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City of Auburn
Comprehensive Water Plan
APPENDIX T
CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL PROGRAM
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2014 Water Division
Cross-Connection Control Program
Purpose:
This document establishes minimum standards for the City of Auburn Cross-Connection
Control Program to protect the public water system, as defined in WAC 246-290-010,
from contamination via cross-connections. It describes minimum Cross-Connection
Control Program operating policies, provides guidelines for installation, testing and
maintenance of approved backflow prevention assemblies, permitting process, inspection
and survey requirements for existing and new water service connections.
The City’s proactive and ongoing Cross-Connection Control Program is an effort to
protect the health of its consumers by preventing contaminants and pollutants from
entering the public water supply. Washington State Department of Health, Division of
Drinking Water requires all public water systems to implement a Cross-Connection
Control Program. Elements of the city’s Cross-Connection Control Program must be
documented and included in the Comprehensive Water System Plan. Washington
Administrative Code WAC 246.290.490 mandates Cross-Connection Control Programs
contain the following minimum elements:
Element 1: The purveyor shall adopt a local ordinance, resolution, code, bylaw, or
other written legal instrument that:
(i) Establishes the purveyor's legal authority to implement a cross-connection
control program;
(ii) Describes the operating policies and technical provisions of the purveyor's
cross connection control program; and
(iii) Describes the corrective actions used to ensure that consumers comply with
the purveyor's cross-connection control requirements.
The City of Auburn has adopted ordinance 5851 amending Auburn City Code
Chapter 13.12 entitled “Protection of Water Supply” which establishes the City’s
authority for implementing the Cross-Connection Control Program.
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The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 and the statutes of the State of
Washington, Title 43 RCW, require purveyors to protect the public water supply
from contamination.
Enforcement of this Cross-Connection Control Program in the area(s) served by
the City of Auburn Water will be in accordance with:
Washington Administrative Code WAC 246-290-490, Cross-Connection
Control, effective April 9, 1999;
Auburn City Code, ACC1.20.010 Right of entry for Inspection
Auburn City Code, ACC13.06.260 Service Premises Isolation
Auburn City Code, ACC13.12 Protection of Water Supply
Auburn Design Standards 7.01.4 Cross Connection Control
Auburn Construction Standards Water 21, 22, 23, 24
City of Auburn Water Division, Cross-Connection Control Program;
and/or any subsequent revisions, together with any future manuals of standard
practice pertaining to Cross-Connection Control approved by Washington State
Department of Health, Division of Drinking Water.
Consumers and/or premises violating any provisions of this document and/or
subsequent revisions shall be subject to enforcement action such as, but not
limited to, a maximum penalty of $250.00 each day and/or discontinuance (TURN
OFF) of water service to the premises.
Element 2: The purveyor shall develop and implement procedures and schedules
for evaluating new and existing service connections to assess the degree of hazard
posed by the consumer's premises to the purveyor's distribution system and
notifying the consumer within a reasonable time frame of the hazard evaluation
results. At a minimum, the program shall meet the following:
(i) For connections made on or after April 9, 1999, procedures shall ensure that an
initial evaluation is conducted before water service is provided;
(ii) For all other connections, procedures shall ensure that an initial evaluation is
conducted in accordance with a schedule acceptable to the department; and
(iii) For all service connections, once an initial evaluation has been conducted,
procedures shall ensure that periodic reevaluations are conducted in accordance
with a schedule acceptable to the department and whenever there is a change in
the use of the premises.
The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program evaluation of new and existing
connections is as follows: New connections must comply with the City’s Design
Standards 7.01.4 Cross Connection Control, the City’s Construction Standards
Water 21, 22, 23, 24, and evaluated by the City’s Cross-Connection Control
Specialist during the permit and plan review process and before service is
provided. Water service connection(s) to new consumers and/or premises shall be
locked off until the City’s Cross-Connection Control Specialist has conducted an
inspection of the installation and received a passing valid test report.
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Existing connections are given a risk assessment by the City’s Cross-Connection
Specialist to determine if the backflow protection is commensurate with the
degree of hazard. A preliminary assessment (site survey) is conducted on all non-
single family facilites for the purpose of determining the need for premises
isolation used for the protection of the City’s public water supply. City has
identified Table 9 (high hazard) facilities within its jurisdiction and has a
prioritize list for surveying each site. Consumers and/or premises identified as
Table 9 (high hazard) facility and/or non-single family facility require premises
isolation with an Approved Air Gap and/or Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly
used for the protection of the public water supply.
After the initial risk assessment of new and existing connections is conducted, a
re-evaluation of the service connection is conducted every five (5) years.
The cost/fees of installation, initial and annual testing, maintenance, and repair
or replacement of the backflow assembly shall be the responsibility of the
consumer as a condition of water service.
Element 3: The purveyor shall develop and implement procedures and schedules
for ensuring that:
(i) Cross-connections are eliminated whenever possible;
(ii) When cross-connections cannot be eliminated, they are controlled by
installation of approved backflow preventers commensurate with the degree of
hazard; and
(iii) Approved backflow preventers are installed in accordance with the
requirements of subsection (6) of this section.
The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program endeavors to eliminate all actual
or potential physical Cross-Connections where possible, and not allow any actual
or potential physical Cross-Connections unless protected by an Approved Air
Gap and/or Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly. The City’s Cross-Connection
Program will inventory and track all backflow prevention assemblies used for the
protection of the public water supply. It is the consumer and/or premises
responsibility to test, maintain, repair, or replace all backflow prevention
assemblies used for the protection of the public water supply.
Element 4: The purveyor shall ensure that personnel, including at least one person
certified as a CCS, are provided to develop and implement the cross-connection
control program.
The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program employs State Certified personnel.
The program currently staffs (2) two full time employees certified as Cross-
Connection Control Specialist, Backflow Assembly Tester, and Water Distribution
Manager.
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Element 5: The purveyor shall develop and implement procedures to ensure that
approved backflow preventers relied upon to protect the public water system are
inspected and/or tested (as applicable) under subsection (7) of this section.
Subsection (7) Approved backflow preventer inspection and testing.
(a) For backflow preventers that protect the public water system, the purveyor
shall ensure that:
(i) A CCS inspects backflow preventer installations to ensure that protection is
provided commensurate with the assessed degree of hazard;
(ii) Either a BAT or CCS inspects:
(A) Air gaps installed in lieu of approved backflow prevention assemblies for
compliance with the approved air gap definition; and
(B) Backflow prevention assemblies for correct installation and approval
status.
(iii) A BAT tests approved backflow prevention assemblies for proper operation.
(b) The purveyor shall ensure that inspections and/or tests of approved air gaps
and approved backflow assemblies that protect the public water system are
conducted:
(i) When any of the following occur:
(A) Upon installation, repair, reinstallation, or relocation of an assembly;
(B) Upon installation or replumbing of an air gap;
(C) After a backflow incident involving the assembly or air gap; and
(ii) Annually thereafter, unless the purveyor requires more frequent testing for
high hazard premises or for assemblies that repeatedly fail.
(c) The purveyor shall ensure that inspections of AVBs installed on irrigation
systems are conducted:
(i) At the time of installation;
(ii) After a backflow incident; and
(iii) After repair, reinstallation, or relocation.
(d) The purveyor shall ensure that approved backflow prevention assemblies are
tested using procedures acceptable to the department, such as those specified in
the most recently published edition of the USC Manual. When circumstances,
such as, but not limited to, configuration or location of the assembly, preclude the
use of USC test procedures, the purveyor may allow, on a case-by-case basis, the
use of alternate (non-USC) test procedures acceptable to the department.
(e) The purveyor shall ensure that results of backflow prevention assembly
inspections and tests are documented and reported in a manner acceptable to the
purveyor.
(f) The purveyor shall ensure that an approved backflow prevention assembly or
AVB, whenever found to be improperly installed, defective, not commensurate
with the degree of hazard, or failing a test (if applicable) is properly reinstalled,
repaired, overhauled, or replaced.
(g) The purveyor shall ensure that an approved air gap, whenever found to be
altered or improperly installed, is properly replumbed or, if commensurate with
the degree of hazard, is replaced by an approved RPBA.
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The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program requires all backflow prevention
assemblies used for the protection of the public water supply be tested and/or
inspected at time of installation, annually (yearly anniversary date), after a
backflow incident, repair, reinstallation, or relocation. Consumers and/or
premises are responsible for all cost/fee to test, maintain, repair, or replace
backflow prevention assemblies used for the protection of the public water supply.
