Article III – Cross-Connections and Backflow Prevention
[Adopted 12-5-2011 (Ch. 143 of the 1993 Code)]
§ 5.1-40 Purpose.
The purpose of this article is to abate or control actual or potential cross-connections and protect the public health. This article 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 1995, or as amended. This article is directed at service line protection (containment).
§ 5.1-41 Authority.
The County of Appomattox, authorized under §§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia and pursuant to the Waterworks Regulations in the Administrative Code, 12 VAC 5-590-580 et seq., hereby establishes a program of cross-connection control and backflow prevention for the waterworks.
§ 5.1-42 Administration.
A. The County of Appomattox, or its designee, shall administer and enforce the provisions of this article under the direction of the County Administrator or designee.
B. It shall be the duty of the County of Appomattox to cause assessment 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 County of Appomattox in a Cross-Connection Control Program (program) approved by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water.
C. The responsibility to carry out the program lies with the County Administrator or designee.
§ 5.1-43 Enforcement; violations and penalties.
A. Upon request, the owner or occupants of property served shall furnish to the County Administrator or designee pertinent information regarding the consumer’s water supply system or systems on such property for the purpose of assessing the consumer’s water supply system for cross-connection hazards and determining the degree of hazard, if any. The refusal of such information, when requested, shall be deemed evidence of the presence of a high degree of hazard cross-connection.
B. Notice of violation. Any consumer’s water supply system owner found to be in violation of any provision of this article shall be served a written notice of violation sent certified mail to the consumer’s water supply system owner’s last known address, stating the nature of the violation and 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 consumer’s water supply system into compliance with this article or have water service terminated.
C. Penalties. Any owner of properties served by a connection to the waterworks found guilty of violating any of the provisions of this article, or any written order of the County Administrator or designee in pursuance thereof, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 for each violation. Each day upon which a violation of the provisions of this article shall occur shall be deemed a separate and additional violation for the purposes of this article.
§ 5.1-44 General responsibilities of County and property owner.
Effective cross-connection control and backflow prevention require the cooperation of both the County of Appomattox and the Town of Appomattox, their respective authorized officials and agents, the property owners, and the backflow prevention device tester.
A. The program shall be carried out in accordance with the Commonwealth of Virginia, State Board of Health, Waterworks Regulations and shall as a minimum provide containment of potential contaminants at the consumer’s service connection.
B. The County of Appomattox or designee 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 service connection.
C. The owner of the property served and the County of Appomattox have shared responsibility for water quality and for the construction, maintenance, and operation of the consumer’s water supply system from the service connection to the free flowing outlet.
D. The County of Appomattox shall, to the extent of its jurisdiction, provide continuing identification and evaluation of all cross-connection hazards. This shall include an assessment of each consumer’s water supply system for cross-connections to be followed by the requirement, if necessary, of installation of a backflow prevention device or separation. Assessments shall be performed at least annually.
E. In the event of the backflow of pollution or contamination into the waterworks, the County of Appomattox or designee shall promptly take or cause corrective action to confine and eliminate the pollution or contamination. The County of Appomattox or designee shall report to the appropriate Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water field office in the most expeditious manner (usually by telephone) when backflow occurs and shall submit a written report by the 10th day of the month following the month during which backflow occurred addressing the incident, its causes and effects, and preventative or control measures required or taken.
F. The County of Appomattox shall take positive action to ensure that the waterworks is adequately protected from cross-connections and backflow at all times. If a cross-connection exists or backflow occurs into a consumer’s water supply system or into the waterworks or if the consumer’s water supply system causes the pressure in the waterworks to be lowered below 20 psi gauge, the County of Appomattox may discontinue the water service to the consumer, and water service shall not be restored until the deficiencies have been corrected or eliminated to the satisfaction of the County of Appomattox or designee.
