[Adopted 11-13-2013 by Ord. No. 2013.10.09-013 as Ch. 148, Art. I, of
the 2013 Code]
A.
Cross-connections between water supplies and nonpotable sources of
contamination are significant threats to health in the water supply
industry. This article is designed to maintain the safety and potability
of the water in the Community Services Department by establishing
rules and procedures to prevent the contamination of public drinking
water by the backflow of water from an approved source or other fluids.
B.
The purpose of this regulation is:
(1)
To protect the public water supply of the Community Services Department
from the possibility of contamination by isolating contaminants which
could backflow or backsiphon into the public water system within its
customers' internal distribution system(s);
(2)
To promote the elimination or control of cross-connections, actual
or potential, between its customers' in-plant drinking water system(s)
and anything that could contaminate or pollute it; and
(3)
To provide for the maintenance of a cross-connection control program
to effectively prevent the contamination or pollution of all drinking
water systems.
[Amended 2-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020.01.08-001]
This article is adopted pursuant to the following:
A.
New Hampshire Administrative Rules Part Env-Dw 505, Backflow Prevention,
or subsequent rules.
B.
The Dover Utilities Commission rules and regulations approved by
the Dover City Council. Under these rules and regulations, the Community
Services Department has the primary responsibility for protecting
the public water supply from the backflow and cross-contamination
of dangerous substances which would endanger the public health or
physically damage the public water system.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A physical separation sufficient to prevent backflow between
the free-flowing discharge end of the potable water system and any
other system. Physically defined as a vertical distance equal to twice
the diameter of the supply pipe but not less than one inch.
A device which prevents backsiphonage by creating an atmospheric
vent when there is either a negative pressure or subatmospheric pressure
in a water system.
Any water supply on or available to the premises other than
the purveyor's approved public potable water supply.
The flow of water or other fluids, mixtures or substances
into the distribution pipes of a potable water system from any source
other than the intended approved source of supply.
A device or means designed to prevent backflow or backsiphonage.
A condition in which the owner's system pressure is greater
than the supplier's system pressure.
The flow of water or other fluids, mixtures or substances
into the distribution pipes of a potable water system from any source
other than its intended source caused by the sudden reduction of pressure
in the public water system.
A fabricated piping arrangement rising at least 35 feet at
its topmost point above the highest fixture it supplies. It is utilized
in water systems to protect against backsiphonage.
A method of backflow prevention which requires a backflow
prevention device at the water service entrance.
A substance that may impair the quality of the water, creating
a potential health hazard to the public.
Any actual or potential connection between the public water
system and any source of contamination or unapproved water source.
An assembly of two independently operating, spring-loaded
check valves with tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of
the double check valve, plus properly located test cocks for the testing
of each check valve.
A device having two independently operating, spring-loaded
check valves separated by an atmospheric vent chamber.
A method of backflow prevention in which a backflow preventer,
such as a hose bib or an atmospheric vacuum breaker, is located to
correct a cross-connection at an in-plant location rather than at
a water service entrance. This protects the drinking water in the
building.
A device which is connected to a hose bib and which acts
as an atmospheric vacuum breaker. Not to be used under constant pressure.
Any person who has legal title to, or license to operate
or habitat in, a property upon which a cross-connection inspection
is to be made or upon which a cross-connection may be present.
Any individual, partnership, company, public or private corporation,
political subdivision or agency of the state, department, agency or
instrumentality of the United States, or any other legal entity.
A device containing one or two independently operated, spring-loaded
check valves and an independently operated, spring-loaded air inlet
valve located on the discharge side of the check valve(s). The device
includes tightly closing shutoff valves on each side of the check
valve(s) and properly located test cocks for the testing of the assembly.
An assembly consisting of two independently operating, spring-loaded
check valves with an automatically operating differential relief valve
located between the two check valves, tightly closing shutoff valves
on each side of the check valves, plus properly located test cocks
for the testing of the check valves and the relief valve.
An assembly of two spring-loaded, independently operating
check valves. Generally employed immediately downstream of the water
meter to act as a containment device in a single- or two-family residence.
That point in the owner's water system beyond the sanitary
control of the water supplier; generally considered to be the outlet
end of the water meter or where the water service first enters the
building.
The official, or his delegated representative, in charge
of the Community Services Department who is invested with the authority
and responsibility for the implementation of an effective cross-connection
control program and for the enforcement of the provisions of this
article.
The public water supply system.
