(A) The purpose of this section is to require that water flowing from the public water system, must flow through an approved backflow prevention assembly and that each backflow prevention assembly be properly located, installed, maintained and tested so that the backflow prevention assembly is effective in protecting the public water system from any possible contamination or pollution.
(B) The installation or replacement of a backflow prevention assembly for domestic water use shall only be performed by a licensed plumber or utility contractor. The installation or repair of a backflow prevention assembly on a dedicated fire sprinkler service shall be performed by a licensed fire sprinkler contractor or utility contractor. All backflow prevention assemblies shall be tested by a certified backflow technician authorized by the town. Repairs to a backflow prevention assembly on a dedicated fire sprinkler system may only be performed by a fire sprinkler contractor.
(C) All new construction plans and specifications which will directly affect the town water system, and/or required by the North Carolina Building Code, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR), and County Planning and Zoning Offices, shall be made available to the town for review, approval and to determine the degree of hazard.
(D) All existing facilities zoned commercial or industrial and have existing water services with the town and requesting certificate of occupancy from the County Planning and Zoning offices, shall be inspected for compliance of backflow and cross-connection control prevention. Any facility not having backflow protection or changing the degree of hazard shall be brought into compliance before the town may release the certificate of occupancy.
(E) All backflow prevention assemblies must be installed and maintained on the customer's premises as part of the customer's private water system at or near the service connection and before the service line is connected to any other pipes except as authorized by the water purveyor.
(F) If it has been determined that a backflow prevention assembly cannot be installed at the meter service or other outside location, the town may allow the assembly to be installed just inside the building through a written request from the customer.
(G) Any branch of plumbing installed on a private water system that may be of a greater hazard than the supply line, (example: chemical induced irrigation or fire systems, pump systems, etc.) shall be protected with a reduced pressure zone assembly.
(H) All backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in accordance with the backflow and cross-connection specifications furnished by the town and/or the manufacturer's instructions, whichever is most restrictive.
(I) All double check valve assemblies, two-inch or larger, must be installed in a watertight drainable pit wherever below ground installation is necessary in accordance with the backflow and cross-connection specifications furnished by the town. If a drain cannot be provided, the assembly must be installed above ground.
(J) Double check valve assemblies may be installed in a vertical position with prior approval from the town provided the flow of water is in an upward direction.
(K) Reduce pressure principle assemblies must be installed in a horizontal position and in a location in which no portion of the assembly can become submerged in any substance under any circumstances (pit installations are prohibited).
(L) Any customer installing a reduced pressure zone (RPZ), reduced pressure detector assembly (RPDA), pressure vacuum breaker (PVB), double check-detector assembly (DCDA) or double check valve assembly (DCVA) shall provide the following information on approved forms to the town within ten days of installation: service address, owner, date of installation, type of assembly, manufacturer, model, and serial number.
(M) No service shall be completed until the town has been provided information or has surveyed the private water system to determine the degree of hazard and make a determination of a backflow prevention assembly to be installed to protect the public water supply.
(N) The town must approve each backflow assembly required by this chapter. Any unapproved backflow assemblies must be replaced within a time set by the Administrator, with an approved backflow assembly.
(O) If it has been determined that a customer must install a backflow prevention assembly, the town will provide the customer with a letter of notification. The following time periods shall be set forth for the installation of the specified assemblies:
(1) Health hazard: 60 days.
(2) Non-health hazard: 90 days.
(P) If an imminent hazard or unreasonable threat of contamination or pollution to the public water system is detected, the town may require the installation of the required backflow assembly immediately or within a shorter time period than specified in division (O).
(Ord. passed 9-3-2013)