(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