Consumers and/or premises are also responsible for submitting all passing, valid
test reports for backflow prevention assemblies used for the protection of the
public water supply to the City’s Cross-Connection Control Program within 30
days of testing the backflow preventions assemblies. Test reports received over
the 30 days grace period may be returned to the consumers and/or premises for
re-testing of the backflow prevention assemblies. Person testing the backflow
prevention assemblies shall be a current State Certified Backflow Assembly Tester
and have completed the City’s Annual Tester Agreement Form. Only test reports
approved by City of Auburn shall be accepted. Test reports not approved for use
by the City of Auburn shall be returned to the consumers and/or premises. Test
report forms shall be complete, accurate, and legible.
Procedures for inspection and/or testing of backflow prevention assemblies for
existing consumers and/or premises are as follows:
Annual Testing
The City mails notices to existing consumers and/or premises of the annual testing
or re-testing of the backflow prevention assemblies used for the protection of the
public water supply. The First Notice is mailed 30 days prior to anniversary test
due date. If passing, valid test reports are not received by anniversary test due
date then a Second Notice is mailed giving the consumers and/or premises 15
days to test the backflow prevention assemblies. A Third Notice is mailed if
passing, valid test reports are not received from the consumers and/or premises
by date given on second notice. The third notice gives the consumers and/or
premises 7 days to test the backflow prevention assemblies. If a passing, valid test
reports are not received, then enforcement action is taken which includes, but is
not limited to, a $250.00 fine each day and/or discontinuance (TURN OFF) of
water service.
Repair, Reinstallation, or Relocation Testing
The City mails notices to existing consumers and/or premises of the repair,
reinstallation, or relocation for the testing of the backflow prevention assemblies
used for the protection of the public water supply. Failure notices for backflow
assemblies used for high health hazards and non-single family facilities are as
follows: The First Notification is mailed after receiving written notice from the
backflow assembly tester identifying the failed test, reinstallation or relocation of
the backflow assembly. A passing, valid test reports showing the repairs made
and/or initial testing of the reinstalled or relocated backflow assembly must be
received within 7 days of the written notice. If a passing, valid test reports is not
received within the 7 days, then a Second Notification is mailed giving the
consumers and/or premises 5 days to submit a passing, valid test reports showing
the repairs made with passing results, and/or initial testing of the reinstalled or
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relocated backflow assembly. If a passing, valid test reports is not received within
the 5 days, then a Third Notification is mailed giving the consumers and/or
premises 3 days to submit a passing, valid test reports showing the repairs made
and/or initial testing of the reinstalled or relocated backflow assembly. If a
passing, valid test reports are not received, then enforcement action is taken
which includes, but is not limited to, a $250.00 fine each day and/or
discontinuance (TURN OFF) of water service.
Procedures for inspection and/or testing of backflow prevention assemblies for
new consumers and/or premises are as follows:
Initial Testing & Inspection of Backflow Prevention Assemblies
The consumer, contractor, and/or premises is required to comply with the City’s
Design Standards 7.01.4 Cross Connection Control, City’s Construction
Standards Water 21, 22, 23, 24, and evaluated by the City’s Cross-Connection
Control Specialist during the permit and plan review process and before service
is provided. A Backflow Assembly Permit (BFL) shall be issued for all backflow
prevention assemblies used for the protection of the public water supply. The
backflow prevention assemblies shall be tested by a current State Certified
Backflow Assembly Tester, approved to test within the City’s water distribution
system. The City’s Cross-Connection Control Specialist shall inspect the
installation on the backflow prevention assemblies and collect all passing, valid
test reports certifying the backflow prevention assemblies are functioning
correctly. The Backflow Assembly Permit (BFL) is then finalized in CRW. The
City’s Cross-Connection Control Specialist may require corrections and/or
additions during the inspection process. If so, corrections and/or additions shall
be completed to the satisfaction of the City’s Cross-Connection Control Specialist
before the permit if finalized.
City Owned Backflow Assemblies
The Cross-Connection Control Program currently test and maintain 160 backflow
prevention assemblies within City owned facilities. The City employs (4) four
Certified Backflow Assembly Testers, (1) one in the Parks Department and (3)
three in the Water Department. The backflow prevention assemblies are tested
and inspected annually (anniversary date is May 30th of each year), or more often
if needed (type B hydrant meter carts are tested when returned).
Hydrant Meter Permit Regulations
Water quality, accountability, safety, infrastructure reliability and security were
the catalyst for creation of the Hydrant Meter Permit Regulations for private
party customer withdrawal of water from fire hydrants. (See ACC 13.06.511for
requirements)
Element 6: The purveyor shall develop and implement a backflow prevention
assembly testing quality control assurance program, including, but not limited to,
documentation of BAT certification and test kit calibration, test report contents,
and time frames for submitting completed test reports.
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CERTIFIED BACKFLOW ASSEMBLY TESTER
1. Backflow Assembly Tester MUST be currently certified to test in Washington
State, complete the City’s annual Tester Agreement Form and approved by the
City’s Cross-Connection Control Program prior to testing any backflow
assemblies within the City’s Water Distribution System.
2. Certified Backflow Assembly Tester MUST submit the following information
before any Test Report Forms will be accepted:
Copy of the (Current Year) BAT Validation Card issued by
Washington State Department of Health.
Copy of the Current Calibration Certificate for all testing equipment
clearly stating whom the testing equipment belongs to and/or is used
by.
Original Certified Backflow Assembly Tester Agreement Form
completed, signed and dated for the (Current Year). No faxes of this
form will be accepted.
By signing the Tester Agreement, the BAT Tester understands and
will abide with the City’s Tester Program Requirements.
Contact information including company name, address, and phone
number(s)
Auburn Business Registration Number
3. BAT Tester may be asked to demonstrate test procedures using current
Backflow Prevention Assemblies Field Test Procedure Approved for Use in
Washington State to a Cross Connection Control Specialist and/or Certified
Backflow Assembly Tester employed by the City. Failure to abide to this
request may result in backflow assembly testing privileges discontinued within
the City’s Water Distribution System.
4. Tester demonstrating gross negligence or suspected of being fraudulent will
be investigated and reported to Washington State Department of Health
Certification Office. Test Report Forms from Backflow Assembly Tester
under investigation will NOT be accepted and returned to the owner of the
assembly.
5. Failure to comply with any part of the City’s Tester Program Requirements
will result in the Backflow Assembly Test Report Form being rejected and
returned to the owner of the assembly, and/or Backflow Assembly testing
privileges discontinued within the City’s Water Distribution System.
6. Auburn Municipal Code requires business operating within the City limits to
obtain a business registration number from the permit center.
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BACKFLOW ASSEMBLY TESTING EQUIPMENT
1. Backflow assembly testing equipment MUST meet all requirements set by
Washington State Department of Health.
2. A copy of the Current Calibration Certificate of all testing equipment clearly
stating whom the testing equipment belongs to and/or is used by MUST be
submitted.
3. Backflow assembly testing equipment suspected of being damaged,
malfunctioning and/or fraudulent will require re-calibration and/or repair.
The new Calibration Certificate MUST be submitted to the City’s Cross
Connection Control Program before any Test Report Forms will be accepted.
BACKFLOW ASSEMBLY TESTING/INSPECTION
1. Tester MUST use current Backflow Prevention Assemblies Field Test
Procedures Approved for Use in Washington State. No other test procedures
will be accepted.
2. The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program MUST be notified of Initial
Testing for all New Backflow Assemblies used for the protection of the public
water supply. Tester shall provide the Backflow Assembly Permit Number
(example BFL14-0000) when notifying of Initial Testing. Backflow Assembly
installed within the City’s Water Distribution System requires a Backflow
Assembly Permit.
3. Initial Inspection of Backflow Assembly will NOT be conducted without a
valid Backflow Assembly Permit and Test Report Form. Backflow Assembly
Permit will NOT be finalized without a passing, valid test report and site
inspection of assembly installation.
4. The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program MUST be notified within
24hrs, if a Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA), used for High
Hazard Protection, FAILS an initial, annual and/or repeat test.
5. Backflow assemblies MUST have all test ports plugged in areas subject to
flooding.
BACKFLOW ASSEMBLY TEST REPORT FORMS
1. Only test reports approved by City of Auburn shall be accepted. (NO
OTHER TEST REPORT WILL BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT PRIOR
APPROVAL) Tester MUST contact the City’s Cross-Connection Control
Program for prior approval of private Test Report Form. Private Test Report
Form MUST used the same format as the City’s approved Test Report Form.
Test Report Form NOT approved will be returned to the owner of the
assembly.
