A. General Provisions: Unprotected cross connections with the public water supply are prohibited.
Whenever backflow protection has been found necessary by the Ely municipal water department, it will require the water user to install an approved backflow prevention assembly by and at the user's expense for continued services or before new service will be granted. Owners will be educated and involved in the decision making process as to which type of protection best suits their particular needs while ensuring backflow prevention. All backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed and comply with the requirements set forth in the Ely municipal water department cross connection control plan.
B. Internal Controls: Should an owner determine, as agreed upon with the water department supervisor or his designee, that the most appropriate backflow prevention system for his/her facility would be by means of internal control, said system must be available for inspection during reasonable work hours to authorized representatives of the Ely municipal water department to determine whether cross connections are present and if appropriate backflow prevention assemblies have been installed and maintained. In addition, the owner must cause a certified backflow tester to test each assembly at least annually or more frequently as determined by the Ely municipal water department.
C. External Controls: This consists of backflow protection at the meter. Installation of an external backflow prevention assembly may necessitate installation of a hot box, electrical wiring, and protective bollards depending on the winter climate and site conditions. The owner must cause a certified backflow tester to test each assembly at least annually.
D. Hydrant Use: Hydrant use is not permitted outside of fire department activities and Ely municipal water department operations and maintenance, or an Ely municipal water department approved and inspected air gap system is properly installed.
E. Installation, Maintenance And Testing: All backflow prevention assemblies required by the Ely municipal water department must be installed and maintained on the owner's premises. Ownership, installation, testing and maintenance of the assembly and all associated costs (including property or device damage) are the responsibility of the property owner. Property owners must employ a certified backflow tester approved by the Ely municipal water department to test the assembly for proper operation and the property owner must ensure a copy of the test result is submitted to the Ely municipal water department. All backflow prevention assemblies must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and state regulations. Any bypass around a backflow prevention assembly at any time, including when the assembly is in need of testing, repair, or replacement, is prohibited.
F. Program Enforcement: Ely municipal water department will disconnect service to property owners who fail to comply with any requirement of this chapter.
1. The Ely municipal water department will inform the property owner in writing, via certified letter or personal delivery showing proof of service, of said owner's requirement to comply with this chapter, informing said owner of said owner's responsibility to provide a plan of action to the Ely municipal water department within thirty (30) days.
2. In the event a property owner does not submit said owner's plan of action within the required time period, a second writing, via certified letter or personal delivery, will be submitted to the property owner allowing for an additional thirty (30) days to submit a plan of action. In the event of noncompliance following the second notice, the property owner will be subject to immediate water service disconnection.
3. In the event of disconnection, all applicable reconnection fees specified in the rate structure are the responsibility of the owner and shall be paid before reconnection may occur. (Ord. 658, 7-11-2013)