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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDIV II) CH 1 Water Service: Section 23 - Non-Responsibility of District23-1 SECTION 23 NON-RESPONSIBILITY OF DISTRICT 23.01 INTERRUPTIONS OF WATER SERVICE District does not guarantee continuous delivery of water on demand. From time to time, it may be necessary for the District to shut off the flow of water in any of its water systems. Except in emergencies, such stoppages will not be made without prior notice to the customers involved. The District shall not assume any responsibility for loss or damages which may occur due to interruption of water service. 23.02 PRIVATELY-OWNED WATER LINES The District assumes no responsibility for the delivery of water through privately-owned pipelines or systems, nor shall it assume any responsibility for damages resulting from the operation of any such system even though water may be received from a district water distribution system. 23.03 WATER PRESSURE REGULATION A.Customer Responsibility. The District shall assume no responsibility for water pressure regulation within a customer's service area. The customer shall be responsible for providing adequate safeguard measures for the customer's water system wherever pressure regulation is necessary. B.Requirements for Installation in New Construction. Customers making application for water service for new construction for residential, commercial or industrial use shall be required to install an appropriate pressure regulation device for such service. 23.04 CROSS-CONNECTIONS AND BACKFLOW DEVICES State Regulations for Cross-Connections The California State Water Resources Control Board has issued regulations related to cross-connections, outlined in the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH), for the purpose of safeguarding drinking water supplies by preventing backflow into public water systems. It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation at any time to make or maintain, or cause to be made or main- tained, temporarily or permanently, for any period of time whatsoever, any cross-connection between plumbing pipes or water fixtures being served with water by the District water department and any other source of water supply; or to main- tain any sanitary fixtures or other appurtenances or fixtures 23-2 which, by reason of their construction, may cause or allow backflow of water or other substances into the water supply system of the District and/or the service of water pipes or fixtures of any consumer of the District. A.Definitions: For a complete listing, see the California State Water Resources Control Board’s Cross- Connection Control Policy Handbook. 1.Air-Gap Separation or “AG”: The term "air-gap separation" means a physical vertical separation of at least two (2) times the effective pipe diameter between the free-flowing discharge end of a potable water supply pipeline and the flood level of an open or non-pressurized receiving vessel, and in no case less than one (1) inch. 2.Approved Backflow Prevention Device: The term "approved backflow prevention device" shall mean devices which have passed laboratory and field evaluation tests performed by a recognized testing organization which has demonstrated their competency to perform such test to the State Water Resources Control Board and the Otay Water District. 3.AWWA Standard: The term "AWWA Standard" means an official standard developed and approved by the American Water Works Association (AWWA). 4.Backflow: The term "backflow" means an undesired or unintended reversal of flow of water and/or other liquids, gases, or other substances into a public water system’s distribution system or approved water supply. 5.Backflow Prevention Assembly or “BPA”: The term “backflow prevention assembly” means a mechanical assembly designed and constructed to prevent backflow, such that while in-line it can be maintained and its ability to prevent backflow, as designed, can be field tested, inspected and evaluated. 6.Cross-Connection: The term "cross-connection" means any actual or potential connection or structural arrangement between a public water system, including a piping system connected to the public water system and located on the premises of a water user or available to the water user, and any source or distribution system containing liquid, gas, or other substances not from an approved water supply. 23-3 7.Cross-Connection Control Specialist: A “cross- connection control specialist” means a person who is certified as a cross-connection control specialist. 8.Double Check Valve Backflow Prevention Assembly or “DC”: The term "double check valve backflow prevention assembly" means an assembly consisting of two independently-acting internally-loaded check valves, with tightly closing shut-off valves located at each end of the assembly (upstream and downstream of the two check valves) and fitted with test cocks that enable accurate field testing of the assembly. 9.Hazard Assessment: The term “hazard assessment” means an evaluation of a user premises designed to evaluate the types and degrees of hazard at a user’s premises. 10.Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assembly or “RP”: The term "reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly" means an assembly with two independently acting internally- loaded check valves, with a hydraulically operating mechanically independent differential-pressure relief valve located between the check valves and below the upstream check valve. The assembly shall have shut-off valves located upstream and downstream of the two check valves, and test cocks to enable accurate field testing of the assembly. 