(A) For the purpose of this section, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CROSS-CONNECTION. Any physical connection or arrangement between two otherwise separate systems, one of which contains potable water from the town water system, and the other, water from a private source, water of unknown or questionable safety, or steam, gases, or chemicals, whereby there may be a flow from one system to the other, the direction of flow depending on the pressure differential between the two systems.
(B) No person, firm, or corporation shall establish, permit to be established, maintain, or permit to be maintained any cross-connection. No interconnection shall be established whereby potable water from a private, auxiliary, or emergency water supply other than the regular public water supply of the town may enter the supply or distribution system of said municipality, unless such private, auxiliary, or emergency water supply and the method of connection and use of such supply shall have been approved by the town and by the Environmental Management Board.
(C) It shall be the duty of the Superintendent of the town’s water works, or his or her agent, to cause inspections to be made of all properties served by the public water system where cross-connections with the public water system is deemed possible. The frequency of inspections and reinspections, based on potential health hazards involved, shall be as established by the town’s water works.
(D) Upon presentation of credentials, the representative of the town’s water works shall have the right to request entry at any reasonable time to examine any property served by a connection to the public water system of the town for cross-connections. On request, the owner, lessee, or occupant of any property so served shall furnish to the inspection agency any pertinent information regarding the piping system or systems on such property. The refusal of access or refusal of requested pertinent information shall be deemed evidence of the presence of cross-connections.
(E) The town’s water works is hereby authorized and directed to discontinue water service to any property wherein any connection in violation of this section exists, and to take such other precautionary measures deemed necessary to eliminate any danger of contamination of the public water system. Water service shall be discontinued only after reasonable notice is served on the owner, lessee, or occupants of the property or premises where a violation is found or suspected to exist. Water service to such property shall not be restored until the cross-connections have been eliminated in compliance with the provisions of this section.
(F) If it is deemed by the town’s water works that a cross-connection or an emergency endangers public health, safety, or welfare and requires immediate action, and a written finding to that effect is filed with the Clerk-Treasurer of the town and delivered to the consumer’s premises, service may be immediately discontinued. The consumer shall have an opportunity for hearing within ten days of such emergency discontinuance.
(G) All consumers using toxic or hazardous liquids including all businesses, wastewater treatment plants, laboratories, all other hazardous users and all residences attaching to the town’s water utility must install and maintain a reduced-pressure principle backflow preventer in the main water line serving each building on the premises. The backflow preventer must be installed in an easily accessible location not subject to flooding or freezing.
(H) This section does not supersede the State Uniform Plumbing Code, but is supplementary to it. (Ord. 10-90-1, passed 10-9-1990) Penalty, see § 10.99