2. Backflow Assembly Test Report Form MUST be submitted to the City’s Cross
Connection Control Program within 30 days of completing the test. Test
Report Form over 30 days will NOT be accepted and returned to the owner of
the assembly.
3. Backflow Assembly Test Report Form MUST be Complete, Accurate and
Legible.
4. Test Report Form MUST have documentation of any repairs, cleaning or
flushing of backflow assembly.
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5. Test Report Form will be returned to the owner of the Backflow Assembly if
the tester fails to comply with any part of the City’s Tester Program
Requirements.
6. Test Report Form suspected of being fraudulent will be investigated and
reported to Washington State Department of Health Certification Office.
7. Test Report Form received from any BAT tester under investigation will be
rejected and returned to the owner of the backflow assembly.
APPROVED BACKFLOW ASSEMBLY TESTER
1. The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program mails a BAT Requirement
Letter to previously registered tester no later than December 31st of each
year. Tester not previously registered with the City’s Cross Connection
Control Program will receive a BAT Requirement Letter upon request.
2. Tester MUST complete and submit the annual BAT Tester Agreement Form
before test reports will be accepted. Testers NOT complying with all parts of
the BAT Tester Agreement Form will have testing privileges discontinued
within the City of Auburn Distribution System.
3. Tester will NOT be allowed to test backflow assembly within the City’s Water
Distribution System until all required information is received.
4. Tester NOT registered with the City’s Cross-Connection Control Program by
the Washington State Department of Health renewal cut-off date, will NOT be
allowed to test backflow assembly within the City’s Water Distribution System
until all required information is received.
5. Tester NOT registered with the City’s Cross-Connection Control Program by
the Washington State Department of Health renewal cut-off date, will NOT be
listed on the City’s Approved Tester List given to customers upon request.
6. Tester NOT registered with the City’s Cross-Connection Control Program by
the Washington State Department of Health renewal cut-off date, will NOT
have Test Report Form accepted by the City’s Cross-Connection Control
Program and returned to the owner of backflow assembly.
7. The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program will only list the testers Name,
Phone Number(s), and BAT Certification Number on the City’s Approved
Tester List given to customers upon request.
8. The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program will list tester in the order
received. Tester will NOT be listed until all information requested is
submitted. The City’s Approved Tester List does not indicate any preference,
is completely at our discretion and subject to space availability.
9. The City’s Approved Tester List is updated once a month.
10. The City’s Approved Tester List is available as a hard copy or on h-drive
under Cross-Connection in electronic form.
11. Tester may request approval to test within the City’s Water Distribution
System and NOT listed on the City’s Approved Tester List.
BACKFLOW ASSEMBLY TESTER RECORDS & RECORD KEEPING
1. All paperwork received from Tester MUST be date stamped the day they are
received.
2. Information from paperwork MUST be date stamped and recorded in Tokay.
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3. All paperwork received from Tester for the (Current Year) MUST be stapled
together and placed into a file folder marked with the company name the
Tester is employed by.
4. All paperwork MUST be stapled in the following order:
Original Tester Agreement Form for the (Current Year)
Copy of the DOH/BAT Validation Card for the (Current Year)
Copy of the Test Equipment Calibration for the (Current Year)
5. All certification paperwork received from Tester MUST be kept for a
minimum of two years.
6. Paperwork such as questionable Test Report Form, Annual Tester
Requirement Letter and/or Department of Health Complaint Form MUST be
kept on file for as long as the Tester is Currently Registered in Washington
State. (Verify annually on WETRC web-site)
7. The following information MUST be recorded in Tokay:
Assigned Code for new and existing Testers
Tester Status (active/inactive)
Company Name, Address and Phone Number(s)
BAT Certification Number issued by the Department of Health
“Date stamped” received
Expiration date for BAT Validation
Test equipment serial number and calibration date
Tester Agreement and Customer List Status
Certification Status
8. When all required paperwork is received and recorded, then the Tester name,
certification number and phone number(s) is placed on the “City’s Approved
Tester List distributed to customers upon request”. (This is only for Tester
requesting to be on the City’s Approved Tester List)
9. Tester NOT requesting to be on the City’s Approved Tester List will only be
track by Tokay.
BACKFLOW ASSEMBLY TESTER INVESTIGATION/COMPLAINT
1. Cross Connection Specialist MUST notify Supervisor(s) for approval before
starting investigation.
2. Send a Certified Letter to the Tester informing them of the intended
investigation. (This letter will require the Tester to Stop Testing Backflow
Assemblies within the City’s Water Distribution System until the investigation
is complete and the Tester has been cleared by the City’s Cross Connection
Control Program in writing (No time frame will be set for investigation).
3. Remove the Tester name, certification number and phone number(s) from the
City’s Approved Tester List and place status in Tokay as Inactive.
4. Review all Test Report Forms received from Tester for the (Current Year) to
look for other discrepancies.
5. Compare previous history of Test Report Forms for each backflow assembly
in question.
6. Conduct an on-site investigation and test of each backflow assembly in
question.
7. Take pictures and documentation of each backflow assembly in question.
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8. Review current Backflow Prevention Assemblies Field Test Procedures
Approved for Use in Washington State to verify test procedures.
9. Review current Backflow Prevention Assemblies Approved for Installation in
Washington State to verify status of backflow assembly.
10. Require Tester meet a Cross Connection Control Specialist and/or Certified
Backflow Assembly Tester employed by the City to demonstrate test
procedures using current Backflow Prevention Assemblies Field Test
Procedure Approved for Use in Washington State.
11. Review findings of investigation with Supervisor(s) and acquire approval to
discuss with Tester and Washington State Department of Health
12. Review finding of investigation with Tester.
13. Tester may submit a written rebuttal to the finding of the investigation after
the review with the City’s Cross Connection Control Program.
14. Review finding of investigation with Washington State Department of Health
Certification office. (Fill out State Complaint Form) The State will conduct its
own investigation and deliver its finding in writing.
15. Review the States finding with Supervisor(s) to determine status of Tester.
Tester Cleared – Send Certified Letter reinstating testing privileges
within the City’s Water Distribution System.
Tester Not Cleared – Send Certified Letter revoking testing privileges
within the City’s Water Distribution System for as long as the Tester is
Currently Registered in Washington State.
16. All paperwork from the investigation MUST be kept on file for as long as the
Tester is Currently Registered in Washington State
Tester(s) not complying with any part of the aforementioned requirements shall
be removed from the City’s Approved Tester List. Test report forms shall be
returned to the consumer and/or premises of the backflow prevention assemblies
tested. The City reserves the right to deny a Backflow Assembly Tester from
performing testing within the City’s water distribution system. Tester(s) are
responsible for obtaining all certifications needed to perform duties and
responsibilities for testing and maintaining backflow prevention assemblies.
Element 7: Develop and implement (when appropriate) procedures for responding
to backflow incidents.
The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program has outlined a Backflow Incident
Response Procedure to be followed if the City’s water supply becomes
contaminated or polluted due to a backflow incident.
BACKFLOW INCIDENT RESPONSE PLAN
(Supplement to the Emergency Plan)
General:
This backflow incident response plan is a supplement to the City’s
Response Emergency Plan. The City of Auburn Water Division is
hereinafter referred to as the Purveyor.
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Whenever the initial evaluation of a water quality complaint
indicates that a backflow incident has occurred (potable water supply
has been contaminated/polluted), may have occurred, or the reason
for the complaint can not be explained as a "normal" aesthetic
problem, a backflow incident investigation should be immediately
initiated. Whenever a water main break or power outage (pumped
systems) causes a widespread loss of water pressure (backsiphonage
conditions) it is prudent to initiate a check of distribution water
quality as a precursor to the need for a backflow incident
investigation. It is wise to be conservative when dealing with public
health matters.
Within 24 hours of knowledge of any incident of possible contamination of the
potable water supply, both in the distribution system and/or in the customer's
plumbing system, the state and local county personnel should be notified (see list of
emergency telephone numbers in the Public Works Emergency Response M. & O.
Manual).
A backflow incident investigation is often a team effort. The investigation should be
made or (initially) lead by a Certified Cross-Connection Control Specialist employed
by the Purveyor. The investigation team should include local health and plumbing
inspectors.
General guidance on how to respond to a backflow incident may be obtained
from the manual BACKFLOW INCIDENT INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES,
First Edition, 1996, published by the Pacific Northwest Section, American
Water Works Association, P. O. Box 19581, Portland, Oregon, 97280,
telephone (877) 767-2992 (toll free).