11.Reduced Pressure Principle Detector Backflow Prevention Assembly or “RPDA”: The term “reduced pressure principle detector backflow prevention assembly” means a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly that includes a bypass with a water meter and reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly, with the bypass’ water meter accurately registering flow rates up to two gallons per minute and visually showing a registration for all rates of flow. 12.User’s Service Connection: The term "user’s service connection" means either the point where a water user’s piping is connected to a water system or the point in a water system where the approved water supply can be protected from backflow using an air- gap or backflow prevention assembly. 13.User Supervisor: The term “user supervisor” means a person designated by a water user to oversee a water 23-4 use site and responsible for the avoidance of cross- connections. B.General Provisions 1.Unprotected cross-connections with the public water supply are prohibited. 2.Whenever backflow protection has been found necessary, the District will require the water user to install an approved backflow prevention device, by and at his/her expense, for continued services or before a new service will be granted. 3.Wherever backflow protection has been found necessary on a water supply line entering a water user's premises, then all water supply lines from the District's mains entering such premises, buildings, or structures shall be protected by an approved backflow prevention device. The type of device to be installed will be in accordance with the requirements of this Ordinance and all devices will be appropriate for the highest level of hazard found on the premises. C.Where Protection is Required 1.Each service connection from the District water system for supplying water to premises having an auxiliary water supply shall be protected against backflow of water from the premises into the public water system. 2.Each service connection from the District water system for supplying water to any premises on which any substance is handled in such fashion as may allow its entry into the water system shall be protected against backflow of the water from the premises into the public system. This includes commercial accounts, fire service accounts, irrigation accounts, multi-family dwellings, multi-story buildings, complex piping, and locations where the handling of process waters and waters originating from the District water system may be subjected to deterioration in sanitary quality. D.Type of Protection Required 23-5 1.The type of protection that shall be provided to prevent backflow into the approved water supply shall be commensurate to the degree of hazard that exists on the consumer's premises. The type of protective device that may be required (listed in increasing levels of protection) includes: double check valve backflow prevention assemblies, reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assemblies (RP), and an air-gap separation (AG). The water user may choose a higher level of protection than that required by the District. The minimum types of backflow protection required to protect the approved water supply at the user's water connection to premises with varying degrees of hazard are given in Appendix D of the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook. Situations which are not covered in Appendix D shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and the appropriate backflow protection shall be determined by the District. E.Approved Backflow Prevention Devices 1.Only lead-free backflow prevention assemblies which have been approved by the District shall be acceptable for installation by a water user connected to the District's potable water system. 2.Where repairs on existing lead containing backflow prevention assemblies are required, replacement parts must be lead-free. Where lead free replacement parts are not available, the entire backflow prevention assembly must be replaced with a lead-free assembly. 3.The District will provide to any affected customer, upon their request, a list of approved backflow prevention devices. F.Backflow Prevention Device Installation 1.Backflow prevention devices shall be installed in the manner prescribed in Article 3 of the Cross- Connection Control Policy Handbook. Location of the devices should be as close as practical to the user's point of service connection. The District shall have the final authority in determining the required location of a backflow prevention device. 23-6 a.Air-gap Separation (AG) - The air-gap separation shall be located on the user's side of, and as close to, the service connection as is practical. All piping from the service connection to the receiving tank shall be above grade and be entirely visible. No water use shall be provided from any point between the service connection and the air-gap separa- tion. The water inlet piping shall terminate a distance of at least two (2) pipe diameters of the supply inlet, but in no case less than one inch above the overflow rim of the receiving tank. b.Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Device (RP) - The approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device shall be installed on the user's side of the service connection at a distance consistent with the District's Standard Drawings and Specifications. The device shall be installed a minimum of twelve inches (12") but not more than twenty-four inches (24") above grade, measured from the bottom of the relief valve and with a minimum of twelve inches (12") side clearance, and twenty-four inches (24”) of clearance on the side of the assembly containing the test cocks. The device shall be installed so that it is readily accessible for maintenance and testing. Water supplied from any point between the service connection and the RP device shall be protected in a manner approved by the District. Additionally, materials and installation shall conform to water agency standards which can be found at www.sdwas.org. G.Backflow Prevention Device Testing and Maintenance 1.The owners of any premises on which, or on account of which, backflow prevention devices are installed