The Water Superintendent shall be responsible for the protection
of the public potable water distribution system from contamination
or pollution due to the backflow or backsiphonage of contaminants
or pollution through the water service connection. If, in the judgment
of the Water Superintendent, an approved backflow prevention device
is required at the City of Dover's water service connection to any
customer's premises for the safety of the water system, the Water
Superintendent or his designated agent shall give notice, in writing,
to said customer to install an approved backflow prevention device
at each service connection to his premises. The customer shall, within
90 days, install the approved device or devices at his own expense.
Failure, refusal, or inability on the part of the customer to install
said device or devices within 90 days shall constitute grounds for
discontinuing water service to the premises until such device or devices
have been properly installed.
A.
The Community Services Department will operate an approved cross-connection
control chapter, including the keeping of necessary records to fulfill
the requirements of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental
Services' backflow rules, regulations, and related laws.
B.
The owner shall allow the City of Dover to inspect his property for
possible cross-connections and shall follow the provisions of this
article and the rules of the Dover Utilities Commission.
[Amended 2-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020.01.08-001]
C.
If the City of Dover requires that the public supply be protected
by containment, the owner shall be responsible for the water quality
beyond the outlet end of the containment device and should utilize
the appropriate device approved for that purpose.
A.
Community Services Department.
(1)
On new installations, the City of Dover will provide an on-site evaluation
and/or inspection and review of plans in order to determine the type
of backflow preventer, if any, that will be required.
(2)
On new installations, the City of Dover will issue a permit and perform
inspection and testing.
(3)
For premises existing prior to the start of this program, the City
of Dover will:
(a)
Perform an assessment of the function of the premises and determine
if it poses a cross-connection risk.
(b)
If a risk is present, assess the risk as high-hazard or low-hazard.
(c)
Inform the owner, in writing, of any corrective action deemed
necessary, the method of achieving the correction, and the time allowed
for the correction to be made. Ordinarily, 30 days will be allowed.
However, this time period may be shortened depending upon the degree
of hazard involved and the history of the device(s) in question.
(4)
The City of Dover will not allow any cross-connection to remain unless
it is isolated by an approved backflow prevention assembly, commensurate
with the degree of hazard, for which a permit has been issued and
which will be regularly inspected/tested to ensure satisfactory operation.
(5)
The City of Dover shall inform the owner, in writing, of any failure
to comply and the time allowed for the correction to be made. If upon
reinspection the owner has not complied, the City of Dover may allow
an additional 15 days for the correction. In the event the owner fails
to comply with the necessary correction by the time of the second
reinspection, the City of Dover will inform the owner, by certified
letter, that the water service to the owner's premises will be terminated
within a period not to exceed five days. In the event that the owner
informs the City of extenuating circumstances as to why the correction
has not been made, a time extension may be granted by the Community
Services Director.
(6)
If the City of Dover determines at any time that a serious threat
to the public health exists, the water service shall be terminated
immediately.
(7)
The City of Dover shall begin inspections to determine the nature
of existing hazards and corrections to be made, following approval
of the program by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
(NHDES). Initial focus will be on high-hazard water use.
(8)
Certified backflow prevention device inspectors must be certified
through the New England Water Works Association (NEWWA) Certified
Backflow Prevention Device Inspectors/Testers Program.
(9)
The City of Dover shall also develop installation standards and specifications
for each type of backflow preventer to ensure they are installed in
a manner in which they have been evaluated and approved and to allow
for periodic testing and maintenance.
B.
Owner.
(1)
The owner shall be responsible for the elimination, or isolation
with the proper installation of an approved backflow preventer commensurate
with the degree of hazard, of all cross-connections on his premises.
(2)
The owner, after having been informed by a letter from the City,
shall, at his expense, install, maintain, and inspect or have inspected
(as determined by the City of Dover) all backflow preventers on his
premises.
(3)
The owner shall correct any deficiency of a backflow preventer which
is revealed by inspection or testing. This shall include the replacement
of parts or the replacement of the backflow preventer, if deemed necessary
by the Community Services Department.
(4)
The owner shall inform the Community Services Department of any proposed
or modified cross-connections and also existing cross-connections
of which the owner is aware but which have not been found by the Community
Services Department.
(5)
The owner shall not install a bypass around any backflow preventer
unless there is a backflow preventer of the same type on the bypass.
Owners who cannot shut down operations for inspecting of the device(s)
must supply additional devices necessary to allow inspecting to take
place.
(6)
The owner shall install backflow preventers in a manner and location
approved by the Community Services Department.
(7)
The owner shall only install approved backflow preventers from a
list adopted by the Community Services Department and NHDES.
