(A) Purpose. The purposes of these rules and regulations regarding cross-connection controls are:
(1) To protect the public water supply system from contamination or pollutants by preventing backflow through the customer's water service connection and into the public water supply system.
(2) To promote the elimination or control of existing cross-connections, actual or potential, between the public or consumer's potable water system and non-potable water systems, plumbing fixtures and sources or systems containing substances of unknown or questionable safety.
(3) To provide a cross-connection control program to ensure that installed backflow prevention devices are adequately maintained and operating properly to prevent the contamination or pollution of the public potable water supply systems.
(B) Applicability.
(1) These rules and regulations regarding cross-connection controls shall apply to all premises served directly or indirectly by the Water Facilities.
(2) It is the responsibility of each customer to protect the Water Facilities from contamination and to prevent backflow into the Water Facilities by ensuring that all cross-connections are removed or that approved cross-connection control devices are installed for control of backflow and back-siphonage.
(C) Water system.
(1) Water system components.
(a) The water system shall be considered as made up of two parts: the Water Facilities and the consumer's water system.
1. For the purposes of this section, the Water Facilities shall consist of the source facilities, the distribution system, and the service lateral up to and including the corporation stop and shall include all those facilities under the control of the Director up to the point where the consumer's water system begins.
A. The source facilities shall include all components of the facilities utilized in the production, treatment, storage, and delivery of water to the public water supply distribution system.
B. The public water supply distribution system shall include the network of conduits and pipes used to deliver water from the source facilities to the consumer's water system.
C. For purposes of section, the service lateral under the control of the Director shall include the service pipe from the main up to and including the corporation stop at the b-box.
2. For purposes of this section, the consumer's water system shall include all parts of the facilities beyond the corporation stop used to convey water into the building from the public water supply distribution system to points of use.
(D) Cross-connection prohibited. Connections between public water supply systems and other systems or equipment containing water or other substances of unknown or questionable quality are prohibited except when and where approved isolation methods or cross-connection control devices are installed, tested and maintained to ensure proper operation on a continuing basis.
(1) No physical connection shall be permitted between the Water Facilities and any other water supply not of equal or better bacteriological and chemical quality as determined by inspection and analysis by the Agency. No physical connection shall be allowed between the Water Facilities and any other water supply except as authorized in writing by the Director.
(2) There shall be no arrangements or connection by which an unsafe substance may enter the Water Facilities.
(E) Protection required.
(1) An approved backflow device shall be installed on connections to the public water supply in accordance with the Illinois Plumbing Code, 77 Ill. Adm. Code 890.1130 and the Agency's regulations 35 Ill. Adm. Code 653. In addition, an approved backflow prevention device shall be installed on each service line to a consumer's water system where, in the judgment of the Director, actual or potential hazards to the public water supply system exist.
(2) An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed on each service line to a consumer's water system serving premises where one or more of the following conditions exist:
(a) Premises having an auxiliary water supply, unless such auxiliary supply is accepted as an additional source by the Director and the source is approved by the Agency.
(b) Premises on which any substance is handled which can create an actual or potential hazard to the Water Facilities. This shall include premises having sources or systems containing process fluids or waters originating from the Water Facilities but which are no longer under the sanitary control of the Director.
(c) Premises having internal cross-connections that, in the judgment of the Director, are not correctable or intricate plumbing arrangements which make it impractical to determine whether or not cross-connections exist.
(d) Premises where, because of security requirements or other prohibitions or restrictions, it is impossible or impractical to make a complete cross-connection survey.
(e) Premises having a repeated history of cross-connections being established or re-established.
(3) An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed on each service line to a consumer's water system serving, but not necessarily limited to, the following types of facilities unless the Director determines that no actual or potential hazard to the public water supply system exists:
(a) Hospitals, mortuaries, clinics, nursing homes;
(b) Laboratories;
(c) Piers, docks, waterfront facilities;
(d) Sewage treatment plants, sewage pumping stations or storm water pumping stations;
(e) Food or beverage processing plants;
(f) Chemical plants;
(g) Metal plating industries;
(h) Petroleum processing or storage plants;
(i) Radioactive material processing plants or nuclear reactors;
(j) Car washes;
(k) Pesticide, or herbicide or extermination plants and trucks;
(l) Farm service and fertilizer plants and trucks;
(m) Golf courses;
(n) Irrigation;
(o) Fire suppression system.
(4) If in the judgment of the Director or his or her authorized representative, an approved backflow prevention device is necessary for the safety of the Water Facilities, the Director shall give notice to the consumer to install such approved backflow prevention device at each service connection to the premises. The consumer shall immediately install such approved device or devices at his or her own expense. If the consumer fails, refuses or is unable to install such device or devices immediately, or if the Director reasonably believes that an imminent danger of harmful contamination of the Water Facilities exists, water service to the premises shall be discontinued until such device or devices have been installed or until the imminent danger to the public water supply has been eliminated. Water service to such premise shall not be restored until such conditions have been eliminated or corrected in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, and until the applicable reconnection fee is paid to Lake County. The consumer may submit a written appeal of decisions in this section to the Director.
(F) Surveys and investigations. In the interest of the public health safety and welfare, the IEPA requires the Department to administer a cross-connection control program which is designed to protect the integrity of the Department's drinking water system. To comply with IEPA regulations, the Department is required to:
(1) Survey all public water system customers, to determine whether a cross-connection may exist in their home or business. The survey requests the home or business to identify the plumbing fixtures present, and how the water is being used. The survey aids the Department in identifying actual or potential cross connections, as well as any plumbing fixtures installed to protect against backflow.
