(A) When it has been determined by the county that a requested service requires the installation of a backflow prevention assembly, the customer shall, prior to receiving such service, submit for review and approval, plans and specifications of the proposed facilities. The submittal shall include a description of proposed facilities. The submittal shall include a description of proposed processes, operations, and the like in such detail as needed to evaluate potential effects on the county’s system. Proposed assemblies shall be identified by size, manufacturer and model number, or by specification.
(B) When it has been determined by the county that an existing service may require the installation of a backflow prevention assembly, the customer shall submit for review such information as may be necessary to permit the county to evaluate the potential for undesirable effects on its system. Upon notification of the customer by the county that a backflow prevention assembly(ies) is necessary, the customer shall submit plans and specifications for approval and install or cause to be installed entirely at the customer’s expense such assemblies as may be necessary.
(C) If it has been determined by the county that an imminent health hazard exists, then the water service to the facility causing the imminent health hazard may be terminated.
(D) All existing facilities which pose a potential severe hazard to the public water system shall install a reduce pressure principle backflow assembly at the point of service within 60 days of notification by the county at the customer’s expense.
(E) All existing industrial and commercial facilities that have or may have an actual or potential cross-connection, that are not identified as a “severe hazard”, shall be considered a moderate hazard facility. All existing moderate hazard facilities shall install a double-check valve assembly at the point of service within 90 days of notification by the county at the customer’s expense.
(F) When required, an approved backflow prevention assembly shall be installed on each service line to a customer’s water system in accordance with the requirements of the county at the customer’s expense.
(G) (1) Reduced pressure principle assemblies shall be installed at the point of service in a horizontal position and in a location in which no portion of the assembly will become submerged under any circumstance or be subjected to temperatures below freezing.
(2) Pit and/or below-grade installations are prohibited. An RP shall be installed in accordance with detailed specifications provided by the county.
(H) (1) All double-check valve assemblies shall be installed at the point of service in drainable pits wherever below-ground installation is necessary, in accordance with detailed specifications provided by the county.
(2) Double-check valve assemblies may be installed in a vertical position with prior approval from the county, provided the flow of water is in an upward direction.
(I) Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed such that periodic testing and necessary repairs can be conveniently performed by county approved backflow testers.
(J) No water service shall be provided to any facility or service that requires the installation of a backflow prevention assembly until the installed assembly has passed the test performed by a certified tester and the test results have been received by the county.
(K) No new or existing water service connection to any premises shall be installed or maintained by the county unless the water supply is protected by an approved backflow prevention assembly(ies) as required by federal, state laws, regulations, and the county ordinance.
(L) Water mains served by the county, but not maintained by the county, shall be considered cross-connections. The degree of protection required shall be based upon the degree of hazard, as determined by the county.
(M) No person shall fill special use tanks or tankers from the public water system except at a county- approved location equipped with an air gap or an approved reduced pressure backflow prevention assembly properly installed on the county’s water supply.
(N) Ownership, testing, and maintenance of the assembly shall be the responsibility of the customer.
(O) It shall be the customer’s responsibility to notify the county if the customer’s water system becomes contaminated or polluted or if there is reason to believe that a backflow incident has occurred from customer’s water system into the public water system.
(P) Upon notification to the customer by the county that the existing backflow prevention assembly is not in compliance with this chapter, the customer shall replace the existing backflow prevention assembly with an approved backflow prevention assembly in accordance with the requirements of the county.
(Q) Removal of an approved backflow prevention assembly from a service connection that has been deemed a hazard by the county may result in immediate disconnection from the county’s public water supply.
(R) No person shall connect a hose to a fire hydrant unless an approved backflow prevention assembly is connected to the hydrant, unless otherwise approved by the county.
(S) (1) The customer’s system shall be open for inspection at all reasonable times to county personnel to determine whether cross-connections or other structural or sanitary hazards, including violations of this chapter, exist.
(2) When such a condition becomes known, the county may deny or immediately discontinue service to the premises by providing for a physical break in the service line until the customer has corrected the deficiency in compliance with this chapter.
(3) Should an inspection of the premises be refused, the county reserves the right to install, at the customer’s expense, a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly downstream of the water meter. The county will bill the customer all costs associated with the installation of the backflow prevention assembly plus an additional 50% surcharge.
(T) Backflow prevention assemblies that shall be connected to the county’s public water system shall be limited to those assemblies approved by the county or the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research, University of Southern California, or meets the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE) Standards and carries an ASSE seal.
(U) Installation of all backflow assemblies shall be the customer’s responsibility unless otherwise stated by the county. Backflow prevention assemblies shall be located downstream of the meter at the point of service or at a location approved by the county.
(V) Any facility or customer found to be in noncompliance with the provisions of this chapter and/or that neglects to correct a violation, may have his, her, or their water service terminated.
(Ord. passed 1-8-2007) Penalty, see § 10.99