San Fernando Municipal Code Div. 2 Cross Connection Control

Pursuant to the authority and requirements of title 17 of the California Administrative Code and the county public health code, cross connection control regulations for the city's water system are adopted.

(Code 1957, § 28.16)

The city has the responsibility, within its service area, to prevent water from unapproved sources or any other substances from entering the public potable water system. The cross connection regulations in this division, including an inspection program, are designed to satisfy the responsibilities set forth in the state regulations and the county health code and to protect the public.

(Code 1957, § 28.17)

(a) The purpose of this division is to:

(1) Provide standards for the protection of the public potable water supply.

(2) Protect the public potable water system at the service connections by isolating within the consumer's premises actual or potential pollution or contamination which may result from the backflow through cross connections.

(b) It is the intent of this article to recognize that there are varying degrees of hazard and to apply the principle that the degree of protection should be commensurate with the degree of hazard.

(Code 1957, § 28.18)

The definitions in title 17, article 1, General, section 7583 of the California Administrative Code (referred to as "DOHS regulations") are incorporated in this division and made a part of this division.

(Code 1957, § 28.19)

Cross reference— Definitions generally, § 1-2.

(a) Cross connections. The service connection to each premises where an actual or a potential cross connection may exist shall be protected by an approved backflow prevention device.

(b) Responsibility for installation, testing and maintenance. The responsibility to install, test, and maintain backflow prevention devices as required by this division rests solely with the water user and/or owner.

(Code 1957, § 28.20)

The type of approved backflow prevention device shall depend upon the degree of hazard. The decision as to when, where and which device shall be used rests within the city's discretion and shall depend upon the facts of each particular situation. In determining the degree of hazard and the type of approved backflow device required, the city shall comply with the DOHS regulations and those of the state fire marshal. The following standards shall apply except when in conflict with the DOHS regulations, which shall be controlling:

(1) Commercial or industrial buildings. At the service connection to premises containing commercial or industrial buildings subject to varying and unknown use, the city water supply shall be protected by an approved backflow prevention device. The decision as to which device shall be installed rests within the discretion of the city.

(2) Industrial facilities. At the service connection to industrial facilities which are deemed to be using hazardous materials as determined by the county fire department during the hazardous materials inventory or by the city and which could reasonably be expected to enter the city water supply, the city water supply shall be protected by an approved reduced pressure principle backflow device or by an approved double check assembly, as determined by the city based on its inspections and information supplied by the industry during the request for water service application. In any event, all internal hose bibs and sink spigots with hose threads shall have functional hose bib atmospheric vacuum breakers installed.

(3) Sewage and hazardous substances. At the service connection to any premises where the city water supply is used to supplement a reclaimed water supply or reclaimed water is in use or where there is wastewater pumping and/or treatment without interconnection with the city's potable water system, an approved air gap separation is required. This excludes a single-family residence that has a sewage lift pump. A reduced pressure principle backflow assembly may be provided in lieu of an air gap if approved by the state department of health services and by the city. Premises where hazardous substances are handled in any manner in which the substances may enter the potable water system, excluding a single-family residence that has a sewage lift pump, a reduced pressure principle backflow assembly may be provided in lieu of an air gap if approved by the state department of health services and by the city. Premises where there are irrigation systems into which approved reduced pressure principle backflow is required.

(4) Auxiliary water supplies. At the service connection to any premises where there is an unapproved auxiliary water supply which is interconnected with the public water system, a reduced pressure principle backflow assembly or double check may be provided in lieu of an air gap if approved by the state department of health services and the city. For premises where there is an unapproved auxiliary water supply and there are no interconnections with the public water system, a double check may be provided in lieu of a reduced pressure principle backflow assembly if approved by the state department of health services and the city.

(5) Hospitals, mortuaries, medical buildings, etc. At the service connection to human or veterinary hospitals, medical buildings, mortuaries or dental facilities or other premises where special hazards exist, the city water supply shall be protected by an approved reduced pressure principle backflow device.

(6) Fire protection systems. Premises where the fire system is directly supplied from the public water system and there is an unapproved auxiliary water supply not interconnected on or to the premises will require an approved double checkvalve assembly. For premises where the system is supplied from the public water system and interconnected with an unapproved auxiliary water supply, an air gap separation is required. A reduced pressure principle backflow assembly may be accepted in lieu of an air gap if approved by the state department of health services and the city.

(7) List of devices. A list of backflow prevention devices that are acceptable to the city is available at city hall. Any device not listed will not be accepted.

(8) Approved list of certified testers. An approved list of certified testers may be obtained at city hall.

(9) Right to reject. The city reserves the right to reject any installation or device.

(10) Restricted, classified or other closed facilities. On premises where entry is restricted so that cross connection inspections cannot be made with sufficient frequency or at short notice to ensure that cross connections do not exist, the city shall require the installation of an approved reduced pressure principle backflow device.

(Code 1957, § 28.21)

(a) Original test. The original test of backflow prevention devices shall be conducted as follows:

(1) All backflow prevention devices shall be inspected, tested, and certified operational when the device is originally installed or relocated.

