(a) Definitions.
Air Gap. An unobstructed vertical distance through an atmosphere between the discharge end of a pipeline supplied from a public water supply and the overflow rim of the receiving portion of the customer's water system.
Backflow. The flow of contaminants into the public water supply distribution system from a source other than the public water supply.
Booster Pump. A pump installed on a pipeline to increase water pressure and flow.
Cross-Connection. Any physical arrangement, including cross-connection control devices not in working order or not installed properly, whereby a public water supply distribution system is directly connected, either continuously or intermittently with any secondary source of supply, sewer, drain, conduit, pool, piping, storage reservoir, plumbing fixture or other device which contains, or may contain, and is capable of imparting to the public water supply, contaminants, contaminated water, sewage or other waste or liquid of unknown or unsafe quality.
Cross-Connection Control Device. Any device or assembly, approved by the Carmel Water Utility, for construction on, or installation in water supply piping which is capable of preventing contaminants from entering the public water supply distribution system.
Cross-Connection Control Device Tester. A person who has successfully completed training in testing and inspection of cross-connection control devices at an agency or school acceptable to the Commissioner (IDEM) who has registered with the Commissioner (IDEM) and who has not been notified by the Commissioner (IDEM) or the City that his work is unacceptable under this section.
Cross-Connection Hazard. Any customer's facility which, because of the nature and extent of activities on the premises or the materials used in connection with the activities or stored on the premises, would present an immediate or potential danger or health hazard to customers of the public water supply should backflow occur.
Customer. Any person who receives water from a public water supply.
Customer Service Line. The pipeline from the public water supply to the first tap, fixture, receptacle or other point of customer water use; or the first secondary source of supply or pipeline branch in a building.
Customer Water System. All piping, fixtures and appurtenances including secondary sources of supply used by a customer to convey water on his premises.
Double Check Valve Assembly. A device or assembly composed of two tightly closing shut-off valves surrounding two independently acting spring-loaded check valves, with four test cocks, one upstream of the four valves and one between each of the four check and shut-off valves.
Downstream. The direction of flow when only the public water supply is supplying water through the customer water system and backflow is not occurring.
Pressure Type Vacuum Breaker. A chamber fitted with a spring-loaded air inlet for relieving a vacuum or partial vacuum in a pipeline.
Public Water Supply. Any wells, reservoirs, lakes, rivers, source of supply, pumps, mains, pipes, facilities and structures through which water is obtained, treated as may be required, and supplied through a water distribution system to at least 100 persons per day for drinking, domestic or other purposes, including State-owned facilities.
Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Preventer. A device composed of two tightly closing shut-off valves surrounding two independently acting spring-loaded pressure reducing check valves which in turn surround an automatic pressure differential relief valve and four test cocks, one upstream of the five valves and one between each of the four check and shut-off valves. The check valves effectively divide the structure into three chambers; pressure is reduced in each downstream chamber allowing the pressure differential relief valve to vent the center chamber to atmosphere should either or both check valves malfunction.
Secondary Source of Supply. Any well, spring, cistern, lake, stream or other water source, intake structure, pumps, piping, treatment units, tanks and appurtenances, used either continuously or intermittently, to supply water other than that from the public water supply to the customer, including tanks used to store water to be used only for firefighting, even though the water contained therein is supplied from the public water supply.
Supplier of Water. Any person who owns and/or operates a public water supply.
Upstream. The direction of flow opposite to downstream.
(b) Cross-Connections Prohibited.
(1) No customer shall cause or allow the construction or maintenance of a cross-connection. Piping installed to bypass a cross-connection control device constitutes a cross-connection unless the bypass piping is also fitted with a similar cross-connection control device.
(2) No customer shall cause or allow the installation or maintenance of a booster pump in a customer water system unless a control device is installed to prevent operation of the booster pump when pressure to pump suction drops below 20 pounds per square inch, gauge.
(3) Customers constructing a new facility which is designated a cross-connection hazard as defined in IAC 8-10-4(c) or making modifications to the customer service line or installing a higher capacity meter at an existing facility which is designated a cross-connection hazard or change of use that would be designated a cross-connection hazard by IAC 8-10-4(c), shall construct an air gap or install a reduced pressure backflow preventer in accordance with subsection (c), herein, on the customer service line to the facilities so designated.
a) Existing Buildings. All existing buildings which house a business activity and are operated as such, will be required to comply with this section upon the occurrence of any one of the following events:
i. New ownership of building;
ii. Remodeling;
iii. Change of occupancy;
iv. Installation of a new service line or upgrade of service;
v. Addition of machinery or chemicals;
vi. If backflow occurs.
b) All fire sprinkler systems must have an approved double check valve assembly installed before the fire systems apparatus. Any system that uses chemicals must install a reduced pressure backflow preventer, pursuant to Carmel Water Utility specifications on file in the office of the Carmel Water Utility.
