Purpose and Findings. | |
Definitions. | |
Scope of Article. | |
Compliance with Cross-connection Controls. | |
Backflow Prevention Requirements. | |
Cross-connection Testing Requirements for Dual-plumbed Systems. | |
Authorized Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester and Cross-connection Control Specialist Requirements. | |
Companies Employing Authorized Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers or Authorized Cross-connection Control Specialists. | |
Inspection and Notices. | |
Violations, Enforcement Activities, and Penalties. | |
Promotion of the General Welfare. | |
The Board of Supervisors finds that:
(a) The City's potable Public Water System must be protected from contamination by the implementation of a cross-connection control program.
(b) The State of California requires the City, as the public water supplier, to implement the cross-connection control program, and allows implementation of the program by the public water supplier or by means of contract between the public water supplier and the local health agency.
(c) Under the Charter, the authority and responsibility for managing and operating the City's Public Water System is vested in the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. The City's local health agency, the Department of Public Health, should cooperate with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission in implementing the City's cross-connection control program.
(d) The dangers to public health and safety posed by the potential contamination of the City's potable water system warrant the imposition of local regulations and standards in excess of those required under State law.
The following terms used in this Article 12A have the meanings set forth below:
"Approved Air Gap Separation" shall mean a physical break between the water supply line and a receiving vessel, that has been approved by the General Manager and is in proper working order.
"Approved Backflow Prevention Assembly" shall mean a device used to prevent the Backflow of substances into the Public Water System that has been approved for such use by a recognized testing organization acceptable to the General Manager and is in proper working order.
"Authorized Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester" shall mean any person who possesses a valid certification to test, repair, and maintain Backflow prevention assemblies and is authorized by the General Manager to do such work in the City in accordance with Section 12A.7 of this Article 12A.
"Authorized Cross-connection Control Specialist" shall mean any person who possesses a valid certification to administer a cross-connection control test and to conduct site surveys to assess cross-connection control requirements and is authorized by the General Manager to do such work in the City in accordance with Section 12A.7 of this Article 12A.
"Auxiliary Water" shall mean any water other than that received from the Public Water System, including, but not limited to, recycled water, wastewater, graywater, groundwater, and rainwater.
"Backflow" shall mean the flow of water, from any source or sources, into the Public Water System that is of unknown or questionable safety for human consumption, or of other liquids, gases, mixtures, or other substances that flow into the Public Water System.
"Backflow Preventer" shall mean an Approved Backflow Prevention Assembly or Approved Air Gap Separation.
"Backflow Tag" shall mean an identification document provided by the General Manager to Authorized Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers to be affixed to an Approved Backflow Prevention Assembly after it has passed testing.
"Containment" shall mean protection from Backflow at the service connection.
"Cross-connection" shall mean any unprotected actual or potential connection between any part of a potable water system used or potentially used to supply water for drinking purposes and any source or system containing water or any other substance that is not or cannot be approved as safe, wholesome, and potable.
"Cross-connection Control Survey" shall mean an inspection of all parts of a Property with a Water Service Connection to identify potential Cross-connections.
"Cross-connection Test" shall mean a test administered by an Authorized Cross-connection Control Specialist to verify that there is no physical uncontrolled connection between the potable water piping and any Auxiliary Water piping system.
"Dual-plumbed" shall mean a system that utilizes separate piping systems for Auxiliary Water and potable water within a Property.
"First Certificate of Occupancy" shall mean either a temporary certificate of occupancy or a certificate of final completion and occupancy, as defined in San Francisco Building Code Section 109A, whichever is issued first.
"General Manager" shall mean the General Manager of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, or his or her designee.
"On-site Hazard" shall mean any actual or potential contamination or pollution risk to the public water supply created as a result of conditions existing on a Property.
"Point of Connection" shall mean the water meter, or, for dedicated fire services, the function of the water supply lateral and the Property's fire protection system.
"Property" shall mean any parcel, premises, building, or other structure that receives potable water from the Public Water System.
"Property Owner" shall mean the legal owner of a Property with a Water Service Connection to the Public Water System.
"Public Water System" shall mean the potable water system operated and maintained by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.
"Water Service Connection" shall mean a connection to the Public Water System.
As a condition of receiving water service from the Public Water System, Property Owners shall install an approved Backflow Preventer on their Property prior to receiving potable water on any Property where any of the following exist:
(a) A waste-water pumping and/or treatment plant.
(b) The handling of a hazardous substance in any manner in which the substance could enter the Public Water System.
(c) An Auxiliary Water supply.
(d) Dual-plumbed property.
(e) Intricate plumbing and piping arrangements.
(f) A repeated history of Cross-connections.
(g) A dockside watering point or marine facility.
(h) Dedicated irrigation service.
(i) A fire protection system.
(j) A building where the highest point is 40 feet or more in height above the point of connection.
(k) Inadequate Backflow prevention for any on-site process that the General Manager identifies as requiring additional protection from Backflow.
(l) Restricted entry to the Property or parts of the Property that inhibit performance of a Cross-connection inspection.
(m) Multiple service connections where at least one such connection requires Backflow protection for Containment.
(n) A water storage facility not under control of the Public Water System.
(o) Any other hazard that the General Manager identifies as requiring abatement to protect the Public Water System from contamination.
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