Sanger Municipal Code § 82-95 Same—Type of protection required

(a) The purpose of this division is to:

(1) 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) Eliminate existing connections between public drinking water systems and other sources of water that are not approved as safe and potable for human consumption;

(3) Eliminate cross connections between public drinking water systems and sources of contamination; and

(4) Prevent the making of cross connections in the future.

(b) This division is adopted pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Public Health, entitled "Regulations Relating to Cross Connection."

(Ord. No. 867, § 2(23.80), 5-7-92)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Air gap separation means a physical breach 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 means an assembly which has passed laboratory and field evaluation tests performed by a recognized testing organization which had demonstrated their competency to perform such tests to the state department of health services.

Approved water supply means any water supply whose potability is regulated by a state or local health agency.

Auxiliary supply means any water supply on or available to the premises other than the approved water supply.

AWWA standard means an official standard developed and approved by the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

Backflow means 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. Backsiphonage and back pressure are causes of backflow.

Contamination means 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 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 assemblies through which backflow could occur shall be considered to be cross connections.

Double check valve assembly means an 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 means the state department of health services.

Local health agency means the county health department.

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.

Public water system means a system for the provision of piped water to the public for human consumption that has five or more service connections or regularly serves an average of 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year.

Reclaimed water means a wastewater which, as a result of treatment, is suitable for uses other than potable use.

Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly means an 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 means the point of connection of a user's piping to the water supplier's facilities.

Water supplier means the person who owns or operates the approved water supply system.

Water user means any person obtaining water from an approved water supply system.

(Ord. No. 867, § 2(23.81), 5-7-92)

Cross reference— Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2.

(a) It is unlawful for any person 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 served with water by the city water department and any other source of water supply, or to maintain any sanitary fixtures or other appurtenances or fixtures which, by reason of their construction, may cause or allow the backflow of water or other substances into the water supply system of city and/or the service of water pipes or fixtures of any water customer of city.

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

(c) Whenever backflow protection has been determined to be necessary by the city, the water user shall install an approved backflow prevention assembly by and at his expense in order to continue to receive water services or before a new service will be granted by the city.

(d) Wherever backflow protection has been determined by the city to be necessary on a water supply line entering a water user's premises, 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 division.

(Ord. No. 867, § 2(23.82(a)), 5-7-92)

(a) Each service connection from the city 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 health agency having jurisdiction.

(b) 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 protected against backflow 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.

(c) Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed on the service connection to any premises having:

(1) Internal cross-connections that cannot be permanently corrected and controlled to the satisfaction of the health agency having jurisdiction and the city; or

(2) 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.

(Ord. No. 867, § 2(23.82(b)), 5-7-92)

(a) 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 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 health agency.

Table 1

Type of Backflow Protection Required

(b) 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 respective meters. A standard check valve shall not be considered adequate if backflow protection is determined to be necessary by the city or health agency 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.

(Ord. No. 867, § 2(23.82(c)), 5-7-92)

(a) 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.

(b) Upon request, the city will provide to any affected customer a list of approved backflow prevention assemblies.

(Ord. No. 867, § 2(23.83(a)), 5-7-92)

Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in a manner prescribed in section 7603, title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. The assemblies shall be located 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. Installation of backflow prevention assemblies shall be as follows:

(1) 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.

(2) 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 city.

(3) 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 practical, 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 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.

(Ord. No. 867, § 2(23.83(b)), 5-7-92)

(a) 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 his 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. No assembly shall be placed back in service unless it is functioning properly. 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 whenever they are found to be defective, and all costs of testing, repair and maintenance shall be borne by the water user.

(b) The city will keep 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. The city shall have forms to be filled out each time an assembly is tested or repaired.

(c) Upon request, the city will test a water user's backflow prevention assembly to determine whether it fulfills the requirements of this division. The water user will be charged for the test and any maintenance performed by the city to keep the assembly in working order, on the next regular water bill.

(Ord. No. 867, § 2(23.83(c)), 5-7-92)

Prior written approval must be obtained from the city before a backflow prevention assembly is removed, relocated, repaired or replaced.

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

(2) 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.

(3) 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.

(4) 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. 867, § 2(23.83(d)), 5-7-92)

At each premises where it is deemed necessary by the director of public works, a user supervisor shall be designated by and at the expense of the water user. The user supervisor shall be responsible for the monitoring of the backflow prevention assemblies and for avoidance of cross connections. Upon contamination or pollution of the drinking water system due to a cross connection on the premises, the user supervisor shall promptly notify the director of public works, so that appropriate measures may be taken to overcome the contamination. The water user shall inform the city of the user supervisor's identity annually and whenever a change occurs.

