For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AIR-GAP SEPARATION. An unobstructed vertical distance through the atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other device and the flood level rim of the receptacle. An approved air-gap vertical separation shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe. In no case shall the air-gap be less than one inch.
APPROVED. Certified in writing by the Town of Murphy as an acceptable device or methodology for the purpose of backflow prevention.
AUXILIARY INTAKE. Any piping connection or other device whereby water may be secured from a source other than public water supply.
BACK-SIPHONAGE. Any circumstance in which the pressure on the public water supply may be reduced to the point that the elevation and atmospheric pressure on a source of water other than the public water supply may result in a pressure to be greater than the pressure on the public water supply and may result in a back flow.
BACKFLOW. Any flow of water into the public water supply from any other source due to a cross-connection, auxiliary intake, interconnection, backpressure, backsiphonage, any combination thereof, or other cause.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. An approved effective device method used to prevent backflow from occurring in the potable water supply. The type of device required shall be based on degree of hazard, existing or potential. The degree of hazard shall be based upon Appendix B, Figure 2 of the North Carolina Administrative Code, 15A N.C.A.C. 18C, Rules Governing Public Water Systems.
BACKPRESSURE. Any pressure on any source of water other than the public water supply that may be greater than the pressure on the public water supply and may result in a backflow.
CERTIFIED TESTER. A person who has proven their competency to test, repair, overhaul and make reports on backflow prevention devices as evidenced by certification of successful completion of a training program verified by the Town of Murphy.
CONFINEMENT DEVICE. A backflow prevention device, as approved and required, installed within a private plumbing or distribution system to isolate a localized hazard from the remainder of said system.
CONSUMER. Any person, firm, or corporation responsible for any property at which water from the Town of Murphy public water supply is received. In the absence of other parties or the failure of other parties to accept the responsibilities herein set forth, the owner of record shall be ultimately responsible. A backflow prevention device as approved installed at the point of separation between the public water supply and a private service or private distribution system or at the point of metering.
CONTAINMENT DEVICE. A backflow prevention device, as approved and required, installed at the point of separation between the public water supply and a private service or private distribution system or at the point of metering.
CONTAMINATION. The presence of any foreign substance (organic, inorganic, radiological, or biological) in water that tends to degrade its quality as to constitute a hazard or impair the usefulness of the water.
CROSS-CONNECTION. Any physical connection whereby the public water supply is connected with any other water supply system, whether public or private, either inside or outside of any building or buildings, in such a manner that a flow of water into the public water supply is possible either through the manipulation of valves or because of ineffective check or back-pressure valves, or because of any other arrangement.
CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL COORDINATOR. The official position established and authorized by the Town of Murphy to administer, interpret this section and who shall be a certified tester.
DEGREE OF HAZARD. As specified in Appendix B, Figure 2–I of the North Carolina Administrative Code, 15A N.C.A.C. 18C, Rules Governing Public Water Systems:
(1) SEVERE. Actual or potential threat of contamination that presents an imminent danger to the public health with consequence of serious illness or death.
(2) MODERATE. One that presents foreseeable and significant potential for pollution, nuisance, aesthetically objectionable or other undesirable alterations of the drinking water supply.
DOUBLE CHECK DETECTOR ASSEMBLY (DCDA). An approved assembly that is a specially designed assembly composed of a line-size approved double-check valve assembly with a specific bypass water meter and a meter-sized approved double-check valve assembly. The meter shall register (in U.S. gallons) accurately for only very low rates of flow and shall show a registration for all rates of flow. This assembly shall only be used to protect against a non-health hazard (i.e. pollutant).
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE or DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY (DCVA). An approved assembly composed of two single, spring-loaded independently operating check valves, including tightly closing shut-off valves located at each end of the assembly, and having suitable connections for testing the watertightness of each check valve.
DUAL CHECK VALVE. An approved device containing two independently acting check valves in series.
FIRE LINE. A system of pipes and equipment used to supply water in an emergency for extinguishing fire.
INTERCONNECTION. Any system of piping or other arrangement whereby the public water supply is connected directly with a sewer, drain, conduit, pool, heat exchanger, storage reservoir, or other device which does or may contain sewage or other waste or substance which would be capable of imparting contamination to the public water supply.
PRESSURE VACUUM BREAKER. An approved assembly containing an independently operating spring loaded check valve and an independently operating loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check valve. The assembly must be equipped with suitable connections for testing the proper operation of the device and tightly closing shut-off valves located at each end of the assembly.
PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY. The water and waterworks system of the Town of Murphy and its customers outside the Town of Murphy city limits, for general use and which supply is recognized as the public water supply by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Health and Natural Resources.
REDUCED PRESSURE ZONE PRINCIPLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE (RPZ). An approved device containing within its structure, two spring loaded independently operating check valves, together with an automatically operating pressure differential relief valve located between the two check valves. The first check valve reduces the supply pressure a predetermined amount so that during normal flow and at cessation of normal flow the pressure between the checks shall be less than the supply pressures. In case of leakage of either check valve, the differential relief valve, by discharging to the atmosphere, shall operate to maintain the pressure between the check valves less than the supply pressure. This device shall have suitable connections for testing the proper operation of the device, including tightly closing shut-off valves located at each end of the device.
(Ord. passed 12-3-2007)