HomeMy Public PortalAboutOrd. 1305ORDINANCE N0. 1305
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LYNWOOD
INSTITUTING A CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL
PROGRAM TO PROTECT THE CITY'S WATER SYSTEM
THE CITY OF LYNWOOD DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I - PURPOSE
The purpose of this ordinance is (1) to protect the City's water
supply against actual or potential cross-connection by isolating
within the premise contamination that may occur because of some
undiscovered or unauthorized cross-connection on the premises;
(2) to eliminate existing connections between drinking water
systems and other sources of water that are not approved as safe
and potable for human consumption; (3) to eliminate cross-
connections between drinking water systems and sources of
contamination; (4) to prevent the making of cross-connections
in the future.
These regulations are adopted pursuant to the State of California
Administrative Code, Title 17 - Public Health entitled,
"Regulations Relating to Cross-Connections".
It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation at any
time to make or maintain or cause to be made or maintained,
temporarily or permanently, for any period of time whatsoever,
any cross-connection between plumbing pipes or water fixtures
being served with water by the City water Department and
any other source of water supply or to maintain any sanitary
fixture or other appurtenances or fixtures which by reason of
their construction may cause or allow backflow of water or other
substances into the water supply system of the City and/or the
service of water pipes or fixtures of any consumer of the City.
SECTION II - DEFINITIONS
A. Air-Gap Separation: The term "air-gap separation" means
a physical break between a supply pipe and a receiving
vessel. The air-gap shall be at least double the
diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above
the top rim of the vessel, in no case less than one inch.
B. Approved Backflow Prevention Device: The term "Approved
backflow prevention device" shall mean devices which
have passed laboratory and field evaluation tests
performed by a recognized testing organization which has
demonstrated their competency to perform such tests to
the California Department of Health Services.
C. Approved Water Supply: The term "Approved water supply"
means any water supply whose potability is regulated by
a State or local health agency.
D. Auxiliary Supply: The term "auxiliary supply" means any
water supply on or available to the premises other than
the approved water supply.
E. AWWA Standard: The term "AWWA Standard" means an
official standard developed and approved by the American
Water Works Association (AWWA).
F. Backflow: The term "backflow" shall mean a flow
condition, caused by a differential in pressure, that
causes the flow of water or other liquids, gases,
mixtures or substances into the distributing pipes of a
potable supply of water from any source or sources other
than an approved water supply source. Backsiphonage is
one cause of backflow. Back pressure is the other cause.
G. Contamination: The term "contamination" means a
degradation of the quality of the potable water by any
foreign substance which creates a hazard to the public
health or which may impair the usefulness or quality of
the water.
H. Cross-Connection: The term "cross-connection" are used
in this Ordinance means an unprotected actual or potential
connection between a potable water system used to supply
water for drinking purposes and any source or system
containing unapproved water or a substance that is not or
cannot be approved as safe, wholesome, and potable. By-
pass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections,
swivel or changeover devices „ or other devices through
which backflow could occur, shall be considered to be
cross-connections.
I. Double Check Valve Assembly: The term "double check
valve assembly" means an assembly of at least two
independently acting check valves including tightly
closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valve
assembly and best cocks available for testing the
watertightness of each check valve.
J. Health Agency: The term "health agency" means the
California Department of Health Services, or the local
health agency with respect to a small water system.
K. Local Health Agency: The term "local health agency"
means the county or city health authority.
L. Person: The term "person" means an individual,
corporation, company, association, partnership, municipality,
public utility, or other public body or instituteion.
M. Premise: The term "premise" means any and all areas on
a customer's property which are served or have the
potential to be served by the public water system.
N. Public Water System: The term "public water system"
means a system for the provision of piped water to the
public for human consumption which has five or more
service connections or regularly serves an average of 25
individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year.
O. Reclaimed Water: The term "reclaimed water" means a
wastewater which as a result of treatment is suitable for
uses other than potable use.