G. In order to protect the occupants of a premises, the County Administrator or designee should inform the consumer’s water supply system owner(s) of any cross-connection beyond the service connection that should be abated or controlled by application of an appropriate backflow prevention device or separation. An appropriate backflow prevention device or separation should be applied at each point of use and/or applied to the consumer’s water supply system, isolating an area which may be a health or pollutional hazard to the consumer’s water supply system or to the waterworks.
H. Records of backflow prevention devices, separations, and consumers’ water supply systems, including inspection records, records of backflow incidents, and records of device tests, shall be maintained by the County of Appomattox or designee for 10 years.
§ 5.1-45 Responsibilities of consumer’s water supply system owner.
A. The consumer’s water supply system owner(s), at his own expense, shall install, operate, test, and maintain required backflow prevention devices or backflow prevention by separations.
B. The consumer’s water supply system owner(s) shall provide copies of test results, maintenance records and overhaul records to the County of Appomattox within 30 days of completion of testing or work. Such testing or work shall have been performed by device testers who have obtained a certificate of completion of a course recognized by the American Water Works Association, the Virginia Department of Health or the Virginia Cross-Connection Control Association for cross-connection control and backflow prevention inspection, maintenance and testing or otherwise be certified by a Commonwealth of Virginia tradesman certification program.
§ 5.1-46 Preventative and control measures for containment.
A. Service line protection. A backflow prevention device or separation shall be installed at the service connection to a consumer’s water supply system where, in the judgment of the County of Appomattox or designee, a health or pollutional hazard to the consumer’s water supply system or to the waterworks exists or may exist unless such hazards are abated or controlled to the satisfaction of the County of Appomattox or designee.
B. Special conditions.
(1) When, as a matter of practicality, the backflow prevention device or separation cannot be installed at the service connection, the device or separation may be located downstream of the service connection but prior to any unprotected takeoffs.
(2) Where all actual or potential cross-connections can be easily correctable at each point of use and where the consumer’s water supply system is not intricate or complex, point of use isolation protection by application of an appropriate backflow prevention device or backflow prevention by separation may be used at each point of use in lieu of installing a containment device at the service connection.
C. A backflow prevention device or backflow prevention by separation shall be installed at each service connection to a consumer’s water supply system serving premises 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 auxiliary water systems or having sources or systems containing process fluids or waters originating from a waterworks which are no longer under the control of the waterworks owner).
(2) Premises having internal cross-connections that, in the judgment of the County of Appomattox, may not be easily 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 impractical to make an evaluation of all cross-connection hazards.
(4) Premises having a repeated history of cross-connections being established or reestablished.
(5) Other premises specified by the County of Appomattox where cause can be shown that a potential cross-connection hazard not enumerated above exists.
D. Premises having booster pumps or fire pumps connected to the waterworks shall have the pumps equipped with a pressure-sensing device to shut off or regulate the flow from the booster pump when the pressure in the waterworks drops to a minimum of 20 psi gauge at the service connection.
E. An approved backflow prevention device or backflow prevention by separation shall be installed at each service connection to a consumer’s water supply system or installed under Subsection B, Special conditions, serving, but not necessarily limited to, the following types of facilities:
(1) Hospitals, mortuaries, clinics, veterinary establishments, nursing homes, dental offices and medical buildings.
(2) Laboratories.
(3) Piers, docks, and 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 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) 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) Multi-use commercial, office, or warehouse facilities.
(22) Others specified by the County of Appomattox or designee when reasonable cause can be shown for a potential backflow or cross-connection hazard.
F. Where lawn sprinkler systems, irrigation systems or fire service systems are connected directly to the waterworks with a separate service connection, a backflow prevention device or backflow prevention by separation shall be installed at the service connection or installed under Subsection B, Special conditions.
§ 5.1-47 Type of protection required.
The type of protection required shall depend on the degree of hazard which exists or may exist. The degree of hazard, either high, moderate, or low, is based on the nature of the contaminant; the potential health hazard; the probability of the backflow occurrence; the method of backflow either by back pressure or by backsiphonage; and the potential 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.
