(A) Inspection Requirements. A customer service inspection certification shall be completed on the current form promulgated by the Director or otherwise meeting the requirements of this section. The inspection must consist of a detailed inspection of a location and disposition of the water lines, including, without limitation, establishing water lines on the premises, the existence of cross connections, the availability of auxiliary or used water supplies, the use or availability of pollutants, contaminants, and other liquid, solid, or gaseous substances which may be used for stabilization of water supplies, and such other processes necessary to determine degree of hazard. Such inspection is required:
(1) Prior to providing continuous water service to new construction;
(2) Whenever the Director has reason to believe that cross connections or other unacceptable plumbing practices exist on any existing service; and
(3) After any material improvement, correction, or addition to the private plumbing facilities.
(B) Inspector Qualifications. Individuals with the following credentials shall be recognized as capable of conducting a customer service inspection certification under this section:
(1) Plumbing inspectors and water supply protection specialists licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners;
(2) Customer service inspectors certified by the TCEQ.
(C) Inspection Certification Report. Copies of properly completed water service inspection certifications will be kept on file by the Director and made available upon request for Commission review. The certifications shall be retained for a minimum of 10 years. If the certification form promulgated by the Director is not used, the inspection certifications mustminimally include the name and registration number of the inspector, the type of registration (plumbing inspectors, water supply protection specialists, certified operator, and the like), and be dated and signed. It must also certify that:
(1) No direct connection between the public drinking water supply and a potential source of contamination exists. Potential sources of contamination are isolated from the public water system by an air gap or an appropriate backflow prevention assembly in accordance with this chapter and state plumbing regulation. Additionally, all pressure relief valves and the thermal expansion devices are in compliance with state plumbing codes.
(2) No cross connection between the public drinking water supply and a private water source exists. Where an actual air gap is not maintained between the public water supply and private water supply, an approved reduced pressure-zone backflow prevention assembly is properly installed and tested by a recognized backflow prevention assembly tester as required by this chapter.
(3) No connection exists which would allow the return of water used for condensing, cooling, or industrial processes back to the public water supply.
(4) No pipe or pipe fitting which contains more than 8.0% lead exists in private plumbing facilities installed on or after July 1, 1988.
(5) No solder or flux which contains more than 0.02% lead exists in private plumbing facilities installed on or after July 1, 1988.
(6) No plumbing fixture is installed which is not in compliance with the current plumbing code adopted by the city.
(D) Inspection Fees. Inspection fees shall be charged according to the current city fee schedule.
(E) Other Programs Unaffected. The customer service inspections required by this section are in addition to and not in lieu of any other inspections required by this code, or by any other law or regulation.
(Ord. 2019-22, passed 8-13-19)