Short-List of Tasks:
The following points are included for initial guidance for dealing with a backflow
incident; the above referenced manual BACKFLOW INCIDENT INVESTIGATION
PROCEDURES should be consulted as soon as possible.
1. As soon as possible, notify customers not to consume or use water. Start the
notification with the customers nearest the assumed source of contamination
(usually the customer(s) making the water quality complaint).
The customer should be informed about the reason for the backflow incident
investigation, and the Purveyor's efforts to restore water quality as soon as
possible. State that the customer will be informed when he may use water, the
need to boil water used for consumption until a satisfactory bacteriological test
result is obtained from the lab, etc.
Where a customer cannot be contacted immediately, the Purveyor shall place a
written notice on the front door handle, and a follow-up visit will be made to
confirm that the customer received notice about the break and possible
contamination of the water supply.
2. Give consideration to the distribution system as a potential source of the
contaminant (e.g., air valve inlet below ground).
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3. Do not start flushing the distribution system until the source of contamination is
identified. Flushing may aggravate the backflow situation and will likely remove
the contaminant before a water sample can be collected to fully identify the
contaminant.
4. Conduct a house-to-house survey to search for the source of contamination and
the extent that the contaminant has spread through the distribution system. A
check of water meters may show a return of water (meter running backward).
5. Isolate the portions of the system that are suspected of being contaminated by
closing isolating valves; leave one valve open to ensure that positive water
pressure is maintained throughout the isolated system.
6. Be sure to notify all affected customers in the isolated area, then the other
customers in the system.
7. The public health and plumbing authorities should deal with all customers that
may have consumed the contaminant, or had their plumbing systems
contaminated.
8. Develop and implement a program for cleaning the contaminated distribution
system.
9. For the customer where a cross-connection responsible for the system
contamination is located, the Purveyor should discontinue water service until the
Purveyor ordered corrective action is completed by the customer.
Identification of the source and type of contaminant, and cleaning of a distribution
system could take several days.
Most chemical or physical contaminants can be flushed from the water distribution
system or customer's plumbing system with adequate flushing velocity. This may not be
the case where scale and corrosion deposits (e.g., tuberculation on old cast iron mains)
provides a restriction to obtaining adequate flushing velocity, or a chemical deposit or
bacteriological slime (biofilm) on which the chemical contaminant may adhere.
To remove a chemical or physical contaminant, it may be necessary to provide a physical
cleaning, using foam swabs (pigs), and/or to alter the form or the chemical contaminant,
e.g., through oxidation using chlorination, or addition of detergents.
When adding any chemical (including chlorine) to remove a contaminant, it is essential
that the chemistry of the contaminant is-fully understood. The wrong chemical reaction
could make the contaminant more toxic, more difficult to remove, or both.
Where both a chemical and bacteriological contamination has occurred, disinfection
should follow the removal of the chemical contaminant.
Where any bacteriological contamination is suspected, field disinfection should be done.
To disinfect water mains using the "slug" or "continuous flow" method, a field unit
should be used for chlorine injection, such as a chemical feed - metering or
proportioning pump for sodium hypochlorite.
Page 14 of 36
NOTE: Refer to the City’s Backflow Incident Response Manual for additional
information.
Element 8: The purveyor shall include information on cross-connection control in
the purveyor's existing program for educating consumers about water system
operation. The public education program may include periodic bill inserts, public
service announcements, pamphlet distribution, notification of new consumers and
consumer confidence reports.
Public education is a key part of the City’s Cross-Connection Control Program.
Through public education, the City informs consumers of:
1. The public health impacts of actual or potential Cross-Connection
hazards.
2. The consumer’s responsibility to protect the public water supply from
contamination.
3. The City’s requirement to comply with Washington State Department of
Health regulations.
4. The City’s policies on Cross-Connection Control.
The following educational material is provided to the City’s water consumers and
available at City Hall, Maintenance & Operations, and by mail if requested.
Annual Consumer Confidence Report CCR
City of Auburn internet home page, Water Quality
Brochure – AWWA Caution Your Hose May Be Hazardous To
Your Health
Brochure – USC Working Together For Safe Water
Brochure – AWWA Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems And
Backflow Prevention
Brochure – AWWA Lawn Irrigation Systems And Backflow
Prevention
Brochure – AWWA Help Protect Your Drinking Water From
Contamination (Household Hazards)
Brochure – AWWA Protect Your Water Heater From Thermal
Expansion
Brochure – AWWA Cross-Connections Can Create Health
Hazards
Comic Books – ABPA Buster Backflow, book 1 & 2
Element 9: The purveyor shall develop and maintain cross-connection control
Records including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) A master list of service connections and/or consumer's premises where the
purveyor relies upon approved backflow preventers to protect the public water
system from contamination, the assessed hazard level of each, and the required
backflow preventer(s);
(ii) Inventory information on backflow preventers that protect the public water
system including:
(A) Approved air gaps installed in lieu of approved assemblies including exact
Page 15 of 36
air gap location, assessed degree of hazard, installation date, history of
inspections, inspection results, and person conducting inspections;
(B) Approved backflow assemblies including exact assembly location,
assembly description (type, manufacturer, model, size, and serial number),
assessed degree of hazard, installation date, history of inspections, tests
and repairs, test results, and person performing tests; and
(C) Approved AVBs used for irrigation system applications including
location, description (manufacturer, model, and size), installation date,
history of inspection(s), and person performing inspection(s).
(iii) Cross-connection program summary reports and backflow incident reports
required under subsection (8) of this section.
Subsection 8 – Recordkeeping and reporting
(a) Purveyors shall keep cross-connection records for the following time
frames:
(ii) Records pertaining to the master list of service
connections and/or consumer’s premises required in
subsection (3)(j)(i) of the section shall be kept as long
as the premises pose a cross-connection hazard to the
purveyor’s distribution system;
(iii) Records regarding inventory information required in
subsection (3)(j)(ii) of this section shall be kept for five
years or for the life of the approved backflow preventer
whichever is shorter: and
(iv) Records regarding backflow incidents and annual
summary reports required in subsection (3) (j) (iii) of
this section shall be kept for five years.
(b) Purveyors may maintain cross-connection control records in original
form or transfer data to tabular summaries.
(c) Purveyor may maintain records or data in any media, such as paper,
film, or electronic format.
(d) The purveyor shall complete the cross-connection control program
summary report annually. Report forms and guidance on completing
the report are available from the department.
(e) The purveyor shall make all records and reports required in subsection
(3) (j) of this section available to the department or its representative
upon request.
The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program currently uses XC2 electronic
software to track level of hazard, location, installation date, inspection history,
test and repair history, test results, and inspecting personnel on backflow
prevention assemblies used for the protection of the City’s public water supply.
Annual summary report:
WAC 246.290.490, part 8d – The purveyor shall complete the cross-connection
control program summary report annually.
Page 16 of 36
The annual summary report is reviewed and signed by the Water
Operations Manager, and submitted to the Department of Health via mail,
or secured web site.
Copies of the annual summary report are available in the Cross-
Connection Program Manual.
Records & Reports:
Purveyors must develop and maintain records of their Cross-Connection Control
program, as mandated by WAC 246.290.490. At a minimum, purveyors must
maintain the following records:
Master list of service connections and/or premises where backflow
prevention assemblies are installed to protection the public water system.
Assessed hazard level of each backflow prevention assembly.
Inventory information on approved air gaps, including location, degree of
hazard, installation date, inspection history & results, and personnel
conducting inspection.
Backflow prevention assembly inventory information including location,
assembly description, installation date & history, test & repair history,
test results, and personnel conducting inspection.
Program summary and backflow incident reports.
Element 10: Purveyors who distribute and/or have facilities that receive reclaimed
water within their water service area shall meet any additional cross-connection
control requirements imposed by the department in a permit issued under chapter
90.46 RCW.
No reclaimed water within the purveyor’s water system.
General Program Requirements:
WAC246-290-490(1) (c): The purpose of the purveyor’s cross-connection
program shall be to protect the public water system, as defined in WAC 246-290-
010, from contamination via cross-connections.
This is covered under Element 1 of the City’s Cross Connection Control Program.
WAC 246-290-490(1) (d): The purveyor’s responsibility for cross-connection
control shall begin at the water supply source, include all the public water
treatment, storage, and distribution facilities, and end at the point of delivery to
the consumer’s water system, which begins at the downstream end of the service
connection or water meter located on the public right-of-way or utility-held
easement.
