(a) Installation.
(1) Backflow prevention devices required by these rules and regulations shall be installed at a location and in a manner approved by the Ohio E.P.A. and at the expense of the water consumer.
(2) Backflow prevention devices installed on the service line to a consumer's water system shall be located on the consumer's side of the water meter, as close to the meter as is reasonably practical, and prior to any other connections.
(3) Pits or vaults shall be of water-tight construction, be so located and constructed as to prevent flooding, and shall be maintained free from standing water by means of either a sump and pump or a suitable drain. Such sump pump or drain shall not connect to a sanitary sewer and shall not permit flooding of the pit or vault by reverse flow from its point of discharge. An access ladder and adequate natural or artificial lighting shall be provided to permit maintenance, inspection and testing of the backflow prevention device.
(4) Backflow prevention devices shall not be bypassed, made inoperative, removed or otherwise made ineffective without the specific authorization of the water authority.
(5) When a backflow prevention device, check valve, or pressure reducing device is installed on the cold water system to a water heater, an expansion tank or other device designed in accordance with accepted engineering practices for thermal expansion control shall be installed. The temperature and pressure relief valve installed on the water heater shall not be used as the primary thermal expansion control device. The expansion tank must be installed on the cold-water service piping on the supply side of the hot water heater. Water consumers should notify the Building Department if your backflow prevention requirement will create a closed system, since the installation of a thermal expansion tank falls under its authority.
(b) Inspection and Maintenance.
(1) It shall be the duty of the consumer at any premises on which backflow prevention devices required by these rules and regulations are installed to have inspections, tests, and overhauls made in accordance with the following schedule, or more often where inspections indicate a need:
A. Air gap separation shall be inspected at the time of installation and at least every twelve months thereafter.
B. Double check valve assemblies shall be inspected and tested for tightness at the time of installation and at least every twelve (12) months thereafter.
C. Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention devices shall be inspected and tested for tightness at the time of installation and at least every twelve (12) months thereafter.
D. Interchangeable connections shall be inspected at the time of installation and at least every twelve (12) months thereafter.
(2) Inspections, tests, and overhauls of backflow prevention devices shall be made at the expense of the water consumer and shall be performed by a person approved by the Water Department/Backflow Division as qualified to inspect, test, and overhaul backflow prevention devices.
(3) Whenever backflow prevention devices required by these rules and regulations are found to be defective, they shall be repaired, overhauled or replaced at the expense of the consumer without delay.
(4) The water consumer must maintain a complete record of each backflow prevention device from purchase to retirement. This shall include a comprehensive listing that includes a record of all tests, inspections, repairs and overhauls. Records of inspections, tests, repairs and overhauls shall be submitted to the Water Department/Backflow Division.
(5) If a double check valve device fails, it must be replaced with a Reduced Pressure Backflow Prevention Device.
(Ord. 127-11. Passed 9-6-11.)