As used in this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
(A) "AIR-GAP SEPARATION." The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other device and the flood level rim of the receptacle. An "approved air-gap separation" shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the top rim of the vessel. In no case shall the gap be less than four (4) inches.
(B) "APPROVED." As used herein in reference to a water supply system or backflow prevention device (or method) shall mean one that has been approved by the department.
(C) "BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE, TYPE: A." Any effective device, method, or construction used to prevent backflow into a potable water system.
(D) "BACK-PRESSURE BACKFLOW." Backflow caused by a pump, elevated tank, boiler, or other means that could create pressure within the system greater than the supply pressure.
(E) "BACK-SIPHONAGE BACKFLOW." A reversal of the normal direction of flow in the pipeline due to a negative pressure (vacuum) being created in the supply line with the backflow source subject to atmospheric pressure.
(F) "APPROVED CHECK VALVE." A check valve that is drip tight in the normal direction of flow when the inlet pressure is one psi and the outlet pressure is zero. The check valve shall permit no leakage in a direction reversed to the normal flow. The closure element (e.g. clapper) shall be internally weighted or otherwise internally loaded to promote rapid and positive closure.
(G) "CONSUMER." Any person, firm, or corporation using or receiving water from the City of Albemarle water supply.
(H) "CONTAMINATION." An impairment of the quality of water by sewage or industrial fluids or waste to a degree which creates an actual hazard to public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease.
(I) "CROSS-CONNECTION." A "cross-connection" shall mean any actual or potential connection or structural arrangement between a public or a consumer's potable water system and any other source or system through which it is possible to introduce into any part of the potable system any used water, industrial fluid, gas or substance other than the intended potable water with which the system is supplied. Bypass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeover devices and other temporary or permanent devices through which or because of which backflow can or may occur are considered to be cross-connections.
(J) "POINT OF CROSS-CONNECTION." The specific point or location in a public or a consumer's potable water system where a cross-connection exists.
(K) "DOUBLE-CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY." An assembly composed of two (2) single, independently acting, approved check valves, including tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly and suitable connections for testing the water-tightness of each check valve.
(L) "DEGREE OF HAZARD." The evaluation of a health, system, plumbing, or pollution hazard.
(M) "HEALTH HAZARD." An actual or potential threat or contamination or pollution of physical or toxic nature to the public potable water system or the consumer's potable water system to such a degree or intensity that there would be a danger to health.
(N) "HAZARD, PLUMBING." 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 device. Unprotected plumbing-type cross-connections are considered to be a health hazard. They include, but are not limited to, cross-connections to toilets, sinks, lavatories, wash trays, domestic washing machines and lawn sprinkling systems. Plumbing-type cross-connections can be located in many types of structures, including homes, apartment houses, hotels, and commercial and industrial establishments.
(O) "HAZARD, POLLUTION." An actual or potential threat to the physical properties of the water system or the potability of the public or consumer's potable water system but which would not constitute a health or system hazard, as defined. The maximum degree or intensity or pollution to which the potable water system could be degraded under this definition would cause a nuisance or be aesthetically objectionable or could cause minor damage to the system or its appurtenances.
(P) "HAZARD, SYSTEM." An actual or potential threat or severe danger to the physical properties of the public or the consumer's potable water system or of a pollution or contamination which would have a protracted effect on the quality of the potable water in the system.
(Q) "INDUSTRIAL FLUIDS." 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, pollution, or plumbing hazard if introduced into an approved water supply.
(R) "CONSUMER'S INDUSTRIAL PIPING SYSTEM." System used by the consumer for transmission of or to confine or store any fluid, solid, or gaseous substance other than an approved water supply. Such a system would include all pipes, conduits, tanks, receptacles, fixtures, equipment, and appurtenances used to produce, convey, or store substances which are or may be polluted or contaminated.
(S) "POLLUTION." 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 and unreasonably affect such waters for domestic use.
(T) "REDUCED-PRESSURE PRINCIPLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE (RPZ)." A device containing within its structure a minimum of two (2) independently acting, approved check valves, together with an automatically operating pressure differential relief valve located between the two (2) check valves. The first check valve reduces the supply pressure a predetermined amount so that during normal flow and at cessation of normal flow and pressure between the checks shall be less than the supply pressure. In case of leakage of either check valve, the differential relief valve, by discharging to atmosphere, shall operate to maintain the pressure between the checks less than the supply pressure. The unit shall include tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the device and each device shall be fitted with properly located test cocks.
(U) "SERVICE CONNECTION." The terminal end of a service connection from the public potable water system. There should be no unprotected takeoffs from the service line ahead of any meter or backflow prevention device located at the point of delivery to the consumer's water system.
(V) "POTABLE WATER." Water from any source which has been investigated by the health agency having jurisdiction, and which has been approved for human consumption.
(W) "AUXILIARY WATER SUPPLY." Any water supply on or available to the premises other than the City of Albemarle approved public potable water supply. These auxiliary waters may include water from another purveyor's public potable water supply or any natural source such as a well, spring, river, stream, etc., or used waters or industrial fluids. They may be polluted or contaminated or they may be objectionable and constitute an unacceptable water source over which the City of Albemarle does not have sanitary control.
(X) "CONSUMER'S WATER SYSTEM." Any water system located on the consumer's premises whether supplied by a public potable water system or an auxiliary water supply. The system or systems may be either a potable water system or an industrial piping system.
(Y) "CONSUMER'S POTABLE WATER SYSTEM." That portion of the privately owned potable water system lying between the service connection and the point of use. This system will include all pipes, conduits, tanks, receptacles, fixtures, equipment, and appurtenances used to produce, convey, store or use potable water.
(Z) "PUBLIC POTABLE WATER SYSTEM." Any publicly or privately owned water system operated as a public utility under a valid health permit to supply water for domestic purposes. This system will include all sources, facilities, and appurtenances, between the source and the service connection such as valves, pumps, pipes, conduits, tanks, receptacles, fixtures, equipment, and appurtenances used to produce, convey, treat, or store potable water for public consumption or use.
(AA) "USED WATER." Any water supplied by a water purveyor from a public potable water system to a consumer's water system after it has passed through the service connection and is no longer under the control of the water purveyor. The City of Albemarle Department of Public Utilities will be primarily responsible for preventing any contamination or pollution of the public water system. This responsibility begins at the point of origin of the public water supply and includes all of the public water distribution system, and ends at the service connection as defined under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Backflow Administrator shall exercise vigilance to ensure that the consumer/customer has taken the proper steps to protect the public potable water system.
(Ord. 07-25, passed 9-4-07)