Page 17 of 36
The City’s Cross Connection Control Program is not responsible for Cross
Connection Control inside the consumer’s building and/or property. The
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) is responsible for inside the consumer’s
building and/or property as per the Uniform Plumbing Code for Cross
Connection Control 603.0
WAC 246-290-490(1) (e): Under this section, purveyors are not responsible for
eliminating or controlling cross-connections within the consumer's water system.
Under chapter 19.27 RCW, the responsibility for cross-connection control within
the consumer's water system, i.e., within the property lines of the consumer's
premises, lies with the authority having jurisdiction.
The City’s Cross Connection Control Program is responsible for eliminating
and/or controlling Cross Connections from the consumer’s building and/or
property via premises isolation. Service connections from the water main shall
have a Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly used for the protection of the public
water supply. Examples of service connections include but are not limited to,
domestic water, irrigation water and fire protection water.
WAC 246-290-490(2) (a) The purveyor shall develop and implement a cross-
connection control program that meets the requirements of this section, but may
establish a more stringent program through local ordinances, resolutions, codes,
bylaws, or operating rules.
This is covered under Element 1 of the City’s Cross Connection Control Program.
WAC 246-290-490(2) (b) Purveyors shall ensure the good engineering and public
health protection practices are used in the development and implementation of
cross-connection control programs. Department publications and the most
recently published editions of references, such as, but not limited to, those listed
below, may be used as guidance for cross-connection program development and
implementation:
(i) Manual of Cross-Connection Control published by the Foundation for
Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research, University of
Southern California (USC Manual); or
(ii) Cross-Connection Control Manual, Accepted Procedure and Practice
published by the Pacific Northwest Section of the American Water Works
Association (PNWS-AWWA Manual)
(iii) Guidance document: Cross-Connection Control for Small Water Systems
published by the department.
The following reference guides and publications were used in the development of
the City’s Cross-Connection Control Program;
Washington Administrative Code WAC 246-290, Group A Public
Water Systems, effective April 27, 2003
Cross-Connection Control Manual Accepted Procedures ad Practice
6th Edition, December 1995
Page 18 of 36
Cross-Connection Control Manual Supplement 1st Edition, December
1995
Cross-Connection Control for Small water Systems Guidance
Document, September 2003
Backflow Incident Investigation Procedures 1st Edition, December
1996
Environmental Protection Agency Cross-Connection Control Manual,
revised February 2003
American Society of Sanitary Engineering, Performance Requirements
for Outdoor Enclosures for Backflow Prevention Assemblies
Backflow Prevention Assemblies Field Test Procedures Approved for
use in Washington State, July 1998
Uniform Plumbing Code 2000 Edition, September 1999
Backflow Prevention Assemblies Approved for Installation in
Washington State, published annually
University of Southern California Manual of Cross-Connection
Control 9th Edition, December 1993
American Water Works Association Recommended Practice for
Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control M14 3rd Edition,
2004
American water Works Association Distribution System Requirements
for Fire Protection M31 3rd Edition, 1998
WAC 246-290-490(2) (c) The purveyor may implement the cross-connection
control program, or any portion thereof, directly or by means of a contract with
another agency or party acceptable to the department.
The City’s Water Division implements the Cross-Connection Control Program
used for the protection of the public water supply.
WAC 246-290-490(2) (d) The purveyor shall coordinate with the authority having
jurisdiction in all matters concerning cross-connection control. The purveyor shall
document and describe the coordination, including delineation of responsibilities,
in the written cross-connection control program required in (e) of this subsection.
The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) shall enforce the Uniform Plumbing
Code and/or Uniform Plumbing Code Standards for Cross-Connection
Control, or subsequent revisions:
1. 603.0 Cross-Connection Control
2. 603.1 Approval of Devices or Assemblies
3. 603.2 Backflow Prevention Devices, Assemblies, and Methods
4. 603.3 General Requirements
5. 603.4 Specific Requirements
Amended 2000 UPC, effective July 1, 2002
Page 19 of 36
The control of Cross-Connections requires cooperation between the water
purveyor, Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), health officer and the consumer.
The City of Auburn Water Division shall make available to all Local Agencies the
information maintained in the purveyors Cross-Connection Control program
files, which may include, but is not limited to:
1. A master list of all premises that have been isolated from the purveyor water
system in accordance with the purveyors’ cross-connection control program.
2. Information concerning any internal cross-connections that come to the
attention of the purveyor during risk assessment evaluations of premises.
3. Notification of any termination of water service for failure to comply with the
requirements of WAC 246-290-490, Auburn City Code 13.12, and/or the City
of Auburn Water Department Cross-Connection Control Program and/or any
subsequent revisions.
UPC 603.3.3 For devices and assemblies other than those regulated by the
Washington Department of health in conjunction with the local water purveyor
for the protection of the public water systems, the Administrative Authority shall
ensure that the owner or responsible person shall have the backflow prevention
assembly tested by a Washington State Department of Health certified backflow
assembly tester:
At the time of installation, repair, or relocation; and
At least on an annual schedule thereafter, unless more frequent testing is
required by the Administrative Authority.
WAC 246-290-490(2) (e) The purveyor shall include a written description of the
cross-connection control program in the water system plan required under WAC
246-290-100 or the small water system management program required under
WAC246-290-105. The cross-connection control program shall include the
minimum program elements described in subsection (3) Minimum elements of a
cross-connection control program
The City’s Water System plan in under revision
WAC 246-290-490(2) (f) The purveyor shall ensure that cross-connection
between the distribution system and a consumer’s water system are eliminated or
controlled by the installation of an approved backflow preventer commensurate
with the degree of hazard. This can be accomplished by implementation of a
cross-connection program that relies on:
(i) Premises isolation as defined in WAC 246-290-010; or
(ii) Premises isolation and in-premises protection as defined in
WAC 246-290-010
Page 20 of 36
The City’s Cross Connection Control Program relies on premises isolation to
protect the public water system. All domestic water service with the exception of
single family residential shall be required to install a Reduced Pressure Backflow
Assembly (RPBA). Fire protection systems and landscape irrigation system shall
be required to install a Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA). Backflow
assembly type may be reduced to a lesser for irrigation and fire protection by
submitting plans for the City’s Cross Connection Specialist to review and conduct
a hazard evaluation and risk assessment posed on the public water system. All
changes shall be approved by the City’s Cross Connection Specialist in writing.
WAC 246-290-490(2) (g) Purveyor with cross-connection control programs that
rely both on premises isolation and in-premises protection:
(i) Shall comply with the premises isolation requirements specified in
subsection (4) (b) of this section; and
(ii) May reduce premises isolation requirements and rely on in-premises
protection for premises other than the type not addressed in subsection (4)
(b) of this sections, if the conditions in (h) of this subsection are met:
(A) The in-premises backflow preventers provide a level of protection
commensurate with the purveyor's assessed degree of hazard;
(B) Backflow preventers which provide the in-premises backflow
protection meet the definition of approved backflow preventers as
described in WAC 246-290-010;
(C) The approved backflow preventers are installed, inspected, tested (if
applicable), maintained, and repaired in accordance with subsections (6)
and (7) of this section;
(D) Records of the backflow preventers are maintained in accordance with
subsections (3)(j) and (8) of this section; and
(E) The purveyor has reasonable access to the consumer's premises to
conduct an initial hazard evaluation and periodic reevaluations to
determine whether the in-premises protection is adequate to protect the
purveyor's distribution system.
The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program CAN NOT rely on in-premises
protection to protect the distribution system for the following reasons:
Consumer can make plumbing changes at any time without notifying the
city.
Backflow preventers installed inside consumers buildings and/or premises
are under the control of the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
Not enough staff to conduct initial inspections and re-inspections of
consumer’s premises.
WAC 246-290-490(2) (h) The purveyor shall take appropriate corrective action as
authorized by the legal instrument required by subsection (3)(b) of this section,
when:
(i) A cross-connection exists that is not controlled commensurate to the degree of
hazard assessed by the purveyor; or
Page 21 of 36
(ii) A consumer fails to comply with the purveyor's requirements regarding the
installation, inspection, testing, maintenance or repair of approved backflow
preventers required by this chapter.
The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program enforcement action includes, but
is not limited to, a $250.00 fine each day and/or discontinuance (TURN OFF) of
water service.
WAC 246-290-490(2) (i) The purveyor's corrective action may include, but is not
limited to:
(i) Denying or discontinuing water service to a consumer's premises until the
cross connection hazard is eliminated or controlled to the satisfaction of the
purveyor;
(ii) Requiring the consumer to install an approved backflow preventer for
premises isolation commensurate with the degree of hazard; or
(iii) The purveyor installing an approved backflow preventer for premises
isolation commensurate with the degree of hazard.
