[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of
the City of Galax 10-13-1992. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to eliminate
cross-connections and to protect the public health. This chapter provides
for establishment and enforcement of a program of cross-connection
control and backflow prevention in accordance with the Commonwealth
of Virginia, State Board of Health, Waterworks Regulations 1974, as
amended.
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A.
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Commonwealth of Virginia
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Department of Health
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Waterworks Regulations
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Part II, Article 3
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Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention
in Waterworks
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B.
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Uniform Statewide Building Code, Volume I;
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Uniform Statewide Building Code, Volume II.
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A.
The Director, the City Engineer or his designated
agent shall administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter
under the direction of the City Manager.
B.
It shall be the duty of the Director to cause inspections
to be made of properties served by the waterworks where cross-connection
with the waterworks is deemed possible. The method of determining
potential cross-connection with the waterworks and the administrative
procedures shall be established by the Director in a cross-connection
control program (programs) approved by the Commonwealth of Virginia,
Department of Health, Division of Water Supply Engineering.
C.
The responsibility to carry out the program lies with
the local Building Official. The program shall be carried out in accordance
with the Uniform Statewide Building Code and the Commonwealth of Virginia,
State Board of Health, Waterworks Regulations and shall be a continuing
program.
A.
The local Building Official shall have the right to
enter at any reasonable time premises served by a connection to the
waterworks for the purpose of inspecting, observing, sampling and
testing the water supply system or systems for a cross-connection.
Upon request, the water supply system owner or occupants or the property
served shall furnish to the Building Official pertinent information
regarding the water supply system or systems on such property. The
refusal of such information or refusal of access, when requested,
shall be deemed evidence of the presence of a cross-connection.
B.
The Building Official shall take positive action to ensure that the waterworks is adequately protected at all times. If a cross-connection exists or backflow occurs into a water supply system or if the pressure in the waterworks is lowered below 10 psig, water service to the water supply system shall be denied or discontinued upon continuation of any violation beyond the time provided in the notice of violation given pursuant to § 44-6C. Water service shall not be restored until the deficiencies have been corrected or eliminated to the satisfaction of the Building Official.
C.
Any water supply system owner found to be in violation
of any provision of this chapter shall be served a written notice
of violation, sent certified mail to the water supply system owner's
last known address, stating the nature of the violation, corrective
action required and providing a reasonable time limit, not to exceed
30 days, from the date of receipt of the notice of violation to bring
the water supply system into compliance with this chapter.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere
between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying pure
water to a tank, plumbing fixture or other device and the rim of the
receptacle.
Any water system on or available to the premises other than
the waterworks. These auxiliary waters may include water from a source
such as wells, lakes or streams; or process fluids; or used water.
They may be polluted or contaminated or objectionable or constitute
an unapproved water source or system over which the water purveyor
does not have control.
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances
into the distribution piping of a waterworks from any source or sources
other than its intended source.
Any approved device, method or type of construction intended
to prevent backflow into a waterworks.
Any person who drinks water from a waterworks.
Any water system located on the consumer's premises, supplied
by or in any manner connected to a waterworks.
Any objectionable or hazardous physical, chemical, biological
or radiological substance or matter in water.
Any connection or structural arrangement, direct or indirect,
to the waterworks whereby backflow can occur.
The level of health hazard, as derived from an evaluation
of the potential risk to health and the adverse effect upon the waterworks.
A water main whose primary purpose is to provide treated
water to service connections.
The Commonwealth of Virginia, Virginia Department of Health,
Office of Water Programs; Division of Water Supply Engineering.
Normal family or household use, including drinking, laundering,
bathing, cooking, heating, cleaning and flushing toilets. (See Appendix
A for Title 32.1, Article 2, Code of Virginia 1950, as amended.)
An approved assembly composed of two single independently
acting check valves, including tightly closing shutoff valves located
at each end of the assembly, and petcocks and test gauges for testing
the water tightness of each check valve.
The place where water from the source is delivered to the
distribution system.
Any condition, device or practice in a waterworks or its
operation that creates or may create a danger to the health and well-being
of the water consumer.
