Chapter 6 — WATER CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL

• (A) The purpose of this chapter 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 the city water system and other sources of water;

• (3) To eliminate cross-connections between the city water system and sources of contamination;

• (4) To prevent the making of cross-connections in the future;

• (5) To prevent connections of water between separate properties or water accounts.

• (B) These regulations are adopted pursuant to the State Administrative Code, Title 17, Public Health entitled

• “Regulations Relating to Cross-Connections.”

(C) 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 water division and any other source of water supply or to maintain any sanitary fixture or other appurtenances or fixtures which, by reason of their construction, may cause or allow backflow of water or other substances into the water supply of the city and/or the service of water pipes or fixtures of any consumer of the city.

(D) Unless specifically approved as a condition to a development entitled by the city, it is unlawful to allow, permit, cause, or maintain a water service from one property to be connected to a separate property or to a separately metered water account. Any existing connections between properties shall be the responsibility of the property owners to permanently eliminate such connections.

(‘61 Code, § 5-6.01) (Ord. 541 C.S., passed 2-15-90; Am. Ord. 936 C.S., passed 8-17-16)

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

AIR-GAP SEPARATION. 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.

APPROVED BACKFLOW-PREVENTION ASSEMBLY. An assembly which has passed laboratory and field evaluation tests performed by the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross- Connection Control and Hydraulic Research.

APPROVED WATER SUPPLY. Any water supply whose potability is regulated by the State Health Department. AUXILIARY SUPPLY. Any water supply on, or available to, the premises other than the approved water supply. AWWA STANDARD. An official standard developed and approved by the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

BACKFLOW. 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. CITY. The city.

CONTAMINATION. A 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.

CROSS-CONNECTION. 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 assemblies through which backflow could occur shall be considered to be cross-connections.

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. The Director of Public Works of the city or his or her designated representative in his or her absence.

DOUBLE CHECK-VALVE ASSEMBLY. An approved assembly of two internally loaded, independently acting check valves, including resilient seated shut-off valves on each end of the assembly and test cocks for testing the watertightness of each check valve.

HEALTH AGENCY. The State Department of Health Services.

PERSON. An individual, corporation, company, association, partnership, municipality, public utility, or other public body or institution.

PREMISES. 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.

PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM. The city system through which is provided piped water to the public for human consumption.

RECLAIMED WATER. A wastewater which, as a result of treatment, is suitable for uses other than potable use. REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPLE BACKFLOW-PREVENTION ASSEMBLY. An approved assembly

incorporating two internally loaded, independently operating check valves and an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two checks, including resilient seated shut-off valves on each end of the assembly, and equipped with necessary test cocks for testing the assembly.

SERVICE CONNECTION. The point of connection of a user's piping to the water supplier's facilities.

WATER SUPPLIER. The city, which owns and operates the approved water supply system.

WATER USER. Any person obtaining water from the approved water supply system.

('61 Code, § 5-6.02) (Ord. 541 C.S., passed 2-15-90)

(A) General provisions.

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

• (2) Whenever backflow protection has been found necessary, the water users shall install an approved backflow-

prevention assembly at the user's expense for continued services, or before a new service will be granted.

(3) Wherever a backflow protection has been found necessary on a water supply line entering a water user's premises, 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 shall be in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.

(B) Where protection is required.

(1) Each service connection from the city water system for supplying water to the premises having an auxiliary water supply shall be protected against backflow of water from the premises into the public water system.

(2) Each service connection from the city 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 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 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-connections that cannot be permanently corrected and controlled to the satisfaction of the State Health Department and the city; 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 crossconnections 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 or State Health Department.

Table 1

BACKFLOW PROTECTION REQUIRED

Degree of Hazard

Director of Public Works.

Premises where there is an auxiliary water supply and there are no interconnections with the public RP water system. A DC may be provided in lieu of a RP if approved by the State Health Department and Director of Public Works.

Table 1

BACKFLOW PROTECTION REQUIRED

(2) Two 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 least a standard check valve on each water service to be located adjacent to, and on the property side of, the restrictive meters. Such 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 approved backflow assemblies at such service connections shall be required. ('61 Code, § 5-6.03) (Ord. 541 C.S., passed 2-15-90)

(A) Approved backflow-prevention assemblies.

(1) Only backflow-prevention assemblies which have been approved by the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research are acceptable for installation by a water user connected to the city's potable water system.

(2) The city will provide, upon request, a list of approved backflow-prevention assemblies.

(B) Backflow-prevention assembly installation.

