Ventura Municipal Code Ch. 22.115 Cross Connections and Backflow Prevention

A. The purpose of this chapter is to:

1. Protect the public potable water supply from actual and potential cross connections by isolating contamination or pollution that could backflow or siphon back into the water supply system via an undiscovered or unauthorized cross connection on a premises;

2. Eliminate existing connections between drinking water systems and other sources of water that are not approved as potable and safe for human consumption;

3. Eliminate cross connections between drinking water systems and other sources of water or process water used for any purpose whatsoever that may jeopardize the safety of the potable water supply;

4. Prevent the making of cross connections in the future;

5. Protect the potable water supply where plumbing defects or cross connection may endanger the potable water supply available on a premises; and

6. Provide for the maintenance of a continuing program of cross connection control that will systematically and effectively prevent the contamination or pollution of all potable water systems.

B. The intent of this chapter is to recognize that there are varying degrees of cross connection hazards and to apply the principle that the degree of protection should be commensurate with the degree of hazard. (Ord. No. 2014-007, § 1, 7-7-14)

For the purpose of this chapter, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning, the words, terms and phrases hereinafter set forth shall have the meaning given them in this section.

“Backflow” means a physical process by which contaminants can enter the potable water supply.

“Backflow prevention device” means equipment and technology that prevents contamination of the potable water supply from backflow or cross connections.

“Cross connection” means any actual or potential connection or structural arrangement between a public, private or consumer’s potable water system and any other water source or system through which it is possible to introduce an unapproved potable or nonpotable water source into the potable water system. Cross connections include bypass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeover devices, and other devices (temporary or permanent) through which or because of which backflow can occur and that are used in conjunction with backflow prevention.

“Ventura Water chief operator” means Ventura Water’s water quality safety officer and chief potable water operator as designated by the State of California Department of Public Health. (Ord. No. 2014-007, § 1, 7-7-14)

No potable or nonpotable water service connection to any premises shall be installed or maintained unless the water supply is protected as required by state regulations and the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. No. 2014-007, § 1, 7-7-14)

A. Those provisions of the California Department of Health Services Regulations, Title 17, Sections 7583 through 7622, and the California Uniform Plumbing Code applicable to cross connection control are adopted and made a part of this section by reference.

B. The Ventura Water chief operator is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations governing cross connection that shall include implementation of the California Department of Health Services rules and regulations and the California Uniform Plumbing Code applicable to cross connection control.

C. Cross connections within Ventura Water’s service area are required to comply with standards for the design, construction, installation, and maintenance of backflow prevention devices and assemblies as set forth by the Ventura Water chief operator. The Ventura Water chief operator shall also set forth requirements for protective devices. (Ord. No. 2014-007, § 1, 7-7-14)

A. The water account customer or the owner of backflow prevention devices shall have competent inspections made of all backflow prevention devices installed on their premises annually or more often if the Ventura Water chief operator deems additional inspections necessary to insure proper backflow protection. The devices shall be inspected, repaired, or replaced at the expense of the customer or owner. The Ventura Water chief operator shall establish the requirements for the conduct and reporting of the inspections, repairs, and replacements.

B. The Ventura Water chief operator shall issue an annual notice to the customer or the owner of each backflow prevention device to arrange for the inspection and testing of each device on the premises. The notice shall include the method of reporting compliance to the city as well as information necessary to arrange for inspection and testing. The city council shall establish the fees associated with compliance with this section by ordinance or resolution.

C. The water account customer or the owner of backflow prevention devices shall return completed forms demonstrating testing and inspection compliance to the Ventura Water chief operator within 30 days of the annual notice. If the water account customer or the owner of backflow prevention devices does not return completed compliance forms within 30 days, the Ventura Water chief operator shall assess a late fee and send a second notice. The second notice shall notify the water account customer or the owner of backflow prevention devices that all water services to the property will be terminated if completed forms demonstrating testing and inspection compliance are not returned to the Ventura Water chief operator within 30 days of the second notice.

