(a) Determination.
(1) No water service shall be provided or connection made until the backflow administrator has been provided information or has surveyed the private water system to determine the degree of hazard and make 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 water system's use or configuration which may change the degree of hazard, shall notify in writing the backflow administrator before any modification is made. If the backflow administrator determines that such modification requires a greater degree of backflow prevention assembly, that assembly must be installed prior to any modification of use or configuration.
(3) If the backflow administrator or his designee is unable to survey any portion of a private water system to determine the degree of hazard, a reduced pressure zone assembly will be required.
(b) Minimum backflow prevention assembly requirements.
1 | Degree of hazard | RPZ | DCVA | AG |
Severe | X | X | ||
Moderate/low | X |
AG = Air Gap
DCVA = Double Check Valve Assembly
RPZ = Reduced Pressure Zone Assembly
(2) Facilities that require a backflow prevention assembly:
a. Low hazard: DCVA
1. All residential structures will be considered a low hazard and shall have a minimum of a dual check valve assembly installed at the meter service at the time the meter is installed or replaced. If a higher degree of hazard is found, the appropriate backflow prevention assembly, as determined by the backflow administrator shall be installed. If no other backflow prevention assembly is specified a double check valve assembly must be installed on all private water systems regulated by the State of North Carolina.
2. All commercial connections that serve only domestic water use shall be designated low hazard unless listed below, or otherwise determined by the backflow administrator. All low hazard occupancies shall have a minimum of a double check valve assembly installed at the meter service at the time the meter is installed or replaced.
b. Moderate hazard: DCVA
1. Connection to tanks, lines, and vessels that handle non-toxic substances.
2. Fire sprinkler systems without chemical injection or booster pumps.
3. Most commercial establishments.
4. Automatic service stations.
5. Bakeries, restaurants, etc.
6. Beauty shops without health hazards.
7. Other facilities as determined by the backflow administrator.
c. Severe Hazard: RPZ or Air Gap
1. Wastewater treatment plants.
2. Fire sprinkler systems with chemical injection or booster pumps.
3. Connection to tanks, lines, boilers or vessels that handle sewage, lethal substances, toxic or radioactive substances.
4. Lawn irrigation systems.
5. Connection to an unapproved water system or auxiliary water supply.
6. Buildings with five or more stories above ground.
7. Hospitals and other medical facilities.
8. Exterminators and lawn care companies.
9. Car wash facilities.
10. Laundries.
11. Swimming pools.
12. Waterfront facilities.
13. Schools and colleges.
14. Oil and gas production, storage, or transmission facilities.
15. Other facilities as determined by the backflow administrator.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list, only a partial one. Any other types of facilities or services not listed above may also be required to install an approved backflow prevention assembly if determined by the backflow administrator. All assemblies and installations shall be subject to inspection and approval by the backflow administrator or designee.
(3) Filling of tanks/tankers or any other container from a village owned fire hydrant is strictly prohibited unless it has been equipped with the proper meter and approved backflow prevention. Any unauthorized connection to a fire hydrant is considered an illegal cross connection to the village public water system and will be subject to legal action or remedy.
(4) Imminent hazard. If it has been determined that a customer's private water system has an imminent hazards; that customer must install an approved backflow prevention assembly specified by the backflow administrator. This assembly must be installed within 24 hours of notification from the backflow administrator. If the customer fails to install the specified assembly within the allowed time period, water service to the customer's private water system may be terminated and other action may be taken as authorized by ordinance or law. In the event the backflow administrator is unable to notify the customer within 24 hours of determining that an imminent hazard exists, the backflow administrator may terminate water service until the specified assembly is installed. These actions may be carried out, without limitation, under the Safe Drinking Water Act and the N.C. State Plumbing Code.
(Ord. of 10-26-2007)