shall have the devices tested by a person who has demonstrated their competency in testing of these devices to the District and has been approved by the District. Backflow prevention devices must be tested at least 23-7 annually and immediately after installation, relocation, or repair. The District may require a more frequent testing schedule if it is determined to be necessary. No device shall be placed back in service unless it is functioning as required. An online testing result submission, through the District’s backflow compliance program, shall be made within five (5) working days each time a device is tested, relocated, or repaired. Backflow prevention devices shall be serviced, overhauled, or replaced whenever they are found to be defective or observed to not be in proper working order. All costs of testing, repair, and maintenance shall be borne by the water user. 2.Initial testing after installation and subse- quent retesting shall be performed using the USC Manual of Cross-Connection Control 10th edition (or current) approved testing procedures. 3.The District will supply affected water users with a list of persons acceptable to the District to test backflow prevention devices. The District will notify affected customers by mail when annual testing of a device is needed and will also supply users with the necessary testing information to be submitted each time a device is tested or repaired. H.Backflow Prevention Device Removal 1. Written approval must be obtained from the District before a backflow prevention device is removed, relocated, repaired or replaced. a.Removal: The use of a device may be discontinued and device removed from service upon presentation of sufficient evidence to the District to verify that a hazard no longer exists or is not likely to be created in the future. Sites with wells are required to keep a backflow prevention assembly in place until a well deconstruction permit is completed with the County Department of Environment Health and Quality and a well deconstruction inspection report can be provided. 23-8 b.Relocation: A device may be relocated following confirmation by the District that the device is lead free and that the relocation will continue to provide the required protection and satisfy installation requirements. Any lead containing devices will require a complete replacement in lieu of relocation. A retest of the backflow prevention assembly will be required following the relocation. c.Repair: A device may be removed for repair, provided the water use is either discontinued until repair is completed and the device is returned to service, or the service connection is equipped with other backflow protection approved by the District. A retest will be required following the repair of the device. d.Replacement: A device may be removed and replaced provided the water use is discontinued until the replacement device is installed and tested. All replacement devices must be approved by the District and must be commensurate with the degree of hazard involved. I. User Supervisor 1.At premises where it is necessary, in the opinion of the District, a user supervisor shall be designated by and at the expense of the water user. This user supervisor shall be responsible for the monitoring of internal backflow prevention devices and for avoidance of cross- connections within the premises. In the event of contamination or pollution of the drinking water system due to an on-premise cross- connection, the District shall be notified as soon as possible but no later than 24 hours after the observance of the unprotected cross connection by the user supervisor so appropriate measures may be taken to overcome the contamination. 2.The water user shall inform the District of the user supervisor's required information, including certification, a current contact phone number, and current email address. Contact 23-9 information shall be provided on an annual basis or whenever a change occurs. 3.The user supervisor is responsible for the avoidance of cross-connections during the installation, operation and maintenance of the water user’s pipelines and equipment. The user supervisor must be trained on the fluids used and backflow protection for the premises and must inform the District of changes in piping. 4.The user supervisor must meet the qualification and training requirements described in the District’s cross-connection control plan. J. Administrative Procedures Hazard Assessments 1.The District shall review all requests for new services to determine if backflow protection is needed. Plans and specifications must be submitted to the District upon request for review of possible cross-connection hazards as a condition of service for new service connections. If it is determined that a backflow prevention device is necessary to protect the public water system, the required device must be installed before service will be activated. An initial hazard assessment of each premise must be completed before service is provided to the site. 2.The District may require an on premise hazard assessment to evaluate cross-connection hazards. The District will transmit a written notice requesting an inspection appointment to each affected water user. Any customer who cannot or will not allow an on premise inspection of their piping system shall be required to install a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly in accordance with the CCCPH Appendix D. 3.The District may, at its discretion, require a periodic re-assessment for cross-connection hazards of any premises to which it serves water. Re-assessments will occur whenever there is a usage type change at a site, when an ownership change occurs(excluding single family 23-10 residential sites), when the District believes that activities on the site present a higher level of hazard than when previously assessed, if backflow from a user’s premises occurs, and periodically on the timelines identified in the District’s cross connection control plan. The District will transmit a written notice requesting an inspection appointment to each affected water user. Any customer who cannot or will not allow an on-premise inspection of their piping system shall be required to install a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly in accordance with the CCCPH Appendlix D. K.Customer Notification - Device Installation and/or Repair (Corrective Action) 1.The District will notify the water user of the survey findings, listing corrective action to be taken if required. A period of 30 days will be given to complete all corrective action required including installation of backflow prevention devices. 