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BACKFLOW PREVENTION AND CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL
(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)
For the purposes of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
"AIR GAP SEPARATION." An unobstructed vertical distance through the atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water from any source 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. In no case shall the air gap separation be less than one inch. An approved air gap separation is an effective method to prevent backflow and shall be considered as a backflow prevention assembly.
"ATMOSPHERIC VACUUM BREAKER." A device used to prevent back siphonage which is designed so as not to be subject to static line pressure.
"BACK PRESSURE." Any elevation of pressure in the down stream piping system caused by pumps, elevation of piping, or steam and/or air pressure above the supply pressure at the point of consideration which would cause a reversal of the normal direction of flow.
"BACK SIPHONAGE." 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.
"BACKFLOW." Any reverse flow of water, gas, any other liquid substance, or combination thereof into the public water system from any source due to an unprotected cross-connection.
"BACKFLOW PREVENTION ADMINISTRATOR." An employee of the town designated by the Director to administer and enforce the provisions of this subchapter.
"BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY - APPROVED." An assembly that has been investigated and approved by the Town Water Resources and has been proved to meet the design and performance standards of the American Society of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), or the Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research of the University of Southern California.
"CERTIFIED TESTER." Any individual person who has proven his/her competency to test, repair and overhaul backflow prevention assemblies. This person must hold a certificate of completion from a certified training program in the testing and repair of backflow prevention assemblies and cross connection control.
"CONSUMER/CUSTOMER." Any person, firm, or corporation using or receiving water from the town public water system.
"CONTAINMENT." The prevention of backflow from a private water system by an approved, properly functioning backflow prevention assembly which is installed, operated and maintained in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter.
"CONTAMINATION." An impairment of the quality of the water to a degree which creates an actual hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease.
"CROSS-CONNECTION." Any actual or potential connection or piping 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 fluids, gas or substance which could be harmful or hazardous to the potable water system.
"DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY." An assembly composed of two single, independently acting, approved check valves, including tightly closing shut-off valves located at each end of the device and suitable connections for testing the water tightness of each check valve.
"DUAL CHECK VALVE." A device composed of two single, independently acting, approved check valves. This is classified as a device and cannot be in-line tested.
"HAZARD-DEGREE." The evaluation of a hazard within a private water system as moderate or high.
"HAZARD-HIGH." An actual or potential threat of contamination to the public water system or to a customer's potable water system that could cause serious illness or death.
"HAZARD-IMMINENT." An actual threat of contamination to the public water system that could cause serious illness or death.
"HAZARD-MODERATE." An actual or potential threat of damage to the physical components comprising the public water system or a customer's potable water system, or of pollution to the public water system or to a customer's potable water system.
"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.
"POTABLE WATER." Water from any source which has been approved for human consumption by the appropriate agency of the State of North Carolina, Town of Ayden and/or local health agencies.
"PRESSURE VACUUM BREAKER." An assembly suitable for continuous pressure, to be used to provide protection against back siphonage.
"PRIVATE WATER SYSTEM." Any water system located on the customer's premises, whether supplied by public potable water or an auxiliary water supply. The system or systems may be either a potable water system or an industrial piping system.
"PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM." The potable water system owned and operated by the town. This system includes all distribution mains, lines, pipes, connections, storage tanks, and other facilities conveying potable water from the water treatment plants to the service connections of each customer.
"REDUCED PRESSURE ZONE ASSEMBLY." An approved, properly functioning assembly containing two independently acting check valves with. a hydraulically operating, mechanically independent pressure differential relief valve located between the check valves and at the same time below the first check valve. The assembly must include properly located test cocks and tightly closing shut off valves at each end of the assembly. This assembly is designed to protect against a high hazard.
"SERVICE CONNECTION." The terminal end of a service connection from the public potable water system, i.e., where the water purveyor loses jurisdiction and sanitary control over the water at its point of delivery to the consumer's water system.
"USED WATER." Any water supplied by a water purveyor from a public water system to a consumer's water system after it has passed through the point of delivery and is no longer under the control of the water purveyor.
"WATER PURVEYOR." Owner or operator of a public potable water system providing an approved water supply to the public.
"WATER SUPPLY-AUXILIARY." Any water supply on or available to the customer's premises, other than the purveyor's 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., and used or objectionable water and constitute an unacceptable water source over which the water purveyor does not have sanitary control.
"WATER SUPPLY-UNAPPROVED." Any water supply which has not been approved for human consumption by the North Carolina Department of Human Resources.
(Ord. 02-03-21, passed 11-12-02)
(A) Any authorized representative from the town shall have the right to enter any building, structure or premises during normal business hours to perform any duty imposed upon him/her by this subchapter and with in accordance to of the North Carolina State Plumbing and Building Codes. Those duties may include sampling and testing of water, or inspection and observation of all piping systems connected to the public water supply. Refusal to allow these representatives to enter for these purposes will result in the disconnection of water service.
(B) Upon request, the consumer shall furnish to the water purveyor any pertinent information regarding the water supply system on such property where cross- connection and backflow are deemed possible.
(Ord. 02-03-21, passed 11-12-02)
(A) No water service connection to any private water system shall be installed or maintained by the town, unless the water supply is protected as required by this subchapter and other applicable laws. Service of water to any premises will be discontinued by the town, if a backflow assembly required by this subchapter is not installed, tested, and maintained, or if a backflow assembly has been removed, bypassed, or if an unprotected cross- connection exists on the premises, service will be restored after all such conditions or defects are corrected.
