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 Director as an acceptable device or methodology for the purpose of backflow prevention.
BACKFLOW. Any flow of water into the public water supply from any other source due to a cross-connection, auxiliary intake, interconnection, backpressure, back-siphonage, any combination thereof, or other cause.
BACKPRESSURES. Any pressure on any source of water other than the public water supply, which may be greater than the pressure on the public water supply and may result in a backflow.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY. An approved effective device or method used to prevent backflow from occurring in the potable water supply. The type of assembly required shall be based on degree of hazard, existing or potential.
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 an pressure to be greater than the pressure on the public water supply and may result in a back flow.
CERTIFIED TESTER. A person who has proven his or her competency to test, repair, overhaul, and make reports on backflow prevention devices as evidenced by certification of successful completion of a training program approved by the Director.
CONSUMER. Any person, firm, or corporation responsible for any property at which water from the town 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 on record shall be ultimately responsible.
CONTAMINATION. The presence of any foreign substance (organic, inorganic, radiological, or biological) in water that tends to degrade its quality so as to constitute a hazard or impair the usefulness of water.
CONTAINMENT. Preventing the impairment of the potable water supply by installing an approved backflow prevention device at the service connection.
CROSS-CONNECTION. Any physical connection between a potable water supply system and any other piping system, sewer fixture, container, or device, whereby water or other liquids, mixtures, or substances may flow into or enter the potable water supply system.
DEGREE OF HAZARD. The evaluation of the potential hazard (see definition of HAZARD) as defined in state.
DIRECTORS. The owner or official custodian of a public water system.
DOUBLE-CHECK VALVE DEVICE. A device composed of two single, independently acting, approved check valves, including tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the device and suitable connections for testing the water-tightness of each check valve.
HIGH HAZARD. An actual or potential threat of contamination or pollution of a physical or toxic nature to the public potable water system or the consumer’s potable water system to such a degree or intensity that there would be a danger to health.
ISOLATION. The act of confining a localized hazard within a plumbing or distribution system by installing approved backflow prevention devices.
MODERATE HAZARD. An actual or potential threat to the physical properties of the public or the consumer’s potable water system, or of a contamination which would have a protracted effect on the quality of the potable water system.
POTABLE WATER. Water from any source which has been investigated by the Health Department and which has been approved for human consumption.
REDUCED PRESSURE ZONE (RPZ) DEVICE. A device containing, within its structure, a minimum of two independently acting, approved check valves, together with an automatically operating pressure relief valve. 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 pressure. In case of leakage of either check valve, the differential relief valve, by discharge to atmosphere, shall operate to maintain the pressure between the checks less than the supply pressure. The unit shall include tightly closing shut-off valves located at each end of the device and each device shall be fitted with properly located test cocks.
SERVICE CONNECTIONS. The terminal end of a SERVICE CONNECTION from the public potable water system, i.e., where the Director loses jurisdiction and sanitary control over the water at its point of delivery to the consumer’s water.
WATER SUPPLY (APPROVED). Any public, potable WATER SUPPLY which has been investigated and approved by the state’s Department of Human Resources. The system must be operating under a valid health permit. In determining what constitutes an approved water supply, the Division of Health Services has reserved the final judgment as to its safety and potability.
WATER SUPPLY (UNAPPROVED). The term UNAPPROVED WATER SUPPLY shall mean a water supply which has not been approved for human consumption by the state’s Department of Human Resources.
VACUUM BREAKER (ATMOSPHERIC TYPE). A device used to prevent back-siphonage, which is designed so as not to be subjected to static line pressure.
VACUUM BREAKER (PRESSURE TYPE). A device suitable for continuous pressure, to be used to provide protection against back-siphonage.
(2003 Code, § 25-600)