D. If the water account customer or the owner of backflow prevention devices does not return completed forms demonstrating testing and inspection compliance to the Ventura Water chief operator within 30 days of a second notice, a 48-hour notice of water service termination will be posted at the site and all water services to the property will be terminated within 48 hours of the notice unless the completed forms demonstrating testing and inspection compliance are returned to the Ventura Water chief operator. If any backflow device on a property is not in compliance with testing and inspection requirements, all water service for the property will be terminated.

E. Compliance with this section shall occur when the Ventura Water chief operator receives both the completed compliance inspection form and the associated fees.

F. The Ventura Water chief operator shall establish the qualifications and certification required of persons authorized to inspect, maintain, repair, or replace backflow prevention devices. The Ventura Water chief operator may authorize certified city employees to provide inspection, maintenance, repair and replacement services. (Ord. No. 2014-007, § 1, 7-7-14)

When low pressure or special operating conditions make it necessary to install a booster pump on the water service to any premises, such pump shall be equipped with a low-pressure cut-off switch designed to shut off the pump when the pressure on the inlet side is 25 p.s.i.g. or lower. The customer shall maintain the cut-off device in proper working order, and certify via letter that the device is operable to the Ventura Water chief operator annually in conjunction with the backflow certifications. (Ord. No. 2014-007, § 1, 7-7-14)

The Ventura Water chief operator shall require appropriate devices to be installed and tested for all temporary water service connections to eliminate the potential for any backflow. (Ord. No. 2014-007, § 1, 7-7-14)

Nonpotable backflow devices shall be painted with purple paint and shall be designated for use only for nonpotable water supplies. (Ord. No. 2014-007, § 1, 7-7-14)

In addition to the standards provided in this chapter, the Ventura Water chief operator shall require additional, more stringent standards and criteria for cross connection control when necessary to provide adequate protection to the public potable water supply, including when:

A. The Ventura Water chief operator or the city of San Buenaventura building inspector determines that it is not practical to protect drinking water systems through the use of standard backflow prevention devices;

B. Water systems for fighting fires are derived from a water supply that cannot be approved for potable or safe for human consumption;

C. Potable water pipelines are connected to equipment used in industrial processes;

D. Sewage pumps or stormwater pumps require fresh water priming connections;

E. Potable water is supplied to facilities containing a sewage treatment plant, sewage pumping station, or stormwater pumping station;

F. Water supplies are provided to vessels at piers or waterfronts; and

G. Potable water is supplied to premises containing dual or multiple water systems or piping. (Ord. No. 2014-007, § 1, 7-7-14)

A. In addition to any other remedies provided under the San Buenaventura Municipal Code, any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a public nuisance.

B. The Ventura Water chief operator may discontinue all water service upon 48 hours’ notice to any premises where:

1. A required backflow prevention device is not installed, inspected, tested, properly operating and maintained; or

2. A backflow prevention device is found to have been removed, altered, bypassed, or rendered inoperative; or

3. Unprotected cross connections or other hazards to the water system are found to exist; or

4. A required low pressure cut-off prevention device is not installed, tested, inspected, or properly maintained.

The Ventura Water chief operator shall not authorize the restoration of service to such premises until such hazards are eliminated and the water system complies with the requirements of this chapter.

C. In addition to any other remedies provided under the San Buenaventura Municipal Code, the Ventura Water chief operator may discontinue all water service to any premises where they find conditions that present an immediate hazard to public health and safety. The Ventura Water chief operator shall notify the owner or customer of the termination, and restore water services once the immediate hazard is remedied and no longer threatens public health and safety.

D. Any inspection or maintenance reports submitted to the Ventura Water chief operator that appear to be falsified will be referred to the Ventura County department of environmental health. If the Ventura County department of environmental health finds, after a public hearing, that a person has willingly falsified such inspection or maintenance reports, the Ventura Water chief operator, in addition to any other applicable penalties, will prohibit that person from inspecting, maintaining, repairing or replacing backflow devices in the Ventura Water service area for two years from the date of any violation. (Ord. No. 2014-007, § 1, 7-7-14)