The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program enforcement action includes, but
is not limited to, a $250.00 fine each day and/or discontinuance (TURN OFF) of
water service.
WAC 246-290-490(2) (j) Except in the event of an emergency, purveyors shall
notify the authority having jurisdiction prior to denying or discontinuing water
service to a consumer's premises for one or more of the reasons listed in (h) of
this subsection.
The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program shall notify the Authority Having
Jurisdiction (AHJ) prior to denying and/or discontinuing water service except in
the event of an emergency and/or backflow incident.
WAC 246-290-490(2) (k) The purveyor shall prohibit the intentional return of
used water to the purveyor's distribution system. Used water includes, but is not
limited to, water used for heating,cooling, or other purposes within the consumer's
water system.
The City’s Cross Connection Control Program relies on premises isolation to
protect the City’s public water system. All domestic water service with the
exception of single family residential shall be required to install a Reduced
Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA). Fire protection systems and landscape
irrigation system with chemical addition or injection shall be required to install a
Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA). Backflow assembly type may be
reduced to a lesser for irrigation and fire protection by submitting plans for the
City’s Cross Connection Specialist to review and conduct a hazard evaluation
and risk assessment posed on the public water system. All changes shall be
approved by the City’s Cross Connection Specialist in writing.
Page 22 of 36
WAC 246-290-490(3) (a) To be acceptable to the department, the purveyor’s
cross-connection control program shall include the minimum elements identified
in the subsection.
The City’s Cross Connection Control Program includes the Ten Elements as
required by the WAC.
WAC 246-290-490(4) (a) The purveyor shall ensure that a Cross Connection
Control Specialist:
(i) Assesses the degree of hazard posed by the consumer’s water system upon
the purveyor’s distribution system; and
(ii) Determines the appropriate method of backflow protection for premises
isolation in accordance with Table 8
Table 8
Appropriate Methods of Backflow Protection for Premises Isolation
Degree of Hazard Application Condition Appropriate Approved
Backflow Preventer
High health cross-
connection hazard
Backsiphonage or
backpressure backflow
AG, RPBA or RPDA
Low health cross-
connection hazard
Backsiphonage or
backpressure backflow
AG, RPBA, RPDA, DCVA
or DCDA
WAC246-290-490(4) (b) Premises isolation requirements.
(i) The purveyor shall ensure that an approved air gap, RPBA, or RPDA is
installed for premises isolation for service connections to premises posing a high
health cross-connection hazard including, but not limited to, those premises listed
in Table 9, except those premises identified as severe in (b)(ii) of this subsection.
(ii) For service connections to premises posing a severe health cross-connection
hazard including wastewater treatment plants, radioactive material processing
plants, and nuclear reactors, the purveyor shall ensure that either an:
(A) Approved air gap is installed for premises isolation; or
(B) Approved RPBA or RPDA is installed for premises isolation in
combination with an in-plant approved air gap.
(iii) If the purveyor's CCS determines that no hazard exists for a connection
serving premises of the type listed in Table 9, the purveyor may grant an
exception to the facility.
(iv) The purveyor shall document, on a case-by-case basis, the reasons for
granting an exception under (b)(i) of this subsection and include the
documentation in the cross-connection control program annual summary report
required in subsection (8) of this section.
Page 23 of 36
Table 9
High Health Cross-Connection Hazard Premises Requiring Premises Isolation by
AG or RPBA/RPDA
Agricultural (farms and dairies)
Beverage bottling plants
Car washes
Chemical plants
Commercial laundries and dry cleaners
Premises where both reclaimed water and potable water are provided
Film processing facilities
Food processing plants
Hospitals, medical centers, nursing homes, veterinary, medical and dental
clinics, and blood plasma centers;
1. Hospitals (include psychiatric hospitals and alcohol and drug
treatment centers)
2. Same day surgery centers
3. Out-patient clinics and offices
4. Alternative health out-patient clinics and offices
5. Psychiatric out-patient clinics and offices
6. Chiropractors
7. Hospice care centers
8. Kidney dialysis centers
9. Blood centers
10. Dental clinics and offices
11. Nursing homes
12. Boarding homes
13. Residential treatment centers
14. Mortuaries
15. Morgues and autopsy (not in hospitals)
16. Veterinarian offices, clinics, and hospitals
Premises with separate irrigation systems using the purveyor’s water
supply and with chemical addition
Laboratories
Metal plating industries
Mortuaries
Petroleum processing or storage plants
Piers and docks
Radioactive material processing plants or nuclear reactors*
Survey access denied or restricted
Wastewater lift stations and pumping stations
Wastewater treatment plants*
Premises with an unapproved auxiliary water supply interconnected with
the potable water supply (private well, pond, tanks, etc.)
Page 24 of 36
WAC 246-290-490(4) (c) Backflow protection for single-family residences.
(i) For single-family residential service connections, the purveyor shall
comply with the requirements of (b) of this subsection when applicable.
(ii) If the requirements of (b) of this subsection do not apply and the
requirements specified in subsection (2)(g)(ii) of this section are met, the
purveyor may rely on backflow protection provided at the point of hazard
in accordance with WAC 51-56-0600 of the UPC for hazards such as, but
not limited to:
(A) Irrigation systems;
(B) Swimming pools or spas;
(C) Ponds; and
(D) Boilers.
For example, the purveyor may accept an approved AVB on a residential
irrigation system, if the AVB is properly installed under the UPC.
The City’s Cross Connection Control Program is not responsible for Cross
Connection Control inside the consumer’s building and/or property. This falls
under the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) as per the Uniform Plumbing
Code for Cross Connection Control 603.0
WAC 246-290-490(4) (d) Backflow protection for fire protection systems.
(i) Backflow protection is not required for residential flow-through or
combination fire protection systems constructed of potable water piping and
materials.
(ii) For service connections with fire protection systems other than flow-through
or combination systems, the purveyor shall ensure that backflow protection
consistent with WAC 51-56-0600 of the UPC is installed. The UPC requires
minimum protection as follows:
(A) An RPBA or RPDA for fire protection systems with chemical addition or
using unapproved auxiliary water supply; and
(B) A DCVA or DCDA for all other fire protection systems.
(iii) For connections made on or after April 9, 1999, the purveyor shall ensure that
backflow protection is installed before water service is provided.
(iv) For existing fire protection systems:
(A) With chemical addition or using unapproved auxiliary supplies, the
purveyor shall ensure that backflow protection is installed within ninety
days of the purveyor notifying the consumer of the high health crossconnection
hazard or in accordance with an alternate schedule acceptable
(B) Without chemical addition, without on-site storage, and using only the
purveyor's water (i.e., no unapproved auxiliary supplies on or available to
the premises), the purveyor shall ensure that backflow protection is
installed in accordance with a schedule acceptable to the purveyor or at an
earlier date if required by the code official administering the State
Building Code as defined in chapter 51-04 WAC.
(C) When establishing backflow protection retrofitting schedules for fire
protection systems that have the characteristics listed in (d)(iv)(B) of this
subsection, the purveyor may consider factors such as, but not limited to,
impacts of assembly installation on sprinkler performance, costs of
Page 25 of 36
retrofitting, and difficulty of assembly installation.
The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program evaluation of new and existing fire
protection system connections is as follows: New connections must comply with
the City’s Design Standards 7.01.4 Cross Connection Control, City’s
Construction Standards Water 21, 22, 23, 24, along with any additional
requirements by the Fire Authority, Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), and
evaluated by the City’s Cross-Connection Control Specialist during the permit
and plan review process and before service is provided. Fire Sprinkler System
service connection(s) to new consumers and/or premises shall have a risk
assessment conducted by the City’s Cross-Connection Control Specialist to
determine if the backflow protection is commensurate with the degree of hazard,
the backflow assembly is correctly installed and a valid test of the backflow
assembly is conducted before the BFL permit is finaled.
Existing Fire Sprinkler System service connections are given a risk assessment by
the City’s Cross-Connection Specialist to determine if the backflow protection is
commensurate with the degree of hazard. If the Fire Sprinkler System has the
characteristics of WAC 246-290-490 (d) (iv) (a) – i.e. chemical addition or
unapproved auxiliary supplies – the consumers and/or premises shall install
backflow protection commensurate with the degree of hazard within (90) ninety
days of the City notifying the consumes and/or premises or within an alternate
schedule acceptable to the City’s Cross-Connection Control Program. If the Fire
Sprinkler System does not have chemical addition or unapproved auxiliary
supplies, the consumer and/or premises shall install backflow protection
commensurate with the degree of hazard within (90) ninety days of the City
notifying the consumers and/or premises or within an alternate schedule
acceptable to the City’s Cross-Connection Control Program. Factors such as,
but not limited to, impact of the backflow assembly installation on the fire
sprinklers performance, costs of retrofitting, and difficulty of installation are
consideration for an alternate schedule.
