APPROVED. Accepted by the city as meeting an applicable specification stated or cited in these rules and regulations, or as suitable for the proposed use.
AUXILIARY WATER SUPPLY. Any water supply on or available to the premises other than the city’s approved public potable water supply. Auxiliary water supply may include water from another purveyor’s public potable water supply or any natural source(s) such as well, spring, river, stream, harbor, and the like, or used waters or industrial fluids. These waters may be polluted or contaminated or they may be objectionable and constitute an unacceptable water source over which the city does not have sanitary control. It shall be unlawful to connect any of these sources of water, directly or indirectly, to the public potable water distribution system.
BACKFLOW. The reversal of the normal direction of flow of water caused by either backpressure or backsiphonage.
(1) BACKPRESSURE occurs when the non-potable (private) water source pressure exceeds the public potable water pressure. This can occur through a rise in the non-potable pressure, a drop in the potable pressure or a combination of both. Increases in non-potable water pressure above potable water pressure can be created by booster pumps or temperature increases (in a boiler), or head pressure caused by elevation.
(2) BACKSIPHONAGE occurs when the public potable water supply line pressure falls below atmospheric pressure (14.7 psi at sea level). In this situation, atmospheric pressure is creating a greater pressure on the non-potable system side in the reverse direction than the potable water system is maintaining in the normal direction of flow, and the potable water system falls below atmospheric pressure. Decreases in the pressure of the potable water system are caused by fire fighting, a break in the water main, or water mains being shut down for maintenance. BACKPRESSURE and BACKSIPHONAGE are best described as PRESSURE DIFFERENTIALS.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY (APPROVED). An in-line testable and in-line repairable assembly approved by the University of Southern California’s Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research, also known as “the Foundation” or as “USC-FCCC & HR.”
(1) AIR-GAP. The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other vessel and the flood level rim of said receiving vessel. An approved air-gap shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe, measured vertically, above the overflow rim of the vessel; and in no case, less than one inch in pipe diameter.
(2) DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY (DCVA). An assembly consisting of two independently operating spring loaded check valves with full flow characteristic resilient seated shut-off valves on each side of the check valves, plus four properly located resilient seated test cocks for the testing of each check valve. The entire assembly shall meet the design and performance specifications as determined by a laboratory and field evaluation program resulting in an approval by a recognized testing agency for backflow assemblies. To be approved by the foundation and by the city, these assemblies must be readily accessible for in-line maintenance and testing, and be installed horizontally, unless specifically approved by the foundation for a vertical orientation. Vertical installations will be accepted only if approved by the foundation for that orientation. Specific installations are illustrated in the cross-connection control program manual on backflow prevention.
(3) PRESSURE VACUUM BREAKER (PVB). An assembly approved for residential lawn sprinkler irrigation systems consisting of a spring loaded air-inlet valve and a spring loaded check valve, with full flow characteristic resilient seated shut-off valves, one on the inlet and one on the outlet side of the PVB, plus two properly located resilient seated test cocks for testing the assembly. The entire assembly shall meet the design and performance specifications as determined by a laboratory and field evaluation program resulting in an approval by the foundation. To be approved by the foundation and by the city, these assemblies must be readily accessible for in-line maintenance and testing, and be installed vertically, in a location where no part of the assembly will be submerged. It cannot be subjected to backpressure of any kind and must be installed at least 12 inches above the highest irrigation head and/or downstream piping. Chemigation or aspiration of any herbicide, pesticide, fungicide or fertilizer is not permitted for use with a PVB. Specific installations are illustrated in the cross-connection control program manual on backflow prevention.
