Air gap. 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 device. 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 two inches. An approved air gap may be considered as a backflow prevention assembly.
Backflow. Any reverse flow of water, gas or any other liquid substance into the public water system of the Village of Bald Head Island from any source due to an unprotected cross connection.
Backflow administrator. An employee of the utilities department, trained and certified by the State of North Carolina, designated by the director of public services to administer and enforce this article.
Backflow prevention assembly (approved). An assembly that has been investigated and approved by the backflow administrator and has been approved to meet the design and performance standards of the American Society of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE), the American Water Works Association (A WW A), or the Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research of the University Of Southern California.
Back pressure. Any elevation of pressure in the downstream 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 of water.
Backsiphonage. A reversal of the normal direction of flow of water in the pipes due to a negative pressure (vacuum)being created in the supply line with the backflow source subject to atmospheric pressure.
Certified tester. Any individual person who holds a certificate of completion from a certified training program in the testing and repair of backflow prevention assemblies and cross connection control.
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 article.
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 the public or a customer's potable water supply 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 any substance which could be harmful or hazardous to the potable water supply or system.
Customer. Any person, firm, or corporation using or receiving water from the utilities department.
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.
Hazard.
(1) Hazard (imminent). An actual threat of contamination to the public water system that could cause serious illness or death.
(2) Hazard (low). No observed threat of damage to the physical components comprising the public water system or to a customer's potable water system, or of pollution to the public water system or to a customer's potable water system.
(3) Hazard (moderate). An actual or potential threat of damage to the physical components comprising the public water system or to a customer's potable water system, or of pollution to the public water system or to a customer's potable water system.
(4) Hazard (severe). A potential threat of contamination to the public water system or to a customer's potable water system that could cause serious illness or death.
Potable water. Water from any source which has been approved for human consumption by the State of North Carolina, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Health, Public Water Supply Section.
Private water system. Any water system located on the customer's premise, 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 Village of Bald Head Island. This includes all storage tanks, distribution mains, lines, pipes, connections, meters and other facilities conveying potable water from the water treatment plant to the service connections of each customer.
Reduced pressure zone assembly. An approved, properly functioning assembly containing two, independently acting, approved 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 located at each end of the assembly.
Service connection. The terminal end of a service connection from the public potable water system, immediately after the water meter, i.e., where the water purveyor loses jurisdiction and sanitary control over the water at its point of delivery to the customer's private water system.
Used water. Any water supplied by a water purveyor from a public potable water system to a customer's private 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 approved potable water supply to the public.
Water supply (unapproved). Any water supply, which has not been approved for human consumption by the State of North Carolina, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Health, Public Water Supply Section.
(Ord. of 10-26-2007; Ord. No. 2021-0801, § 8, 8-20-2021)