(B) No customer shall allow an unprotected cross-connection to be made or to remain involving the customer's private water system.
(C) No connection shall be made to an unapproved auxiliary water supply unless the public water supply is protected against backflow by an approved backflow assembly, appropriate to the degree of hazard.
(D) No customer shall fail to maintain in good operating condition any backflow prevention assembly which is part of the customer's private water system and is required by this subchapter.
(E) No customer shall fail to submit to the town any record which is required by this subchapter.
(Ord. 02-03-21, passed 11-12-02) Penalty, see § 51.99
(A) The purpose of this section is to require that all water flowing from the public water system into a private 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) 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 water purveyor.
(C) If it has been determined that a backflow prevention assembly cannot be installed at the meter service, due to Zoning or Department of Transportation Right-of-Ways, an approved backflow assembly must be installed on any branch of plumbing installed between the service meter and the service backflow assembly.
(D) 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.
(E) Each backflow prevention assembly that is required by this subchapter must be installed in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter and manufacture's installation instructions. NOTE: All reduced pressure zone assemblies must be installed in a horizontal position and in a location which is not subject to flooding.
(F) 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. Such test may only be conducted by a certified backflow prevention technician. Testing shall be done immediately following installation of any backflow prevention assembly and on an annual or semi-annual basis, depending the degree of hazard.
(G) If repair is found necessary on an assembly, it must be retested following any repair. A complete duplicate copy of any testing and or repair shall be sent to the town within 30 days of completion of test or repair. Each customer must maintain a complete copy of any test or repair for no less than five years. All test and repair records must be maintained on forms approved by the Backflow Administrator, his/her designee, or the town.
(H) All rubber components must be replaced every five years or as often as needed.
(I) Any customer installing a reduced pressure zone (RPZ) or double check valve assembly (DCVA) must provide the following information to the Backflow Administrator, or his/her designee, within ten days after installation:
(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; and
(9) Test results/reports.
(J) Each backflow assembly required by this subchapter must be approved by the Backflow Administrator, or his/her designee. A list of approved assemblies can be obtained through the Backflow Administrator or his/her designee. Any unapproved backflow assembly must be replaced, within a time set by the Administrator, or his/her designee, with an approved backflow assembly.
(K) If it has been determined that a customer must install a backflow prevention assembly, the Backflow Administrator, or his/her designee, will provide the customer with a letter of notification and list of approved backflow assemblies. The following time periods shall be set forth for the installation of the specified assemblies:
(1) Air gap separation: 30 days;
(2) Reduced pressure zone assembly: (3/4"- 2") 30 days;
(3) Double check valve assembly: (3/4"- 2") 30 days;
(4) Reduced pressure zone assembly: (2-1/2" and larger) 60 days;
(5) Double check valve assembly: (2-1/2" and larger) 60 days; and
(6) Other approved assemblies: 30 days.
(L) If an imminent hazard or unreasonable threat of contamination or pollution to the public water system is detected, the Backflow Administrator, or his/her designee, may require the installation of the required backflow assembly immediately or with in a shorter time period than specified in subdivision (K).
(M) 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 size in accordance with provisions of this subchapter.
(Ord. 02-03-21, passed 11-12-02) Penalty, see § 51.99
(A) Determining degree of hazard.
(1) No service shall be completed until the Backflow Administrator, or his/her designee, has been provided information or has surveyed the private water system to determine the degree of hazard and made a determination of a backflow prevention assembly to be installed to protect the public water supply.
(2) Any customer making any modification to the private system's configuration or use of which may change the degree of hazard, shall notify the Backflow Administrator, or his/her designee, before any modification is made. If the Backflow Administrator determines that such modification requires a different backflow prevention assembly, that assembly must be installed before the modifications are made.
(B) Moderate hazard.
(1) If a private water system is subject to any moderate hazard condition in any manner, an approved double check valve assembly must be installed. The following is a list of such conditions requiring a double check valve assembly.
(2) Any industrial or commercial facilities identified as not having a high hazard, fire protection systems and lawn irrigation systems not using chemical additives will be considered a moderate hazard and require the installation of a double check valve assembly.
(C) Low hazard.
(1) All single family residential homes will be considered a low hazard and shall have a minimum of a dual check valve device installed at the meter service by the town.
(2) If no other backflow prevention assembly is specified, a double check valve assembly must be installed on all private water systems.
(D) Imminent hazard.
(1) If it has been determined a customer's private water system has an imminent hazard, such customer must install a backflow prevention assembly specified by the Backflow Administrator, his/her designee, and this subchapter. This assembly must be installed within 24 hours of notification from the Administrator, or his/her designee. If the customer fails to install the specified assembly within the allowed time limit, water service to the customer's private water system will be terminated and may be subject to specified civil penalties. In the event the Backflow Administrator, or his/her designee, is unable to notify the customer in 24 hours of determining an imminent hazard exist, the Administrator or his/her designee may terminate water service until the specified assembly is installed. These actions may be carried out under the Safe Drinking Water Act (Title XIV Section 1431) and the North Carolina State Plumbing Code (Appendix D104.2.6).
(2) Only a backflow prevention assembly offering a greater degree of protection may be installed in place of a specified assembly required by this subchapter.
(Ord. 02-03-21, passed 11-12-02) Penalty, see § 51.99
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