San Luis Obispo County Municipal Code Ch. 8.30 Cross-Connections Control and Inspections

The provisions of this chapter are enacted pursuant to California Health and Safety Code sections 116800 et seq. and Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations section 7584, which authorize the implementation of a cross connection control program to protect against backflow through service connections into the public water supply. In the County of San Luis Obispo, the environmental health services division of the public health department is designated to carry out this program. The environmental health services division shall implement the provisions of this chapter for a public water supplier. Public water supplier program participation is governed by a contract entered into pursuant to California Health and Safety Code section 116805 and Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations section 7584, or where the environmental health services division has local primacy agency delegation (LPA) for the administration and enforcement for the small water systems as provided for in the LPA delegation.

(Ord. 1175 (part), 1971)

(Ord. No. 3468, § 32, 4-5-22)

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases are defined, and shall be construed as hereinafter set out, unless it is apparent from the context that they have a different meaning:

"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 inch;

"Approved check valve" means a check valve meeting the specifications and approval of a recognized, approved testing agency for backflow prevention assemblies;

"Approved double check valve assembly" means an assembly of at least two independently acting approved check valves including tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valve assembly and suitable leak detector drains plus connections available for testing the water tightness of each valve. The entire assembly shall be made in the factory of the manufacturer and shall meet the specifications and approval of a recognized, approved testing agency for backflow prevention assemblies. To be approved, these assemblies must be readily accessible for maintenance testing;

"Approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly " means a device approved by a recognized and approved testing agency for backflow prevention assemblies. The entire assembly shall be made in the factory of the manufacturer and shall incorporate two or more check valves and an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two checks, two shut-off valves, and equipped with necessary appurtenances for testing. The assembly shall operate to maintain the pressure in the zone between the two check valves less than the pressure on the public supply side of the assembly. At cessation of normal flow, the pressure between check valves shall be less than the supplied pressure. In case of leakage of either check valve, the differential relief valve shall operate to maintain this reduced pressure by discharging to the atmosphere. When the inlet pressure is two pounds per square inch or less, the relief valve shall open to the atmosphere, thereby providing an air-gap in the assembly. To be approved, these assemblies must be readily accessible for maintenance and testing and installed in a location where no part of the valve will be submerged;

"Approved water supply" means any water supply approved by, or under the supervision of a public health agency of the State of California or the County of San Luis Obispo;

"Auxiliary water supply" means any water supply on or available to the premises other than the approved public potable water supply. These auxiliary waters may include, but are not limited to, water from another purveyor's public potable water supply or any natural source such as a well, spring, river, stream, harbor, etc., or "used water" or "industrial fluids";

"Consumer" means the owner of a premises having a service from a potable water system.

"Contamination" means an impairment of the quality of the water to a degree which creates an actual hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease;

"Cross-connection" or "cross-connected" as used in these regulations means any real or potential connection between any part of a public water system or other water system supplying potable water to members of the public and any auxiliary water supply or any source or system containing water or any substance that is not or cannot be approved as safe, wholesome, and potable for human consumption;

"Department" means the environmental health services division of the public health department of the County of San Luis Obispo;

"Health hazard" means an actual or potential threat of contamination of a physical or toxic nature to the public potable water system to such a degree of intensity that there would be a danger to health;

"Industrial fluids" means any fluid or solution which may be chemically, biologically, or otherwise contaminated or polluted in a form or concentration such as would constitute a health, system, pollutional or plumbing hazard if introduced into the water supply. This may include, but is not limited to polluted or contaminated used waters; all types of processed waters and "used waters" originating from the public potable water system which may deteriorate in sanitary quality; chemicals in fluid form; acids and alkalis; circulating cooling waters connected to an open cooling tower and/or cooling waters that are chemically or biologically treated or stabilized with toxic substances; contaminated natural waters such as from wells, springs, streams, rivers, bays, harbors, seas, irrigation canals or systems, etc.; oils; gases; glycerine; paraffines; caustic and acid solutions; and other liquid and gaseous fluids used in industrial or other processes or for fire-fighting purposes;

"Plumbing hazard" means a plumbing type cross-connection in a consumer's potable water system that has not been properly protected by a vacuum breaker, air-gap separation or other assembly or device. The term "plumbing hazard" includes but is not limited to cross-connections to toilets, sinks, lavatories, wash trays, domestic washing machines and lawn sprinkling systems;

"Pollution" means an impairment of the quality of the water to a degree which does not create an actual hazard to the public health but which does adversely affect such waters for domestic use;

"Pollution hazard" means an actual or potential threat to the physical properties of the public water system or the potability of the public water supply, but which would not constitute a health or system hazard, as defined;

"Purveyor" means any person, corporation, public utility, municipality, district or other agency or institution furnishing or supplying water for domestic purposes;

"Recognized, approved testing agency for backflow prevention assemblies" means the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross Connection and Hydraulic Research or an equivalent, recognized testing agency which applies similar standards of laboratory and field testing to evaluate the function of backflow prevention assemblies;