A. An air gap or physical disconnection gives 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, physical disconnection and a reduced-pressure-principle backflow prevention device will protect against back pressure when operating properly.
C. Pressure vacuum breakers will not protect against back pressure but will protect against backsiphonage when operating properly. Pressure vacuum breakers may be used in low, moderate or high hazard situations subject to backsiphonage only.
D. A double gate – double check valve assembly shall not be used in high hazard situations.
E. Barometric loops are not acceptable.
F. Interchangeable connections or change-over devices are not acceptable.
§ 5.1-48 Backflow prevention devices and backflow prevention by separation for containment.
A. Backflow prevention devices for containment include the reduced-pressure-principle backflow prevention assembly, the double gate – double check valve assembly, and the pressure vacuum breaker assembly.
B. Backflow prevention by separation shall be an air gap or physical disconnection. The minimum air gap shall be twice the effective opening of a potable water outlet unless the outlet is a distance less than three times the effective opening away from a wall or similar vertical surface, in which case the minimum air gap shall be three times the effective opening of the outlet. In no case shall the minimum air gap be less than one inch.
C. Backflow prevention devices shall be of the approved type and shall comply with the most recent American Water Works Association standards and shall be approved for containment by the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research.
D. Backflow prevention devices shall be installed in a manner approved by the County of Appomattox and in accordance with the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research recommendations and the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Vertical or horizontal positioning shall be as approved by the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research.
E. Existing backflow prevention devices, in place prior to the effective date of this article, may be subsequently approved by the County of Appomattox and shall be excluded from the requirements of Subsections C and D, except for inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements, if the County of Appomattox is assured that the devices will protect the waterworks.
F. For the purpose of application to § 5.1-46B(2), point of use isolation devices or separations shall be as specified by the County of Appomattox where reasonable assurance can be shown that the device or separation will protect the waterworks. As a minimum, point of use devices should bear an appropriate American Society of Sanitary Engineering standard number.
G. Backflow prevention devices with openings, outlets, or vents that are designed to operate or open during backflow prevention shall not be installed in pits or areas subject to flooding.
§ 5.1-49 Maintenance and inspection requirements.
A. It shall be the responsibility of the consumer’s water supply system owner(s) to maintain all backflow prevention devices or separations installed in accordance with § 5.1-46 in good working order and to make no piping or other arrangements for the purpose of bypassing or defeating backflow prevention devices or separations.
B. Operational testing and inspection schedules shall be established by the County of Appomattox as outlined in the Cross-Connection Control Program for all backflow prevention devices and separations which are installed at the service connection or installed under § 5.1-46B, Special conditions. The interval between testing and inspection of each device shall be established in accordance with the age and condition of the device and the device manufacturer’s recommendations. Backflow prevention device and separation inspection and testing intervals shall not exceed one year.
C. Backflow prevention device overhaul procedures and replacement parts shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
D. Backflow prevention device testing procedures shall be in accordance with the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research Backflow Prevention Assembly Field Test Procedure and the manufacturer’s instructions.
§ 5.1-50 Definitions.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AIR GAP
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest point of the potable water outlet and the rim of the receiving vessel.
AUXILIARY WATER SYSTEM
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.
BACKFLOW
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, or substances into a waterworks from any source or sources other than its intended source.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION BY SEPARATION (“SEPARATION”)
Preventing backflow by either an air gap or by physical disconnection of a waterworks by the removal or absence of pipes, fittings, or fixtures that connect a waterworks directly or indirectly to a nonpotable system or one of questionable quality.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE (“DEVICE”)
Any approved device intended to prevent backflow into a waterworks.
BACK PRESSURE BACKFLOW
Backflow caused by pressure in the downstream piping which is superior to the supply pressure at the point of consideration.
BACKSIPHONAGE BACKFLOW
Backflow caused by a reduction in pressure which causes a partial vacuum creating a siphon effect.
CONSUMER
Person who drinks water from a waterworks.
CONSUMER’S WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM (“CONSUMER’S SYSTEM”)
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.