The maximum permissible level of a contaminant in water which
is delivered to the free flowing outlet of the ultimate user of a
waterworks, except, in the cases of turbidity and vocs, where the
maximum permissible level is measured at each entry prior to the distribution
system. Contaminants added to the water under circumstances controlled
by the user, except those resulting from corrosion of piping and plumbing
caused by water quality, are excluded from this definition. Maximum
contaminant levels may be either primary (PMCL), meaning based on
health considerations, or secondary (SMCL) meaning based on aesthetic
considerations.
A receptacle or device which is either permanently or temporarily
connected to the water distribution system of the premises and which
demands a supply of water therefrom; or discharges used water, waste
materials or sewage, either directly or indirectly, to the drainage
system of the premises; or requires both a water supply connection
and a discharge to the drainage system of the premises.
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.
A condition through which an aesthetically objectionable
or degrading material may enter the waterworks or a consumer's water
system.
A device containing a minimum of two independently acting
check valves, together with an automatically operated pressure differential
relief valve located between the two check valves. During normal flow
and at the cessation of normal flow, the pressure between these two
checks shall be less than the supply pressure. In case of leakage
of either check valve, the differential relief valve shall operate
to maintain this reduced pressure by discharging to the atmosphere
at less than the supply pressure. The unit must include tightly closing
shut-off valves located at each end of the device, and each device
shall be fitted with properly located test cocks. These devices must
be of the approved type.
The point of delivery of water to a customer's building service
line as follows:
A piece of real estate, house or building and its land.
Any kind of fluid or solution which may be chemically, biologically
or otherwise contaminated or polluted which would constitute a health,
pollutional or system hazard if introduced into the waterworks. This
includes, but is not limited to:
Polluted or contaminated water;
Process waters;
Used water, originating from the waterworks
which may have deteriorated in sanitary quality;
Cooling waters;
Contaminated natural waters taken from wells,
lakes, streams or irrigation systems;
Chemical in solution or suspension; and
Oils, gases, acids, alkalis and other liquid
and gaseous fluid used in industrial or other processes or for fire-fighting
purposes.
Water fit for human consumption and domestic use which is
sanitary and normally free of minerals, organic substances and toxic
agents in excess of reasonable amounts for domestic usage in the area
served and normally adequate in quantity and quality for the minimum
health requirements of the persons served. (See Title 32.1, Article
2, Code of Virginia 1950, as amended.)
A condition posing an actual or threat of damage to the physical
properties of the waterworks or a customer's water supply system.
Any water supplied by a water purveyor from the waterworks
to a consumer's water supply system after it has passed through the
service connection.
The water that shall have been taken into a waterworks from
all wells, streams, springs, lakes and other bodies of surface water
(natural or impounded), and the tributaries thereto, and all impounded
groundwater, but the term "water supply" shall not include any waters
above the point of intake of such waterworks. (See Title 32.1, Article
2, Code of Virginia 1950, as amended.)
The water service pipe, water distributing pipes and necessary
connecting pipes, fittings, control valves and all appurtenances in
or adjacent to the building or premises.
A system that serves piped water for drinking or domestic
use to the public, at least 15 connections or an average of 25 individuals
for at least 60 days out of the year. The term "waterworks" shall
include all structures, equipment and appurtenances used in the storage,
collection, purification, treatment and distribution of pure water
except the piping and fixtures inside the building where such water
is delivered. (See Title 32.1, Article 2, Code of Virginia 1950, as
amended.)
An individual, group of individuals, partnership, firm, association,
institution, corporation, government, entity or the federal government
which supplies or proposes to supply water to any person within this
state from or by means of any waterworks. (See Title 32.1, Article
2, Code of Virginia 1950, as amended.) For this chapter it is the
City of Galax Water Plant.
A.
General. Effective cross-connection control requires
the cooperation of the water purveyor, the Director, the Building
Official, the water system owner and the backflow prevention device
tester.
B.
Water purveyor and director.
(1)
This program shall be carried out in accordance with
the Uniform Statewide Building Code and the Commonwealth of Virginia,
State Board of Health, Waterworks Regulations, and shall be a continuing
program.
(2)
The purveyor has full responsibility for water quality
and for the construction, maintenance and operation of the waterworks
beginning at the water source and ending at the downstream end of
the service connection.
