(A) New services.
(1) All residential three-quarter-inch and one-inch services will have a residential dual check valve installed at the water meter. There will be no connection made between the meter and device. The residential dual check valve will be installed by the city with the cost of installation included in the tap fee.
(2) New services to commercial establishments will be protected from backflow as follows:
(a) Three-fourths-inch and one-inch services to establishments in which water use is similar to residential water use will have a residential dual check valve installed at the water meter by the city.
(b) All services to commercial establishments using water in equipment or processes having a low or intermediate hazard will install an approved double check valve assembly. The double check valve assembly will be installed by the customer at a location in the service line approved by the City Utilities Department.
(c) All services to commercial establishments using water in equipment or processes having a high degree of hazard will install an approved reduced pressure principle backflow preventer. The reduced pressure principle backflow preventer will be installed by the customer at a location in the service line approved by the City Utilities Department. In some instances, a double check valve assembly can be used on the service line if the equipment or process having the high degree of hazard is isolated by using a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer or by using an air gap.
(d) All applications for water service will be reviewed to determine the level of backflow prevention required before construction begins. All new construction will be inspected for cross connections before connection to the city water system. The City Building Official will perform the inspections inside the city limits and a representative of the City Utilities Department will conduct the inspections outside the city limits.
(B) Existing services.
(1) When water services are enlarged or replaced, the service will be considered to be a new service and the appropriate backflow prevention device will be installed using the criteria listed for new services.
(2) Facilities where cross connections are suspected will be inspected on a priority basis. When cross connections are found, the customer will be notified in writing to remove the cross connection or install the proper backflow prevention device within a period of time specified by the Director of Utilities. Failure to remove the cross connection or install the proper backflow prevention device may result in discontinuation of water service.
(3) All presently installed backflow prevention devices which are not listed on the SCDHEC list of approved devices but were approved devices for the purposes described herein at the time of their installation and which have been properly maintained, shall be allowed to remain in service so long as in the opinion of the inspector they will satisfactorily protect the water system. Whenever the existing device, is moved from the present location or requires more than minimum maintenance or when the Utilities Department finds that continued use constitutes a hazard to health, the unit shall be replaced by an approved backflow prevention device.
(C) Testing requirements.
(1) Double check valve assemblies and reduced pressure principle backflow preventers must be tested upon installation and annually thereafter by an individual certified by SCDHEC to test backflow prevention devices.
(2) The test results will be reported on a form mailed to the customer by the city on an annual basis. The form will include a date by which the form must be returned.
(D) Enforcement.
(1) Compliance with the backflow prevention program is a condition of service for all customers and compliance is mandatory for continued service.
(2) Failure of a customer to comply with city’s installation, maintenance or testing requirements will result in discontinuation of service ten days after written notice from the Utilities Department or Building Inspector.
(E) Administrative cost. A fee of $1 per month will be charged to customers requiring backflow prevention equipment monitoring. The fee will cover administrative cost of monitoring and will be attached to the base charge.
(Ord. 89-08-0, passed 10-10-89)