CONTAINMENT
The prevention of backflow into a waterworks from a consumer’s water supply system by a backflow prevention device or by backflow prevention by separation at the service connection.
CONTAMINANT
Any objectionable or hazardous physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in water.
CROSS-CONNECTION
Any connection or structural arrangement, direct or indirect, to the waterworks whereby backflow can occur.
DEGREE OF HAZARD
Either a high, moderate or low hazard based on the nature of the contaminant; the potential health hazard; the probability of the backflow occurrence; the method of backflow either by back pressure or by backsiphonage; and the potential effect on waterworks structures, equipment, and appurtenances used in the storage, collection, purification, treatment, and distribution of pure water.
DISTRIBUTION MAIN
A water main whose primary purpose is to provide treated water to service connections.
DOMESTIC USE OR USAGE
Normal family or household use, including drinking, laundering, bathing, cooking, heating, cleaning and flushing toilets (see Title 32.1, Chapter 6, Article 2, Code of Virginia, as amended).
DOUBLE GATE – DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY
An approved assembly designed to prevent backsiphonage or back pressure backflow and used for moderate or low hazard situations, composed of two independently operating, spring-loaded check valves, tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly and fitted with properly located test cocks.
ENTRY POINT
The place where water from the source is delivered to the distribution system.
HEALTH HAZARD
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.
ISOLATION
The prevention of backflow into a waterworks from a consumer’s water supply system by a backflow prevention device or by backflow prevention by separation at the sources of potential contamination in the consumer’s water supply system. This is also called “point of use isolation.” Isolation of an area or zone within a consumer’s water supply system confines the potential source of contamination to a specific area or zone. This is called “area or zone isolation.”
MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL
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 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), where the maximum permissible level is measured at each entry point 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.
PLUMBING FIXTURE
A receptacle or device which is either permanently or temporarily connected to the water distribution system of the premises and 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.
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.
POLLUTION HAZARD
A condition through which an aesthetically objectionable or degrading material may enter the waterworks or a consumer’s water system.
PREMISES
A piece of real estate; house or building and its land.
PRESSURE VACUUM BREAKER
An approved assembly designed to prevent backsiphonage backflow and used for high, moderate, or low hazard situations, composed of one or two independently operating, spring-loaded check valves; an independently operating, spring-loaded air inlet valve; tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly; and fitted with properly located test cocks.
PROCESS FLUIDS
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:
A. Polluted or contaminated water;
B. Process waters;
C. Used water, originating from the waterworks, which may have deteriorated in sanitary quality;
D. Cooling waters;
E. Contaminated natural waters taken from wells, lakes, streams, or irrigation systems;
F. Chemicals in solution or suspension; and
G. Oils, gases, acids, alkalis, and other liquid and gaseous fluid used in industrial or other processes or for fire-fighting purposes.
PURE WATER or POTABLE WATER
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.
REDUCED-PRESSURE-PRINCIPLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE (RPZ DEVICE)
An approved assembly designed to prevent backsiphonage or back pressure backflow used for high, moderate, or low hazard situations, composed of a minimum of two independently operating, spring-loaded check valves together with an independent, hydraulically operating 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. The unit must include tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly and be fitted with properly located test cocks.
SERVICE CONNECTION
A. The point of delivery of water to a customer’s building service line as follows:
(1) If a meter is installed, the service connection is the downstream side of the meter.
(2) If a meter is not installed, the service connection is the point of connection to the waterworks.
B. When the water purveyor is also the building owner, the service connection is the entry point to the building.
SYSTEM HAZARD
A condition posing a threat of or actually causing damage to the physical properties of the waterworks or a consumer’s water supply system.
USED WATER
Water supplied from the waterworks to a consumer’s water supply system after it has passed through the service connection.
WATER SUPPLY
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.
WATERWORKS
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, Chapter 6, Article 2, Code of Virginia, as amended).
WATERWORKS OWNER
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, Chapter 6, Article 2, Code of Virginia, as amended).