For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AIR GAP SEPARATION. The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other devices and the overflow level rim of the receptacle, and shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the flood level rim of the vessel, but in no case less than one inch.
APPROVED CERTIFIED TESTER. A person qualified to make inspections; to test and repair backflow prevention/cross-connection control devices; and who is approved by the city and certified by the Nebraska State Health Department.
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE. Any person designated by the city to administer this cross- connection control subchapter.
AUXILIARY WATER SUPPLY. Any water source system, other than the public water supply, that may be available in the building or premises.
BACKFLOW. The flow other than the intended direction of flow, or any foreign liquids, gases, or substances, into the distribution system of a public water supply system.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. Any device, method, or type of construction approved by the Nebraska State Health Department, intended to prevent backflow/backsiphonage into the public water supply system.
BACKSIPHONAGE. The flowing back of water, or other foreign liquids, gases, or substances, into the water distribution system due to negative pressure in the distribution system.
CONSUMER. The owner or person in control of any premises supplied by or in any manner connected to the public water supply system.
CONTAINMENT. Protection of the public water supply system by installing a cross-connection control device, air gap separation, or other backflow prevention device, on the main service line to a facility, or as an installation within equipment handling potentially hazardous materials.
CONTAMINATION. An impairment of the quality of water by sewage, process fluids, or other wastes to a degree which could create an actual hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease by exposure. CONTAMINATION may be a threat to life or health, or may cause an aesthetic deterioration, color, taste, or odor.
CROSS-CONNECTION. Any physical connection or arrangement between two otherwise separate piping systems; one of which contains potable water of the public water supply system, and the second, water of unknown or questionable safety, or steam, gases, chemicals, or substances whereby there may be backflow from the second system to the public water supply system. No physical CROSS-CONNECTION shall be permitted between a public water supply system and an auxiliary water supply system.
DEGREE OF HAZARD. An evaluation of the potential risk to public health and the adverse effect of the hazard upon the potable water system of the city.
(1) Health. Any condition, device, or practice in the public water supply system and its operation which could create or may create a danger to the health and well-being of the water consumer.
(2) Plumbing. A plumbing type cross-connection in a consumer's potable water system that has not been properly protected by a vacuum breaker, air gap separation, or backflow prevention device.
(3) Pollution. An actual or potential threat to the physical properties of the water system or to the consumer's potable water system but which would constitute a nuisance or be aesthetically objectionable or could cause damage to the system or its appurtenances, but would not be dangerous to health.
(4) System. An actual or potential threat of severe damage to the physical properties of the public water system or the consumer's potable water system, or of a pollution or contamination which would have a protracted effect on the quality of the potable water in the system.
ISOLATION. Protection of a facility water service line by installing a cross-connection control/backflow prevention device or air gap separation on an individual fixture, appurtenance, or system.
POLLUTION. The presence of any foreign substance (organic, inorganic, or biological) in water which tends to degrade its quality so as to constitute a hazard or impair the usefulness of the water to a degree which does not create an actual hazard to the public health but which does adversely and unreasonably affect such waters for domestic use.
PUBLIC POTABLE WATER SYSTEM. Any publicly or privately owned water system supplying water to the general public which is satisfactory for drinking, culinary, and domestic purposes and meets the requirements of the Nebraska Department of Health.
SERVICE CONNECTION. The terminal end of a service line from the public water system. If a meter or type of shutoff valve is installed at the end of the service line, then the SERVICE CONNECTION means the downstream end of the meter or valve.
WATER DEPARTMENT. The Municipal Water Department of the City of Loup City, Nebraska.
(1990 Code, § 3-123) (Ord. 413, passed 1-4-1994)