(3)
The purveyor shall not install or maintain a water
service connection to a water supply system where cross-connections
may exist unless such cross-connections are abated or controlled to
the satisfaction of the Director.
(4)
The purveyor shall not install or allow any connection
which would allow water from an auxiliary water system to enter a
waterworks, either directly or through a water supply system, unless
the auxiliary water system and the method of connection and use of
such system have been approved by the Division of Water Supply Engineering,
Office of Water Program, Virginia Department of Health.
(5)
The Director shall have thorough inspections and operational
tests made at least annually of backflow prevention devices or low-pressure
cutoff devices which are required and installed. Copies of results
of these inspections and tests shall be kept on file and made available
to the Division of Water Supply Engineering. The devices shall be
repaired, overhauled or replaced by the water supply system owner
as directed by the Director, as outlined in the program. Nothing in
this section shall prevent the purveyor from installing and operating
approved devices or making repairs.
(6)
The purveyor shall review certified plans for fire
service connections and lawn or irrigation systems served by the waterworks
and recommend to the Director if the plans are acceptable. If unacceptable,
the designer and the Director shall consult with the Division of Water
Supply Engineering for a determination of what will be acceptable.
The revised design shall be resubmitted for additional review. Only
after final approval by the Director will it be permissible to proceed
with the final construction. All plans should be submitted to the
Director, with sufficient copies for the purveyor to forward an approved
copy of the plans to the Division of Water Supply Engineering.
(7)
In the event of backflow of pollution or contamination
into the waterworks, the Director shall promptly take or cause corrective
action to confine and eliminate the pollution or contamination. The
Director shall immediately notify the Division of Water Supply Engineering
when backflow occurs.
(8)
The Director shall take positive action to ensure
that the waterworks is adequately protected at all times. If a cross-connection
exists or backflow occurs into a water supply system or if the pressure
in the waterworks is lowered below 10 psi gauge, the Director may
discontinue the water service to the water supply system and water
service shall not be restored until the deficiencies have been corrected
or eliminated to the satisfaction of the Director.
(9)
At premises where, in the view of the Director, the
complexity of the plumbing system would best be surveyed by commercial,
industrial or institutional personnel experienced in such processes
and having successfully completed a course recognized by the American
Water Works Association, the Virginia Department of Health or the
Virginia Cross Connection Control Association for testing backflow
prevention devices, those personnel may, upon approval of the Director
and the Division of Water Supply Engineering, carry out the requirement
of the cross-connection control program pertaining to cross-connection
surveys, cross-connection inspections and device testing, repair and
maintenance, in addition to the requirements of the water supply system
owner and backflow prevention device tester. The local Building Official
shall review the records of surveys, inspections, tests, repairs and
maintenance and make inspections of areas within the premises and
test devices, all on a (quarterly) basis.
C.
Local Building Official.
(1)
The local Building Official's responsibility generally
begins at the downstream end of the service connection and carries
throughout the entire length of the water supply system in accordance
with the Uniform Statewide Building Code. This chapter requires the
local Building Official to enter, survey, inspect, etc. all premises
as directed by the Director in order to carry out the program.
(2)
The local Building Official reviews building plans
and inspects new plumbing as it is installed. Where the review of
building plans or the inspection of a water supply system suggests
or detects an actual or potential cross-connection, the local Building
Official shall ensure that such cross-connections are either eliminated
or abated with approved backflow prevention devices as outlined in
the program.
D.
Water supply system owner.
(1)
The water supply system owner has the responsibility
of preventing pollutants and contaminants from entering his potable
water supply system(s) or the waterworks. The water supply system
owner's responsibility starts at the point of delivery (downstream
end of service connection) and includes all of his water supply systems.
(2)
The water supply system owner, at his own expense
unless otherwise directed by the Director, shall install, operate,
test and maintain approved backflow prevention devices installed at
the service connection and shall install, operate, test and maintain
approved backflow prevention devices in his water supply system as
directed by the local Building Official as outlined in the program.
(3)
The water supply system owner shall maintain accurate
records of tests and repairs made to backflow prevention devices and
provide the local Building Official with copies of such records on
request. The records shall be on forms approved by the Director as
outlined in the program and shall include the list of materials or
replacement parts used. Following any repair, overhaul, repiping or
relocation of a device, the water supply system owner shall have it
tested to ensure that it is in good operating condition and will prevent
backflow. Tests, maintenance and repairs of backflow prevention devices
shall be made by a backflow prevention device tester acceptable to
the Director as outlined in the program.
