(A) General.
(1) Any backflow prevention device required by this section shall be of a model or construction approved by the Municipal Water Department and the state’s Department of Health.
(a) Air gap separation to be approved shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the flood level rim of the vessel, but in no case less than one inch.
(b) A double check valve assembly or a reduced pressure principal backflow prevention device shall be approved by the Municipal Water Department and shall appear on the current “list of approved backflow prevention devices” established by the Water Department.
(2) Existing backflow prevention devices approved by the Municipal Water Department at the time of installation and properly maintained shall, except for inspection and maintenance requirements, be excluded from the requirements of this section so long as the Municipal Water Department is assured that they will satisfactorily protect the water system. Whenever the existing device is moved from its present location or requires more than minimum maintenance or, when the Water Department finds that the maintenance constitutes a hazard to health, the unit shall be replaced by a backflow prevention device meeting the requirements of this section.
(Prior Code, § 3-131)
(B) Installation.
(1) Backflow prevention devices required by this section shall be installed at a location and in a manner approved by the Municipal Water Department and shall be installed at the expense of the water consumer.
(2) Backflow prevention devices installed on the service line to the consumer’s water system shall be located on the consumer’s side of the water meter as close to the meter as is reasonable practical and prior to any other connection.
(3) Backflow prevention devices shall be located so as to be readily accessible for maintenance and testing, protected from freezing and where no part of the device will be submerged or subject to flooding by any fluid.
(4) Backflow prevention devices for underground sprinklers that have an opening to the atmosphere shall be located at least 12 inches above the highest ground served by the sprinkler system.
(Prior Code, § 3-132)
(C) Inspection and maintenance.
(1) It shall be the duty of the consumer at any premises on which backflow prevention devices required by this section are installed to have inspections, tests and overhauls made in accordance with the following schedule or more often where inspections indicate a need.
(a) Air gap separations shall be inspected at the time of installation and at least every 12 months thereafter.
(b) Double check valve assemblies shall be inspected and tested for tightness at the time of installation and at least every 12 months thereafter. They shall be dismantled, inspected internally, cleaned and repaired whenever needed.
(c) Reduced pressure principal backflow prevention devices shall be inspected and tested for tightness at the time of installation and at least every 12 months thereafter. They shall be dismantled, inspected internally, cleaned and repaired whenever needed.
(2) Overhauls of backflow prevention devices shall be made at the expense of the water consumer and shall be performed by a state-certified backflow prevention device tester.
(3) Backflow prevention devices designed with testing cocks shall be inspected and tested each year, exempting lawn sprinkler systems, except those with provisions to inject toxic substances including lawn chemicals. Those tests performed by the Municipal Water Department will be at the expense of the Water Department. Tests performed by others shall be at the expense of the consumer.
(4) Whenever backflow prevention devices required by this chapter are found to be defective, they shall be repaired or replaced at the expense of the consumer without delay.
(5) The water consumer must maintain a complete record of each backflow prevention device that has test cocks from purchase to retirement. Records of inspections, test, repairs and overhauls performed by others shall be submitted to the Municipal Water Department annually.
(6) Backflow prevention devices shall not be by-passed, made inoperative, removed or otherwise made ineffective without specific authorization by the Municipal Water Department.
(Prior Code, § 3-133)
(D) Violations.
(1) The Municipal Water Department shall have the right to deny or discontinue, after notice to the consumer thereof, the water service to any premises wherein:
(a) Any backflow prevention device required by these regulations is not installed or maintained in a manner acceptable to the Municipal Water Department;
(b) It is found that the backflow prevention device has been removed or by-passed;
(c) An unprotected cross-connection exists on the premises;
(d) A low pressure cut-off required by this section is not installed and maintained in working order; and
(e) The Municipal Water Department is denied entry to determine compliance with these regulations.
(2) The Municipal Water Department shall immediately deny or discontinue, without notice to the consumer thereof, the water service to any premises wherein a severe cross-connection exists which constitutes an immediate threat to the safety of the public water system. The Municipal Water Department shall notify the consumer within 24 hours of said denial or discontinuation of service.
(3) Water service to such premises shall not be restored until the consumer has corrected or eliminated such conditions or defects in conformance with these regulations and to the satisfaction of the Municipal Water Department.
(Prior Code, § 3-134)
(E) Liability claims. Employees of the Municipal Water Department shall be relieved from personal liability when acting in good faith and without malice, for any damage that may occur to any person or property as a result of any act required or authorized by the regulations affecting Municipal Water Department cross-connections and backflow prevention devices, or by any act or omission of the Employee of the Municipal Water Department in the discharge of his or her duties hereunder. Any suit brought carrying out the provisions of these regulations shall be defended by the municipality, or by the municipality’s insurance carrier, if any, through final determination of such proceedings.
(Prior Code, § 3-135) (Ord. 2021-05, passed 4-14-2021) Penalty, see § 10.99