Winters Municipal Code Ch. 13.12 Backflow and Cross Connection Control

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Prior ordinance history: Ord. 90-07.

The purpose of this chapter is to protect the public water supply system from contamination due to potential and actual cross-connections. This shall be accomplished by the establishment of a cross-connection control program as required by State regulations. The ordinance codified in this chapter is adopted pursuant to the State Water Resources Control Board’s Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (“CCCPH”).

(Prior code § 10-10.01; Ord. 93-002 § 1 (part); Ord. 2025-06, 9/16/2025)

The director of public works or designee shall be responsible for implementing and enforcing the cross-connection control program. A backflow prevention assembly acceptable to the director of public works shall be installed by and at the expense of the water user at each user connection where required to prevent backflow from the water user’s premises to the domestic water system. It shall be the water user’s responsibility to comply with the city’s requirements.

(Prior code § 10-10.02; Ord. 93-002 § 1 (part); Ord. 2025-06, 9/16/2025)

The type of protection that shall be provided to prevent backflow into the public water supply system shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard, actual or potential, that exists on the water user’s premises. Unprotected cross-connections with the public water supply are prohibited. The type of backflow prevention assembly that may be required (listed in decreasing level of protection) includes: air-gap separation (AG), reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly (RP), and a double check valve assembly (DC). The water user may choose a higher level of protection than required by the water supplier. The minimum type of backflow protection required to protect shall be consistent with the CCCPH. Situations which are not covered in the CCCPH shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and the appropriate backflow protection shall be determined by the water supplier or Yolo County environmental health department.

(Prior code § 10-10.03; Ord. 93-002 § 1 (part); Ord. 2025-06, 9/16/2025)

Only backflow prevention assemblies which have been approved by the city shall be acceptable for installation by a water user. A list of approved backflow prevention assemblies will be provided upon request to any affected customer. Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in a manner prescribed in Article 3 of the CCCPH. Location of the assemblies shall be as close as practical to the user’s connection. The city shall have the final authority in determining the required type, size, and location of a backflow prevention assembly. Ownership of all required backflow prevention assemblies shall vest solely with the water user.

Testing of backflow assemblies shall be conducted only by AWWA certified testers approved by the director of public works and testing will be the responsibility of the water user. Backflow prevention assemblies must be tested at least annually and immediately after installation, relocation or repair. More frequent testing may be required if deemed necessary by the City. Results of the test shall be supplied to the director of public works within three days of testing. No assembly shall be placed back in service unless it is functioning as required. Assemblies shall be serviced, overhauled, or replaced within 30 days of a failed test and all costs of testing, repair, and maintenance shall be borne by the water user.

Whenever a backflow prevention assembly tester observes a backflow incident or an unprotected cross-connection at a backflow prevention assembly or prior to water user’s premises, the backflow prevention assembly tester shall notify the director of public works or designee within 24 hours. The City shall immediately terminate water service pursuant to Section 13.12.060 and conduct an investigation.

Approval must be obtained from the director of public works prior to removing, relocating or replacing a backflow prevention assembly.

(Prior code § 10-10.04; Ord. 93-002 § 1 (part); Ord. 2025-06, 9/16/2025)

The cross-connection control program shall be administered by the director of public works or designee/cross-connection control specialist. The director of public works will establish and maintain a list of approved backflow prevention assemblies. The director of public works or designee shall conduct necessary hazard assessments and on-premises inspections of water user premises to evaluate the degree or potential health hazards. The director of public works shall notify user when an assembly needs to be tested or air-gap inspected. The notice shall contain the date when the test must be completed.

(Prior code § 10-10.05; Ord. 93-002 § 1 (part); Ord. 2025-06, 9/16/2025)

When the director of public works encounters water uses that represent a clear and immediate hazard to the potable water supply that cannot be immediately abated, the procedure for terminating water service shall be instituted immediately. Other conditions or water uses that create a basis for water service termination shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Refusal to install or to test a backflow prevention assembly, or to repair or replace a faulty backflow prevention assembly;

2. Refusal to allow City representatives or agents to conduct on-premise inspections;

3. Direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a sewer line;

4. Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a system or equipment containing contaminants;

5. Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and an auxiliary water system.

(Prior code § 10-10.06; Ord. 93-002 § 1 (part); Ord. 2025-06, 9/16/2025)

The director of public works shall notify, in writing, a water user who is required to install an backflow prevention assembly in accordance with this chapter .Within 45 days of the notice, the user shall install and test an approved backflow presentation assembly at the water user’s expense. Failure, refusal or inability to comply with this requirement shall result in termination of service as outlined in Section 13.12.060. The director of public works may require a water user to install a backflow prevention assembly for failure or refusal to allow City representatives to conduct on-premise inspections.

(Prior code § 10-10.07; Ord. 93-002 § 1 (part); Ord. 2025-06, 9/16/2025)

All water users systems and premises shall be readily accessible inspection at all reasonable times to authorized representatives of the City to enable the City to ascertain the existence of cross-connections or other structural or sanitary hazards, including violations of the cross-connection rules and regulations in this Policy. Failure to allow a City representative on premises is a violation of this chapter.

(Ord. 2025-06, 9/16/2025)