For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
APPROVED. Accepted by the water purveyor as meeting an applicable specification stated or cited in the State Department of Health and Human Resources regulation, or as suitable for the proposed purpose.
ASSEMBLY. A backflow preventer usually consisting of a combination of approved check valve components and additional instrumentation including approved shutoff valves and test cocks.
AUXILIARY WATER SUPPLY. Any water supply or water source, on or available, to a customer’s premises other than the water purveyor’s approved public water system.
BACKFLOW. The undesirable reversal of water flow or introduction of other liquids, mixtures or substances, caused by a pressure differential in the distribution pipes of a potable water system.
BACKFLOW CONDITION(S). Any set of circumstances, actual or potential, that could be construed to create a cross-connection allowing for backflow of a contaminant or pollutant to enter a potable water system.
BACKFLOW PREVENTER. A device or assembly, or means designed to prevent backflow in a potable water system. Most commonly categorized as air gap, atmospheric vacuum breaker, barometric loop, double check with intermediate atmospheric vent, double check valve assembly, hose bibb vacuum breaker, pressure breaker, reduced pressure principle assembly and residential dual check.
(1) AIR GAP. A physical separation sufficient to prevent backflow between the free-flowing discharge end of the potable water system and any other system. Physically defined as a distance equal to twice the diameter of the supply side pipe diameter but never less than one inch.
(2) ATMOSPHERIC VACUUM BREAKER. A device which prevents backflow by creating an atmospheric vent when there is either a negative pressure or sub-atmospheric pressure in a water system.
(3) BAROMETRIC LOOP. A fabricated piping arrangement rising at least 35 feet at its topmost point above the highest fixture it supplies. It is utilized in water supply systems to protect against back-siphonage.
(4) DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY. An assembly of two independently operating spring loaded check valves with tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valves, and properly located test cocks for the testing of each check valve.
(5) DOUBLE CHECK VALVE WITH INTERMEDIATE ATMOSPHERIC VENT. A device having two spring loaded check valves separated by an atmospheric vent chamber.
(6) HOSE BIBB VACUUM BREAKER. A device attached to a hose bibb and which acts as an atmospheric vacuum breaker.
(7) PRESSURE VACUUM BREAKER. An assembly containing an independently operated spring loaded check valve and an independently operated spring loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check valve. The assembly includes tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the valves and properly located test cocks for the testing of the check and air valve.
(8) REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPLE BACKFLOW PREVENTER. An assembly consisting of two independently operating approved check valves with an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two check valves, tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valves plus properly located test cocks for the testing of the check valves and the relief valve.
(9) RESIDENTIAL DUAL CHECK. A device consisting of two spring loaded, independently operating check valves. Generally employed immediately downstream of the water meter to act as a fixture isolation device.
BACKPRESSURE. A condition in which the customer’s system pressure is greater than the water purveyor’s system pressure.
BACK-SIPHONAGE. The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distribution pipes of a potable water system from any source other than the primary source caused by the sudden reduction of pressure or negative pressure in the potable water system.
COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM. A public water system that serves at least 25 residents year round or that has 15 service connections serving year round residents.
CONTAINMENT (EXTERNAL PROTECTION). A method of backflow prevention which requires a backflow preventer assembly be installed after the meter and prior to any water service entrance.
CONTAMINANT. A substance that will impair the qualify of potable water to a degree that it creates a serious health hazard to the public leading to poisoning or the spread of disease.
CROSS-CONNECTION. Any actual or potential, direct or indirect, connection between the public water system and an unapproved water supply or other source of contamination or pollution.
CUSTOMER. A billing unit or service connection to which drinking water is believed by a public water system. A CUSTOMER may also be identified as an owner.
DEGREE OF HAZARD. The degree of hazard is the potential risk to health and the potential adverse effects upon the public water system based on the probability of backflow occurring and the type or nature of the contaminant. A HEALTH HAZARD is any condition, device or practice which creates or may create a danger to health and well being of the water consumer. A SEVERE HEALTH HAZARD is any health hazard (contaminant) that could be expected to result in significant morbidity or death. A NON-HEALTH HAZARD (POLLUTANT) is any condition that could degrade the quality or adversely affect the public water system.
DEVICE. A single body backflow preventer with one or two check valves that cannot be tested and does not have shut-off valves or test cocks.
FIXTURE ISOLATION (INTERNAL ISOLATION). A method of backflow prevention where a backflow preventer is located to control a cross-connection or potential source of contamination at an in-plant piece of equipment or process location other than at a water service entrance.
OWNER. Any person who has legal title to, or license to operate, or resides in a property or facility which is supplied drinking water from a public water system. May also be referred to as a CUSTOMER.
PERSON. Any individual, partnership, company, public or private corporation, political subdivision, agency of the state, agency or instrumentality of the United States, or any other legal entity.
POLLUTANT. A foreign substance, if permitted to enter the public water system, will degrade potable water quality so as to constitute a moderate hazard, or impair the usefulness of the water to a degree which does not create an actual hazard to the public health, but which docs adversely and unreasonably affect (appearance or color, odor, taste and the like) the water for domestic use.
POTABLE WATER. Water that is safe for human consumption as described by the State Bureau for Public Health.
PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM. Includes the works, auxiliaries, for the collection, treatment, storage and distribution of drinking water from the source of supply to a customer’s premises. May also be known as a WATER PURVEYOR.
WATER PURVEYOR. The Municipal Water Department, Water Board, Public Service District or other administrative authority invested with the authority and responsibility for a public water system.
WATER SERVICE ENTRANCE. The point in the customer’s water system beyond the sanitary control of the public water system (water purveyor), generally considered to be the outlet end of the water meter and always before any unprotected branch water line.
WEST VIRGINIA BUREAU FOR PUBLIC HEALTH (WVBPH). The State of West Virginia Bureau for Public Health.
(Ord. O-27, passed 3-3-2005)