(1) Backflow-prevention assemblies shall be installed in a manner prescribed in § 7603, Title 22 of the State Administrative Code. Location of the assemblies should be as close as practical to the user's connection. The Director of Public Works 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 pipe diameters of the supply inlet, but in no case less than one-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 12 inches above grade and not more than 36 inches above grade measured from the bottom of the assembly and with a minimum of 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 Director of Public Works.

(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 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 inches below grade, so there is a minimum of 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 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 tests cocks in a vertical position so that either check valve may be removed for services without removing the assembly. Vaults which do not have an integrated bottom must be placed on a three-inch bottom layer of ¾-inch gravel. Vaults with integrated bottoms must have adequate drain holes and be placed on a three-inch layer of ¾-inch 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 their assemblies tested by a person who is certified and licensed by the state to test backflow assemblies. Backflow-prevention assemblies must be tested at least annually and immediately after installation, relocation, or repair. The Director of Public Works may require a more frequent testing schedule if it is determined to be necessary. No assembly shall be placed back in service unless it has been certified as functioning properly. A report in a form acceptable to the city shall be filed with the Director of Public Works each time an assembly is tested, relocated, or repaired. 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.

(2) The city will supply affected water users with a list of persons acceptable to the city to test backflowprevention assemblies. The city will notify affected customers by mail when annual testing of an assembly is required. Necessary forms shall be provided and filled out by the certified tester each time an assembly is tested or repaired.

(D) Backflow-prevention assembly removal.

(1) Approval must be obtained from the Director of Public Works 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 Director of Public Works to verify that a hazard no longer exists or is not

likely to be created in the future. The assembly may only be removed upon receipt of written permission from the Director of Public Works.

(b) Relocation. An assembly may be relocated following written confirmation by the Director of Public Works 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 approved and tested backflow protection. A retest will be required following the repair of the assembly.

(d) Replacement. A water assembly may be removed and replaced provided the water use is discontinued until the replacement assembly is installed, tested, and certified. All replacement assemblies must be approved by the city and must be commensurate with the degree of hazard involved.

At each premises where it is necessary, in the opinion of the Director of Public Works, 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 Director of Public Works 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 Director of Public Works in writing of the user supervisor's identity on an annual basis, as a minimum, and whenever a change occurs.

('61 Code, § 5-6.05) (Ord. 541 C.S., passed 2-15-90)

(A) Water system survey.

(1) The Director of Public Works 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 or her piping system shall be required to install the backflow-prevention assembly the Director of Public Works considers necessary.

(3) The city may, at its discretion, require a reinspection for cross-connection hazards of any premises to which it serves water. 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 or her piping system shall be required to install the backflow-prevention assembly the Director of Public Works 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 maximum period of 60 days will be given to complete all corrective actions required, including installation of backflow-prevention assemblies. A shorter period of time for corrective action may be required at the discretion of the Director of Public Works.

(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 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.

• (C) 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 the user's service connection to be tested. This written notice shall give the water user 30 days to have the assembly tested. The certified tester shall complete the necessary form and submit it to the Director of Public Works and the State Health Department.

(2) A second notice shall be sent to each water user who does not have his/her backflow- prevention assembly tested as prescribed in the first notice within the 30-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. ('61 Code, § 5-6.06) (Ord. 541 C.S., passed 2-15-90)

(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 city water services.

(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 terms:

• (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 listed in § 5-6.07(B) (1), (2), (3), or (4) above, the city will terminate service to a customer's premises after two 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 listed in § 5-6.07(B) (5), (6), (7), or (8) above, 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 has been approved by the Director of Public Works.

• ('61 Code, § 5-6.07) (Ord. 541 C.S., passed 2-15-90)

Each applicant for certification as a tester of backflow-prevention assemblies in the city shall file a copy of his or her current State Backflow Tester Certificate, together with a fee as may be established by the City Council. Competency in all phases of backflow-prevention assembly testing and repair may only be demonstrated by a current valid State Certificate for Backflow Assembly Testing. The following are other minimum requirements:

(A) Applicants shall have had at least two years experience in plumbing or pipe fitting or equivalent qualifications. (B) Each applicant for certification in the city as a tester of backflow-prevention assemblies shall furnish evidence to show that he or she has available the necessary tools and equipment to properly test such assemblies. The applicant shall be responsible for the competency and accuracy of all tests and reports he or she prepared. Authorization as a tester in the city is valid for a period of one year and may be revoked, suspended, or not renewed by the city for improper testing, repairs, and/or reporting.

('61 Code, § 5-6.08) (Ord. 541 C.S., passed 2-15-90)