P. Reduced Pressure Princi le Backflow Prevention Device:
The term "reduced pressure principle Backflow prevention
device" means a device incorporating two or more check
valves and an automatically operating differential relief
valve located between the two checks, a tightly closing
shut-off valve on each side of the check valve assembly,
and equipped with necessary test cocks for testing.
Q. Service Connection: The term "service connection" refers
to the point of connection of a user's piping to the
water supplier's facilities.
R. Water Supplier: The term "water supplier" means the
person who owns or operates the approved water supply system.
S. Water User: The term "water user" means any person
obtaining water from an approved water supply system.
SECTION III - CROSS-CONNECTION PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS
A. General Provisions
1. Unprotected cross-connections with the public water
supply are prohibited.
2. Whenever Backflow protection has been found
necessary, the City will require the water user to
install an approved Backflow prevention device by and
at his/her expense for continued services or before a
new service will be granted.
3. Wherever Backflow protection has been found necessary
on a water supply line entering a water user's premises,
then any and all water supply lines from the City's
mains entering such premises, buildings, or structures
shall be protected by an approved Backflow prevention
device. The type of device to be installed will be
in accordance with the requirements of this ordinance.
B. Where Protection is Required
1. Each service connection from the City water system
for supplying water to premises having an auxiliary
water supply shall be protected against Backflow of
water from the premises into the public water system
unless the auxiliary water supply is accepted as an
additional source by the City and is approved by the
public health agency having jurisdiction.
2. Each service connection from the City water system
for supplying water to any premises on which any
substance is handled in such fashion as may allow its
entry into the water system shall be protected
against backflow of the water from the premises into
the public system. This shall include the handling
of process waters and waters originating from the
City water system which have been subjected to
deterioration in sanitary quality.
3. Backflow prevention devices shall be installed on the
service connection to any premises having (a)
internal cross-connections that cannot be permanently
corrected and controlled to the satisfaction of the
state or local health department and the City, or (b)
intricate plumbing and piping arrangements or where
entry to all portions of the premises is not readily
accessible for inspection purposes, making it
impracticable or impossible to ascertain whether or
not cross-connections exist.
C. Type of Protection Required
1. The type of protection that shall be provided to prevent
backflow into the approved water supply shall
commensurate with the degree of hazard that exists on
the consumer's premises. The type of protective
device that may be required (listing in an increasing
level of protection) includes: Double Check Valve
Assembly (DC), Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow
Prevention Device (RP), and an Air-gap separation
(AG). The water user may choose a higher level of
protection than required by the City. The minimum
types of backflow protection required to protect the
approved water supply, at the user's water connection
to premises with varying degrees of hazard are given
in Table 1. Situations which are not covered in
Table 1 shall be evaluated on a case by case basis
and the appropriate backflow protection shall be
determined by the City or health agency.
Table 1
TYPE OF BACKFLOW PROTECTION REQUIRED
Minimum
Type of
Backflow
Degree of Hazard Prevention
(a) Sewage and Hazardous Substances
(1) Premises where the public water AG
used to supplement the reclaimed
water supply.
(2) Premises where there are wastewater AG
pumping and/or treatment plants
and there is no interconnection
with the potable water system.
This does not incude a single
family residence that has a
sewage lift pump. A RP may be
provided in lieu of an AG if
approved by the health agency
and the City.
(3) Premises where reclaimed water AG
is used and there is not inter-
connection with the potable water
system. A RP may be provided in
lieu of an AG if approved by the
health agency and the City.
(4) Premises where hazardous AG
substances are handled in any
manner in which the substances
may enter a potable water
system. This does not include
a single family residence that
has a sewage lift pump. ARP
may be provided in lieu of an
AG if approved by the health
agency and the City.
(5) Premises where there are RP
irrigation systems into which
fertilizers, herbicides, or
pesticides are, or can be, injected.
Table 1 (cont.)
