A. Backflow prevention devices shall be installed by the proper owner, tenant, occupant, lessee, or other user of City water where the nature and extent of the activities conducted or the materials used or stored on the premises would present a hazard to the public health or be deleterious to the quality of the City water supply should a cross-connection occur. Even though cross-connections may not exist at the time, backflow prevention devices shall be installed under circumstances including, but not limited to the following:
1. Premises having an auxiliary water supply;
2. Premises having internal cross-connections that are not correctable, or having intricate plumbing arrangements which make it impracticable to ascertain whether or not cross-connections exist;
3. Premises where entry is restricted so that inspections for cross-connections cannot reasonably be made;
4. Premises having a history of cross-connections being established or re-established;
5. Premises on which any substance is handled under pressure so as to permit the potential entry of substance into the public water supply;
6. Premises having pumps or devices which may affect the pressure within any line connected to the City water supply;
7. Whenever water is drawn from a public fire hydrant.
B. All backflow prevention devices shall be installed by the property owner at the owner's expense, and shall be of a type commensurate with the degree of hazard which exists or which could exist. An air-gap separation or a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device shall be installed where the public water supply may be contaminated with sewage, industrial waste of a toxic nature, or other contaminant which could cause a public health hazard. In all other cases where the contaminant may be objectionable but not hazardous to the public health, a double check valve assembly, an air-gap separation, or a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device shall be installed. All backflow prevention devices and the installation thereof shall be approved by the City Water Department Head or duly authorized representative.
C. All backflow prevention devices installed pursuant to this Chapter, except atmospheric vacuum breakers, shall be inspected and tested by a certified tester at the time of initial installation and annually thereafter, or more often if deemed necessary by the City. Whenever a backflow prevention device is found to be defective, it shall be repaired, overhauled, or replaced at the owner's expense. The City Water Department Head shall retain adequate records of all inspections, tests, or repairs made pursuant to this Chapter.
D. If a backflow prevention device is found to be necessary, the owner, tenant, occupant, or lessee of the property shall apply in writing to the Clerk for an installation permit, specifying the type and location of such device or devices. It shall be unlawful to install, relocate, or remove a backflow prevention device without a permit. (Ord. 2020-624, 5-13-2020)