Installation and testing of backflow prevention assembly.
(A) The purpose of this section is to require that all water flowing from the public water system, must flow through an approved backflow prevention assembly and that each backflow prevention assembly be properly located, installed, maintained and tested so that the backflow prevention assembly is effective in protecting the public water system from any possible contamination or pollution.
(B) The installation or replacement of a backflow prevention assembly for domestic water use shall only be performed by a licensed plumber or licensed utility contractor. The installation or repair of a backflow prevention assembly on a dedicated fire sprinkler service shall be performed by a licensed fire sprinkler contractor or utility contractor. All backflow prevention assemblies may be tested by a certified Backflow Technician authorized by the City of Albemarle. Repairs to a backflow prevention assembly on a dedicated fire sprinkler system may only be performed by a fire sprinkler contractor or licensed plumber.
(C) All new construction plans and specifications which will directly effect the City of Albemarle Public Utilities system, and/or required by the North Carolina Building Code, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR), City of Albemarle Planning and Zoning and Technical Review Committee (TRC), shall be made available to the City of Albemarle Backflow Administrator for review, approval and to determine the degree of hazard.
(D) All existing facilities zoned commercial or industrial and have existing water services with the City of Albemarle Public Utilities and requesting a Certificate of Occupancy from the City of Albemarle's Fire Department or Planning and Zoning offices, shall be inspected for compliance of backflow and cross-connection control prevention. Any facility not having backflow protection or changing the degree of hazard shall be brought into compliance before the Backflow Administrator will recommend to the City of Albemarle Fire Marshall a release of the Certificate of Occupancy.
(E) All backflow prevention assemblies must be installed and maintained on the customer's premises as part of the customer's private water system at or near the service connection and before the service line is connected to any other pipes except as authorized by the City of Albemarle Public Utilities.
(F) If it has been determined that a backflow prevention assembly cannot be installed at the meter service, an approved backflow assembly must be installed at another location as specified by the City of Albemarle Public Utilities.
(G) Any branch of plumbing installed on the private water system that may be of a greater hazard than the supply line, (example: chemical induced irrigation or fire systems, pump systems, etc.) shall be protected with a reduced pressure zone assembly (RPZ).
(H) All backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in accordance with the Backflow and Cross-Connection approved practices and reviewed by the City of Albemarle Back Flow Administrator for compliance.
(I) All sprinkler systems utilizing double check valve assemblies, two (2) inch or larger, shall only be used with specific written permission from the Director of Public Utilities.
(J) Reduce pressure principle assemblies must be installed in a horizontal position either above ground or in a vault.
(K) Each backflow prevention assembly that is required must function properly at time of installment. Each customer will be required to test, maintain and repair each assembly required which is a part of the customer's private water system. A certified backflow prevention technician may only conduct such test. Testing shall be done immediately following installation of any backflow prevention assembly and on an annual basis. This will also apply to the RPZ portion of the backflow prevention device.
(L) If repair is found necessary on an assembly it must be re-tested following any repair. A complete duplicate copy of any testing and/or repair shall be sent to the City of Albemarle Public Utilities within thirty (30) days of completion of test or repair. Each customer must maintain a complete copy of test or repair. Each customer must maintain a complete copy of any test or repair for no less than five (5) years. All test and repair records must be maintained on forms approved by the Backflow Administrator of the City of Albemarle.
(M) All rubber components must be replaced every five (5) years or as often as needed.
(N) Any customer installing a reduced pressure zone (RPZ) or double check valve assembly (DCVA) must provide the following information to the Backflow Administrator within ten (10) days after installation with the following exception. Sprinkler systems shall be coordinated directly with the City of Albemarle Fire Marshall.
(1) Service address where assembly is located.
(2) Owner.
(3) Description of assembly's location.
(4) Date of installation.
(5) Type of assembly.
(6) Manufacturer.
(7) Model number.
(8) Serial number.
(9) Test results/reports.
(O) The Backflow Administrator must approve each backflow assembly required by this chapter. A list of approved assemblies can be obtained through the City of Albemarle Backflow Administrator.
(P) The Backflow Administrator will provide the customer with a notification and list of approved backflow assemblies. The following time periods shall be set forth for the installation of the specified assemblies:
(1) Health hazard 60 days.
(2) Non-health hazard 90 days.
(Q) If an imminent hazard or unreasonable threat of contamination or pollution to the public water system is detected, the Backflow Administrator may require the installation of the required backflow assembly immediately or within a shorter time period than specified in division (P).
(R) If a customer does not wish for water service to be interrupted when a backflow assembly is tested, repaired, or replaced, a parallel installation must be made using an approved assembly of the same degree of hazard. The parallel line may be of the same size or smaller.
(Ord. 07-25, passed 9-4-07)