TYPE OF BACKFLOW PROTECTION REQUIRED
Minimum
Type of
Backflow
Degree of Hazard Prevention
(b) Auxiliary Water Supplies
(1) Premises where there is an AG
unapproved auxiliary water
supply which is interconnected
with the public water system.
A RP or DC may be provided in
lieu of an AG if approved by the
health agency and the City.
(2) Premises where there is an RP
unapproved auxiliary water supply
and there are no interconnections
with the public water system. A
DC may be provided in lieu of a RP
if approved by the health agency
and City.
(c) Fire Protection Systems
(1) Premises where the fire system is DC
directly supplied from the public
water system and there is an
unapproved auxiliary water supply
on or to the premises (not
interconnected).
(2) Premises where the fire system is AG
supplied from the public water
system and interconnected with an
unapproved auxiliary water supply.
A RP may be provided in lieu of
an AG if approved by the health
agency and City.
(3) Premises where the fire system is DC
supplied from the public water
system and where either elevated
storage tanks or fire pumps which
take suction from the private
reservoirs or tanks are used.
(d) Premises where entry is restricted RP
so that inspections for cross-
connections cannot be made with
sufficient frequency or at
sufficiently short notice to assure
that cross-connections do not exist.
(e) Premises where there is a repeated RP
history of cross-connections being
established or re-established.
2. Two or more services supplying water from different
street mains to the same building, structure, or
premises through which an interstreet main flow may
occur, shall have at least a standard check valve on
each water service to be located adjacent to and on
the property side of the respective meters. Such
check valve shall not be considered adequate if
backflow protection is deemed necessary to protect the
City's mains from pollution or contamination; in such
cases the installation of approved backflow devices
at such service connections shall be required.
SECTION IV - BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES
A. Approved Backflow Prevention Devices
1. Only backflow prevention devices which have been
approved by the City shall be acceptable for
installation by a water user connected to the City's
potable water system.
2. The City will provide, upon request, to any affected
customer a list of approved backflow prevention devices.
B. Backflow prevention Device Installation
1. Backflow prevention devices shall be installed in a
manner prescribed in Section 7603, Title 22 of the
California Administrative Code. Location of the
devices should be as close as practical to the user's
connection. The City shall have the final authority
in determining the required location of a backflow
prevention device.
a. Air-gap separation (AG). The air-gap separation
shall be located on the user's side of and as
close to the service connection as is practical.
All piping from the service connection to the
receiving tank shall be above grade and be
entirely visible. No water use shall be provided
from any point between the service connection and
the air-gap separation. The water inlet piping
shall terminate a distance of at least two (2)
pipe diameters of the supply inlet, but in no
case less than one (1) inch above the overflow
rim of the receiving tank.
b. Reduced Pressure Principle Bac
lievrce ~xr~: •1•ne approved reduced pressure principle
backflow prevention device shall be installed on
the user's side of and as close to the service
connection as is practical. The device shall be
installed a minimum of twelve inches (12") above
grade and not more than thirty-six inches (36")
above grade measured from the bottom of the
device and with a minimum of twelve inches (12")
side clearance. The device shall be installed so
that it is readily accessible for maintenance and
testing. Water supplied from any point between
the service connection and the RP device shall be
protected in a manner approved by the City.
c. Double Check Valve Assembly (DC): The approved
double check valve assembly shall be located as
close as practical to the user's connection and
shall be installed above grade, if possible, and
in a manner where it is readily accessible for
testing and maintenance. If a double check valve
assembly is put below grade, it must be installed
in a vault such that there is a minimum of six
inched (6") between the bottom of the vault and
the bottom of the device, so that the top of the
device is no more than a maximum of eight inches
(8") below grade, so there is a minimum of six
inches of clearance between the side of the
device with the test cocks and the side of the
vault, and so there is a minimum of three inches
(3") clearance between the other side of the
device and the side of the vault. Special
consideration must be given to double check valve
assembles of the "Y" type. These devices must be
installed on their "side" with the tests cocks in
a vertical position so that either check valve may
be removed for service without removing the device.
