For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AIR-GAP SEPARATION. The unobstructed, vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other device and the flood level rim of the receptacle. An approved AIR-GAP SEPARATION shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the top rim of the vessel. In no case shall the gap be less than one inch.
APPROVED. As used in reference to a water supply system or backflow prevention device or method, one that has been approved by the State Division of Health Services.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. Any effective device, method, or construction used to prevent backflow into a potable water system. The type of device used shall be based on the degree of hazard, either existing or potential.
BACK-PRESSURE BACKFLOW. Backflow caused by a pump, elevated tank, boiler, or other means that could create pressure within the system greater than the supply pressure.
BACKSIPHONAGE BACKFLOW. A reversal of the normal direction of flow in the pipeline due to a negative pressure (vacuum) being created in the supply line with the backflow source subject to an atmospheric pressure.
CHECK VALVE. When approved, a check valve that is drip-tight in the normal direction of flow when the inlet pressure is one psi and the outlet pressure is zero. The CHECK VALVE shall permit no leakage in a direction reverse to the normal flow. The closure element (such as a clapper) shall be internally weighted or otherwise internally loaded to promote rapid and positive closure.
CONSUMER, COMMERCIAL. Any business or industry (public, private, nonprofit, or otherwise) using or receiving water from the town water system.
CONSUMER, RESIDENTIAL. Any person using or receiving water from the town water system.
CONTAMINATION. An impairment of the quality of the water by sewage or industrial fluids or waste to a degree which creates an actual hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease or pathogenic organisms.
CROSS-CONNECTION. Any actual or potential connection or structural arrangement between a public or a consumer’s potable water system and any other source or system through which it is possible to introduce into any part of the potable system any used water, industrial fluid, gas, or substance other than the intended potable water with which the system is supplied. Bypass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeover devices, and other temporary/permanent devices through which, or because of which, backflow can or may occur are considered to be CROSS-CONNECTIONS.
CROSS-CONNECTION, POINT OF. The specific point of location in a public or a consumer’s potable water system where a cross-connection exists.
DETECTOR CHECK VALVE. A check valve having, as an integral part, a bypass line and meter for the detection of flow.
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY. An assembly composed of two single, independently acting, approved check valves including tight-closing shut-off valves located at each end of the assembly and suitable connections for testing the water-tightness of each check valve.
HAZARD, DEGREE OF. Derived from the evaluation of a health, system, plumbing, or pollution hazard.
HAZARD, HEALTH. An actual or potential threat of contamination or pollution of a physical or toxic nature to the public potable water system or the consumer’s potable water system to such a degree or intensity that there would be a danger to health.
HAZARD, PLUMBING. A plumbing-type cross-connection in a consumer’s potable water system that has not been properly protected by a vacuum breaker, air-gap separation, or other device.
UNPROTECTED PLUMBING-TYPE CROSS-CONNECTIONS. Considered to be a health hazard. The term includes, but is not limited to, cross-connections to toilets, sinks, lavatories, wash trays, domestic washing machines, and lawn-sprinkling systems. PLUMBING-TYPE CROSS-CONNECTIONS can be located in any types of structures including homes, apartment houses, hotels, and commercial and industrial establishments.
HAZARD, POLLUTIONAL. An actual or potential threat to the physical properties of the water system or the potability of the public or the consumer’s potable water system but which would not constitute a health or system hazard. The maximum degree or intensity of pollution to which the potable water system could be degraded under this definition would cause a nuisance, be objectionable, or could cause minor damage to the system or its appurtenances.
HAZARD, SYSTEM. An actual or potential threat of severe danger to the physical properties of the public or the consumer’s potable water in the system or of a pollution or contamination which would have a protracted effect on the quality of the potable water in the system.
INDUSTRIAL FLUIDS. Any fluid or solution which may be chemically, biologically, or otherwise contaminated or polluted in a form or concentration such as would constitute a health, system, pollution, or plumbing hazard if introduced into an approved water supply. The term may include, but is not limited to:
(1) Polluted or contaminated used waters;
(2) All types of process waters and used waters originating from the public potable water system which may deteriorate in sanitary quality, chemicals in fluid form, plating acids and alkalis, and circulated cooling waters connected to an open cooling tower; and/or
(3) Cooling waters that are chemically or biologically treated or stabilized with toxic substances, contaminated natural waters (such as from wells, springs, streams, rivers, irrigation canals or systems, and the like), oils, gases, glycerin, paraffins, caustic and acid solutions, and other liquid and gaseous fluids used in industrial or other processes or for firefighting purposes.
INDUSTRIAL PIPING SYSTEM, CONSUMERS. Any system used by the consumer for transmission of or to confine or store any fluid, solid, or gaseous substance other than an approved water supply. Such a system would include all pipes, conduits, tanks, receptacles, fixtures, equipment, and appurtenances used to produce, convey, or store substances which are or may be polluted or contaminated.
POLLUTION. An impairment of the quality of the water to a degree which does not create an actual hazard to the public health but which does adversely and unreasonably affect such waters for domestic use.
REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. A device containing within its structure a minimum of two independently-acting, approved check valves together with an automatically-operating pressure differential relief valve located between the two check valves. The first check valve reduces the supply pressure a predetermined amount so that during normal flow and at cessation of normal flow, the pressure between the checks shall be less than the supply pressure. In case of leakage of either check valve, the differential relief valve, by discharging into the atmosphere, shall operate to maintain the pressure between the checks less than the supply pressure. The unit shall include tight-closing shut-off valves located at each end of the device, and each device shall be fitted with properly-located test cocks.
SERVICE CONNECTIONS. The terminal end of a service connection from the public potable water system such as where the town loses jurisdiction and sanitary control over the water at its point of delivery to the consumer’s water. If a meter is installed at the end of the service connection, then the term SERVICE CONNECTION shall mean the downstream end of the meter. There should be no unprotected takeoffs from the service lines ahead of any meter or backflow prevention device located at the point of delivery to the consumer’s water system.
WATER, POTABLE. Water from any source which has been investigated by the health agency having jurisdiction and which has been approved for human consumption.
WATER SUPPLY, AUXILIARY. Any water supply on or available to the premises other than the town’s approved public potable water supply. These AUXILIARY WATERS may include water from another purveyor’s public potable water supply or any natural source such as well, spring, river, stream, and the like or used waters or industrial fluids. They may be polluted or contaminated or they may be objectionable and constitute an unacceptable water source over which the town does not have sanitary control.
WATER SYSTEM, CONSUMER. Includes any water system located on the consumer’s premises whether supplied by a public potable water system or an auxiliary water supply. The system may be either a potable water system or an industrial piping system.
WATER SYSTEM, CONSUMER’S POTABLE. The portion of the privately-owned potable water system lying between the service connection and the point of use. This system will include all pipes, conduits, tanks, receptacles, fixtures, equipment, and appurtenances used to produce, convey, store, or use potable water.
WATER SYSTEM, PUBLIC POTABLE. Any publicly- or privately-owned water system operated as a public utility under a valid health permit to supply water for domestic purposes. This system will include all sources, facilities, and appurtenances between the source and the service connection such as valves, pumps, pipes, conduits, tanks, receptacles, fixtures, equipment, and appurtenances used to produce, convey, treat, or store a potable water supply for public consumption or use.
WATER, USED. Any water supplied by a water purveyor from a public potable water system to a consumer’s water system after it has passed through the service connection and is no longer under the control of the water purveyor.
(Prior Code, § 28-505) (Ord. 05-03, passed 6-12-2003)