For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AIR GAP SEPARATION. The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening of any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture or other device and flood level rim of the receptacle. An approved air-gap shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe, measured vertically, above the top of the rim of the receptacle and in no case less than one inch.
ANTISIPHON VACUUM BREAKER. A device which restricts the backflow of water into a potable water system by a simple check valve. The vacuum is broken by allowing air to enter upstream of the check valve.
APPROVED. A backflow prevention device or method has been accepted by the Director of Public Works as being suitable for the intended use.
AUXILIARY WATER SYSTEM. Any water supply system available to the premises other than the public water supply system and includes the water supplied by the system. These AUXILIARY WATER SYSTEMS may include: Water from another owner’s public water supply system; polluted or contaminated water; process fluids; used water; or other sources of water which the owner of the public water supply system does not have sanitary control.
BACKFLOW or BACKSIPHONAGE. The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the water distribution system from any other source than the intended source of the potable water supply.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY. Any device, method or type of construction intended to prevent backflow into a potable water system. Devices such as an approved air-cap, double check valve assembly, antisiphon vacuum breaker or a reduced pressure principle device can be used which have been approved by the Director of Public Works.
CITY. The City of Columbus, Nebraska, or the City Council and any department or employee designated by the city to carry out any of the functions assigned to the city under the terms of this subchapter.
COMPLIANCE DATE. The date in which all existing wells within the institutional control area shall be in compliance with this subchapter.
CONTAMINATION. An impairment of the quality of the water by sewage or waste to a degree which could cause an actual hazard to the public health through poisoning or through spread of disease by exposure.
CONTAMINATED WATER OR GROUNDWATER. The water or groundwater shall be deemed contaminated if testing results show that the amount of any element, substance, compound or mixture, including disease-causing agents, exceeds the maximum contaminant level established for such substance under the drinking water standards established by Title 179, Neb. Admin. Code, Ch. 2 (State Safe Drinking Water Act).
CROSS-CONNECTION. Any arrangement whereby contamination due to backflow or backsiphonage can occur.
CUSTOMER. The owner or person in control of any premises supplied by or in any manner connected to a public water supply system.
CUSTOMER’S WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM. Any water supply system located on the customer’s premises, supplied by or in any manner connected to a public water supply system. A household plumbing system is considered to be a CUSTOMER’S WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM. A fire suppression system is also considered a CUSTOMER’S WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM.
DEGREE OF HAZARD. A term derived from an evaluation of the potential risk to health and the adverse effects upon the potable water system.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. The State of Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS. The city’s Public Works Department, which is generally charged with the functions of planning, compliance, wellhead protection, water utility service and water treatment production, operations and maintenance.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. The person designated by the city to supervise the operations of the Public Works/Environmental Services Department and who is charged with certain duties and responsibilities by this subchapter. Also referred to as “the Director.”
DOMESTIC USE. Any use of groundwater required for human needs of health and sanitation including, but not limited to, drinking, cooking, washing, bathing, showering and other similar household uses of water.
DOMESTIC WATER WELL. Any water well providing water to any water supply system furnishing water for human consumption, with the exception of a public water supply system, or for the watering of livestock, poultry, farm and domestic animals used in operating a farm or for the irrigation of lands not exceeding a total of two acres in area.
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY. An assembly composed of two single, independently acting check valves, including 100% closing shutoff ball valves located at each end of the assembly and suitable connections for testing the watertightness of each check valve.
HEALTH HAZARD. Any condition, device or practice in a water system or its operation that creates a real or potential danger to the health and well-being of the customer.
INSTITUTIONAL CONTROL AREA. An area wherein contaminated soils and/or groundwater are located and which has been designated by city ordinance as an institutional control area.
INTERCHANGEABLE CONNECTION. An arrangement or device that will allow alternate but not simultaneous uses of two sources of water.
LICENSED PLUMBER. A person who has obtained the appropriate license from the Chief Building and Code Inspector to perform plumbing-related work within the city limits.
NONPOTABLE WATER. Water that is not safe for drinking, personal or culinary use or which does not meet the requirements of the Nebraska Department of Health.
OWNER. The person delivering water through a public water supply system. The OWNER is the city operating through the Department of Public Works.
PERSON. Any person, whether one or more, and any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership or other entity.
PLUMBING HAZARD. A plumbing type cross-connection in a customer’s potable water system that has not been properly protected by air gap separation or backflow prevention devices.
POLLUTION. The presence in water of any foreign substance (organic, inorganic or biological) that degrades the quality of water to a degree which does not necessarily cause an actual hazard to the public health, but which does adversely and unreasonably affect the waters for any desired use.
POLLUTION HAZARD. A condition through which an aesthetically objectionable or degrading material, not dangerous to health may enter the public water supply system or the customer’s water supply system.
POTABLE WATER. Water which is satisfactory for drinking, culinary and domestic purposes and meets the requirements of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM. A water supply system designed and intended to provide potable water to a designated customer. The water supply shall include the water supply source and distribution piping network. The water supply source is defined as an artificial or natural accumulation of water used to supply the potable water system. The distribution piping network includes all piping, pumping and treatment devices used to convey an adequate quality and quantity of potable water to the customer.
PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY WELL. Any water well designed and used to provide water for a public water supply system which provides the public with piped water fit for human consumption, where such system has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves at least 25 individuals.
REDUCED PRESSURE ZONE BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY. A device containing a minimum of two independently acting check valves together with an automatically operated pressure differential relief valve located between two check valves. During normal flow and at the cessation of normal flow, the pressure between these two checks shall be less than the supply pressure. In case of leakage of either check valve, the differential relief valve, by discharging to the atmosphere, shall operate to maintain the pressure between the check valves at less than the supply pressure. The unit must include 100% closing shutoff ball valves located at each end of the device, and each device shall be fitted with properly located test cocks.
SERVICE CONNECTION. The terminal end of a service line from the public water system. If a meter is installed at the end of the service, then the SERVICE CONNECTION means the downstream end of the meter.
SYSTEM HAZARD. A condition posing an actual or potential threat of damage to the physical properties of the public’s or the customer’s water supply system.
USED WATER. Any water supplied by the public water supply system to a customer’s water supply system after it has passed through the service connection and is no longer under the sanitary control of the water supplier.
WATER MAIN. Any pipe transporting water produced by one or more public water supply wells.
WATER WELL. Any excavation that is drilled, cored, bored, washed, driven, dug, jetted or otherwise constructed for the purpose of exploring for groundwater, monitoring groundwater, utilizing the geothermal properties of the ground, obtaining hydrogeologic information or extracting water from or injecting water into the underground water reservoir.
WELL OWNER or OWNER OF A WELL. The person who is the record title owner of the real estate upon which a well is located.
(Prior Code, §§ 52.077, 52.140) (Ord. 95-38, passed 12-18-1995)