(A) The type of protection required by this policy shall depend on the degree of hazard that exists as follows.
(1) An approved air gap separation or an approved reduced pressure backflow prevention device shall be installed where a public water supply system may be contaminated with any substance that could cause a system hazard or health hazard.
(2) An approved double check valve assembly shall be installed where a public water supply system may be contaminated with a substance that would cause only esthetic degradation of potable water, such as taste, odor, or color, and constitute a health hazard.
(3) An approved reduced pressure backflow prevention device shall be installed at the service connection where there exists a plumbing hazard.
(4) In the case of any premises where, because entry is restricted and makes it impossible or impractical to make a complete cross-connection survey of the consumers water system, a reduced pressure backflow prevention device shall be installed at the service connection.
(5) An approved atmospheric vacuum breaker may be used where it is not subject to back pressure, although it must be located at least six inches above the highest downstream outlet. There can be no downstream valving. All downstream flow must grade away from the device to assure no back pressure. It cannot be used where water flow is expected to be continuous for 12 or more hours.
(6) An approved pressure vacuum breaker may be used where it is not subject to back pressure, although it must be located at least 12 inches above the highest downstream outlet. It can have downstream valving and can be used under constant pressure.
(B) Any backflow prevention device shall be of a model and size approved by the Department of Utilities and shall appear on the current list of approved backflow devices established by DHHS.
(C) Permitted Backflow Assemblies, Devices and Methods are described in Table 1 as maintained within the Department of Utilities backflow and cross connection prevention policy, as amended, and Approval Standards for the Approved Backflow Prevention Devices are described in Table 2 as maintained within the Department of Utilities backflow and cross-connection prevention policy, as amended.
(D) If, in the judgment of the Department of Utilities, an approved backflow prevention device is required, the consumer shall follow these guidelines:
(1) Shall obtain and have installed by a licensed plumber the approved backflow prevention device(s) within 90 days of notice;
(2) Shall be installed at a location and in a manner approved by the authorized representative and according to manufacturer's recommendations;
(3) The authorized representative shall inspect and approve all installations of the required backflow prevention devices;
(4) The consumer shall be responsible for the costs of purchasing, installing, testing, and maintaining of the backflow prevention device unless the Department of Utilities agrees otherwise;
(5) Testing of the required backflow devices shall be done by a Nebraska State Certified Grade VI Water Operator, on an annual basis;
(6) Annual testing of lawn sprinkler systems applies only to systems that have provisions of injecting toxic substances including lawn chemicals, otherwise testing is required once every five years; and
(7) Results of all tests and repairs shall be filed with the Department of Utilities within seven days of completion.
(E) Existing backflow prevention devices installed prior to the effective date of this policy will be deemed satisfactory unless the authorized representative feels the device was installed or maintained incorrectly according to the guidelines established in this policy.
(1972 Code, § 3-431) (Ord. 878, passed 5-6-1997; Ord. 2012-03, passed 4-3-2012) Penalty, see § 52.99