(A) The purpose of this section is to require that all water flowing from the Harrisburg Water System must flow through an approved backflow prevention assembly and that each backflow prevention assembly be properly located, installed, maintained and tested so that the backflow prevention assembly is effective in protecting the Harrisburg Water System from any possible contamination or pollution.
(B) The installation or replacement of a backflow prevention assembly for domestic water use shall only be performed by a licensed plumber or utility contractor. The installation of a backflow prevention assembly on a dedicated fire sprinkler service shall be performed by a licensed fire sprinkler or utility contractor. Repairs to a backflow prevention assembly on a dedicated fire sprinkler system may only be performed by a fire sprinkler contractor. All backflow prevention assemblies may be tested by a certified backflow technician.
(C) All new construction plans and specifications which will directly affect the town, and/or are required by the State Building Code, the State Division of Environmental Health (N.C. DENR), and the town or county planning and zoning offices, shall be made available to the town Backflow Administrator for review, approval and to determine the degree of hazard.
(D) All existing facilities zoned commercial or industrial and having existing water services with the town and requesting certificate of occupancy from the town or county planning and zoning offices, shall be inspected for compliance of backflow and cross-connection control prevention. Any facility not having backflow or changing the degree of hazard shall be brought into compliance before the Backflow Administrator may release certificate of compliance.
(E) All backflow prevention assemblies must be installed and maintained on the customer’s premises as part of the customer's private water system at or near the service connection and before the service line is connected to any other pipes except as authorized by the town.
(F) If it has been determined that a backflow prevention assembly cannot be installed at the meter service, due to zoning or DOT right-of-way, an approved backflow assembly must be installed on every branch of plumbing installed between the service meter and the service backflow assembly.
(G) Any branch of plumbing installed on the private water system that may be of a greater hazard than the supply line, (example: chemical induced irrigation or fire system, pump system and the like) shall be protected with a reduced pressure assembly.
(H) All backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in accordance with the town “Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control Manual” , (which is incorporated herein by reference as if written below), and/or the manufacturer’s instructions, whichever is most restrictive.
(I) All double check valve assemblies, two-inches or larger, must be installed in a watertight drainable pit wherever below ground installation is necessary in accordance with detailed specifications provided in the “Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Manual”. If a drain cannot be provided, the assembly must be installed above the ground. Double check valve assemblies may be installed in a vertical position with prior approval from the Backflow Administrator, provided that the flow of water is in an upward direction.
(J) Reduce pressure assemblies must be installed in a horizontal position and in a location in which no portion of the assembly can become submerged in any substance under any circumstances. Pit installations are prohibited.
(K) Each backflow prevention assembly that is required must function properly at the time of installment. Each customer will be required to test, maintain and repair each assembly required which is a part of the customer’s private water system. A certified backflow prevention technician may only conduct such test. Testing shall be done immediately following installation of any backflow prevention assembly and on an annual or semi- annual basis depending on the degree of hazard.
(L) If repair is found necessary on an assembly, it must be retested following any repair. A complete duplicate copy of any testing and/or repair shall be sent to the town within 30 days of test or repair. Each customer must maintain a complete copy of tests or repairs for no less than five years. All test and repair records must be maintained on forms approved by the town.
(M) All rubber components must be replaced every five years or as often as needed.
(N) Any customer installing a reduced pressure (RP) or double check valve assembly (DCVA) must provide the following information to the Backflow Administrator within ten days after installation:
(1) Service address where assembly is located;
(2) Owner;
(3) Description of assembly's location;
(4) Date of installation;
(5) Type of assembly;
(6) Manufacturer;
(7) Model number;
(8) Serial number; and
(9) Test results/report.
(O) The town must approve each backflow assembly required by this section. Unapproved backflow assembly must be replaced, within a time set by the town, with an approved backflow assembly. For a list of approved backflow assemblies, reference the town “Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control Manual”. If it has been determined that a customer must install a backflow prevention assembly, the town will provide the customer with a letter of notification. The following time periods shall be set forth for the installation of the specified assemblies:
(1) Health hazard - 60 days; and
(2) Non-health hazards - 90 days.
(P) If an imminent hazard or unreasonable threat of contamination or pollution to the Harrisburg Water System is detected, the town may require the installation of the backflow assembly immediately or within a shorter time period than specified in this section.
(Q) If a customer does not wish for water service to be interrupted when a backflow assembly is tested, repaired or replaced, a parallel installation must be made using an approved assembly of the same degree of hazard. The parallel line may be of the same size or smaller. A violation of this section is punishable as a misdemeanor.
(Ord., passed 2-9-09; Am. Ord. passed 4-11-22) Penalty, see § 51.99