(4) REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPLE ASSEMBLY (RP). An assembly consisting of two independently operating spring loaded check valves with a hydraulically operating, spring loaded mechanical differential pressure relief valve located between the check valves, and at the same time lower than the first check valve. The assembly shall include four properly located resilient seated test cocks and full flow characteristic resilient seated shut-off valves at each end of the assembly. The entire assembly shall meet the design and performance specifications as determined by a laboratory and field evaluation program resulting in an approval by a recognized approved testing agency for backflow prevention assemblies. The assembly shall operate to maintain the pressure in the zone between the two check valves at an acceptable pressure level less than the pressure on the public water supply side of the assembly. At cessation of normal flow, the pressure between the two check valves shall be less than the pressure on the public water distribution supply side of the assembly. In case of leakage of either of the check valves, the differential relief valve shall operate to maintain the reduced pressure in the zone between the check valves by discharging to the atmosphere. When the differential pressure in the zone is two pounds per square inch or less than the supply pressure, the relief valve shall open to the atmosphere. To be approved by the foundation and by the city, these assemblies must be readily accessible for in-line maintenance and testing, and be installed horizontally, unless approved by the foundation for a vertical orientation, in a location where no part of the assembly will be submerged. Specific installations are illustrated in the cross-connection control program manual on backflow prevention.
CERTIFIED TESTER. An individual person who has proven his or her competency to test backflow prevention assemblies of all types, and to prepare reports on such assemblies, as evidenced by the successful completion of a training program approved by the city. Minimum requirements are the successful completion of the backflow prevention seminar administered by SC DHEC, and an in-depth program orientation presented by the city to explain its rules and policies to newly certified testers before being added to the list of certified backflow prevention assembly testers. Approved testers will be listed in a three-tiered format identifying each tester’s level of training and certification. The city, at a later date, will require the city-approved testers to purchase an annual tester permit.
CONTAMINATION. An impairment of the quality of the potable water by sewage, industrial fluids or waste liquids, compounds or other materials to a degree which creates an actual health hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease.
CROSS-CONNECTION. As defined by the State Safe Drinking Water Act, any actual or potential connection, link, or structural arrangement, direct or indirect, between a public water supply and any other source, link, or system through which it is possible to introduce into any part of the public potable water distribution system any used water, industrial fluid, gas or substance other than the undivided potable water with which the system is supplied. This would also include any temporary connections, such as swing connections, removable sections, four-way plug valve, spool pieces, dummy section of pipe, swivel or changeover devices or multi-port tube.
CROSS-CONNECTION COMPLIANCE INSPECTOR. Any employee of the city designated by the Manager to enforce the provisions of these rules and regulations.
CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROLLED. A water service connection between a public potable water distribution system and a non-potable water distribution system with an approved backflow prevention assembly properly installed and maintained so that it will continuously afford the protection commensurate with the degree of hazard.
CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL MANUAL. The latest revision of the city’s cross-connection control program manual on backflow prevention. A copy of the most current edition may be obtained from the city. The city shall not be liable for damages, losses, claims, and the like arising from the lawful discontinuance of a water service, for any reason.
CUSTOMER’S SYSTEM. Those parts of the facilities beyond the termination of the utility distribution system which are utilized in conveying utility-delivered domestic water to points of use.
CUSTOMER. Any person who is capable of receiving water from the city’s system through the customer’s water system, without the regard to whether the city is aware of the existence of such customer. If such person does not own the customer’s water system, CUSTOMER shall also be construed to include the person who owns the customer’s water system.
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM. The network of conduits used for the delivery of water from the source to the customer’s system.
HAZARD, DEGREE OF. The term is derived from an evaluation of the potential risk to public health and the adverse effect of the hazard upon the public potable water distribution system.
(1) HAZARD, HEALTH. Any condition, device, or practice in the water supply system and its operation which could create, or in the judgment of the city, may create a danger to the health and well-being of the water consumer. An example of a HEALTH HAZARD is an actual or potential hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease or other hazardous contamination.
(2) HAZARD, LETHAL. An actual or potential threat of severe damage to the physical properties of the public potable water distribution system, or the consumer’s potable water system, or a contamination which would have a protracted effect on the quality of the potable water in the system.
(3) HAZARD, NON-HEALTH. An actual or potential threat to the physical properties of the water system or to the potability of the public or the consumer’s potable water system, but 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.
