Sec. 42-51. - Purpose.

The purpose of this article is:

(1)

To protect the public potable water supply of the waterworks system from the possibility of contamination or pollution by isolating within a customer's internal distribution system, such contaminants and pollutants that could backflow into the waterworks system;

(2)

To promote the elimination or control of cross connections, actual or potential, between a customer's in-plant potable water system and non-potable systems; and

(3)

To provide for a program of cross connection control which will effectively prevent the contamination or pollution of all potable water systems by cross connections.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-52. - Definitions.

The following words and terms used in this article shall have the following meanings:

Air gap. The unobstructed vertical distance through a free atmosphere between the lowest opening of a water outlet and the flood-level rim of any receptacle. This distance will be a minimum of two (2) times the diameter of the outlet, but never less than one (1) inch. In the case of near-walls, this distance will be three (3) 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 backpressure.

Backflow preventer. Any approved device, method, or type of construction intended to prevent backflow into a potable water system.

Backpressure. Backflow caused by a pump, elevated tank, boiler, air/steam pressure, or any other means capable of creating a pressure higher than the supply pressure.

Backsiphonage. Backflow caused by a negative or reduced pressure in the supply piping.

Contamination. The introduction into pure water of any undesirable substance (chemical, physical, radiological or biological) which may create a health hazard.

Cross connection. Any connection or structural arrangement, which has a direct or indirect effect on the waterworks system whereby backflow can occur, and includes 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 and/or other source of contamination.

Customer's service line. That portion of the customer's plumbing from the service connection to the first water outlet.

Degree of hazard. The level of health hazard, as derived from an evaluation of the potential risk to health and the adverse effect upon the waterworks system.

Double check valve assembly. A device composed of two (2) internally loaded, specially designed and independently operating check valves, situated between two (2) tightly closing, resilient-seated shutoff valves as an assembly, and equipped with properly located, resilient-seated test cocks.

Existing ground level. The level above which surface water will not accumulate under normal conditions.

Flood-level rim. The top edge of a 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.

Office. The Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water.

Owner. The person having legal title to the property or the person in charge, care and control of the property where the facilities in question are located; also, the tenants of said 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 principal backflow preventer. A device consisting of two (2) independently acting, approved check valves together with a hydraulically operating, mechanically independent pressure differential relief valve located between the check valves and below the first check valve. These units are located between two (2) tightly closing resilient-seated shutoff valves as an assembly and are equipped with properly located resilient-seated test cocks.

Service connection. The terminal end of a water service from the waterworks system. If a meter is installed at the end of the water service, then the service connection means the downstream end of the meter.

Vacuum breaker, atmospheric. A vacuum breaker designed so as not to be subjected to continuous static line pressure, which prevents backsiphonage by creating an atmospheric vent when there is either a negative pressure or sub-atmospheric pressure in a water system.

Vacuum breaker, pressure. A vacuum breaker designed to operate under conditions of static line pressure, which prevents backsiphonage by creating an atmospheric vent when there is either a negative pressure or sub-atmospheric pressure in a water system. A pressure vacuum breaker contains one (1) or two (2) independently operated spring-loaded check valves and an independently operated spring-loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check or checks. The device includes tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valves and properly located test cocks for testing of the check valve(s).

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-53. - Inspections generally; notice to correct defects.

The director shall inspect the plumbing in every building or premises in the service area of the waterworks system as frequently as may be necessary to insure that such plumbing has been installed and is maintained in such a manner as to prevent the possibility of pollution or contamination of the city water supply. The director shall notify or cause to be notified, in writing, the owner or agent of the owner of any such building or premises to correct, within a reasonable time set by the director, 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. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-54. - Inspection to be at reasonable hour, etc.; warrant to enable inspection; termination of service to uninspected premises.

(a)

The director shall inspect all buildings or premises during reasonable hours and under such circumstances as to minimize the inconvenience to the owner of the building or premises. Should any owner or agent refuse to allow the director access to the building or premises for the purposes of conducting an inspection, or should the director not be able to contact the owner or agent for the purposes of obtaining permission to inspect, the director 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 director may commence administrative proceedings to discontinue water service to the uninspected building or premises. Except in emergency cases involving the imminent risk of pollution of the city water supply, the director shall give ten (10) days written notice to the owner of the affected building or premises, or to a responsible agent, of the director's intention to terminate the water service. The director shall afford to the owner or agent a hearing on the question of whether water service shall be terminated. This hearing shall be scheduled and conducted in such a manner that, to the maximum extent feasible, the inconvenience and burden on the owner or agent shall be minimized. The hearing shall take place before the director. The director shall not terminate the water service to the building or premises in question, if it is found as a fact that:

(1)

The owner or agent has presented clear, convincing and credible evidence that there are no cross connection hazards within the subject building or premises; and

(2)

No purpose of this article would be served by conducting an on-site inspection of the building or premises.

