As used in this article, unless the context or subject matter otherwise
requires, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
ACCEPTABLE DEVICES
Those devices or assemblies found to be acceptable for containment
control in New York State in accordance with the Genesee County Department
of Health requirements, as outlined in § 8 of the Cross Connection
Control Guide, January 1981. See appendix for determination of acceptability
as taken from this section.
AESTHETICALLY OBJECTIONABLE FACILITY
One in which substances are present which if introduced into the
public water supply system could be a nuisance to other water customers, but
would not adversely affect human health. Typical examples of such substances
are: food-grade dyes, hot water, stagnant water from fire protection systems
in which no chemical additives are used, etc.
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. The differential
distance shall be at least double the diameter (d) of the supply pipe. In
no case shall the air gap be less than one inch. (See Figure 1-A.)
APPROVED CHECK VALVE
A check valve that seats readily and completely and meets New York State Department of Health list of acceptable devices, as outlined in §
8-1 of the Cross Connection Control Guide, January 1981.
AUXILIARY SUPPLY
Any water supply on or available to the premises other than the approved
public water supply.
BACKFLOW
A condition, induced by a differential in pressure, that causes the
flow of water or other liquids and/or gases into the distribution pipes of
a public water supply from any source other than its intended source.
BACKPRESSURE
The resulting backflow of contaminated, polluted or otherwise unacceptable
quality water from a plumbing fixture or other customer source(s) into a public
water supply system due to a greater pressure within the customer's water
system. (See Figure 1-B.)
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Figure 1-B
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EXAMPLE: Only the valve at A separates the potable and the fire tank
water in a large factory. The factory's potable water system, at B, is
being filled from the public water supply system at C, which is delivering
water at a pressure of 60 pounds per square inch. At the same time, the firefighting
system is activated, which provides potentially stagnant tank water at a pressure
of 120 pounds per square inch. If valve A is open or leaks, the tank water
will be forced into the public water supply system.
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BACKSIPOHONAGE
The backflow of contaminated or polluted water, or water of questionable
quality from a plumbing fixture or other customer source(s), into a public
water supply system main due to a temporary low or subatmospheric pressure
within the public water supply system. (See Figure 1-C.)
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Figure 1-C
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EXAMPLE: A hose is submerged in a laboratory sink at A. Both buildings
are connected to the same public water supply system C. This main could develop
a low pressure due to a main break elsewhere in the system. The building on
the right has installed a booster pump in the basement at B, in order to augment
available pressures. The booster pump could deplete the water in main C, thereby
subjecting the customer's water system to a pressure less than atmospheric,
thus causing a reversal of flow from the laboratory in the opposite building.
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CERTIFIED BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE TESTER
A person who is New York State Department of Health certified and
found competent for the testing of backflow prevention devices. He or she
shall be provided with an appropriate unexpired identification card. Failure
to perform his or her duties competently and conscientiously will result in
prompt withdrawal of his or her authority to test devices under this article.
CUSTOMER
A water user served by a public water system. All water districts,
including individual private users outside the village corporate limits, as
well as all outside-of-village customers.
CUSTOMER'S WATER SYSTEM
The piping used to convey water supplied by a public water supply
system from the point of supply throughout the customer's facility.
CONTAINMENT
Cross-connection control which isolates the customer's entire
facility from the public water system so as to provide the protection necessary
to prevent contamination of the public water supply in the event of backflow
from the customer's facility.
CONTAMINATION
The presence in water of a substance that tends to degrade its quality.
CROSS-CONNECTION
A physical connection between the public water system and a customer
water system.
DEGREE OF HAZARD
Whether a facility is rated as hazardous, aesthetically objectionable
or nonhazardous.
DOUBLE-CHECK VALVE (DCV) ASSEMBLY, ACCEPTABLE
Two single independently acting check valves, including tightly closing
shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly and suitable connections
for testing the watertightness of each check valve. This device must be approved
as a complete assembly and listed on the New York State Department of Health
list of acceptable devices in § 8, Cross Connections Control Guide.
(See Figure 1-D.)