(4) HAZARD, PLUMBING. A plumbing type cross-connection in a consumer’s potable water system that has not been properly protected by an approved backflow prevention assembly is in violation of plumbing codes.
(a) Residential lawn irrigation systems are categorized as low hazard cross connection unless chemicals or an unapproved auxiliary water supply was tied to the system. A minimum acceptable device for "low hazard" on a residential lawn sprinkler system is a residential dual check valve or any other assembly approved by DHEC.
(b) High hazard lawn irrigation systems are any residential lawn irrigation system that includes chemical additions, or is connected to another water source which is not an approved public water system. The protection shall be by air gap or reduce pressure principle backflow prevention assembly.
(c) Low hazard residential lawn irrigation and high hazard lawn irrigation systems will require annual certification of the backflow device to be performed by a state certified backflow prevention tester.
NOTICES. Letters mailed depicting require-ments for compliance.
(1) ANNUAL TEST. Letter mailed to existing accounts with backflow prevention assembly installed and are required to perform yearly backflow prevention assembly test.
(2) GENERAL NOTICE. Letter mailed to existing accounts with no backflow prevention assembly installed.
(3) INTERNAL INSPECTION. Letter mailed to existing accounts that the city has conducted an internal inspection to determine the type of backflow prevention assembly to install.
(4) PERIODIC TEST. Letter mailed to existing accounts with backflow prevention assembly installed and malfunctions after annual test has been performed.
(5) REPAIR NOTICE. Letter mailed to customer whose backflow preventer assembly failed its annual test, or has been installed incorrectly.
PLUMBING CODE. The latest version of Southern Building Codes Congress International (SBCCI) Standard Plumbing Code, or International Plumbing Code.
POLLUTION. The presence of any foreign substance (organic, inorganic, or biological) in water which tends to degrade its quality so as to constitute a non-health hazard or impair the usefulness or quality of the water to a degree which does not create an actual health hazard to the public health but does adversely and unreasonably affect such waters for domestic use.
SOURCE. All components of the facilities utilized in the production, treatment, storage, and delivery of potable water to the distribution system.
SYSTEM PROTECTION-CROSS-CONNEC-TION CONTROL BY CONTAINMENT METHOD. The installation of an approved backflow prevention assembly at the water service connection to any customer’s premises where it is physically and economically infeasible to find and permanently eliminate or control all actual or potential cross-connections within the customer’s water system; or, it shall mean the installation of an approved backflow prevention assembly on the service line leading to and supplying a portion of a customer’s water system where there are actual or potential cross-connections which cannot be effectively eliminated or controlled at a point of cross-connection. System protection or cross-connection control by containment means no service lines, taps, tees, or take-offs shall be installed between the city’s water meter and the customer’s approved backflow prevention assembly.
UTILITY SYSTEM. The source facilities and the distribution system; and shall include all those facilities of the water system under the complete control of the utility, up to the point where the customer’s system begins.
WATER, NON-POTABLE. Water which is not safe for human consumption or which is of questionable potability.
WATER, POTABLE. Any water according to recognized standards which is safe for human consumption.
WATER PURVEYOR. The term water purveyor shall mean the owner or operator of the public potable water distribution system supplying an approved water supply to the public. The utility shall be one that is operating under a valid permit from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
WATER SERVICE CONNECTIONS. The terminal end of a service connection from the public potable water distribution system, such as where the city loses jurisdiction and sanitary control over the water at its point of delivery to the customer’s water system at the outlet of the water meter. 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 assembly located at the point of delivery to the customer’s water system. Service connection shall also include water service connection from a fire hydrant and all other temporary or emergency water service connections from the public potable water system.
WATER SYSTEM. Made up of two parts: the city’s and the customer’s system.
WATER USED. Any water supplied by a water purveyor from a public potable water distribution system to a consumer’s water system after it has passed through the point of delivery and is no longer under the sanitary control of the water purveyor.
(Ord. 18-03, passed 8-26-03; Am. Ord. 01-10, as amended, passed 2-23-10)