[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
As used in this article, the following words, phrases and terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, unless clearly indicated to the contrary:
AIR GAP
The unobstructed vertical distance through a free atmosphere between the lowest perimeter of a water outlet and the flood-level rim of any receptacle. This distance will be a minimum of two times the diameter of the outlet. In case of near-walls, this distance will be three times the diameter of the outlet.
AUXILIARY SUPPLY
Any water source or system other than the public water supply that may be available in the building or premises.
BACKFLOW
The reversal of flow from its intended direction as a result of backsiphonage or back-pressure.
BUREAU
The Bureau of Sanitary Engineering of the Department of Health of the Commonwealth.
CONTAMINATION
Any introduction into pure water of microorganisms, wastes, wastewater, undesirable chemicals or gases.
CROSS-CONNECTION
Any physical connection between a potable water supply and any waste pipe, soil pipe, sewer, drain or any unapproved source or system; also, any potable water supply outlet which is submerged or can be submerged in waste or any other source of contamination.
DOUBLE CHECK VALUE ASSEMBLY
An assembly of two internally loaded, specially designed and independently operating check valves, together with a tightly closing shutoff valve on the upstream and the downstream side of the check valves, equipped with properly placed female threaded test cocks.
EXISTING GROUND LEVEL
The level above which surface water will not accumulate under normal conditions.
FLOOD-LEVEL RIM
The top edge of the receptacle over which water could overflow.
HAZARD
Any condition, device or practice in the water usage system and its operation which creates, or reasonably tends to create, a danger to the health and well-being of the water consumer.
OWNER
The person having legal title to the property or who is in charge, care and control of the property where the facilities in question are located; also, the tenant of such property; also, the customer who signed the water service agreement for such property.
POLLUTION
The presence of any foreign substance (chemical, physical, radiological or biological) in water that tends to degrade its quality so as to constitute an unnecessary risk or impair the usefulness of the water.
REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPLE BACKFLOW PREVENTER
An assembly of differential valves and check valves, including an automatically opened spillage port to the atmosphere, designed to prevent backflow.
SERVICE CONNECTION
The terminal end of a service line from the waterworks. If a meter is installed at the end of the service, then the service connection means the downstream end of the meter.
SERVICE LINE
That portion of the waterline from the consumer's side of the water meter to the first water outlet.
TOXIN
Any substance of solids or liquids harmful for human consumption.
VACUUM BREAKER, ATMOSPHERIC
A vacuum breaker designed so as not to be subjected to continuous static line pressure.
VACUUM BREAKER, PRESSURE TYPE
A vacuum breaker designed to operate under conditions of static line pressure.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
The Building Official or his designated agent shall inspect the plumbing in every building or premises in the City as frequently as may be necessary to ensure that such plumbing has been installed and is maintained in such a manner as to prevent the possibility of pollution or contamination of the public water supply. The Building Official shall notify or cause to be notified, in writing, the owner, occupant or authorized agent of the owner of any such building or premises to correct, within a reasonable time set by the Building Official, any plumbing installed or existing contrary to or in violation of this article and which may create the risk of pollution of the City water supply or otherwise adversely affect the public health.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
(a) 
The Building Official or his designated agent shall inspect all premises or buildings during reasonable hours and under such circumstances as to minimize the inconvenience to the owner or occupants of the premises or their agents. Should any owner, occupant or agent refuse to allow the Building Official access to the premises for the purpose of conducting an inspection, or should the Building Official not be able to contact the owner, occupant or agent for purposes of obtaining permission to inspect, the Building Official shall have the right to apply immediately to a magistrate or other judicial officer for a proper warrant to carry out the necessary inspection. The provisions of this section shall apply to all initial inspections and to such follow-up inspections as may be necessary.
(b) 
In addition to the warrant procedure set forth in Subsection (a), the Building Official may commence administrative proceedings to discontinue water service to uninspected premises. Except in emergency cases involving the imminent risk of pollution of the City water supply, the Building Official shall give 10 days' written notice to the owner or occupant of the affected premises or to a responsible agent of his intention to terminate the water service. The Building Official shall afford to the owner, occupant or agent a hearing on the question of whether water service shall be terminated. This hearing shall be scheduled and conducted in a manner so that, to the maximum extent feasible, the inconvenience and burden on the owner, occupant or agent shall be minimized. The hearing shall take place before the Building Official himself or a designated principal assistant. The Building Official shall not terminate the water service to the premises in question, if he finds as a fact that:
(1) 
The owner, occupant or agent has presented clear, convincing and credible evidence that there are no cross-connection hazards within the subject premises; and
(2) 
No purpose of this article would be served by conducting an on-site inspection of the premises.
