(A) Purpose and policy. The purpose of this subchapter is to protect the public potable water supply of Vincennes, Indiana, from the possibility of contamination or pollution due to backflow of contaminants through the water service connection. This subchapter outlines procedures for promoting the elimination or control of existing cross connections, actual or potential, and establishes a systematic approach for maintaining a continual program of cross connection control.
(B) Responsibilities. The city potable water system shall be considered as made up of two parts: The utility system and the user's system:
(1) The utility system shall consist of the source facilities and the distribution system and shall include all air gaps or approved backflow prevention assemblies properly installed and maintained, up to the point where the user's system begins. The source shall include all components of the facilities utilized in the production, treatment, storage, and delivery of water to the distribution system. The distribution system shall include the network of mains used for the delivery of water from the source to the user's system.
(2) The user's system shall include those parts of the facilities beyond the termination of the utility distribution system which are utilized in conveying utility-delivered potable water to points of use.
(C) Legal authority.
(1) This subchapter sets forth uniform requirements for users of the city drinking water system and enables the utility to comply with applicable state and federal laws. Legal authority is established under Indiana Law in the following areas:
(a) I.C. Title 36, Article 1: General Provisions. Establishes the authority of any city in the State of Indiana to exercise any power or perform any function necessary to the public interest in the context of its municipal or internal affairs.
(b) 327 IAC Article 8, Rule 10: Public Water Supply. Prohibits the construction or maintenance of a cross connection on public water supply systems.
(c) 675 IAC 16: Plumbing Code. Requires protection of the public water supply from contaminates due to backflow of contaminants through the water service connection.
(2) The utility shall be the interpreter of this subchapter and shall retain all authority as to whether such a backflow prevention device is required. If such a backflow prevention device is required, the utility, in its sole discretion, shall determine the type and the location of the device. The utility may order installation of said device by written notice to the user, under the conditions defined therein. Users located outside of the corporate limits of the City of Vincennes are also subject to the provisions of this subchapter.
(3) This subchapter is in addition to and supplements the uniform Indiana Plumbing Code (675 IAC 16) and shall not supersede the provisions of the plumbing code.
(D) Effect of subchapter related to other laws. In the event that the requirements of this subchapter differ or conflicts with any other state law authorizing the enactment of these requirements, the provisions of this subchapter shall apply and the stricter of the two shall be observed. It shall be understood that under no circumstances shall this subchapter be construed to contradict existing state law regulating this matter.
(E) Reference standards. The standards established by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research (FCCC & HR) cited in this subchapter are hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference.
(Ord. 14-2023, passed 10-23-23)