(Ord. No. 867, § 2(23.84), 5-7-92)

(a) 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. 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.

(b) 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 which the city considers to be necessary.

(c) 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 piping system shall be required to install the backflow prevention assembly which the city considers to be necessary.

(Ord. No. 867, § 2(23.85(a)), 5-7-92)

(a) 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 60 days will be allowed to complete all required corrective actions, including installation of backflow prevention assemblies.

(b) A second notice will be sent to each water user who does not take the required corrective actions within the 60-day period. 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 either cause the required corrective actions to be performed by the city at the water user's expense, or it may terminate water service to the affected water user until the required corrective actions are completed.

(Ord. No. 867, § 2(23.85(b)), 5-7-92; Ord. No. 900, § 2, 1-6-94)

(a) The city will notify each affected water user when it is time for the backflow prevention assembly installed on his/her service connection to be tested. This written notice shall give the water user at least 30 days to have the assembly tested and shall include the necessary form to be completed and resubmitted to the city.

(b) 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 the backflow prevention assembly tested. If no action is taken within the two-week period, the city may either cause the required test to be made at the water user's expense, or it may terminate water service to the affected water user until the subject assembly is tested.

(Ord. No. 867, § 2(23.85(c)), 5-7-92; Ord. No. 900, § 3, 1-6-94)

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

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

(c) Procedures.

(1) For conditions (1), (2), (3) or (4) as set out in subsection (b) of this section, the city will send two written notices to the water user specifying the corrective action needed and the period in which it must be completed. If complete corrective action is not taken within the allowed time period, water service may either be immediately terminated, or the city may cause the required corrective actions to be performed by the city at the water user's expense.

(2) For conditions (5), (6), (7) or (8) as set out in subsection (b) of this section, the city will take the following steps:

a. Make reasonable effort to advise the water user of the city's intent to terminate water service.

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

(Ord. No. 867, § 2(23.86), 5-7-92; Ord. No. 900, § 4, 1-6-94)

(a) Each applicant for certification as a tester of backflow prevention assemblies shall file an application with the city clerk and pay such fee as may be established by the city council.

(b) Competency in all phases of backflow prevention assembly testing and repair must be demonstrated by means of education and/or experience in order to obtain certification.

(c) The following are minimum requirements for certification under this division:

(1) Applicants shall have had at least two years' experience in plumbing or pipefitting or equivalent qualifications.

(2) Applicants shall hold a valid certification from the American Water Works Associations (AWWA), California-Nevada Section, from a county certification program or shall have equivalent training in the opinion of the city and the health agency.

(3) Each applicant for certification as a tester of backflow prevention assemblies shall furnish evidence to show that he has available the necessary tools and equipment to properly test such assemblies. He shall be responsible for the competency and accuracy of all tests and reports prepared by him.

(d) The certificate issued to any tester is valid for a period of one year and may be revoked, suspended or not renewed by the city if the tester is responsible for improper testing and repairs and/or false reporting.

(Ord. No. 867, § 2(23.87), 5-7-92)

(a) Prior to the city performing any required corrective action or terminating any water service upon the grounds set forth in sections 82-102, 82-103 or 82-104(b)(1)—(4); or subsequent to the termination of any water service upon the grounds set forth in section 82-104(b)(5)—(8), a water user may appeal the decision of the director of public works to require corrective action or terminate water service by filing a written request for hearing with the city clerk within 15 days after written notice is mailed to the water user of the termination or intended termination of water service, or the intended performance of required corrective action by the city. The request for hearing shall state the bases of the appeal.

(b) The appeal shall be considered at the next regular meeting of the municipal services advisory commission, provided that at least five days written notice is given to the water user of the time, date and place of the appeal hearing. The decision of the commission shall be final.

(c) The hearing need not be conducted according to the technical rules relating to evidence and witnesses. Any relevant evidence shall be admitted if it is the sort of evidence on which responsible persons are accustomed to rely in the conduct of serious affairs, regardless of the existence of any common law or statutory rule which might make improper the admission of such evidence over objection in civil actions. Hearsay evidence may be used for the purpose of supplementing or explaining other evidence, but shall not be sufficient in itself to support a finding unless it would be admissible over objection in civil actions. The rules of privilege shall be effective to the extent that they are required to be recognized at the hearing. Irrelevant and unduly repetitious evidence may be excluded.

(Ord. No. 900, § 1, 1-6-94)