In all cases, the hearing provided by this subsection shall be scheduled within the ten-day period immediately following the giving of written notice to the owner, occupant or agent. Upon a showing of good cause, the Building Official may grant a reasonable continuance of the hearing so scheduled, but the Building Official nevertheless shall retain the right to terminate the water service at the expiration of the ten-day notice period if, in his discretion, public health considerations require such action. The Building Official shall, in all cases, render his decision immediately after the taking of all evidence at the hearing or as soon thereafter as may be practicable, but in no case later than 24 hours following the termination of the taking of evidence. The Building Official shall cause his findings of fact and disposition of the case to be reduced to writing and shall preserve the same in his files for a period of one year. The hearing itself before the Building Official shall be tape recorded or preserved by other appropriate means. Should the owner, occupant or agent desire a copy of the tape, the Building Official shall cooperate with him in undertaking to reproduce the same at the expense of the owner, occupant or agent. In all cases, the Building Official shall exercise the utmost care to preserve the integrity of the original tape.
(c) 
In emergency circumstances, where the Building Official has reasonable cause to believe that a cross-connection hazard exists in the subject premises and such hazard jeopardizes the integrity or the purity of the City water supply, he shall forthwith terminate the water service to the subject premises. The Building Official shall thereafter immediately afford the owner, occupant or agent the notice and opportunity to be heard pursuant to the procedures set forth in Subsection (b). In all cases where the Building Official shall summarily terminate water service as provided under this subsection, he shall act with dispatch in notifying the owner, occupant or agent and shall exercise the utmost diligence in scheduling a prompt hearing on the matter.
(d) 
Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections (a) and (b), the Building Official shall not terminate any water service in cases where he has reliable information from any source indicating that cross-connection hazards do not exist in the premises to which access for inspection cannot be gained.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
A potable water supply system shall be designed, installed and maintained in such manner as to prevent contamination from nonpotable liquids, solids or gases, either harmful or benign, being introduced into the potable water supply through cross-connections or any other piping connections to the system. This shall be accomplished by protecting every water outlet from the potable water system which poses a possible cross-connection. Wherever such outlets cannot be protected in accordance with the minimum air gap, a mechanical device shall be utilized to prevent backflow from backsiphonage or back-pressure, as appropriate, according to the degree of hazard. In cases where water usage is sufficiently complex or the severity of the hazard warrants, the Building Official may require an air gap or backflow prevention device immediately downstream from the service connection or at a point approved by the Building Official and the Bureau.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
(a) 
The cross-connection hazard and backflow prevention devices required shall be as set forth in the following chart:
Type of Device to be Used
1
2
3
4
5
Type of Connection
Air Gap
Nonpressure Vacuum Breaker
Pressure Vacuum Breaker
Double Check Value Assembly
Reduced Pressure Backflow Prevention
I.
Direct water connections, subject to back-pressure from:
A.
Pumps, tanks and lines containing:
1.
Sewage substances
x
2.
Toxic substances
x
x
3.
Nontoxic substance
x
x
x
B.
Steam lines and steam boilers:
1.
Boiler or steam connection to toxic substances
x
x
2.
Boiler or steam connection to nontoxic substances (boiler blow-off or drains not connected directly to sewer)
x
x
x
II.
Inlet type water connections not subject to back-pressure:
A.
Waste line (not subject to back-pressure due to waste line stoppages)
x
x
x
x
B.
Low inlet to receptacles containing toxic substances
x
x
x
x
C.
Low inlet to receptacles containing nontoxic substances
x
x
x
x
x
D.
Low inlet into domestic water tanks
No protection required
E.
Lawn sprinkler systems
x
x
x
x
F.
Coils or jackets used as heat exchanges in compressors, degreasers or other equipment:
1.
In toxic substances
x
x
x
x
2.
In nontoxic substances
No protection required
G.
Flush valve toilets
x
H.
Toilet and urinal tanks
x
x
I.
Trough urinals
x
J.
Valved outlets or fixtures with hose attachments which may constitute a cross-connection:
1.
Toxic substances
x
x
x
x
2.
