-inch layer of gravel.

(c) Backflow prevention assembly testing and maintenance.

(1) The owners of any premises on which, or on account of which, backflow prevention assemblies are installed, shall have the assemblies tested by a person who has demonstrated their competency in testing of these assemblies to the city. Backflow prevention assemblies must be tested at least annually and immediately after installation, relocation or repair. The city may require a more frequent testing schedule if it is determined to be necessary. No assembly shall be placed back in service unless it is functioning as required. A report in a form acceptable to the city shall be filed with the city each time an assembly is tested, relocated, or repaired. These assemblies shall be serviced, overhauled, or replaced wherever they are found to be defective and all costs of testing, repair, and maintenance shall be borne by the water user.

(2) The city will supply affected water users with a list of persons acceptable to the city to test backflow prevention assemblies. The city will notify affected customers by mail when annual testing of an assembly is needed and also supply users with the necessary forms which must be filled out each time an assembly is tested or repaired.

(d) Backflow prevention assembly removal.

(1) Approval must be obtained from the city before a backflow prevention assembly is removed, relocated, or replaced.

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

b. Relocation: An assembly may be relocated following confirmation by the city 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;

c. 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 service connection is equipped with other backflow protection approved by the city. A retest will be required following the repair of the assembly; and

d. 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 and must be commensurate with the degree of hazard involved.

(Ord. No. 525, § 4, 7-18-94)

At each premises where it is necessary, in the opinion of the city, a user supervisor shall be designated by and at the expense of the water user. This user supervisor shall be responsible for the monitoring of the backflow prevention assemblies and for avoidance of cross-connections. In the event of contamination or pollution of the drinking water system due to a cross-connection on the premises, the city shall be promptly notified by the user supervisor so that appropriate measures may be taken to overcome the contamination. The water user shall inform the city of the user supervisor's identity on, as a minimum, an annual basis and whenever a change occurs.

(Ord. No. 525, § 5, 7-18-94)

(a) Water System Survey.

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

(2) The city may require an on-premises inspection to evaluate cross-connection hazards. The city will transmit a written notice requesting an inspection appointment to each affected water user. Any water user who cannot or will not allow an on-premises inspection of his piping system shall be required to install the backflow prevention assembly the city considers necessary.

(3) The city may, at its discretion, require a reinspection for cross-connection hazards of any premises to which water is served. The city will transmit a written notice requesting an inspection appointment to each affected water user. Any water user who cannot or will not allow an on-premises inspection of his piping system shall be required to install the backflow prevention assembly the city considers necessary.

(b) Customer Notification Assembly Installation.

(1) The city will notify the water user of the survey findings, listing the corrective actions to be taken if any are required. A period of sixty (60) days will be given to complete all corrective actions required, including installation of backflow prevention assemblies.

(2) A second notice will be sent to each water user who does not take the required corrective actions prescribed in the first notice within the sixty-day period allowed. The second notice will give the water user a two-week period to take the required corrective action. If no action is taken within the two-week period the city may terminate water service to the affected water user until the required corrective actions are taken.

(d) Customer Notification Testing and Maintenance.

(1) The city will notify each affected water user when it is time for the backflow prevention assembly installed on their service connection to be tested. This written notice shall give the water user thirty (30) days to have the assembly tested and supply the water user with the necessary form to be completed and resubmitted to the city.

(2) A second notice shall be sent to each water user which does not have his/her backflow prevention assembly tested as prescribed in the first notice within the thirty-day period allowed. The second notice will give the water user a two-week period to have his/her backflow prevention assembly tested. If no action is taken within the two-week period, the city may terminate water service to the affected water user until the subject assembly is tested.

(Ord. No. 525, § 6, 7-18-94)

(a) General. When the city encounters water uses that represent a clear and immediate hazard to the potable water supply that cannot be immediately abated, the city shall institute the procedure for discontinuing the water service.

(b) Basis for termination. Conditions or water uses that create a basis for water service termination shall include, but are not limited to, the following items.

(1) Refusal to install a required backflow prevention assembly;

(2) Refusal to test a backflow prevention assembly;

(3) Refusal to repair a faulty backflow prevention assembly;

(4) Refusal to replace a faulty backflow prevention assembly;

(5) Direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a sewer line;

(6) Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a system or equipment containing contaminants;

(7) Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and an auxiliary water system;

(8) A situation which presents an immediate health hazard to the public water system.

(c) Water service termination procedures.

(1) For conditions (1)—(4), the city will terminate service to a customer's premises after two (2) written notices have been sent specifying the corrective action needed and the time period in which it must be done. If no action is taken within the allowed time period, water service may be terminated.

(2) For conditions (5)—(8), the city will take the following steps:

a. Make reasonable effort to advise water user of intent to terminate water service;

b. Terminate water supply and lock service valve. The water service will remain inactive until correction of violations have been approved by the city.

(Ord. No. 525, § 7, 7-18-94)