"Service connection" means the terminal end of a service connection from the public potable water system, i.e., where the water purveyor loses jurisdiction and sanitary control over the water at its point of delivery to the consumer's water system. If a meter is installed, then the service connection shall mean the downstream end of the meter. There should be no unprotected take-offs from the service line ahead of any meter or backflow prevention device located at the point of delivery to the consumer's water system;

"Standard" means an official rule, unit of measurement, way of operating or best practice which is promulgated by a recognized authority or organization, including, but not limited to, Federal and State governments and agencies and industry organizations such as the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research, American Society of Sanitary Engineers (known as ASSE International), the American Water Works Association and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials;

"System hazard" means an actual or potential threat of severe damage to the physical properties of the public potable water system;

"Water supervisor" means the consumer, or a person on the premises appointed by the consumer who is charged by the consumer with the responsibility to the consumer of maintaining the consumer's water system free from cross-connections and other sanitary defects, as required by regulations and laws. A certified backflow prevention assembly tester may not act as a water supervisor unless he is a full-time employee of the consumer, and has the day-to-day responsibility for the installation and use of pipelines and equipment on the premises and for the avoidance of cross-connections.

(Ord. 1175 (part), 1971)

(Ord. No. 3468, § 33, 4-5-22)

Consumers shall be responsible for the installation and use of pipelines and equipment for the avoidance of cross-connections, compliance with the provisions of this chapter, and for reporting to the department any changes in water usage. In the event of any cross-connection existing or occurring on or within the premises, the department shall be immediately notified by the consumer so that appropriate corrective measures may be taken.

(Ord. 1175 (part), 1971)

(a) Each service connection from the public 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.

(b) Each service connection from the public water system for supplying water to premises on which any substance is or may be handled in such a fashion as to permit entry into the water system shall be protected against backflow of the substance from the premises into the public system. This shall include the handling of processed waters, and waters originating from the public water supply system which have been subject to deterioration in sanitary quality.

(c) Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed on the service connection to any premises that have cross-connections. It shall be the responsibility of the consumer to provide, test, and maintain protective assemblies as required.

(Ord. 1175 (part), 1971)

(Ord. No. 3468, § 34, 4-5-22)

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

(1) An air-gap separation shall be used where there is a health hazard. The air-gap shall be located as close as practicable to the meter and all piping between the meter and the receiving tank shall be entirely visible. If these conditions cannot reasonably be met, the public water supply shall be protected with an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly, providing the alternative is acceptable to the department;

(2) An air-gap separation or a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly shall be used where there is a system hazard or a plumbing hazard or any combination of the above. If an air-gap separation is used, the air-gap shall be located as close as practicable to the meter and all piping between the meter and receiving tank shall be entirely visible. Where there is no meter the protective assembly shall be located on the service connection pipeline at a point on the consumer's property nearest the public water supply pipeline;

(3) In all other cases of cross-connection, there shall be required a double check valve assembly;

(4) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, at the service connection to any sewage treatment plant, sewage pumping station or storm water pumping station, the public water supply shall be protected by an air-gap separation. The air-gap shall be located as close as practicable to the meter and all piping between the meter and receiving tank shall be entirely visible. If these conditions cannot be reasonably met, the public water supply shall be protected with an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly, providing this alternative is acceptable to the department. Final decision in this matter shall rest with the state department of public health;

(5) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, on any premises where the environmental health services division determines that a special hazard exists, the public water supply shall be protected by such approved backflow prevention assembly as designated by the environmental health services division.

(Ord. 1175 (part), 1971)

(Ord. No. 3468, § 35, 4-5-22)

It shall be the duty of the consumer on any premises on which backflow protective assemblies are installed to have competent inspections made upon installation, and at least once a year thereafter, or more often in those instances where successive inspections indicate defective operation. These assemblies shall be repaired, overhauled, or replaced at the expense of the water user whenever they are found to be defective. Records of such tests, repairs, and overhaul shall be kept and submitted to the department.

(Ord. 1175 (part), 1971)

(Ord. No. 3468, § 36, 4-5-22)

(a) No person shall be qualified to inspect and maintain backflow prevention assemblies unless his/her qualifications have been established to the satisfaction of the department as hereinafter required. To determine the qualifications of any person to inspect and maintain backflow prevention assemblies, the department shall require documentation of a current American Water Works or American Backflow Prevention Association certificate or other approved certifying agency certificate be submitted. Such certification shall be submitted to the department along with a current report of calibration of their test gauge equipment. The department shall make available to consumers, a list of persons qualified to inspect and maintain backflow prevention assemblies. Qualified testers shall be issued a County of San Luis Obispo tester identification (I.D.) card and such identification shall be kept in the immediate possession of every qualified tester while said qualified tester is inspecting or maintaining any backflow prevention assembly in the County of San Luis Obispo.