Vaults which do no have an integrated bottom must
be placed on a three inch (3") layer of gravel.
C. Backflow Prevention Device Testing and Maintenance
1. The owners f any premises on which, or on account of
which, backflow prevention devices are installed,
shall have the devices tested by a person who has
demonstrated their competency in testing of these
devices to the City. Backflow prevention devices
must be tested at least annually and immediately
after installation, relocation or repair. The City
may require a more frequent testing schedule if it
is determined to be necessary. No device shall be
placed back in service unless it is functioning as
required. A report in a form acceptable to the City
shall be filed with the City each time a device is
tested, relocated, or repaired. These devices shall
be serviced, overhauled, or replaced whenever they
are found to be defective and all costs of testing,
repair, and maintenance shall be borne by the water user.
2. The City will supply affected water users with a list
of persons acceptable to the City to test backflow
prevention devices. The City will notify affected
customers by mail when annual testing of a device is
needed and also supply users with the necessary forms
which must be filled out each time a device is tested
or repaired.
D. Backflow Prevention Device Removal
1. Approval must be obtained from the City before a
backflow prevention device is removed, relocated, or
replaced.
a. Removal: The use of a device may be discontinued
and the device removed from service upon
presentation of sufficient evidence to the City to
verify that a hazard no longer exists or is not
likely to be created in the future;
b. Relocation: A device may be relocated following
confirmation by the City that the relocation will
continue to provide the required protection and
satisfy installation requirements. A retest will
be required following the relocation of the device;
c. Repair: A device may be removed for repair,
provided the water use is either discontinued
until repair is completed and the device is
returned to service, or the service connection is
equipped with other backflow protection approved
by the City. A retest will be required following
the repair of the device; and
d. Replacement: A device may be removed and
replaced provided the water use is discontinued
until the replacement device is installed. All
replacement devices must be approved by the City
and must be commensurate with the degree of
hazard involved.
SECTION V - USER SUPERVISOR
At each premises where it is necessary, in the opinion of the
City, a user supervisor shall be designated by and at the
expense of the water user. This user supervisor shall be
responsible for the monitoring of the backflow prevention
devices and for avoidance of cross connections. In the event
of contamination or pollution of the drinking water system
due to a cross-connection on the premises, the City shall be
promptly notified by the user supervisor so that appropriate
measures may be taken to overcome the contamination. The
water user shall inform the City of the user supervisor's
identity on, as a minimum, an annual basis and whenever a
change occurs.
SECTION VI - ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
A. Water System Survey
1. The City shall review all requests for new services
to determine if backflow protection is needed. Plans
and specifications must be submitted to the City upon
request for review of possible cross-connection
hazards as a condition of service for new service
connections. If it is determined that a backflow
prevention device is necessary to protect the public
water system, the required device must be installed
before service will be granted.
2. The City may require an on-premise inspection to
evaluate cross-connection hazards. The City will
transmit a written notice requesting an inspection
appointment to each affected water user. Any
customer which cannot or will not allow an on-premise
inspection of their piping system shall be required
to install the backflow prevention device the City
considers necessary.
3. The City may, at it's discretion, require a
reinspection for cross-connection hazards of any
premise to which it serves water. The City will
transmit a written notice requesting an inspection
appointment to each affected water user. Any
customer which cannot or will not allow an on-premise
inspection of their piping system shall be required
to install the backflow prevention device the City
considers necessary.
B. Customer Notification - Device Installation
1. The City will notify the water user of the survey
findings, listing corrective action to be taken if
required. A period of 60 days will be given to
complete all corrective action required including
installation of backflow prevention devices.
2. A second notice will be sent to each water user
which does not take the required corrective action
prescribed in the first notice within the 60 days
period allowed. The second notice will give the
water user a two week period to take the required
corrective action. If no action is taken within the
2 week period, the City may terminate water service
to the affected water user until the required
corrective actions are taken.