The cost/fees of installation, initial and annual testing, maintenance, and repair
or replacement of the backflow assembly shall be the responsibility of the
consumer as a condition of water service.
WAC 246-290-490(4) (e) Purveyors may require backflow preventers
commensurate with the degree of hazard determines by the purveyor to be
installed for premises isolation for connections serving premises that have
characteristics such as, but not limited to, the following:
(i) Complex plumbing arrangements or plumbing potentially subject to
frequent changes that make it impracticable to assess whether cross-
connection hazards exist;
(ii) A repeated history of cross-connections being established or reestablished;
or
(iii) Cross-connection hazard are unavoidable or not correctable, such as, but
not limited to, tall buildings.
Page 26 of 36
The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program requires Reduced Pressure
Backflow Assembly(RPBA) protection for consumer’s building and/or property
with the following defined characteristics:
Premises identified as Table 9 (high hazard) facility and/or non-
single family facility –
Complex plumbing arrangements –
Plumbing subject to frequent changes –
Repeat history of cross-connections –
Unavoidable cross-connection hazards –
Non-correctable cross-connection hazards –
WAC 246-290-490(5) (a) The purveyor shall ensure that all backflow prevention
assemblies relied upon by the purveyor are models included on the current list of
backflow prevention assemblies approved for use in Washington state.
The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program verifies new backflow assemblies
installed within the distribution system are on the current DOH Approved
Assemblies List.
WAC 246-290-490(5) (b) The purveyor may rely on testable backflow prevention
assemblies that are not currently approved by the department, if the assemblies:
(i) Were included on the department and/or USC list of approved backflow
prevention assemblies at the time of installation;
(ii) Have been properly maintained;
(iii) Are commensurate with the purveyor’s assessed degree of hazard; and
(iv) Have been inspected and tested at least annually and have successfully
passed the annual test
The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program archives DOH Approved
Assemblies List for verification.
WAC 246-290-490(5) (c) The purveyor shall ensure that an unlisted backflow
prevention assembly is replaced by an approved assembly commensurate with the
degree of hazard, when the unlisted assembly:
(i) Does not meet the conditions specified in (b) (i) through (iv) of this
subsection;
(ii) Is moved; or
(iii) Cannot be repaired using spare parts from the original manufacturer.
This is covered under Element 5 of the City’s Cross Connection Control Program.
WAC 246.290.490(6) (a) The purveyor shall ensure that approved backflow
preventers are installed in the orientation for which they are approved (if
applicable).
The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program requires all approved backflow
assemblies to be installed in the orientation for which they are approved.
Installation requirements on backflow assemblies used for the protection of the
Page 27 of 36
public water supply are available on the City’s Construction Standards Water 21,
22, 23, 24.
WAC 246.290.490(6) (b) The purveyor shall ensure that approved backflow
preventers are installed in a manner that:
(i) Facilitates their proper operation, maintenance, inspection, and/or in-line
testing (as applicable) using standard installation procedures acceptable to
the department such as those in the USC Manual or PNWS-AWWA
Manual;
(ii) Ensures that the assembly will not become submerged due to weather-
related conditions such as flooding; and
(iii) Ensures compliance with all applicable safety regulations.
The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program requires all approved backflow
assemblies used for the protection of the public water supply to be installed in the
orientation for which they are approved and meets the City’s Construction
Standards Water 21, 22, 23, 24, USC Manual and PNWS-AWWA Manual.
Backflow assemblies under the jurisdiction of the water purveyor shall not be
installed in areas subject to flooding and shall meet all applicable safety
regulations.
WAC 246.290.490(6) (c) The purveyor shall ensure that approved backflow
assemblies for premises isolation are installed at a location adjacent to the meter
or property line or an alternate location acceptable to the purveyor.
WAC 246.290.490(6) (d) When premises isolation assemblies are installed at an
alternate location acceptable to the purveyor, the purveyor shall ensure that there
are no connections between the point of delivery from the public water system
and the approved backflow assembly, unless the installation of such a connection
meets the purveyor’s cross-connection control requirements and is specifically
approved by the purveyor.
The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program requires all approved Reduced
Pressure Backflow Assemblies (RPBA) used for premises isolation be installed at
a location adjacent to the meter or property line, however if the location is not
feasible then the facilities property owner and/or representative shall submit a set
of plans for approval by the City’s Cross-Connection Control Specialist showing
the new location of the Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA) and the
piping from the meter. The Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA) shall be
installed inside the building at the point of where the service line enters and with
no branch connections between the water meter and backflow assembly
WAC 246.290.490(6) (e) The purveyor shall ensure that approved backflow
preventers are installed in accordance with the following time frames:
(i) For connections made on or after April 9, 1999, the following conditions
shall be met before service is provided:
(A) The provisions of subsection (3)(d)(ii) of this section; and
(B) Satisfactory completion of the requirements of subsection (7) of this
section.
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(ii) For existing connections where the purveyor identifies a high health cross
connection hazard, the provisions of (3)(d)(ii) of this section shall be met:
(A) Within ninety days of the purveyor notifying the consumer of the high
health cross-connection hazard; or
(B) In accordance with an alternate schedule acceptable to the purveyor.
(iii) For existing connections where the purveyor identifies a low cross-
connection hazard, the provisions of subsection (3)(d)(ii) of this section
shall be met in accordance with a schedule acceptable to the purveyor.
This is covered under Element 2 of the City’s Cross Connection Control Program.
WAC 246.290.490(6) (f) The purveyor shall ensure that bypass piping installed
around any approved backflow preventer is equipped with an approved
backflow preventer that:
(i) Affords at least the same level of protection as the approved backflow
preventer that is being bypassed; and
(ii) Complies with all applicable requirements of this section.
The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program requires all bypass piping and/or
parallel connections to have the same level of protection with a Reduced Pressure
Backflow Assembly and/or Approved Air Gap if required by the City’s Cross
Connection Specialist.
WAC 246.290.490(8) (f) The purveyor shall notify the department, local
administrative authority, and local health jurisdiction as soon as possible, but no
later than the end of the next business day, when a backflow incident is known by
the purveyor to have:
(i) Contaminated the public water system; or
(ii) Occurred within the premises of a consumer served by the purveyor.
This is covered under Element 7 of the City’s Cross Connection Control Program.
WAC 246.290.490(8) (g) – The purveyor shall:
Document details of backflow incidents on a form acceptable to the
department such as the backflow incident report form included in the most
recent edition of the PNWS-AWWA Manual: and
Include all backflow incident report(s) in the annual cross0connection
program summary report.
This is covered under Element 7 of the City’s Cross Connection Control Program.
Definitions:
“Accessible” means reference to the installation of backflow preventers; accessible shall
mean that such backflow preventers shall be placed so that they can be reached for testing
and/or maintenance safely.
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“Approval/approved” means authorized in writing by the health authority, department,
purveyor, or other agency having jurisdiction.
“Approved air gap,” means a physical separation between the free-flowing end of a
potable water supply pipeline and the overflow rim of an open or non-pressurized
receiving vessel.
To be an air gap approved by the department, the separation must be at least:
Twice the diameter of the supply piping measured vertically from the
overflow rim of the receiving vessel, and in no case be less than one inch,
when unaffected by vertical surfaces (sidewalls); and:
Three times the diameter of the supply piping, if the horizontal distance
between the supply pipe and a vertical surface (sidewall) is less than or
equal to three times the diameter of the supply pipe, or if the horizontal
distance between the supply pipe and intersecting vertical surfaces
(sidewalls) is less than or equal to four times the diameter of the supply
pipe and in no case less than one and one-half inches.
“Approved atmospheric vacuum breaker” means an AVB of make, model, and size that is
approved by the department. AVBs that appear on the current approved backflow
prevention assemblies list developed by the University of Southern California Foundation
for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research or that are listed or approved by
other nationally recognized testing agencies (such as IAPMO, ANSI, or UL) acceptable
to the local administrative authority are considered approved by the department.
“Approved backflow preventer” means an approved air gap, an approved backflow
prevention assembly, or an approved AVB. The terms “approved backflow preventer,”
“approved air gap,” or “approved backflow prevention assembly” refer only to those
approved backflow preventers relied upon by the purveyor for the protection of the public
water system. The requirements of WAC 246-290-490 do not apply to backflow
preventers installed for other purposes.
