Mountain View Municipal Code Div. 4 Backflow Prevention

(a) Title 17, Chapter V, Sec. 7583—7605, inclusive, of the California Administrative Code, entitled "Regulations Relating to Cross-Connections" sets forth rules and regulations governing cross-connections. Title 17, Sec. 7583, states among other things, "the water purveyor has primary responsibility to prevent water from unapproved sources, or any other substance, entering the public water supply." The City of Mountain View is a water purveyor within the meaning of Title 17.

(b) The city council hereby finds and determines that in order to provide an orderly and adequate means of protection of the city's water distribution system from backflow, the requirements hereinafter set forth are reasonable and necessary. New water service connections shall be installed and existing water service connections shall be modified to conform to the requirements as set forth herein.

(Ord. No. 1.89, 1/10/89.)

The regulations of the California Department of Health, Title 17, California Administrative Code, Sec. 7583—7605, inclusive, hereinafter referred to as Title 17, are hereby adopted, incorporated by reference herein, and made a part hereof, insofar as the same are applicable to the protection of the city's water distribution system.

(Ord. No. 1.89, 1/10/89)

Terms used in this ordinance, unless the context requires otherwise, are defined as follows:

(a) Auxiliary water supply. Any water supply on or available to the premises other than water supplied by the city through a city-approved service connection.

(b) Backflow. The reverse flow of water or any other fluid or substance or any combination or mixture thereof from the customer's system into the city's water distribution system.

(c) Backflow prevention device. A city-approved device that prevents backflow into the city's water distribution system.

(d) Cross-connection. An 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 devices, or other devices through which backflow could occur, shall be considered to be cross-connections.

(e) Customer. Any person or organization who receives water from the city.

(f) Customer's water system. The water piping system located immediately downstream from the water meter on any premises.

(g) City's water distribution system. The water distribution system owned and operated by the city, including the service connection to the city's water mains.

(h) Premises. A piece of land together with such building and appurtenances, if any, located hereon.

(i) Water service connection. The water meter and piping system between the meter and the city water main. The water service connection is owned by the city.

(Ord. No. 1.89, 1/10/89; Ord. No. 10.13, § 3, 9/20/13)

Backflow prevention devices shall be required at the service connection or at a location approved by the city for premises receiving water from the city and falling in one or more of the following categories:

(a) Premises having an auxiliary water supply:

(b) Premises on which any substance is handled under pressure in such a fashion as to permit possible entry into the city's water distribution system, including water originating in the city's system that is then boosted in pressure:

(c) Premises where the customer's system has more than one service connection coming from different streets, or having internal cross-connections that cannot be permanently corrected to meet State and local standards;

(d) Premises and/or customer's systems where, in the opinion of the city or its representative, there is the potential for pollution or contamination of the city water system in the event of backflow or backsiphonage.

Premises receiving water service other than from the city are exempt from the requirements until they receive water service from the city.

(Ord. No. 1.89, 1/10/89)

Only approved backflow prevention devices will be accepted. An approved device is any device that has been manufactured and installed in full conformance with the standards established by the American Water Works Association (AWWA C506-69) and that has received the approval of the city for use in Mountain View.

(Ord. No. 1.89, 1/10/89)

(a) New service connections. At the time an application for a new service is made by a potential customer, in accordance with the city's policies and regulations, the city will review said application to determine the need for a backflow prevention device on the customer's service. If backflow prevention is determined to be required, it shall be the customer's responsibility at the customer's expense to provide for the installation of the device in accordance with the city's standards, and at a location approved by the city, by one of the following methods:

(1) Installation by the city. If desired by the customer and agreed to by the city, a backflow prevention device may be installed by city personnel at customer's expense. The customer shall deposit in advance the city's estimated cost of the device and installation. The billing to the customer shall be based on the actual direct and indirect cost of the labor and materials.

(2) Installation by customer. A backflow prevention device may be installed by the customer. Devices installed by the customer shall be inspected and tested at the customer's expense by the city.

Installation of an accepted backflow prevention device, where required by the city, shall be a condition of water service.

(b) Existing service connections without backflow prevention devices. The city will inspect, from time to time, the premises of existing service connections that, in the opinion of the city or its representative, may require backflow prevention. If it is determined that a backflow prevention device is required, such determination by the city shall be final, and the installation of a backflow prevention device shall be a condition of continued water service. Installation shall be accomplished by one of the two methods listed in subparagraph (a) above.

If the customer fails to provide for the installation of the backflow prevention device within the time limit set forth in a written notification from the city, the city may suspend water service to the premises being served. Alternatively, at its option, the city may install the backflow prevention device and charge the customer the entire cost of the device and its installation.

(c) Upgrading the existing backflow prevention device. An existing backflow prevention device that, in the opinion of the city does not provide adequate protection, shall be upgraded at customer's expense following the procedures in subparagraph (b) above. Upgrading may include repair, complete replacement of the backflow prevention device, or correction on-site of cross-connection hazards.

(Ord. No. 1.89, 1/10/89)

The city will be responsible for inspecting and testing all backflow prevention devices, as well as making any necessary repairs identified through inspection and testing. Inspection and testing will be done on at least an annual basis. Fees for this service will be established from time to time.

(Ord. No. 1.89, 1/10/89)

The customer shall permit the city to enter upon the customer's premises within the normal working hours of the city, or, in the case of an emergency, at any time to test, inspect, install, service, maintain, repair, or replace the backflow prevention device as set forth in other sections of this ordinance.

(Ord. No. 1.89, 1/10/89)

In addition to the rights granted to the city hereinabove, the city may terminate water service to any premises served if a required backflow prevention device is removed by a customer or if the city finds evidence that an installed backflow prevention device has been removed, bypassed, altered, made, or allowed to remain ineffective or inoperative.

Any person or persons, company, corporation or association, who fails to install or permit to be installed, backflow prevention devices as required by this ordinance or who willfully removes, bypasses, alters, or fails to properly maintain a backflow prevention device in good working order, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed six (6) months or by both fine and imprisonment.

(Ord. No. 1.89, 1/10/89)