A. An approved backflow prevention device or assembly must be installed by the property owner, tenant, occupant, lessee or other user of city water where the nature and extent of the activities conducted or the materials used or stored on the premises would present an actual or potential hazard to the public health or be deleterious to the quality of the city water supply should a cross connection occur. The need for a backflow prevention device or assembly must be reevaluated whenever a new potential hazard is introduced to the property. The backflow assembly must be installed in a manner that complies with city water department standard drawings. Even though cross connections may not exist at the time, an approved backflow prevention device or assembly must be installed under the following circumstances:
1. Premises having an auxiliary water supply (the unapproved auxiliary supply or well may be abandoned in the manner required by IDAPA 37.03.09 rather than installing a backflow prevention assembly/device. A subsequent inspection by the water superintendent will be required to determine that all cross connections have been eliminated at the property);
2. Premises having internal cross connections that are not correctable, or having intricate plumbing arrangements which make it impracticable to ascertain whether or not cross connections exist;
3. Premises where entry is restricted so that inspections for cross connections cannot reasonably be made;
4. Premises having a history of cross connections being established or reestablished;
5. Premises on which any substance is handled under pressure so as to permit the entry of such substance into the public water supply;
6. Premises having pumps or other assemblies that may exceed dynamic pressure in the city water mains and/or service lines between the mains and the meters.
B. All backflow prevention devices or assemblies shall be installed by the property owner at the owner's expense, and shall be of a type commensurate with the highest degree of hazard which exists or which could exist. Appropriate backflow protection shall meet the requirements of IDAPA 58.01.08.543.01 and IDAPA 58.01.08.552.06b. All backflow prevention assemblies and the installation thereof shall be approved by the city water superintendent.
C. All backflow prevention assemblies installed pursuant to this chapter, except atmospheric vacuum breakers, shall be inspected and pass an approved performance test by an Idaho licensed tester at the time of initial installation and annually thereafter. The city water superintendent may require more frequent testing if repeated performance failures, severe health hazards, repeated annual noncompliance, or other factors that pose a risk to the city public water system are encountered. Whenever a backflow prevention assembly is found to be defective, it shall be repaired, or overhauled with original manufacturer replacement parts, or replaced at the owner's expense. Only approved test cock fittings or protective caps will be installed in the assembly's test cocks. Test cocks will be kept free of other tangible physical matter at all times. The city water superintendent shall retain adequate records of all inspections, tests or repairs made pursuant to this chapter.
D. All residential and commercial irrigation backflow assemblies shall be tested annually at start up or before July 1 of each calendar year, whichever comes first.
E. If a backflow prevention assembly is found to be necessary, the owner, tenant, occupant or lessee of the property shall apply in writing to the city building department for a plumbing permit, specifying the type and location of such assembly. It is unlawful to install, relocate or remove a backflow prevention assembly without a permit. Any backflow prevention assembly that has been installed, relocated, removed, and reinstalled shall pass a performance test prior to being placed into service.
F. Pursuant to IDAPA 58.01.08.552.06.e if a backflow assembly fails testing and it cannot be repaired immediately, the tester must notify the city water superintendent of the failed test as soon as possible and in no event later than two (2) business days following the failed test. If the assembly cannot be repaired or replaced within ten (10) business days of notification, water service to the property may be terminated until the approved backflow prevention assembly can be repaired or replaced and pass a performance test.
G. A passing performance test report must be filed with the city water superintendent by the backflow assembly tester within twenty (20) calendar days of conducting the performance test. Test reports filed after this period of time may be considered invalid. (Ord. 3525, 2015)