In all cases, the hearing provided by this subsection shall be held within the ten-day period immediately following the giving of written notice to the owner or agent. Upon a showing of good cause, the director may grant a reasonable continuance of the hearing so scheduled, but the director, 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 director 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 twenty-four (24) hours following the termination of the taking of evidence. The director shall cause his findings of fact and disposition of the case to be reduced to writing.

(c)

In emergency circumstances where the director has reasonable cause to believe that a cross connection hazard exists in the subject building or premises and that such hazard jeopardizes the integrity or the purity of the city water supply, he shall forthwith terminate the water service to the subject building or premises. The director shall thereafter immediately afford the owner or agent the notice and opportunity to be heard pursuant to the procedures set forth in subsection (b). In all cases where the director shall summarily terminate water service as provided under this subsection, the director shall act with dispatch in notifying the owner 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 director shall not terminate any water service in cases where the director has reliable information from any sources indicating that cross connection hazards do not exist in the building or premises to which access for inspection cannot be gained.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-55. - General design, installation and maintenance standards for potable water supply system.

A potable water supply system shall be designed, installed and maintained in such a manner as to prevent nonpotable liquids, solids or gases, either harmful or benign, from being introduced into the potable water supply through cross connections. This shall be accomplished by protecting every water outlet from the potable water system which poses a possible cross connection. Whenever such outlets cannot be protected in accordance with the minimum air gap, a mechanical device shall be utilized to prevent backflow from backsiphonage or backpressure, as appropriate, according to the degree of hazard. In cases where access is denied or restricted, water usage is sufficiently complex, or the severity of the hazard warrants, the director may require a backflow preventer immediately downstream from the service connection or at a point approved by the director.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-56. - Required backflow prevention devices and hazard, generally.

(a)

The cross connection hazard and backflow preventers required shall be as set forth in the following chart:

(b)

Where investigation discloses that unusual or extraordinary hazards require more stringent means of protection, the director shall have the authority to require the installation of the same. The director 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 director 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. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-57. - General prohibition against cross connections.

Cross connections between the potable water system and other systems, equipment, or wells containing water or any substances of unknown or questionable safety are prohibited, except when and where, as approved by the director, a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer is installed, maintained and tested to insure proper operation on a continuing basis.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-58. - Potable connections to boilers.

Potable water connections to boilers shall be made through an air gap or provided with an approved backflow preventer.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-59. - Potable connections to refrigerating units, etc.

Potable water inlet connections to refrigerating unit condensers, cooling jackets and air conditioning cooling systems shall be air gapped or provided with an approved backflow preventer.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-60. - Protective devices for fire service systems.

(a)

Fire service systems having direct connections from the waterworks system with no pumps or storage facilities, no connections to other water supplies, no pumper connections, 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 system, provision shall be made to avoid lowering the pressure at the connection to the waterworks system below ten (10) psi.

(c)

Systems the same as referred to in subsections (a) and (b) and having one (1) or more of the following: pumper connections; elevated storage tanks; fire pumps taking suction from above ground, covered reservoirs or tanks; and pressure tanks, must provide an air gap, a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer, or a double gate double check valve assembly. Double gate check valve assemblies will be allowed only when all storage facilities are filled with, or connected to, city water only; and the water in the tanks is maintained in a potable condition.

(d)

Systems with direct connections to the waterworks system, which are comparable to the systems described in subsections (a) and (b) and which have a readily accessible auxiliary supply within one thousand seven hundred (1,700) feet of the pumper connection, may be required by the director to provide an air gap or a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer.

(e)

Fire service systems having direct connections to the waterworks system 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 or a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer.

(f)

Systems having direct connections to the waterworks system from buildings having combined industrial and fire systems, either with or without storage tanks or pump connections, must provide an air gap or a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-61. - Vacuum breaker for hose outlets.

(a)

Where hose outlets are concerned, vacuum breakers are required. The director may waive this requirement if, upon examination of all facts, the hose outlets are found to be designed and constructed so as to substantially eliminate the risk of pollution or contamination.

(b)

Hose outlet vacuum breakers shall not be used under continuous pressure (more than twelve (12) hours).

(c)

Hose outlets are not to be installed below ground and should be at least twelve (12) inches above existing ground level.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-62. - Connections to fire hydrants.

All connections to fire hydrants shall be equipped with a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer except when supplying equipment with an approved, permanently air gapped arrangement. This shall not apply to hydrants being used by fire departments to extinguish fires or perform routine procedures.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-63. - Backflow preventer for lawn irrigation system.

Every lawn irrigation system shall be equipped with a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer, a pressure vacuum breaker, or an atmospheric vacuum breaker. Systems with multiple zones, requiring control valves beyond the supply connection, must provide a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer or a pressure vacuum breaker. Atmospheric vacuum breakers may be used only in systems where there are no control valves beyond the backflow preventer.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-64. - Low-pressure cut off for booster pumps.

A low-pressure cut off shall be installed on all booster pumps on water pressure booster systems in such a manner as to maintain a minimum pressure of ten (10) psi on the suction side of the pump.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-65. - Backflow preventer on service lines.