(8)
Any owner having a private well or other private water source must:
(a)
Have a permit if the well or source is cross-connected to the
Community Services Department's system. Permission to cross-connect
may be denied by the Community Services Department. The owner may
be required to install a backflow preventer at the service entrance
if a private water source is maintained, even if it is not cross-connected
to the Community Services Department's system.
(b)
In the event the owner installs plumbing to provide drinking
water for domestic purposes which is on the City public water system's
side of the backflow preventer, such plumbing must have its own backflow
preventer installed.
(9)
The owner shall be responsible for the payment of all fees for permits,
annual or semiannual device inspections, retesting in the case that
the device fails to operate correctly, and reinspections for noncompliance
with the Community Services Department or NHDES requirements.
The Community Services Department recognizes the threat to the
public water system arising from cross-connections. All threats will
be classified by degree of hazard and will require the installation
of approved backflow prevention devices for high and low hazards.
A.
Low degree of hazard. If backflow were to occur, the resulting effect
on the water supply would be a change in its aesthetic qualities.
The foreign substance must be nontoxic to humans.
B.
High degree of hazard.
(1)
If backflow were to occur, the resulting effect on the water supply
could cause illness or death if consumed by humans. The foreign substance
may be toxic to humans from either a chemical, bacteriological or
radiological standpoint. The effects of the contaminants may result
from short- or long-term exposure.
The Community Services Department shall not permit a cross-connection
within the public water system unless it is considered necessary and
cannot be eliminated.
A.
Cross-connection permits that are required for each backflow prevention
device are obtained from the Community Services Department. A fee
will be charged for the initial permit and for the renewal of each
permit as found in the Fee Schedule.
B.
Cross-connection permits shall be renewed every five years and are
nontransferable. Permits are subject to revocation and become immediately
revoked:
[Amended 2-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020.01.08-001]
C.
A permit is not required when fixture isolation is achieved with
the utilization of a nontestable backflow preventer in the case of
residential dual checks.
Any existing backflow preventer shall be allowed by the Community
Services Department to continue in service unless the degree of hazard
is such as to supersede the effectiveness of the present backflow
preventer, or unless an unreasonable risk to the public health results.
A.
Backflow prevention devices shall be inspected and tested at least
semiannually for high hazard devices and annually for low hazard devices.
B.
Periodic inspections and testing shall be performed by an inspector
certified through the NEWWA Backflow Prevention Device Inspectors/Testers
Program. The inspections will be done at the owner's expense.
C.
When performed by an inspector from the Community Services Department,
the inspections shall be conducted during the Community Services Department's
regular business hours. Exceptions to this, when at the request of
the owner, may require additional charges to cover the increased costs
to the Community Services Department.
D.
Any backflow preventer which fails the inspection test during a periodic
inspection will be repaired or replaced. When repairs are necessary,
upon completion of the repair, the device will be inspected a second
time at the owner's expense to ensure correct operation. High-hazard
situations will not be allowed to continue unprotected if the backflow
preventer fails the inspection and cannot be repaired immediately.
In other situations, a compliance date of not more than 30 days after
the inspection date will be established. The owner is responsible
for spare parts, repair tools, and/or a replacement device. Parallel
installation of two devices is an effective means of the owner ensuring
that uninterrupted water service is provided during inspections or
repair of devices and is strongly recommended when the owner desires
such continuity.
E.
These devices shall be repaired or replaced at the expense of the
owner whenever said devices are found to be defective. Tests and repairs
shall be recorded on forms approved by the Water Superintendent, and
copies shall be distributed to the owner and Water Superintendent
within 10 days of the actual test.
F.
Backflow prevention devices may be inspected more frequently than specified in Subsection A above in cases where there is a history of test failures and the Community Services Department feels that, due to the degree of hazard involved, additional inspections are warranted. Cost of the additional inspections will be borne by the owner.
B.
Reports. Each year, by April 1, the Community Services Department
will submit a summary of inspection results to NHDES that includes
the following:
(1)
The name, certifying organization, and certification number of the
certified backflow prevention device inspector who performed the inspection
and test on the device;
(2)
The permit number;
(3)
The name of the owner and the location of the device;
(4)
The purpose of the device and its hazard class;
(5)
The type of device;
(6)
The date and result of each test; and
(7)
If the test failed, the subsequent test date and result until the
device passes.
The Community Services Department will publish a list of fees
or charges. See Fee Schedule.
[Added 2-12-2020 by Ord.
No. 2020.01.08-001]
Violation of this article shall be subject to a fine as provided
in the City Fine Schedule.