(2) All tests shall be conducted by a certified tester who shall prepare a report certifying that the device has been tested and is operating satisfactorily.

(b) Test by certified tester. Backflow prevention devices shall be inspected, tested and certified operational at least once a year or more frequently if required due to a high risk of failure. Any device which is found to be not operating properly shall be repaired or replaced at the sole expense of the water user or owner. All tests shall be conducted by a certified tester who, at the expense of the water user or owner, shall prepare a report on the city's testing notification form certifying that the device has been tested and is operating satisfactorily. Any device which fails the test shall immediately be repaired and retested.

(c) Spot tests and inspection by city. The city will maintain a program of random or spot testing the various backflow prevention devices installed within the city service area. This may be done (i) at the time of installation and (ii) periodically thereafter. This will in no way relieve the owner of his responsibility for maintaining functional devices, but will serve to help ensure that the program is serving its intended purpose. Any device which is found to be not operating properly shall be repaired or replaced at the sole expense of the water user or owner.

(d) Water user duty. The water user and/or owner shall cause annual tests to be made of the device at the expense of the water user or owner. Defective devices shall be repaired, overhauled or replaced immediately at the expense of the water user and/or owner. Notice of annual testing will be provided by the city on a courtesy basis, but failure to receive such notice shall not relieve the user of his duty under this section.

(e) Reports. Reports of inspections, tests, repairs, and overhauling of the device and corrections made shall be submitted to the city within ten days of the test date by the water user and/or owner of the device. Such reports shall be submitted to the city on forms supplied by the city. No other forms will be accepted.

(f) More frequent inspection. Where successive annual reports indicate defective operation of a backflow prevention device, the city may require more frequent inspections or may require replacement of the device.

(g) Duty of tester. The certified tester shall be responsible for the competency of inspections, corrective actions, and the accuracy of reports required under this section.

(h) Replacement of obsolete devices. Obsolete backflow prevention devices must be replaced by the owner and/or user when notified by the city that the device is no longer acceptable. Any obsolete device may be upgraded, provided that a factory manufactured upgrading kit is available. Any upgraded backflow prevention device must meet city standards.

(i) Location and installation. All backflow prevention devices shall be installed as near the meter as practical, no less than 12 inches or more than 36 inches above the surrounding ground, and in an accessible location for testing and servicing. Where a pressure vacuum breaker is used, the pressure vacuum breaker shall be installed 12 inches above the highest outlet. The exact location shall be approved by the city prior to installation.

(j) Testing methods. Unless permitted or required otherwise by the DOHS regulations, test results of backflow prevention devices will only be accepted if performed in accordance with the methods used by the county with the instruments listed.

(1) The differential test gauge is to be used to test reduced pressure principle backflow assemblies and pressure vacuum breakers.

(2) The duplex gauge is to be used to test double checkvalve assemblies. The duplex gauge is not to be used to test reduced pressure principle backflow assemblies or pressure vacuum breakers.

(Code 1957, § 28.22)

When it becomes necessary, because of low water pressure or special operating conditions, to install a booster pump on the water service to any premises, such pump shall be equipped with a low pressure cutoff switch designed to shut off the pump when the pressure on the inlet side is 25 psig or lower. It shall be the duty of the consumer to maintain the cutoff device in proper working order and to certify to the city at least once a year that the device is operable. Low pressure cutoff device certification shall be by a person deemed competent by the city.

(Code 1957, § 28.23)

(a) New service connections. No new water service connections shall be completed or meters installed until there has been compliance with this division to the satisfaction of the city.

(b) Existing service connections. Existing service connections shall be brought into compliance with this division when the owner/user is so notified by the city. Failure to comply will result in termination of water service.

(c) Termination of water service. The city may immediately discontinue service to any premises where an actual or potential cross connection or other hazard to the city's water supply is found to exist. Any user who violates any of the sections of this division or who removes, alters, bypasses, or renders inoperative any backflow prevention device installed or who fails to test the device as required under this division shall be subject to immediate termination of water service.

(d) Restoration of water service. Water service terminated pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this section shall not be restored until the hazard is eliminated and/or until such violations of this division have been corrected to the satisfaction of the city. No water service shall be restored until the city has received reimbursement for any costs incurred in terminating the water service and advance payment for the cost of service restoration.

(e) Appeal. Procedures for appeals shall be as follows:

(1) Any water user whose service is subject to termination under this section may appeal the termination to the city administrative officer, who shall review the facts and circumstances which led to termination. The city administrative officer may affirm, modify or rescind the termination or the terms and conditions for restoration.

(2) The decision of the city administrative officer may be appealed to the city council by the user. The city council shall review, with fair opportunity for presentation of the user's position, the facts and circumstances and the city administrative's officer determination. The decision of the city council shall be final.

(f) Civil and criminal actions. Violation of this division may constitute a public nuisance within the meaning of Health and Safety Code § 116670 and Penal Code § 372. Violators may be subject to civil actions for abatement and/or damages (Civil Procedure Code § 3479 et seq.) and punishment as provided in section 1-10.

(Code 1957, § 28.24)