Whenever it is determined by the director that the potential hazard within any building or premises requires isolation from the waterworks system, an approved backflow preventer shall be installed on the customer's service line consistent with the degree of hazard. Whenever continuous service is imperative, a pair of backflow preventers may be installed in parallel.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-66. - Backflow protection where minimum air gap cannot be provided.

Devices to protect against backpressure 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 backpressure, a pressure vacuum breaker may be installed in the supply line or an atmospheric 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 backpressure, a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer or a double check valve assembly shall be installed on the line serving the fixture or equipment.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-67. - When double check valve assemblies permitted.

The director may authorize the installation of approved double check valve assemblies as protective devices against backflow in connections between a potable water system and other fluids which, in the judgment of the director, present no significant health hazards.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-68. - Standards for backflow preventers.

Devices for the prevention of backflow shall be tested and certified to meet the standards of the agencies listed below:

(1)

American Society of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE).

(2)

American Water Works Association (AWWA).

(3)

American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

(4)

University of Southern California Foundation for Cross Connection Control & Hydraulic Research (USCFCCCHR).

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-69. - Submission of plans prior to construction of certain facilities.

Certified plans for the following types of facilities shall be submitted in duplicate to the director prior to construction:

(1)

Hospitals, mortuaries, clinics, veterinary establishments, nursing homes, and medical buildings;

(2)

Laboratories;

(3)

Piers, docks, and waterfront facilities;

(4)

Sewage treatment plants, sewage pumping stations or storm water pumping stations;

(5)

Food and beverage processing plants;

(6)

Chemical plants, dyeing plants, and pharmaceutical plants;

(7)

Metal plating industries;

(8)

Petroleum or natural gas processing or storage plants;

(9)

Radioactive materials processing plants or nuclear reactors;

(10)

Car washes and laundries;

(11)

Lawn sprinkler systems and irrigation systems;

(12)

Fire service systems;

(13)

Slaughter houses 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 extermination companies and their vehicles with storage or mixing tanks;

(19)

Schools or colleges with laboratory facilities;

(20)

High-rise buildings (four (4) or more stories);

(21)

Multi-use commercial, office, or warehouse facilities; and

(22)

Others specified by the director or the office when reasonable cause can be shown for a potential backflow or cross connection hazard.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-70. - Location and installation requirements for protective devices.

(a)

Backflow preventers shall be accessibly located, preferably in the same room with the fixture they serve, and in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations. They shall not be installed in pits, confined spaces, or areas subject to flooding. If outside installation is necessary, devices must be protected against freezing.

(b)

Atmospheric vacuum breakers shall be installed with the critical level at least six (6) inches above the highest outlet or 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 twelve (12) inches above the highest outlet or 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 twelve (12) inches above existing ground level or flood level, whichever is greater, in a location easily accessible for testing and maintenance.

(e)

Reduced pressure principle backflow preventers, double check valve assemblies, and pressure vacuum breakers must be tested and certified to meet the standards of the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross Connection Control & Hydraulic Research.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-71. - Responsibility of owner as to installation, testing, repair, etc., of backflow preventers.

(a)

The owner of any building or premises where approved reduced pressure principle backflow preventers, double check valve assemblies, or pressure vacuum breakers are installed shall have such devices tested at least once yearly, beginning at installation. The date of annual testing shall be within thirty (30) days before or thirty (30) days after the anniversary date of the installation. If the director concludes that more frequent testing is required, the director shall notify the owner of the building or premises in writing of such finding and shall further specify the basis for such conclusions. The director shall also promulgate a schedule for more frequent testing.

(b)

Testing, repair, and maintenance shall be performed by individuals with current certification from the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation or from a Virginia-approved backflow prevention device worker school. Individuals installing backflow preventers must be licensed plumbers or have current Virginia-approved certification for the installation and shall be licensed in the trade classification of work being performed or be working under the supervision of such person. Installation and replacement of backflow preventers must comply with the Virginia Department of Health Waterworks Regulations, the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, and the Virginia Board for Contractors Regulations.

(c)

Backflow preventers shall be installed, tested, repaired, or replaced as necessary at the expense of the owner. Records of such installation, test, repair and replacement shall be forwarded to the director. If, in the opinion of the director, tests are not being performed appropriately and/or records of such tests are not maintained and forwarded in a timely manner, the director may refuse to accept such test records and may require that devices be retested and records be resubmitted.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1; Ord. No. 6839-12)

Sec. 42-72. - Notice of violation of article; failure to correct violation.

(a)

The director 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, advising such person of the facts of such violation. The director shall set a reasonable time for the owner to have such violation removed or corrected. Upon failure of the owner to have the violation corrected by the end of the specified time interval, the director may, if in the director's judgment a health hazard exists, cause the water service to the building or premises to be terminated.

(b)

Any owner or authorized agent of the owner responsible for the maintenance of the plumbing system in a building or premises, who knowingly permits a violation of this article to remain uncorrected after the expiration of the time set by the director shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Secs. 42-73—42-78. - Reserved.