Nontoxic substances
x
x
x
x
x
(b) 
Where investigation discloses that unusual or extraordinary hazards require more stringent means of protection, the Building Official shall have the authority to require the installation of the same. The Building Official shall in all cases specify the facts constituting the greater hazard found to require more stringent protective measures. The more stringent protective measures shall be related to such unusual or extraordinary hazards and shall be no more burdensome than is reasonably necessary to alleviate or guard against such hazards. The Building Official shall specify in writing to the owner the manner in which the more stringent protective measures alleviate or guard against the unusual or extraordinary hazards.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
Cross-connection between the potable water system with wells and other systems or equipment containing water or other substances of unknown or questionable safety are prohibited, except when and where, as approved by the Building Inspector, protective devices such as the reduced pressure zone backflow preventer or its equivalent are installed, maintained and tested to ensure proper operation on a continuing basis.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
Potable water connections to boilers shall be made through an air gap or provided with an approved backflow preventer.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
Potable water inlet connections to refrigerating unit condensers, cooling jackets and air conditioning cooling systems will be air gapped or provided with an approved backflow preventer.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
(a) 
Fire service systems having direct connections from waterworks with no pumps or storage facilities, no connections to other water supplies, no antifreeze or other chemicals added to the fire system, and all sprinkler heads discharging to the atmosphere are not required to have positive protective devices.
(b) 
In systems the same as referred to in Subsection (a), which have booster pumps installed in the connection from the waterworks, provisions shall be made to avoid lowering the pressure at the connection to the waterworks below 10 psi.
(c) 
Systems with direct connections to the waterworks, which are comparable to the system described under Subsections (a) and (b) and which have an auxiliary supply within 1,700 feet of the pumper connection, must provide an air gap, a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer, or a double gate-double check valve assembly, depending on the quality of the auxiliary supply.
(d) 
Fire service systems having direct connections to the waterworks and interconnections with auxiliary supplies, such as pumps taking suction from raw water sources, exposed storage tanks, industrial water supplies, connections to unapproved groundwaters, or where antifreeze or other chemicals are added, must provide an air gap.
(e) 
Fire service systems having direct connections to the waterworks from buildings having combined industrial and fire systems, either with or without storage tanks or pump connections, must provide an air gap.
(f) 
Fire service systems having direct connections to waterworks serving lawn sprinkler or irrigation systems must provide an air gap, double gate-double check valve assembly or a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer. If the sprinkler or irrigation system is also connected to an auxiliary source, an adequate design must be provided to prevent backflow.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
Where hose outlets are concerned, vacuum breakers are required. The Building Official may waive this requirement if, upon examination of all facts, the hose outlets are designed and constructed so as to substantially eliminate the risk of pollution or contamination.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
A backflow preventer device between hydrant and hose shall be installed before using hose for flushing storm drains and sewers.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
A backflow prevention device shall be installed on all irrigation and sprinkler systems.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
A low-pressure cutoff shall be installed on all booster pumps on water pressure booster systems in such a manner as to maintain a minimum pressure of 10 psi on the suction side of the pump.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
Whenever is determined by the Building Official that the potential hazard within any premises requires isolation from the system, an approved backflow preventer will be installed on the service line. Whenever continuous service is inoperative, a pair of backflow preventers may be installed in parallel.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
(a) 
Where a potable water outlet terminates below the flood level rim of a tank or vat and the tank or vat has an overflow of a diameter not less than given in the table below, the overflow pipe shall be provided with an air gap as close to the tank as practicable. Overflow pipes for water supply tanks shall be of the sizes set forth in the following table:
Sizes of Overflow Pipes for Water Supply Tanks
Maximum Capacity of Water Supply Line to Tank
(gpm)
Diameter of Overflow Pipe
(inches)
0 to 50
2
50 to 150
2 1/2
150 to 200
3
200 to 400
4
400 to 700
5
700 to 1,000
6
1,000
8
(b) 
The potable water outlet to the tank or vat shall terminate a distance not less than 1 1/2 times the height to which water can rise in the tank above the top of the overflow.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
Devices to protect against back-pressure and backsiphonage shall be installed at all fixtures and equipment where backflow may occur and where a minimum air gap cannot be provided between the water outlet to the fixture or equipment and its flood-level rim. For connections not subject to back-pressure, a vacuum breaker shall be installed on the discharge side of the last valve on the line serving the fixture or equipment. For connections subject to back-pressure, a backflow preventer shall be installed on the line serving the fixture or equipment.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
The Building Official may authorize the installation of approved double check-double gate valve assemblies with test cocks as protective devices against backflow in connections between a potable water system and other fluids which, in the judgment of the Building Official, present no significant health hazards.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
Devices for the prevention of backflow shall be tested and certified to meet the standards of the below listed agencies:
(1) 
American Society of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE).
(2) 
American Water Works Association (AWWA).
(3) 
University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control.
(4) 
American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
(5) 
Department of Health, Education and Welfare list of accepted equipment for interstate carriers.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
Certified plans for the following types of facilities shall be submitted in duplicate to the Building Official prior to construction, and an approved copy shall be forwarded to the Bureau:
(1) 
Hospitals, mortuaries, clinics and nursing homes.