2.A second notice will be sent to each water user who does not take the required corrective action prescribed in the first notice within the 30-day period allowed. The second notice will give the water user a 14-day period to take the required corrective action and will generate the assessment of a fee in accordance with Appendix A of this Ordinance. If no action is taken within the 14-day period, the District may terminate water service to the affected water user until the required corrective actions are taken. 3.A third and final notice will be sent to each water user who fails to take the requisite corrective action detailed in the second notice within the 14-day period allowed. The third notice will indicate the date of service termination and will generate the assessment of a fee in accordance with Appendix A of this Ordinance. 4.Only passing test results from a certified and District-approved tester/installer received electronically through the District’s backflow 23-11 compliance tester’s portal within the allotted time period will constitute compliance with the above requirements. L. Customer Notification - Testing 1.The District will notify each affected water user when it is time for the backflow preven- tion assembly installed on their service connections to be tested. This written notice shall give the water user 50 days to have the device tested and will supply the water user with the necessary testing information to be used when submitting testing results to the District. 2.A second notice shall be sent to each water user who does not have their backflow preven- tion device tested by the response due date prescribed in the first notice. The second notice will give the water user an additional 14 days to have their backflow prevention device tested. If no action is taken within the 14-day period, the District may terminate water service to the affected water user until the subject device is tested. 3.A third notice will be sent to each water user who fails to have their backflow prevention device(s) tested as required in the second notice within the 14-day period allowed. The third notice will indicate the date of service termination (10 days after the receipt of the notice) and will generate the assessment of a fee in accordance with Appendix A of this ordi- nance. 4.Α hand delivered notice may be provided to the property, where possible, to each water user who fails to have their backflow prevention device(s) tested as required in the third notice within the 10-working day period allowed. The hand delivered notice will indicate the date of service termination, typically with 48-hours, and will generate the assessment of a fee in accordance with Appendix Α of this Ordinance. The District would make the final determination if a hand delivered notice will be provided as a final measure to 23-12 achieve backflow testing compliance prior to service interruption. 5.Submittal of passing test results by a District approved tester, through the District’s backflow compliance tester’s portal, within the allotted time period will constitute compliance with the above requirements. M. Water Service Termination A.General When the District encounters water uses that rep- resent a clear and immediate hazard to the potable water supply that cannot be immediately abated, the District shall institute the procedure for discontinuing the District water service. A reconnection fee will be assessed in accordance with Appendix A of this Ordinance. Where a disconnection of District water service is required, the District will make the final determination of which, if not all, services entering a site will be subjected to disconnection. B.Basis for Termination Conditions or water uses that create a basis for water service termination shall include, but are not limited to the following items: 1.Refusal to install a required backflow pre- vention device; 2.Refusal to test a backflow prevention device; 3.Refusal to repair a faulty backflow prevention device; 4.Refusal to replace a faulty backflow prevention device; 5.Observed bypassing or alteration of a backflow prevention device; 6.Direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a sewer line, including treated sewage; 23-13 7.Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a system or equipment containing pollutants or contaminants; 8.Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and an auxil- iary water system; and/or 9.Any situation which presents an immediate health hazard to the public water system. Additional remedies for failure to comply with cross- connection requirements are referenced in Section 72 of the Code of Ordinances and may be prosecuted as set forth in Section 73.01 of this Code. N.Water Service Termination Procedures The District has absolute discretion to determine the corrective action required and referenced in Sections 72 and 73 of this Code. 1.For conditions 1, 2, 3, or 4, the District will terminate service to a customer's premise after two (2) written notices have been sent specifying the corrective action needed and the time period in which it must be done. If no action is taken within the allowed time period water service may be terminated. 