(4)
In the event of pollution or contamination of the
waterworks or a water supply system due to backflow into the water
supply system, the water supply system owner shall promptly take steps
to confine further spread of the pollution or contamination within
the system and shall notify the water purveyor of the condition. The
water supply system owner shall make free his water supply system(s)
of any pollutants or contaminants.
E.
Backflow prevention device tester.
(1)
The tester is responsible for making competent inspections
and for repairing or overhauling backflow prevention devices and making
reports of such repair to the water supply system owner on forms approved
by the Director as outlined in the program. The tester shall include
the list of materials or replacement parts used and ensure that original
manufactured parts are used in the repair of or replacement of parts
in a backflow prevention device. The tester shall not change the design
or operational characteristics of a device during repair or maintenance
without prior written approval of the water supply system owner, water
purveyor and local Building Official.
(2)
The tester shall be equipped with and be competent
in the use of all the necessary tools, gauges, manometers and other
equipment necessary to properly test, repair and maintain backflow
prevention devices.
A.
Protection.
(1)
An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed
at each service connection to a water supply system where, in the
judgment of the Director, a health, pollutional or system hazard to
the waterworks exists.
(2)
All potable water openings or outlets shall be protected
against backflow where, in the judgment of the Director, a health,
pollutional or system hazard to the waterworks exists.
B.
Method. The required method of protection provided,
containment and/or isolation, shall be, in the best judgment of the
Director, the method which best provides protection of health, pollution
or system hazards.
C.
Special conditions. When, as a matter of practicality,
the backflow prevention device cannot be installed at the service
connection, the device may be located downstream of the service connection
but prior to any unprotected takeoffs.
D.
A backflow prevention device shall be installed at
each service connection to a water supply system serving the premises
or shall be installed where the plumbing fixture connects to the premises
water supply system, as appropriate, where the following conditions
exist:
(1)
Premises on which any substance is handled in such
a manner as to create an actual or potential hazard to a waterworks.
(This shall include premises having sources or systems containing
process fluids or waters originating from a waterworks which are no
longer under the control of the water purveyor.)
(2)
Premises having internal cross-connections that, in
the judgment of the Director, may not easily be correctable or intricate
plumbing arrangements which make it impracticable to determine whether
or not cross-connections exist.
(3)
Premises where, because of security requirements or
other prohibitions or restrictions, it is impossible or impracticable
to make a complete cross-connection survey.
(4)
Premises having a repeated history of cross-connections
being established or reestablished.
(5)
Other premises specified by the Director where cause
can be shown that a potential cross hazard not enumerated above exists.
Examples may include multi-use commercial, office, warehouse or other
premises where the degree of hazard is subject to change without knowledge
of the Director.
E.
A backflow prevention device shall be installed at
fire protection system connections to the premises' water supply system
or to the waterworks in accordance with the following:
(1)
Additives or nonpotable source: where systems have
chemical additives, antifreeze or are connected to a nonpotable secondary
water supply, the potable water supply shall be protected by a reduced
pressure principle backflow preventer. Where chemical additives or
antifreeze are added to only a portion of an automatic fire sprinkler
or standpipe system, the reduced pressure principle backflow preventer
shall be permitted to be so located to isolate that portion of the
system.
(2)
Fire Department connection (siamese connections):
where systems have Fire Department connections, the potable water
supply shall be protected by a double gate-double check valve assembly
or double detector check valve assembly.
(3)
Piping not approved for water distribution: where
systems are installed with piping, joint and connections not approved
for water distribution systems, the potable water supply shall be
protected by a double gate-double check valve assembly or double detector
check valve assembly.
(4)
Piping approved for water distribution: where systems
are installed with piping, joints and connections approved for water
distribution systems, isolation of the water supply shall not be required
where the premises water supply system design provides freely flowing
potable water through the fire protection system and the potable water
is not allowed to stagnate or deteriorate in water quality.
F.
Premises having booster pumps connected to the waterworks
shall be equipped with a low pressure regulating or cut-off device
to shut off the booster pump when the pressure in the waterworks drops
to a minimum of 10 psi gauge.