(2) Review the survey information to determine whether, or not, a follow-up inspection of the customer's plumbing system is required. If a follow-up inspection is required, the customer will be notified to arrange a meeting at their residence or business.
(G) Type of protection required.
(1) The type of protection required under divisions (E)(1), (E)(2), and (E)(3) above shall depend on the degree of hazard which exists as follows:
(a) An approved fixed proper air gap separation shall be installed where the public water supply system may be contaminated with substances that could cause a severe health hazard.
(b) An approved fixed proper air gap separation or an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly shall be installed where the Water Facilities may be contaminated with a substance that could cause a system or health hazard.
(c) An approved fixed proper air gap separation or an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly or a double check valve assembly shall be installed where the Water Facilities may be polluted with substances that could cause a pollution hazard not dangerous to health.
(d) A lawn irrigation installation shall use a reduced pressure zone (RPZ) device per Illinois Plumbing Code, 77 Ill. Adm. Code 890.
(e) All exterior hose bibs shall have a vacuum breaker or air gap.
(2) The type of protection required under divisions (E)(4) and (E)(5) above of these regulations shall be an approved fixed proper air gap separation or an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device.
(3) Where a public water supply or an auxiliary water supply is used for a fire protection pressure system, reduced pressure principle backflow preventers shall be installed on fire safety systems connected to the public water supply when:
(a) The fire safety system contains antifreeze, fire retardant or other chemicals;
(b) Water is pumped into the fire safety system from another source; or
(c) Water flows by gravity from a non-potable source, or water can be pumped into the fire safety system from any other source; or
(d) There is a connection whereby another source can be introduced into the fire safety system.
(4) All other fire safety systems connected to the potable water supply shall be protected by a double check valve.
(5) Booster pumps. Where a booster pump has been installed on the service line to or within any premises, such pump shall be equipped with a double check valve and a low pressure cut-off device designed to shut-off the booster pump when the pressure in the service line on the suction side of the pump drops to 20 psi or less.
(H) Backflow prevention devices.
(1) Only approved backflow prevention devices may be employed for purposes of complying with the requirements of this chapter.
(2) Installation of an approved backflow prevention device shall be made in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and shall be tested and approved by a Cross-Connection Control Device Inspector prior to initial operation. The consumer shall ensure that maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer of the device is performed and that the manufacturer's maintenance manual is available on-site.
(I) Inspection and maintenance.
(1) It shall be the duty of the consumer at any premises on which backflow prevention devices required by this chapter are installed to have the devices inspected, tested, maintained and repaired in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Testing shall occur in accordance with the following schedule or more often where inspections indicate a need or as specified in the manufacturer's instructions.
(a) Fixed proper air gap separations shall be inspected to document that a proper vertical distance is maintained between the discharge point of the service line and the flood level rim of the receptacle at the time of installation and at least annually thereafter. Corrections to improper or by-passed air gaps shall be made within 24 hours.
(b) Double check valve assemblies shall be inspected and tested at time of installation and at least annually thereafter, and required service performed within five days.
(c) Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assemblies shall be tested at the time of installation and at least annually or more frequently if recommended by the manufacturer, and required service performed within five days.
(d) Low pressure cut-off devices shall be tested at the time of installation and at least annually or more frequently if recommended by the manufacturer, and required service performed within five days.
(2) Inspection and testing shall be performed by a licensed plumber who is a Cross-Connection Control Device Inspector. Proof of inspection and approval shall be provided to the Director in writing within 20 calendar days of the inspection.
(3) Device testing and records.
(a) Each device shall be tested at the time of installation and at least annually or more frequently if recommended by the manufacturer.
(b) Records submitted to the Public Works Department shall be available for inspection by Agency personnel in accordance with applicable law.
(c) Each device shall have a tag attached listing the date of most recent test, name of CCCDI, type and date of repairs.
(d) The test report shall include:
1. Date of each test;
2. Name and license number of person performing the test;
3. Test result;
A. Device serial number;
B. Physical location;
C. Test pass or fail;
D. Test kit used and calibration date;
4. Repairs or servicing required;
5. Repairs and date completed; and
6. Service performed and dated completed.
(e) The consumer shall retain records of installation, maintenance, testing and repair as required by this chapter for a period of at least five years.
(f) CCCDIs shall submit a copy of each test report directly to the Public Works Department within 20 calendar days of each test. However, the owner shall bear the ultimate responsibility to ensure that all reports are submitted to the county as prescribed by the provision of this chapter. CCCDIs shall submit test reports for both passing and failing test results.
(4) Whenever backflow prevention devices required by these regulations are found to be defective, the Director shall be notified of the results of the testing in writing within three days of the test/inspection and the defective backflow prevention device shall be repaired or replaced at the expense of the consumer within ten days. Written notice of the repair or replacement and results of the post-repair re-testing shall be provided in writing to the Director within three days of such corrective action.
(5) Backflow prevention devices shall not be bypassed, made inoperative, removed or otherwise made ineffective without specific authorization by the Director.
(6) Any backflow prevention device that does not have a manufacturer's serial number shall be replaced immediately.
(Ord. 19-1394, passed 9-10-2019) Penalty, see § 52.99