2.For conditions 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, the District will take the following steps: a.Make reasonable effort to advise the water user of intent to terminate water service; b.Terminate water supply and lock service valve. The water service will remain inactive until corrections of violations have been approved by the District. O. Requirements for addition to or renewal on the Otay Water District list of approved backflow prevention device testers A.Each applicant (tester) desiring initial addition to the District’s List of Approved Backflow Prevention Device Testers shall submit a fee in accordance with Appendix A of this Ordinance. Fees must be made in an acceptable 23-14 form of payment to the District. Along with the fee, a current mailing address, email address, phone number, and signed copy of the backflow prevention assembly tester’s code of conduct must be furnished. Those applicants not meeting all qualifications specified herein will have current fees returned. B.Applicants shall hold a valid and current certification from the American Water Works Association (AWWA) California Nevada Section, the American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA), or the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE). After July, 1 2027, acceptable organizations must be accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in accordance with ISO/IEC 17024 and be recognized by the State Water Resources Control Board as a certifying organization. Testing shall be performed using the most current test procedures from the University of Southern California foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Reasearch. Evidence of said certification shall be furnished to the District at the time of application, at the time of renewal, and at any time the District requests verification. Certification alone does not constitute District approval. C.Each applicant shall furnish evidence to show the availability of the necessary tools and equipment to properly test and/or repair such devices. Test kits shall be recalibrated annually and evidence of this shall be electronically submitted and maintained by the tester in the District’s backflow compliance program. D.Tester applicants must agree to comply with the Otay Water District’s backflow prevention assembly tester’s code of conduct. Each new applicant must provide a signed a copy of the tester’s code of conduct prior to being added to the District's List of Approved Backflow Prevention Device Testers. Testers currently listed must sign a new tester’s code of conduct on a four-year interval, as substantive changes occur, and/or as determined by the District. Testers who fail to provide a signed tester’s code of conduct form will be removed from the 23-15 list and will have to apply as a new tester during the next open enrollment period. E.The tester shall be solely responsible for the competency and accuracy of all tests and reports prepared and submitted to the District. The District reserves the right at any time to require testers to perform repeat testing in the presence of a District staff member should the submitted results not appear to be accurate or if the device shows signs of requiring repairs at the time that passing results are received. F. Any tester found to be falsifying testing results or modifying backflow prevention assemblies in a manner other than how approval was received from either the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross- Connection Control and Hydraulic Research or ASSE International, will be removed from the District's List of Approved Backflow Prevention Device Testers for a minimum of three years and will be reported to the tester’s certifying organization. G.The list of approved testers will be furnished upon request to any District customer requiring such service. The list of approved testers will be updated on a bi-annual basis. H.The testers listed will remain listed for as long as their credentials, gauge calibrations, and testers code of conduct all remain current in the District’s backflow compliance program. Testers are required to update their credentials and gauge calibrations through the backflow compliance program’s electronic testers portal. Testers that do not update their credentials will not be able to submit testing results and will be removed from the list after 45 days of being overdue for a credential update. Any tester that falls off of the list will need to reapply as a new tester at the next open enrollment period and will not be added back to the list until the next bi-annual update occurs. I.The District reserves the authority to revoke, suspend, or remove any tester from the list of 23-16 approved testers for improper conduct, testing, repairs, and/or reporting at any time. Current District staff members and their associated companies cannot be added to the list or perform testing services for backflow prevention assemblies that are tracked in the District’s backflow compliance program. FEES A.A second notice for required corrective action will result in a service fee, per backflow device as outlined in Appendix A. B.A third notice (termination of service notice) will result in a service fee per backflow device followed by the assessment of a reconnection fee if such action is required as outlined in Appendix A. C.A reconnection fee per service is required for service to be resumed as outlined in Appendix A. D.Applicants for addition to the list of approved backflow prevention device testers in the Otay Water District will submit an initial filing fee as outlined in Appendix A. 23.05 WATER SERVICE FOR STEAM BOILERS Customers using District water to supply steam boilers are required to provide adequate storage of water for boiler use for a minimum period of 12 hours. 23.06 ELECTRICAL GROUND CONNECTIONS The connection of electrical ground wire to water pipes is prohibited. The District shall assume no responsibility for any loss or damage resulting from such a connection.