Cross-connections are prohibited unless appropriate backflow protection is provided to prevent backflow through the cross-connection into the public water system. Appropriate backflow protection for various applications is described in AWWA Manual M14, Third Edition, 2004, Recommended Practice for Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control, as subsequently amended in FAC Rule 62-555.330, and the requirements are as follows:
(A) Backflow prevention required. An approved backflow prevention assembly or means, appropriate to the degree of hazard, shall be installed on each service connection to a customer’s water system on the main service line, as close as practical to the city water meter at or near the property line, wherever the following conditions exist:
(1) Premises using an auxiliary water supply; or
(2) Premises on which any industrial fluids or anv other objectionable substances may be stored or handled that may create an actual or potential hazard to the public water supply; or
(3) Utility systems that may include radioactive or other materials, such as oil, gas, steam, ice, beverages, animals, birds, dairy, fish, food, rodents, chemicals, masonry, concrete, minerals, film, metals; or
(4) Businesses such as aircraft, automotive, boats, cargo, dental, laboratory, (commercial) laundry, marine, medical, autopsy, mortuary, sanitarium, veterinary, and the like; or
(5) Facilities such as a cooling tower; boiler, and multi-family buildings; or
(6) Operations such as blending, canning, cleaning, construction, development, dispensing, fabricating, handling, manufacturing, packing, plant, plating, preparation, processing, production, reactor, rendering, repair, refining, research, service, storage, treatment or transmission, and the like; or
(7) Premises having internal cross-connections or intricate plumbing and piping arrangements; or
(8) Premises where entry to all portions of the premises is not readily accessible or practical for inspection purposes: or
(9) Premises in which backpressure may be generated in the customer’s system: or
(10) All dedicated irrigation services; or
(11) All dedicated fire services; or
(12) All commercial properties and businesses: or
(13) Temporary connections; or
(14) Lift stations; or
(15) All residential buildings with four or more floors.
(B) Backflow requirements - methods. The following is a list of approved types or methods of backflow prevention devices and methods:
(1) Air gap (AG);
(2) Reduced pressure principal backflow prevention assemblies (RP or RPZ);
(3) Reduced pressure principal detector backflow prevention assemblies (RPDA);
(4) Double check valve assemblies (DC);
(5) Double check detector backflow prevention assemblies (DCDA);
(6) Pressure vacuum breakers (PVB);
(7) Atmospheric vacuum breakers (AVB);
(8) Residential dual check (DuC), may only be used for low hazard application, e.g., reclaimed water only.
To obtain applicable standards for approved devices, reference should be made to the Manual, along with the Recommended Practice for Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control AWWA Manual M14, Third Edition. or most current.
(Ord. O-2015-29, passed 12-2-15)