(A) Purpose. The purpose of this cross- connection control ordinance is:
(1) To protect the public potable water supply of the town from the possibility of contamination or pollution, due to back siphonage or back pressure, by isolating within the consumer's internal distribution system or the consumer's private water systems such contaminants or pollutants which could backflow into the public water system;
(2) To define the authority of the town as the water purveyor entitled to eliminating all cross-connections, new or existing, within its public water system;
(3) To provide a continuing inspection program of cross-connection control which will systematically and effectively control all actual or potential cross-connections which may be installed in the future.
(B) Responsibility: Town.
(1) The Department of Water Resources 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 under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Backflow Administrator, or his/her designee shall exercise vigilance to ensure that the consumer/customer has taken the proper steps to protect the public potable water system.
(2) When it has been determined that a backflow protection assembly is required for the prevention of contamination of the public water system, the Backflow Administrator, or his/her designee, shall notify the owner, in writing, of any such building or premises, to correct within a time set by this subchapter, any plumbing installed or existing that is in violation of this subchapter.
(3) After surveying the private water system, the Backflow Administrator, or his/her designee, will select an approved backflow prevention assembly required for containment control to be installed at service entrance.
(4) Prior to the installation of any backflow prevention assembly, the owner of the private water system must be notified that the installation of a backflow prevention assembly may create a closed system, and as a result thermal expansion may occur. Under such circumstances, the customer must understand and assume all liability and responsibilities for that phenomenon.
(C) Responsibility: Customer.
(1) The customer has the responsibility of preventing contaminants and pollutants from entering the customer's private water system or the public water system operated by the Town. The customer, at his/her own expense, will install, operate, and maintain all backflow prevention assemblies specified within this subchapter.
(2) If a tenant customer does not maintain the private water system and has no authority to bring the system into compliance with the provisions of this subchapter, the Town may assert any available action against tenant to assure the private water system is brought into compliance with this subchapter.
(Ord. 02-03-21, passed 11-12-02)