HAZARDOUS FACILITY
One in which substances may be present which if introduced into the
public water system would or may endanger or have an adverse effect on the
health of other water customers. Typical examples include laboratories, sewage
treatment plants, chemical plants, hospitals and mortuaries.
INTERCONNECTION
A joining of two independently operated public water supply distribution
systems.
NONHAZARDOUS FACILITY
One which does not require the installation of an acceptable backflow
prevention device.
PLUMBING CONTROL
Prevention and elimination of cross-connections within the customer's
water system by enforcement of building or plumbing codes.
PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM
A New York State approved supplier of water, including the source,
treatment works, transmission mains, distribution system and storage facilities
serving the public.
REDUCED PRESSURE ZONE (RPZ) DEVICE
A reduced pressure zone device is acceptable if found on the New
York State Department of Health list of devices as described in § 8
of the Cross Connection Control Guide, January 1981. The unit must include
tight-closing shutoff valves located at each end of the device, and each device
shall be fitted with properly located test cocks. This device must be approved
as complete assembly. (See Figure 1-E.)
SUPPLEMENTARY SUPPLY
Any water source or system, other than the public water supply, that
is available within the water customer's facility.
SUPPLIER OF WATER
The owner or operator of a New York State approved public water system.
WATER SUPERVISOR
The consumer or a person on the premises charged with the responsibility
of complete knowledge and understanding of the water supply piping within
the premises and for maintaining the consumer's water system free from
cross-connections and other sanitary defects, as required by regulations and
laws.
Whenever possible, cross-connection control will be achieved by the
containment method. Any user employing a device which will achieve control
by any other method will make written application to the DPW Superintendent
to request such authorization. The DPW Superintendent, Water/Sewer Board and
the Genesee County Department of Health will be the final authority determining
the applicability of any and all devices so used.
A. The containment method. Using the containment approach
to cross-connection control results in totally isolating a facility with a
potential hazard from the public water supply system. Each water service line
to such a facility will be protected in a manner commensurate with the degree
of hazard. When any portion of a consumer's water supply system is rated
hazardous, then the entire system receives the same rated degree of hazard;
that includes piping for potable as well as nonpotable water.
B. Under certain conditions, fire-sprinkler-system connections
to the public water supply system may warrant a separate evaluation of the
type of protective device required.
The protective device required shall depend on the degree of hazard
as tabulated below:
A. Any premises on which there is an auxiliary water supply,
the public water supply system shall be protected by an air gap separation
or an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device.
B. At the service connection to any premises on which a
substance that would be objectionable (but not hazardous to health if introduced
into the public water supply) is handled so as to constitute a cross-connection,
the public water supply shall be protected by an approved double-check valve
assembly.
C. At the service connection to any premises on which a
substance of unusual toxic concentration or danger to health is or may be
handled, but not under pressure, the public water supply shall be protected
by an air gap separation or an approved reduced pressure principle backflow
prevention device. This device shall be located at or near the point of entry
into the facility as possible immediately downstream of the water meter, and
all piping between the water meter and receiving tanks shall be entirely visible.
D. At the service connection to any premises on which any
material dangerous to health, or toxic substance in toxic concentration, is
or may be handled under pressure, the public water supply shall be protected
by an air gap separation. The air gap shall be located as close as practicable
to the property line, and receiving tanks shall be entirely visible. If these
conditions cannot reasonably be met, the public water supply shall be protected
with an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device, provided
that this alternative is acceptable to the DPW Superintendent and Genesee
County Department of Health.
E. At the service connection to any sewage treatment plant
or sewage pumping station, the public water supply shall be protected by an
air gap separation. The air gap shall be located as close as practicable to
the property line, and all piping between the water meter and receiving tanks
shall be entirely visible. If these conditions cannot be reasonably met, the
public water supply shall be protected with an approved reduced pressure principle
backflow prevention device.
F. At the service connection to any premises not covered by Subsections
A through
E above, the public water supply shall be protected with an approved single check valve assembly at the discretion of the DPW Superintendent or his designee.