(b) Every person desiring to qualify to inspect or maintain backflow prevention assemblies shall make application to the department. Upon approval of the application, a County of San Luis Obispo issued tester I.D card will be mailed to the new applicant.

(c) Every person holding a County of San Luis Obispo tester I.D. card issued by the department under the provisions of this section shall be required to renew the I.D. card every three years. The requirements for reexamination may be waived at the discretion of the director.

(d) Every person receiving a County of San Luis Obispo tester I.D. card under the provisions of this section shall be responsible for the competency and accuracy of all inspections and maintenance performed by him on any backflow prevention assembly.

(e) Every person issued a County of San Luis Obispo tester I.D. card must annually submit a current report of calibration of their test gauge equipment.

(f) Every person issued a County of San Luis Obispo tester I.D. card shall abide by and be subject to the most recent San Luis Obispo County Cross-Connection Program Policy and Procedures. Any person issued a County of San Luis Obispo tester I.D. card who fails to abide by the terms and provisions of the San Luis Obispo County Cross-Connection Program Policy and Procedures may be subject to administrative discipline, according to the enforcement procedures specified in the Cross-Connection Program Policy and Procedures.

(g) Any person issued a County of San Luis Obispo tester I.D. card who violates or fails to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter or willingly falsifies inspection or maintenance reports submitted to the department shall, in addition to the penalties prescribed in Chapter 1.04 of the San Luis Obispo County Code, have the tester I.D. card immediately revoked, and shall not be considered for recertification for a period of two years.

(Ord. 1175 (part), 1971)

(Ord. No. 3468, § 37, 4-5-22)

When it becomes necessary, because of low pressure or special operating conditions, to install a booster pump on the service of 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 twenty-five P.S.I.G. or lower. It shall be the duty of the consumer to maintain the cut-off assembly in proper working order, and to certify to the department at least once a year that the assembly is operable.

(Ord. 1175 (part), 1971)

(Ord. No. 3468, § 38, 4-5-22)

(a) Whenever the department determines that drinking water systems on a premises cannot be protected against entry of water from any piping system, equipment or other source not safe or potable for human use, an entirely separate drinking water system shall be installed to supply water at convenient points.

(b) Water systems for fighting fire, derived from a supply that cannot be approved as safe or potable for human use shall, wherever practicable, be kept wholly separate from drinking water pipelines and equipment. In cases where the domestic water system is used for both drinking and fire fighting purposes, approved backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed to protect such individual drinking water lines as are not used for fire fighting purposes. The users of such drinking water systems shall be further protected as prescribed by the state and county health departments.

(c) Potable water pipe lines connected to equipment for industrial processes or operations shall be disconnected therefrom if practicable. Where disconnection is not practicable, an approved backflow prevention assembly, the type or kind depending on the degree of hazard, shall be located in the feedline to the process piping or equipment, beyond the last point from which drinking water may be taken. In the event the particular processed liquid is especially corrosive or apt to prevent reliable action of the backflow prevention assembly, an air-gap separation shall be provided. These assemblies shall be repaired, overhauled or replaced whenever they are found to be defective. Records of tests, repairs, and replacement shall be kept and submitted to the department.

(d) Sewage pumps and storm water pumps shall not have priming connections directly off any drinking water systems, unless the drinking water system is protected by an air-gap and no connection shall exist between the drinking water system and any other piping, equipment or tank in any sewage treatment plant, sewage pumping station, or storm water pumping station.

(e) Backflow protection by an approved backflow protection device operating under the reduced pressure principle shall be provided on each drinking water outlet used for supplying ships or other vessels at piers or waterfronts. These devices must be located where they will prevent the return of water from any ship or vessel into another adjacent ship or vessel or into the public water system.

(f) Where the premises contain dual or multiple water systems and piping, the exposed portions of pipelines shall be painted, banded or marked at sufficient intervals to distinguish clearly which water is safe for drinking purposes and which is not safe. All outlets from other than approved water supply systems shall be posted as being unsafe for drinking purposes. All outlets intended for drinking purposes shall be plainly marked to indicate that fact.

(Ord. 1175 (part), 1971)

(Ord. No. 3468, § 39, 4-5-22)

At each premises where it is necessary, in the opinion of the department, a water supervisor shall be designated.

(Ord. 1175 (part), 1971)

The water purveyor shall have the authority to immediately discontinue service to any premises where cross-connection or other hazards to the water system are found to exist, and shall not again render service to said premises until such conditions are eliminated in accordance with this chapter. Any consumer who willfully violates any of the provisions of this chapter or alters, or bypasses or renders inoperative any backflow prevention assembly installed under the provisions of this chapter shall, in addition to immediate discontinuance of water service, be subject to penalties prescribed in Chapter 1.04 of the San Luis Obispo County Code. Service shall not again be rendered until such violation or noncompliance has been corrected.

(Ord. 1175 (part), 1971)

(Ord. No. 3468, § 40, 4-5-22)