(A) An approved backflow prevention assembly shall be installed downstream of the meter on each service line to a customer's premises at or near the property line or immediately inside the building being served, but in all cases, before the first branch line leading off the service line, when any of the following conditions exist:
(1) Impractical to provide an effective air-gap separation;
(2) The owner/occupant of the premises cannot or is not willing to demonstrate to the utility that the water use and protection features of the plumbing are such as to pose no threat to the safety or potability of the water;
(3) The nature and mode of operation within a premises are such that frequent alternations are made to the plumbing;
(4) There is likelihood that protective measures may be subverted, altered or disconnected;
(5) The nature of the premises is such that the use of the structure may change to a use wherein backflow prevention is required;
(6) The plumbing from a private well enters the premises served by the public water system, then the utility shall require the use of an approved protective device on the water service line serving the premises to assure that any contamination that may originate in the customer's premises is contained therein; and
(7) Establishments containing potential cross connection hazards as listed in Appendix A.
(B) The protective devices shall be of the reduced pressure zone type (except in the case of certain fire protection systems and swimming pools with no permanent plumbing installed) approved by the State Department of Environment and Conservation and the water system, as to manufacture, model, size and application. The method of installation of backflow prevention devices shall be approved by the water system prior to installation and shall comply with the criteria set forth in this chapter. The installation and maintenance of backflow prevention devices shall be at the expense of the owner or occupant of the premises.
(C) Applications requiring backflow prevention devices shall include, but shall not be limited to, domestic water service and/or fire flow connections for all medical buildings, construction sites, all fountains, wells, water softeners and other treatment systems, swimming pools, lawn irrigation systems and on all fire hydrants connections other than those by the Fire Department in combating fires. Those facilities deemed by the water system as needing protection.
(1) Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 fire protection systems shall generally require a double check valve assembly; except:
(a) A double check detector shall be required where a hydrant or other point of use exist on the system; or
(b) A reduced pressure backflow prevention assembly shall be required where:
1. Underground fire sprinklers lines are parallel to and within ten feet horizontally of pipes carrying sewage or significantly toxic materials;
2. Premises have unusually complex piping system; and
3. Pumpers connecting to the system have corrosion inhibitors or other chemicals added to the tanks of the fire trucks.
(2) Class 4, Class 5 and Class 6 fire protection system shall require reduced pressure backflow prevention assemblies.
(3) Wherever the fire protection system piping is not an acceptable potable water system material, or chemicals such as foam concentrates or antifreeze additives are used, a reduced pressure backflow prevention assembly shall be required.
(4) Swimming pools with no permanent plumbing and only filled with hoses will require a hose bibb vacuum breaker be installed on the faucet used for filling and filling with an appropriate air gap.
(D) The manager or his or her representative may require additional and/or internal backflow prevention devices wherein it is deemed necessary to protect potable water supplies within the premises.
(Ord. 1297, passed 4-12-2011)