1. DEFINITIONS. The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this Article.
a. Air gap separation means the unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening of any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other device and the flood level rim of the said receptacle. An approved air-gap shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe, measured vertically, above the top of the rim of the receptacle and, in no case less than one inch.
b. Antisiphon vacuum breaker is a device which restricts the backflow of water into a potable water system by a simple check valve. The vacuum is broken by allowing air to enter upstream of the check valve.
c. Approved means that a backflow prevention device or method has been accepted by the Manager as being suitable for the intended use.
d. Auxiliary water system means any water supply system available to the premises other than the public water supply system and includes the water supplied by such system. These auxiliary water systems may include water from another owner’s public water supply system; polluted or contaminated water, process fluids; used water; or other sources of water which the owner of the public water supply system does not have sanitary control.
e. Backflow or backsiphonage means the flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, or substances into the water distribution system from any other source than the intended source of the potable water supply.
f. Backflow prevention device means any device, method, or type of construction intended to prevent backflow into a potable water system. Devices such as an “Approved Air-gap”, “Double Check Valve Assembly”, “Antisiphon Vacuum Breaker” or a “Reduced Pressure Principle Devices” can be used which have been approved by the Manager.
g. Consumer means the owner or person in control of any premises supplied by or in any manner connected to a public water system.
h. Consumer’s water supply system means any water supply system, located on the consumer’s premises, supplied by or in any manner connected to a public water supply system. A household plumbing system is considered to be a consumer’s water supply system. A fire suppression system is also considered a consumer’s water supply system.
i. Contamination means an impairment of the quality of the water by sewage, or waste to a degree which could cause an actual hazard to the public health through poisoning or through spread of disease by exposure.
j. Cross connection means any arrangement whereby contamination due to backflow or backsiphonage can occur.
k. Degree of hazard is a term derived from an evaluation of the potential risk to health and the adverse effects upon the potable water system.
l. Double check valve assembly means an assembly composed of two single, independently acting, check valves including one hundred percent closing shutoff ball valves located at each end of the assembly and suitable connections for testing the water-tightness of each check valve.
m. Health hazard means any condition, device, or practice in a water system or its operation that creates, a real or potential danger to the health and well being of the consumer.
n. Interchangeable connection means an arrangement or device that will allow alternate but not simultaneous uses of two sources of water.
o. Manager means the Manager of the Springfield Municipal Water System or his or her authorized representative.
p. Non-potable water means water not safe for drinking, personal, or culinary use, or which does not meet the requirements of the Nebraska Department of Health.
q. Owner means the person delivering water through a public water supply system. The owner is City of Springfield.
r. Person means the state, any political subdivision, public or private corporation, individual, partnership, or other legal entity. When the term he, or his is used, it shall mean any male or female person.
s. Plumbing hazard means a plumbing type cross connection in a consumer’s potable water system that has not been properly protected by air-gap separation or backflow prevention devices.
t. Pollution means the presence in water of any foreign substance (organic, inorganic, or biological) that degrades the quality of water to a degree which does not necessarily cause an actual hazard to the public health but which does adversely and unreasonably affect such waters for any desired use.
u. Pollution hazard means a condition through which an aesthetically objectionable or degrading material not dangerous to health may enter the public water supply system or the consumer’s water supply system.
v. Potable water means water which is satisfactory for drinking, culinary, and domestic purposes and meets the requirements of the Nebraska Department of Health.
w. Public water supply system means a water supply system designed and intended to provide potable water to a designated consumer. The water supply shall include the water supply source and distribution piping network. The water supply source is defined as any artificial or natural accumulation of water used to supply the potable water system. The distribution piping network includes all piping, pumping and treatment devices used to convey an adequate quality and quantity of potable water to the consumer.
x. Reduced pressure zone backflow prevention device means a device containing a minimum of two independently acting check valves together with an automatically operated pressure differential relief valve located between two check valves. During normal flow and at the cessation of normal flow, the pressure between these two check valves. During normal flow and at the cessation of normal flow, the pressure between these two checks shall be less than the supply pressure. 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 at less than the supply pressure. The unit must include one hundred percent closing shutoff ball valves located at each end of the device, and each device shall be fitted with properly located test cocks.
y. Service connection means the terminal end of a service line from the public water system. If a meter is installed at the end of the service, then the service connection means the downstream end of the meter.
z. System hazard means any water supplied by the public water supply system to a consumer’s water supply system after it has passed through the service connection and is no longer under the sanitary control of the water supplier.
2. RESPONSIBILITY. The consumer as defined in this Article, if requested by the Manager, shall designate an individual or individuals, who shall be responsible for contact and communications with the Manager in matters relating to system alteration and construction, monitoring and sampling, maintenance, operation, record keeping, and reporting, as required by law and these regulations. Any change in assigned responsibilities or designated individuals shall be promptly reported to the Manager.