(2) 
Laboratories.
(3) 
Piers, docks and waterfront facilities.
(4) 
Sewage treatment plants, sewage pumping stations and stormwater pumping stations.
(5) 
Food and beverage processing plants.
(6) 
Chemical plants and dyeing plants.
(7) 
Metal plating industries.
(8) 
Petroleum processing or storage plants.
(9) 
Radioactive materials processing plants or nuclear reactors.
(10) 
Car washers.
(11) 
Lawn sprinkler systems and irrigation systems.
(12) 
Fire service systems.
(13) 
Farms where the water is used for other than household purposes.
(14) 
Others specified by the Building Inspector or the Bureau, when reasonable cause can be shown for a potential backflow or cross-connection hazard.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
(a) 
Backflow preventing devices shall be accessibly located, preferably in the same room with the fixture they serve. In all cases, the installation will be in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
(b) 
Atmospheric vacuum breakers shall be installed with the critical level at least six inches above the flood level rim of the fixture they serve and on the discharge side of the last control valve to the fixture.
(c) 
Pressure vacuum breakers shall be installed with the critical level at least 12 inches above the flood level rim of the fixture they serve.
(d) 
Reduced pressure principle backflow preventers and double check valve assemblies shall be installed a minimum of 12 inches above the existing ground level in an easily accessible location for testing and maintenance.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
(a) 
The owner of any premises where backflow protective devices are installed shall have such devices inspected at least once yearly, beginning one year after installation. Inspection shall be accomplished by backflow prevention device testers certified by the Building Official. The date of annual testing shall be within 30 days before or 30 days after the anniversary date of installation. If the Building Official concludes that more frequent inspections are required, be shall notify the owner of the premises in writing of such finding and shall further specify the basis for such conclusions. The Building Official shall also promulgate a schedule for more frequent inspections.
(b) 
Backflow prevention devices shall be tested, repaired, overhauled or replaced as necessary at the expense of the water user. Records of such test, repairs and overhaul shall be kept by the certified tester and made available to the Building Official.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
(a) 
Plumbers, maintenance personnel, employees of owners, and owners of backflow prevention devices may become certified by the Building Official to test and repair such devices by completing a written and performance examination to the satisfaction of the Building Official. The classes of such certification shall be as follows:
(1) 
Single device tester: A person who has been qualified to test, inspect and repair a specific device at a singular location.
(2) 
Limited tester: A person who has been trained and is qualified to perform the periodic testing, inspection and repairs on the devices contained within a specific plant or institution.
(3) 
General tester: A registered plumber who has been trained and is qualified to perform the periodic testing, inspection and repairs on all approved devices.
(b) 
Examination of backflow prevention device testers shall be given at such times as may be fixed by the Building Official, notice of which shall be given at least three days in advance to those who have filed applications for certification. In case of the failure of an applicant to pass such examination, he shall be eligible for reexamination at the next scheduled examination.
(c) 
The holder of a certificate as a backflow prevention device tester shall annually renew his certificate. Such renewal certificate shall be granted upon written application unless it is made to appear, by affidavit filed with the Building Official, that the applicant is no longer competent or entitled to such renewal certificate, in which event the renewal certificate shall not be granted until the applicant shall have undergone the examination required by this section.
(d) 
All certificates issued under this section shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance, provided that any certificate may be revoked by the Building Inspector at any time upon sufficient written sworn charges filed with the Building Official showing the holder of the certificate to be then incompetent or guilty of a willful breach of the rules, regulations or requirements of the Building Official or the provisions of this article, or other causes sufficient for the revocation of his certificate, of which charges and hearing the holder of such certificate shall have written notice and shall have the right to be heard.
(e) 
If any certificate issued under this article is not renewed for a period of six months after the expiration date, the holder to whom the same was issued shall not be permitted to again engage in such occupation, nor shall a certificate be issued to him, unless and until he shall have made application and been examined in accordance with the procedure prescribed in this section.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
(a) 
The Building Official shall notify the owner or authorized agent of the owner of the building or premises in which there is found a violation of this article, apprising him of the facts of such violation. The Building Official shall set a reasonable time for the owner to have the violation removed or corrected. Upon failure of the owner to have the violation corrected by the end of the specified time interval, the Building Official may, if in his judgment a health hazard exists, cause the water service to the building or premises to be terminated. Such action will be effected by written notification to the Director of the Department of Utilities.
(b) 
Any owner or authorized agent of the owner responsible for the maintenance of the plumbing system in a building who knowingly permits a violation of this article to remain uncorrected after the expiration of the time set by the Building Official shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.