(A) An approved backflow prevention assembly shall be installed between the service connection and the point of potential backflow into a customer’s water supply system when in the judgment of the Director of Public Works a health, plumbing, pollution or system hazard exists. The device should be located after the water meter with a minimum of 12 inches and a maximum of 36 inches from the floor to the drain, a minimum of 12 inches from the well to the service pipe, adequate bracing to make the unit secure, 24 inches of unobstructed space from the face of the device for maintenance, repair and testing. The Director of Public Works may require a strainer and a manufacturer’s air gap device of approved type and size to be installed. A manufacturer’s approved air gap device will ensure that the proper air gap is maintained at all times.
(B) Backflow protection requirements of facilities connected to the city water system at the time of enactment of this code shall require the completion of appropriate backflow protection measures at these existing facilities in accordance with the following schedule:
(1) Phase I:
(a) Hospitals;
(b) Dental clinics;
(c) Medical clinics;
(d) Health clinics;
(e) Laboratories;
(f) Mortuaries;
(g) Nursing homes;
(h) Convalescent homes;
(i) Pharmaceutical plants;
(j) Cosmetic plants;
(k) Radioactive materials plants;
(l) Veterinary establishments;
(m) All city-owned facilities;
(n) Premises where, because of security requirements or other prohibitions, restrictions or other existing conditions, it is impossible or impractical to make a complete cross-connection premises survey;
(o) Automotive service stations;
(p) Car washes;
(q) Chemical processing plants;
(r) Chemical storage plants;
(s) Film laboratories;
(t) Film development facilities;
(u) Laundries;
(v) Dry cleaning facilities;
(w) Packing facilities;
(x) Petroleum processing plants;
(y) Petroleum storage plants; and
(z) Rendering plants.
(2) Phase II:
(a) Fire suppression systems;
(b) Premises utilizing boilers or water cooling systems;
(c) Premises utilizing water recirculating systems and pumps;
(d) Beauty salons;
(e) Barber shops;
(f) Swimming pools with connections to customer service pipes;
(g) Feed yards;
(h) Stock yards;
(i) Kennels; and
(j) Pet grooming salons.
(3) Phase III:
(a) Sand and gravel plants;
(b) Food processing plants;
(c) Beverage processing plants;
(d) Machine tool plants;
(e) Dye and metal processing plants;
(f) Metal plating plants;
(g) Multi-storied buildings greater than three stories in height;
(h) Paper product plants;
(i) Schools; and
(j) Multiple dwelling units served by one water service pipe.
(4) Phase IV: All nonresidential and residential facilities not included in Phases I through III.
(C) Upon notification by the city, the owner of an affected facility shall have 180 days to complete the required backflow protection measures. If the customer fails to complete protection measures, including submittal of initial certification test results to the city within 90 days, the water service line shall be shut off or penal provision enacted.
(D) Backflow preventers shall not be located in any area containing fumes that are toxic, poisonous or corrosive; nor in any area in which they could be damaged by freezing or by excessively high temperatures or pressures, vibrations, physical impact or structural stress; nor knowingly be allowed to conduct highly corrosive or sandy waters without a special testing and maintenance program to assure proper safe operation.
(E) The general and specific installation requirements as set forth in the most current edition of the Manual of Cross-Connection Control for those conditions or situations not otherwise provided for herein.
(F) Fire protection systems shall be equipped with not less than the backflow prevention assembly as described in the most current edition of the American Water Works Association’s Manual of Cross- Connection Control. Backflow preventers under this regulation and connected to fire protection systems shall be considered part of those systems. As such, they shall not be installed, moved, removed, replaced, shut off or in any way altered unless in strict compliance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the State Fire Marshal and shall be tested and repaired only by authorized fire protection system certified testers and a grade VI backflow test and repair technician. The backflow protection device shall be underwriters laboratory listed.
(G) The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services regulations, Title 179, Ch. 2, as may be amended from time to time, are hereby fully incorporated as if set forth herein and are included within the terms and requirements of this subchapter.
(H) The city shall have the authority to issue any order consistent with the provisions of this subchapter in order to protect the public health and safety. Any order shall be in writing and shall clearly state the nature of the order, compliance requirements and set a reasonable date by which compliance must be met. All orders will be mailed to the customer certified mail, return receipt requested.
(I) When a containment type backflow assembly is installed, a thermo-expansion device must be provided for within the facility for which such assembly is installed.
(Prior Code, § 52.080) (Ord. 95-38, passed 12-18-1995) Penalty, see § 52.999