(A) The customer shall own and bear all cost for the installation, initial testing, repairs and retesting of all ABPAs required in accordance with this program. Upon notification by the city, the customer shall repair or replace existing assemblies determined to be unapproved, defective, damaged or not providing the level of protection specified by this program. All installations shall comply with the California plumbing code and the city's current design and construction standards. The customer shall contact the city to request necessary inspections prior to covering pipe and/or connections associated with the installation.
(B) The customer shall bear all costs that the customer determines are necessary in their sole discretion, for the installation of pumps or renovation of existing customer piping, as a result of any decreases in line pressure or flow attributed to upgrading or installing an ABPA.
(C) The customer shall provide the city and its agents with unimpeded access to backflow prevention assemblies for routine testing and repairs. The city recognizes the potential of freeze damage to ABPAs and associated aboveground piping. Commercially available insulated "soft" covers are authorized to be installed by the customer for the purpose of freeze protection if such cover provides access for required testing and maintenance. The customer shall not, without city's prior written authorization, install any enclosure or any other apparatus for the purposes of freeze protection or theft deterrent that impedes access to the assembly. Upon determination by city staff, enclosures posing a safety hazard or impeding access shall be upgraded or removed by the customer to assure the safety of city staff and completion of testing.
(D) It shall be the duty of the city at any premises where backflow prevention assemblies are installed to have certified inspections and operational tests made at least once a year. In those instances where the director or his designated agent deems the hazard to be great enough, he may require certified inspections at more frequent intervals. These inspections and tests shall be at the expense of the customer and shall be performed by city personnel or the city's designated agent. The cost of the inspection and testing shall be paid by the customer and shall be invoiced to the customer by the city. The cost shall be the amount set by resolution of the city council and set forth in the city's master fee schedule. Prior to testing, the city or its designated agent shall contact the customer as to the scheduled testing date. The customer may elect to have the inspection and testing performed by a qualified, certified tester, acceptable to the city, by so notifying the city in writing prior to the scheduled testing date. The customer shall be responsible for all costs associated with such annual testing and shall cause the city to be provided with the test report within ten (10) days after the scheduled testing date. If the customer has not submitted the test report by this date, the city will test the backflow prevention assembly and the customer will be charged as set forth hereinabove. In the event that the backflow prevention assembly fails to pass the test, the customer shall be notified and within thirty (30) days of the date of notification, either repair or replace and test the assembly as provided in this chapter or water service will be discontinued. (Ord. 1661, 2-25-2014)