For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AIR GAP. The unobstructed vertical distance through atmosphere between the discharge end of a pipeline supplies from a public water supply, and the overflow rim of the receiving portion of the customer water system.
APPROVED. Accepted by the Department of Public Works as meeting an applicable specification stated or cited in this regulation, or as suitable for the proposed use.
BACKFLOW. The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, substances, or contaminants into the distribution pipes of a potable supply of water from any source or sources other than its intended source.
BACKFLOW PREVENTER. A device or means to prevent backflow.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE, APPROVED. Any device or assembly, approved by the Department of Water Works for construction on or installation in water supply piping, which is capable of preventing contaminants from entering the public water supply distribution system.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE TESTER, CERTIFIED. A person who has proven competency in accordance with requirements as set forth by the State Department of Environmental Management. Each person who is certified to make tests or to repair, overhaul, and make reports on backflow prevention devices shall be completely familiar with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
BACKSIPHONAGE. The flowing back of used, contaminated, or polluted water from a plumbing fixture or vessel or other sources into a water supply pipe due to a negative pressure in the pipe, or backflow caused by pressure within the customer’s piping system that exceeds the pressure in the utility’s system.
CONTAMINATION. An impairment of the quality of the water by sewage, gases, or industrial fluids or waste to a degree which may create a hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease.
CROSS-CONNECTION. Any physical arrangement, including cross-connection control devices not in working order, 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, POINT OF. The specific point or location in a public or a consumer’s potable water system where a cross-connection exists.
CUSTOMER. Any person who receives water from a public water supply.
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY. An assembly composed of two single, independently acting, approved check valves, including test cocks for testing and tightly closing shut-off valves located at each end of the assembly.
HAZARD, DEGREE OF. The term is derived from an evaluation of the potential risk to public health and the adverse effect upon the potable water system.
HAZARD, HEALTH (CROSS-CONNECTION HAZARD). An actual or potential threat of contamination or pollution of a physical or toxic nature to the public potable water system or the consumer’s potable water system to a degree of intensity that there would be a danger to health.
HAZARD, PLUMBING. A plumbing type cross-connection in a consumer’s potable water system that has not been properly protected by a vacuum breaker, air-gap separation, or other device. Unprotected plumbing type cross-connections are considered to be a health hazard. They include, but are not limited to, cross-connections to toilets, sinks, lavatories, wash trays, domestic washing machines, and lawn sprinkling systems.
HAZARD, POLLUTIONAL. An actual or potential threat to the physical properties of the water system or the potability of the public or the consumer’s potable water system and which would constitute a nuisance or be aesthetically objectionable or could cause damage to the system or its appurtenances, but would not be dangerous to health.
HAZARD, SYSTEM. An actual or potential threat of sewer damage to the physical properties of the public potable water system or the consumer’s potable water system or of a pollution or contamination which would have a protracted effect on the quality of the potable water in the system.
INDUSTRIAL FLUIDS. Any fluid or solution which may be chemically, biologically, or otherwise contaminated or polluted in a form or concentration as would constitute a health, system, pollutional or plumbing hazard if introduced into an approved water supply. This may include, but is not limited to, polluted or contaminated used waters; all types of process waters and “used water” originating from the public potable water system which may deteriorate in the sanitary quality; chemicals in fluid form; plating acids and alkalies; circulated cooling waters connected to an open cooling tower and/or cooling waters that are chemically or biologically treated or stabilized with toxic substances; contaminated natural wastes such as from wells, springs, streams, rivers, bays, harbors, seas, irrigation canals or systems, and the like; oils, gases, glycerine, paraffins, caustic, and acid solutions and other liquid and gaseous fluids used in industrial or other processes or for firefighting purposes.
LABORATORY, APPROVED TESTING. A laboratory acceptable to the Department of Water Works that is properly staffed and equipped with pumps, meters, measuring devices, and the like, to fully test and evaluate a backflow prevention device for design, materials, construction, and operation. As used herein, the term APPROVED TESTING LABORATORY is one which is equivalent to the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control Research of the University of Southern California. Other testing laboratories may be approved by the utility’s Chief Water Engineer when found to be properly qualified.
PIPING SYSTEM, CONSUMER’S (CUSTOMER WATER SYSTEM). Any system used by the consumer transmission of or to confine or store any fluid, solid, or gaseous substance other than an approved water supply. Such a system would include all pipes, conduits, tanks, receptacles, fixtures, equipment, and appurtenances used to produce, convey, or store substances which are or may be polluted or contaminated.
POLLUTION. An impairment of the quality of the water to a degree which does not create an actual hazard to the public health but which does adversely and unreasonably affect water for domestic use.
REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. A device containing within its structure a minimum of two independently acting, approved check valves, together with an automatically operating pressure differential relief valve located between the two check valves. The first check valve reduces the supply pressure a predetermined amount so that during normal flow and at cessation of normal flow the pressure between the checks shall be less than the supply pressure. In case of leakage of either check valve, the differential relief valve, by discharging into the atmosphere, shall operate to maintain the pressure between the checks less than the supply pressure. The unit shall include tightly closing shut-off 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 connection from the public potable water system, i.e., where the utility loses jurisdiction and sanitary control over the water at its point of delivery to the consumer’s water system. If a meter is installed at the end of the SERVICE CONNECTION, then the SERVICE CONNECTION shall mean the downstream end of the meter. There should be no unprotected take-offs from the service line ahead of any meter or backflow prevention device located at the point of delivery to the consumer’s water system.
UTILITY. The Department of Water Works, and the owner and operator of a public potable water system distributing an approved water supply to the public in the city.
WATER, POTABLE. Water from any source which has been investigated by the health agency having jurisdiction, and which has been approved for human consumption.
WATER SUPPLY, APPROVED. Any potable water supply which has been investigated and approved by the State Board of Health for distribution to the general public for human consumption. The supply shall be periodically tested, as prescribed by the Board of Health, to ensure its continued safety and potability.
WATER SUPPLY, AUXILIARY (SECONDARY SOURCE OF SUPPLY). Any water supply on or available to the premises other than the utility’s approved public potable water supply. These auxiliary waters may include water from another utility’s public potable water supply or any natural source such as a well, spring, river, stream, harbor, and the like, or “used waters” or “industrial fluids.” They may be polluted or contaminated or they may be objectionable and constitute an unacceptable water source over which the utility does not have sanitary control. This includes tanks used to store water to be used only for fire fighting, even though the water contained therein is supplied from the public water supply.
WATER SUPPLY, UNAPPROVED. A water supply which has not been approved for human consumption by the health agency having jurisdiction.
WATER SYSTEM(S), CONSUMER’S. Includes any water system located on the consumer’s premises whether supplied by a public potable water system or an auxiliary water supply. The system or systems may be either a potable water system or a piping system.
WATER SYSTEM, CONSUMER’S POTABLE. The portion of the privately owned potable water system lying between the point of delivery and point of use. This system will include all pipes, conduits, tanks, receptacles, fixtures, equipment, and appurtenances used to produce, convey, store, or use potable water.
WATER SYSTEM, PUBLIC POTABLE. Any publicly or privately owned water system operated as a public utility under a valid health permit to supply water for domestic purposes. This system will include all sources, facilities, and appurtenances between the source and the point of delivery such as valves, pumps, pipes, conduits, tanks, receptacles, fixtures, equipment, and appurtenances used to produce, convey, treat, or store a potable water for public consumption or use.
WATER, USED. Any water supplied by a utility from a public potable water system to a consumer’s water system after it has passed through the point of delivery and is no longer under the control of the utility.
(Prior Code, § 53.01) (Ord. 3487, passed - -1989)