C. Customer Notification - Testing and Maintenance
1. The City will notify each affected water user when it
is time for the backflow prevention device installed
on their service connection to be tested. This written
notice shall give the water user 30 days to have the
device tested and supply the water user with the necessary
form to be completed and resubmitted to the City.
2. A second notice will be sent to each water user which
does not have his/her backflow prevention device
tested as prescribed in the first notice within the
30 day period allowed. The second notice will give
the water user a two week peirod to have his/her
backflow prevention device tested. If no action is
taken within the 2 week period, the City may
terminate water service to the affected water user
until the subject device is tested.
SECTION VII - WATER SERVICE TERMINATION
A. General
When the City encounters water uses that represent a
clear and immediate hazard to the potable water supply
that cannot be immediately abated, the City shall institute
the procedure for discontinuing the City water service.
B. Basis For Termination
Conditions or water uses that create a basis for water
service termination shall include, but are not limited
to, the following items:
1. Refusal to install a required backflow prevention device,
2. Refusal to test a backflow prevention device,
3. Refusal to repair a faulty backflow prevention device,
4. Refusal to replace a faulty backflow prevention device,
5. Direct or indirect connection between the public
water system and a sewer line,
6. Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the
public water system and a system or equipment
containing contaminants.
7. Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the
public water system and an auxiliary water system,
8. A situation which presents an immediate health hazard
to the public water system.
C. Water Service Termination Procedures
1. For conditions 1, 2, 3, or 4, the City company, will
terminate service to a customer's premise after 2
written notices have been sent specifying the
corrective action needed and the time period in which
it must be done. If no action is taken within the
allowed time period, water service may be terminated.
2. For conditions 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, the City will take
the following steps:
a. Make resonable effort to advise water user of
intent to terminate water service;
b. Terminate water supply and lock service valve.
The water service will remain inactive until
correction of violations has been approved by
the City.
SECTION VIII - REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CERTIFICATION AS A
BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE TESTER
Each applicant for certification as a tester of backflow
prevention devices shall file an approved application with
the City Clerk, together with a fee as may be established by
the City Council.
Competency in all phases of backflow prevention device
testing and repair must be demonstrated by means of education
and/or experience in order to obtain certification.
The following are minimum requirements:
a. Applicants shall have had at least two (2) years
experience in plumbing or pipe fitting or equivalent
qualifications.
b. Hold a valid certification for the American Water Works
Association (A.W.W.A.) California-Nevada Section, from a
County certification program, or have equivalent training
in the opinion of the City and the Health Department.
c. Each applicant for certification as a tester of backflow
prevention devices shall furnish evidence to show that the
has available the necessary tools and equipment to
properly test such devices. He shall be responsible for
the competency and accuracy of all tests and reports
prepared by him.
The certificate issued to any tester is valid for a period of
one year and may be revoked, suspended, or not renewed by the
City for improper testing, repairs, and/or reporting.
SECTION IX - SEVERABILITY
In any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence,
clause, or phrase of this Ordinance, or any part thereof, is
for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not
affect the validity of the remaining portions of this
ordinance or any part thereof. The Council hereby declares
that it would have passed each section, subsection,
subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase thereof,
irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections,
subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, or
phrases be declared invalid.
SECTION X - EFFECTIVE DATE
This ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days from the
date of its passage.
First read at a regular meeting of the City Council of said
City held on the 7th day of June 1988, and finally
adopted and ordere pu li.shed at a re ular meeting of
said Council held on the 21st day o- une 1988,
by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMED?BF.R HEINF, HENNING, MORRIS, R'1iLT,S, RICHARDS
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
PAU H. RICHARDS, Mayor
- ATTEST: ~ -~
~~_~~~
ANIIREA L. HOOFER, City Cler
APPROVED ~ ~.0 FORi~7:
C07.