G.
An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed
at each service connection to a water supply system serving, but not
necessarily limited to, the following types of facilities:
(1)
Hospitals, mortuaries, clinics, veterinary establishments,
nursing homes and medical buildings.
(2)
Laboratories.
(3)
Piers, docks, waterfront facilities.
(4)
Sewage treatment plants, sewage pumping stations or
stormwater pumping stations.
(5)
Food and beverage processing plants.
(6)
Chemical plants, dyeing plants and pharmaceutical
plants.
(7)
Metal plating industries.
(8)
Petroleum processing or storage plants.
(9)
Radioactive materials processing plants or nuclear
reactors.
(10)
Car washes and laundries.
(11)
Lawn sprinkler systems, irrigation systems.
(12)
Fire service systems.
(13)
Slaughterhouses and poultry processing plants.
(14)
Farms where the water is used for other than household
purposes.
(15)
Commercial greenhouses and nurseries.
(16)
Health clubs with swimming pools, therapeutic baths,
hot tubs or saunas.
(17)
Paper and paper products plants and printing plants.
(18)
Pesticide or exterminating companies and their vehicles
with storage or mixing tanks.
(19)
Schools or colleges with laboratory facilities.
(20)
High-rise buildings (four or more stories).
(21)
Others specified by the Director and/or Division of
Water Supply Engineering when reasonable cause can be shown for a
potential backflow or cross-connection hazard.
H.
Auxiliary
water systems shall not be permitted to physically connect with the
public water system at the service point or at any location within
the consumer's private water system. Public water system consumption
to supplement an auxiliary water system, by means of an air gap, may
be permitted if approved by the Director, Division of Water Supply
Engineering, and the Department of Health. Backflow prevention devices
shall not be permitted for the connection of the public water system
to an auxiliary water system located on private premises.
[Added 11-14-2011]
The type of protection required shall depend on the degree of hazard which exists or may exist and on the method of potential backflow. Backflow occurs either by back pressure or by backsiphonage. The degree of hazard, either high, moderate or low, is based on the nature of the contaminant, the potential of the health hazard, the probability of the backflow occurrence and the effect on waterworks structures, equipment and appurtenances used in the storage, collection, purification, treatment and distribution of pure water. Table 1 shall be used as a guide to determine the degree of hazard for any situation.[1]
A.
Air gaps give the highest degree of protection and
shall be used whenever practical to do so in high-hazard situations
subject to back pressure.
B.
An air gap separation and a reduced pressure principle
backflow prevention device will protect against back pressure when
operating properly.
C.
Vacuum breakers will not protect against back pressure,
but will protect against backsiphonage when operating properly. Vacuum
breakers may be used in high-hazard situations subject to backsiphonage
only.
D.
Backflow prevention devices consisting of dual independent
check valves with or without an intermediate atmospheric vent shall
only be used in low-hazard situations.
E.
Barometric loops are not acceptable.
F.
An interchangeable connection or change-over device
is not acceptable.
G.
Reduced pressure principle type backflow preventers
shall not be installed in pits or areas subject to flooding.
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 1 is included at the end of this chapter.
A.
Any backflow prevention device shall be of the approved
type and shall comply with the Uniform Statewide Building Code.
B.
Any backflow prevention device shall be installed
in a manner approved by the local Building Official and in accordance
with the Uniform Statewide Building Code.
C.
Existing backflow prevention devices approved by the Director and the Division of Water Supply Engineering prior to the effective date of this chapter shall, except for inspection, testing and maintenance requirements, be excluded from the requirements of Subsections A and B if the Director and the Division of Water Supply Engineering are assured that the devices will protect the waterworks.
A.
It shall be the responsibility of water supply system
owners to maintain all backflow prevention devices within the building
or on the premises in good working order and to make no piping or
other arrangements for the purpose of bypassing backflow prevention
devices.
B.
Periodic testing and inspection schedules shall be
established by the Director as outlined in the program for all backflow
prevention devices and the interval between testing and inspections
and overhauls of each device shall be established in accordance with
the age and condition of the device. Inspection and testing intervals
shall not exceed one year, and overhaul intervals shall not exceed
five years. The testing procedures shall be in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions.
