For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AIR GAP SEPARATION. The unobstructed vertical distance through the atmosphere between the lowest point opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture or other device and the flood level rim of the receptacle. An "approved air-gap separation" shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe. In no case shall the air gap separation be less than 2 inches.
APPROVED. As herein used in reference to a water supply shall mean a water supply that has been approved by the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resource (Division of Health Service), or as used in reference to air gap separation, a pressure vacuum breaker, a double check valve assembly, a double check detector assembly, a reduced pressure principle, backflow prevention assemblies or methods shall mean approval of Public Works Director.
BACKFLOW. Any flow of water, liquid, gas or other substance, or any combination thereof, into the distribution piping of a potable water supply from any source or sources.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY. An approved assembly or method used to prevent backflow from occurring in the potable water supply.
BACK-PRESSURE BACKFLOW. Backflow caused by a pump, elevated tank, boiler or other means that could create pressure within the consumer's water system greater than the supply pressure of the public water system.
CERTIFIED TESTER. A person trained and certified in the installation and testing of backflow prevention assemblies. Testers shall provide a current certificate from an approved school before being allowed to test assemblies.
CROSS CONNECTION. Any physical connection between a potable water supply system and any other piping system, sewer fixture, container or device, whereby water or other liquids, mixtures or substances may flow into or enter the potable water supply system and any potable water supply outlet which is submerged or is designed or intended to be submerged in non-potable water or in any source of contamination or an air gap, providing a space between the potable water pipe outlet and the flood level rim of a receiving vessel of less than twice the diameter of the potable water pipe or less than 2 inches.
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY. An assembly composed of 2 independently acting, approved check valves, including tightly closing shut-off valves attached at each end of the assembly and fitted with properly located test cocks.
DOUBLE CHECK-DETECTOR ASSEMBLY. A specially designed assembly composed of a line-size approved double check valve assembly with a specific bypass water meter and a meter-sized approved double check valve assembly. The meter shall register in U.S. gallons accurately for only very low rates of flow and shall show a registration for all rates of flow. This assembly shall only be used to protect against contamination from non-health hazard facilities.
HEALTH HAZARD FACILITIES. Include, but are not limited to: Any private water system used or designed for use with a booster pump or which may become pressurized for any reason to the extent that back pressure may occur; any private water system which contains water which has been or is being re-circulated; a building with 5 or more stories above ground level; brewery; car wash facilities; bottling plant; chemical plant; dentist's office; dry cleaning plant; fertilizer plant; film laboratory; fire sprinkler or standpipe system with chemical additives; hospital, clinic, medical building; irrigation system with chemical additives; laboratory; commercial laundry (except self-service laundry); concrete/asphalt plants; metal processing plant; morgue or mortuary; nursing home; pharmaceutical plant; power plant; swimming pool; sewage treatment plant; tire manufacturer; veterinary hospital or clinic; restaurants; battery manufacturers; exterminators; lawn care companies; dairies; canneries; and dye works.
INDUSTRIAL USER. A customer that is classified as a manufacturing industry by the North American Industrial Classification Standard (NAICS), published by the U.S. Government Census Bureau. More than 50% of the customer's utility usage must be for its manufacturing purposes.
NON-HEALTH HAZARD FACILITIES. Include, but are not limited to: Fire sprinkler systems without booster pump facilities or chemical additives; connections to tanks, lines and vessels that handle nontoxic substances; lawn sprinkler systems without chemical injection or booster pumps; all industrial and most commercial facilities not identified as high hazard facilities.
NON-RESIDENTIAL.
(1) Office buildings, stores, shops, restaurants, service stations, and other similar non-residential establishments;
(2) Hospitals, nursing homes, and institutional care facilities;
(3) Schools, dormitories, churches, and other non-residential institutions;
(4) Utility service(s) used in a multi-family residential structure (other than the individual residential units), laundry facilities, recreational facilities, and the like.
POTABLE WATER. Water from any source, which has been approved for human consumption by the appropriate agency of the state.
PRIVATE WATER SYSTEM. A system of pipes or other associated facilities that is not part of the town's public water system and is used to move or receive water, regardless of the source of water in such system.
PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM. A system for the provision to the public of water for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances which serves 15 or more service connections or which regularly serves 25 or more individuals. This term includes any collection, treatment, storage or distribution facility under control of the operator of the system and used primarily in connection with the system and any collection or pretreatment storage facility not under the control of the operator of the system that is used primarily in connection with the system.
REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPLE ASSEMBLY. An assembly containing within its structure a minimum of 2 independently acting, approved check valves, together with an automatically operating pressure differential relief valve located between the 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 pressure differential relief valve, by discharge to the atmosphere, shall operate to maintain the pressure between the checks less than the supply pressure. The assembly must include properly located test cocks and tightly closing shut-off valves at each end of the assembly.
REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPLE-DETECTOR ASSEMBLY. An assembly composed of an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly with a bypass water meter and a meter-sized approved reduced pressure principle assembly. The meter shall register accurately for very low flow rates and shall register in U.S. gallons at all flow rates.
RESIDENTIAL. An individual residence, defined as a single dwelling unit which provides permanent or independent facilities complete for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation. An individual residence may be a house, condominium, modular home, mobile home, or individually metered apartment.
SERVICE CONNECTION. A piped connection from a water main for the purpose of conveying water to a building or onto any premises for human use.
WATER SUPPLY (APPROVED). Any public potable water supply, which has been investigated and approved by the appropriate agency of the state. The system must be operating under a valid health permit.
(Ord. 09-120, passed 7-21-2009)
Statutory reference:
Distribution systems, see 15A N.C. Admin. Code 18C.0406
Public water system, see G.S. § 130A-313(10)
Service connection, see 15A N.C. Admin. Code 18C.0102(15)