(4) No secondary source of water supply can be connected to customer's building with a water distribution system unless a backflow device is installed on the service line.
(5) Customers shall construct an air gap or install a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer or pressure type vacuum breaker in accordance with subsection (c), herein, on the water line connecting the public water supply to any land irrigation facility buried below ground which has a sprinkling outlet located less than six inches above grade. All installations must comply with Carmel Water Utility specifications.
(c) Construction and installation requirements for air gaps for other devices.
(1) The discharge pipe of an air gap shall terminate a minimum of two pipe diameters of the discharge pipe or six inches, whichever is the lesser above the maximum record flood level or above the flood level rim of the receiving vessel, whichever is higher.
(2) Only those models of double check valve assemblies, reduced pressure principle backflow preventers or pressure type vacuum breakers approved by the Carmel Water Utility are acceptable.
(3) Reduced pressure principle backflow preventers shall be installed horizontally, with no plug or additional piping affixed to the pressure differential relief valve port, and with the pressure differential relief valve port a minimum of 12 inches above floor level. Additionally, the device must be installed at a location where any leakage from the pressure differential relief port will be noticed, and that allows access to the device for maintenance and testing from floor level, so that it will not subject the device to flooding, excessive heat or freezing.
(4) All double check valve assemblies shall be installed horizontally at a location that allows access to the device for maintenance and testing from floor level and that will not subject the device to excessive heat or freezing.
(5) Pressure type vacuum breakers shall be installed as near as possible to the irrigation facility, at a location that allows access to the device for maintenance and testing from floor or ground level and that will not subject the device to flooding, excessive heat or freezing. Additionally, the device must be installed with its center line or datum point a minimum of 12 inches above floor level; the highest downstream shut-off valve; and the highest downstream overflow rim or discharge point.
(d) Inspection of devices; time limits.
(1) The customer shall install and maintain in working order at all times any cross-connection control device or booster pump control device required hereunder. All cross-connection control devices must be tested in accordance with this section.
(2) To ensure that each cross-connection control device required is in working order, the customer shall have each device inspected or tested by a cross-connection control device tester at the time of construction or installation and at the following intervals in the following manner:
a) Air gaps shall be inspected at intervals not exceeding one year to ensure that they continue to meet the requirements.
b) Reduced pressure principle backflow preventers shall be tested at intervals not exceeding six months to ensure that both check valves are drip-tight under all pressure differentials and that the pressure differential relief valve will maintain pressure in the center chamber at least two pounds per square inch below that of the inlet chamber.
c) Double check valve assemblies shall be tested at intervals not exceeding one year to ensure that both check valves are drip-tight under all pressure differentials.
d) Pressure type vacuum breakers shall be tested at intervals not to exceed six months to ensure that the air inlet opens fully when water pressure is at or below atmospheric pressure.
e) The customer shall permit access to his premises by the inspector and the supplier of water at reasonable times and upon presentation of identification, for inspection of the customer's water system or testing of cross-connection control devices installed in accordance with this section.
(3) All cross-connection control device testers shall be registered with the Indiana Environmental Management Board.
(4) The testers shall report to Carmel Water Utility, on a form provided by the Carmel Water Utility, the results of inspections or tests conducted pursuant to air gaps, reduced pressure principle, backflow preventers, double check valve assemblies and pressure type vacuum breakers. Reports shall be submitted to the Carmel Water Utility, the customer (and IDEM, if they request one) within 30 days of the inspection or test.
(5) a) Before the installation of any land irrigation device or in-ground automatic sprinkling system, a permit, application must be completed and filed with, and a permit must be obtained from, the Carmel Water Utility. The permit fee shall be $580.10. The permit application must include a drawing showing the size of the proposed irrigation system, the point of connection, size of pipes, number of sprinkling heads, and an estimate of how many gallons the system will use per sprinkling event, and such other relevant information as the Carmel Water Utility may require.
b) Any person who requests an irrigation system inspection when the system is not ready for inspection, thereby necessitating more than one trip to the site by a Carmel Utilities employee or agent, is subject to a subsequent trip fee of $124.20, in addition to all other authorized fees and charges.
c) On January 1 of each year, beginning in 2025, a 3% cost of living adjustment (“COLA”) shall be added to the previous year’s rates and charges. This 3% increase shall occur automatically each year unless and until such time that the Carmel City Council amends or adjusts the percentage of the COLA increase for the next fiscal year.
(e) Fines. A violation of this section shall be subject to fines set forth in Carmel City Code, General Provisions, Chapter 1, § 1-11. The fine shall not be less than $100.
(`91 Code, § 9-52) (Ord. A-69, 2-4-93; Ord. A-97-11, As Amended, 12-19-11; Ord. D-2269-16, § 2, 1-4-16; Ord. D-2693-23, § 3, 12-18-23)