(A) Generally.
(1) No water connection from a public drinking water supply system may be made to any establishment where an actual or potential contamination or system hazard exists without an air gap separation between the drinking water supply and the source of potential contamination. The containment air gap is sometimes impractical and instead reliance must be placed on individual air gaps or mechanical backflow prevention devices. Under these conditions, additional protection is required at the meter in the form of a backflow prevention device (in accordance with AWWA Standard C510 and C511, and AWWA Manual M14) on those establishments handling substances deleterious or hazardous to the public health. The Director need not require backflow protection at the water service entrance (meter) if an adequate cross connection control program is in effect that includes annual inspection and testing by a certified backflow prevention device tester.
(2) No water connection from any public drinking water supply system may be made to any condensing, cooling, or industrial process, or any other system of non-potable usage over which the Director does not have sanitary control, unless the said connection is made in accordance with the requirements of § 54.20(A)(1). Water from such systems cannot be returned to the potable water supply.
(3) Overhead bulk water dispensing stations must be provided with an air gap between the filling outlet hose and the receiving tank to protect against backsiphonage and cross contamination.
(4) The use of a backflow prevention device at the service connection will be considered as additional backflow protection and must not negate the use of backflow protection or internal hazards as outlined and enforced by the current adopted plumbing code.
(B) New Installation.
(1) New, replacement, or reconditioned approved backflow prevention assemblies must be installed in accordance with the currently adopted plumbing code.
(2) Installation may not be performed until the city issues a plumbing permit for such work.
(3) Prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy, a completed test and maintenance report must be submitted to the Director for any connection requiring a testable backflow prevention assembly. Documentation of an approved air gap can be substituted where applicable and is subject to inspection as provided in § 54.22.
(C) High Health Hazard Installation.
(1) Only approved backflow prevention assemblies installed at the meter can be used at high health hazard applications unless a variance is obtained from the Director. Variances will be based on conditions such as type of hazard, complexity of facility plumbing, potential for future plumbing connections, and others as deemed appropriate.
(2) The Director may require a secondary assembly if deemed necessary to protect the public water supply from the failure of the primary backflow prevention assembly or to allow maintenance of the primary backflow prevention assembly.
(D) Other Installations.
(1) An approved backflow prevention assembly must be installed to protect the potable water system from contamination or pollution when such system is connected to any automatic fire protection system, standpipe systems, or privately owned fire hydrants.
(2) Installation of a reduced pressure backflow prevention assembly is required on any meter connected to the potable water system for water appropriation from fire hydrants unless an approved air gap is authorized. Only meters and backflow prevention assemblies approved by the Director of Utilities can be used to obtain water from a fire hydrant.
(E) Wholesale Customers. Any customer purchasing water for the purpose of resale or distribution must either:
(1) Install an air gap separation or a reduced pressure backflow prevention assembly at the service connection; or
(2) Implement a plumbing inspection and cross connection control program that is approved by the Director which is not less restrictive than that of the city, and provide annual program records to the Director for review and audit.
(F) Government Customers. Any premises owned, operated, or occupied by a state, federal, county, city, or foreign government or agency refusing to comply with the provisions of this chapter must install a reduced pressure backflow prevention assembly at each service connection.
(G) Water Hauling Vehicles. Water hauling vehicles obtaining water from a connection to the city's potable water supply system must have an approved air gap separation or a reduced pressure backflow prevention assembly installed permanently on the vehicle, or installed on the fire hydrant meter if such vehicle is connected by a fire hydrant meter. The assembly must be registered with the city and certified for operation annually.
(H) Compliance for Existing Customers.
(1) The owner of any premises which is determined to have an unprotected or improperly installed high health hazard connection must comply with this section within 10 days upon written notification by the Director unless the Director determines that circumstances exist which require installation within a different time frame. Documentation of the installation and testing must be submitted as outlined in § 54.23.
(2) The owner of any premises which is determined to have an unprotected nonhealth hazard connection must install an approved assembly immediately downstream of the city's meter on a schedule determined by the Director. Documentation of the installation and testing must be submitted as outlined in § 54.23.
(Ord. 2019-22, passed 8-13-19)