“Approved backflow prevention assembly” means an RPBA, RPDA, DCVA, DCDA,
PVBA, or SVBA of make, model, and size that is approved by the department.
Assemblies that appear on the current approved backflow prevention assemblies list
developed by the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection
Control and Hydraulic Research or other entity acceptable to the department are
considered approved by the department.
“As-built drawing” means the drawing created by an engineer from the collection of the
original design plans, including changes made to the design or to the system that reflects
the actual constructed condition of the water system.
“Assessment of risk” shall express the results of an evaluation (site survey) of a health,
system, or plumbing hazard. The evaluation (site survey) required in making a
determination of the type of backflow preventer needed to isolate a specific cross-
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connection (e.g., a plumbing fixture), or a group of cross-connections contained within a
facility or complex of facilities (e.g. a shopping mall) is comprised of the following steps:
Determine the degree of potential health hazard risk to the public water system.
(In assessing the purveyor’s risk of contamination of the public water system, if
knowledge of the degree of hazard posed by a substance is not known, the
purveyor must assume that it is high. Generally, almost all substance other than
potable water is considered a health hazard of some degree).
Determine the high or low probability that a cross-connection may occur.
1. The probability increases that an existing cross-connection will go
undetected as the complexity of a piping system increases.
2. Piping changes will create new cross-connections, or change the operating
conditions from backsiphonage to backpressure conditions.
3. A backflow preventer could be by-passed or removed from service.
4. A substance could be changed or increased in strength.
5. A substance may deteriorate, and thus become a health hazard.
6. A substance, when combined with the chemicals in the potable water
supply, or when exposed to certain piping material, may react and form a
compound that poses a health hazard, such as CO2 mixing with water to
from carbolic acid that leaches copper from a service pipe.
7. A substance, if it contains a bacteriological contaminant, could become a
health hazard long after it enters the potable water supply, though bacteria
re-growth.
Determine the risk level acceptable to the purveyor, and
Determine the reliability required of the backflow preventer.
“Auxiliary water supply” means any water supply on, or available to, a premise in
addition to the purveyor’s approved public potable water supply.
“Auxiliary water supply – approved” means an auxiliary water supply which has been
investigated and approved by the health authority, meets water quality regulations, and is
accepted by the water purveyor.
“Auxiliary water supply – unapproved” means an auxiliary water supply, which is not
approved by the health authority and the water purveyor.
“Backflow” means the undesirable reversal of flow of water or other substances through
a cross-connection into the public water system or consumer’s potable water system.
“Backflow assembly tester” means a person holding a valid BAT certificate issued in
accordance with chapter 246-292 WAC.
“Backflow prevention assembly” means the nomenclature “assembly” refers to a
backflow preventer which are designed to be in-line tested and repaired, and to meet the
head loss and flow requirements of the recognized approval authority. The “assembly”
consists of the backflow prevention unit, two resilient seated shutoff valves, and test
cock(s).
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“Backflow prevention device” means the nomenclature “device” refers to a backflow
preventer that is not designed for in-line testing.
“Backpressure” means a pressure (caused by a pump, elevated tank or piping, boiler, or
other means) on the consumer’s side of the service connection that is greater than the
pressure provided by the public water system and which may cause backflow.
“Backsiphonage” means backflow due to a negative or reduced pressure within the
purveyor’s potable water supply.
“Combination fire protection system” means a fire sprinkler system that:
Is supplied only by the purveyor’s water.
Does not have a fire department pumper connection; and
Is constructed of approved potable water piping and materials that serve both the
fire sprinkler system and the consumer’s potable water system.
“Consumer” means any person receiving water from a public water system from either
the meter, or the point where the service line connects with the distribution system if no
meter is present. For purposes of cross-connection control, “consumer” means the owner
or operator of a water system connected to a public water system through a service
connection.
“Consumer’s water system” as used in WAC 246-290-490, means any potable and/or
industrial water system that begins at the public water system point of delivery; that is, at
the immediate downstream side of the water meter, and is located on the consumer’s
premises. The consumer’s water system includes all auxiliary sources of supply, storage,
treatment, and distribution facilities, piping, plumbing, and fixtures under the control of
the consumer.
“Contaminant” means a substance present in drinking water that may adversely affect the
health of the consumer or the aesthetic qualities of the water.
“Cross-connection” means any actual or potential physical connection between a public
water system or the consumer’s water system and any source of non-potable liquid, solid,
or gas that could contaminate the potable water supply by backflow.
“Cross-connection control program” means the administrative and technical procedures
the purveyor implements to protect the public water system from contamination via
cross-connections as required in WAC 246-290-490.
“Cross-connection control specialist” means a person holding a valid Washington State
Cross-Connection Control Specialist certificate issued in accordance with
Chapter 246-292 WAC.
“Cross-connection control summary report” means the annual report required by the
department that describes the status of the purveyor’s cross-connection control program.
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“Check valve” the term “check valve” is a generic term used for a variety of valves that
specifically allow flow in one direction only. The variety of such valves includes
slanting disc checks, silent check, (wafer or globe), automatic control checks, rubber
flapper checks, double disc swing checks, swing checks (internally or externally
weighted), and a spring-loaded check. A check valve in an approved assembly must be
an approved check valve (components of double check valve assemblies, reduced
pressure backflow assemblies, pressure vacuum breakers, and spill resistant vacuum
breaker) that is drip-tight in the normal direction of flow when the inlet pressure is at
least one p.s.i.
“Confined space,” means any space having a limited means of egress and not intended
for continuous occupancy, which is subject to the accumulation of toxic or flammable
contaminants or an oxygen deficient atmosphere.
“Containment” means to restrict or limit the flow of contaminated or polluted water to the
meter or service connection where the public water enters the private (consumer’s) water
system. The two systems are separated by a backflow preventer commensurate with the
degree of hazard.
“Contamination” means an impairment of the quality of the potable water, which creates
an actual hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of diseases
by sewage, industrial fluids or waste. Also defined as severe or high hazard. The term
“contamination” used in EPA and drinking water regulations “maximum contamination
level” bestows a different meaning than that used in describing a cross-connection
hazard.
“Department” means the Washington State Department of Health or health officer as
identified in a joint plan of operation in accordance with WAC 246-290-030 (1).
“Design and construction standards” means department design guidance and other peer
reviewed documents generally accepted by the engineering profession as containing
fundamental criteria for design and construction of water facility projects. Design and
construction standards are comprised of performance and sizing criteria and reference
general construction materials and methods.
“Direct service connection,” means a service hookup to a property that is contiguous to a
water distribution main and where additional mains or extensions are not needed to
provide service.
“Distribution system” means all piping components of a public water system that serve to
convey water from transmission mains linked to source, storage and treatment facilities to
the consumer excluding individual services.
“Dual distribution system” means a facility with two water systems, one potable and the
other non-potable. The purpose of the non-potable water system is to reduce the cost of
the potable water supply.
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“Double check detector assembly” (DCDA) means an approved assembly consisting of
two approved double check valve assemblies, set in parallel, equipped with a meter on
the bypass line to detect small amounts of water leakage or use.
“Double check valve assembly” (DCVA) means an approved assembly consisting of two
independently operating check valves, loaded to the closed position by springs or
weights, and installed as a unit with, and between, two resilient seated shutoff valves and
having suitable connections for testing.
“Emergency” means an unforeseen event that causes damage or disrupts normal
operations and requires immediate action to protect public health and safety.
“Fire Flow” means the maximum rate and duration of water flow needed to suppress a
fire under WAC246.293.640 or as required under local fire protection authority
standards.
“Fire Suppression Storage” means the volume of stored water available during fire
suppression activities to satisfy minimum pressure requirements per WAC 246.290.230.
“First Consumer” means the first service connection associated with any source (i.e., the
point where water is first withdrawn for human consumption, excluding connections
where water is delivered to another water system covered by these regulations).
“Flow-through fire protection system” means a fire sprinkler system that:
Is supplied only by the purveyor’s water;
Does not have a fire department pumper connection;
Is constructed of approved potable water piping and materials to which sprinkler
heads are attached; and
Terminates at a connection to a toilet or other plumbing fixture to prevent the
water from becoming stagnant.
“Guideline” means a department document assisting the purveyor in meeting a rule
requirement.
“Health officer” means the health officer of the city, county, city-county health
department or district, or an authorized representative.
“High health cross-connection hazard” means a cross-connection, which could impair the
quality of potable water and create an actual public health hazard through poisoning or
spread of disease by sewage, industrial liquids or waste.
“High health hazard” means a physical or toxic hazard, which could be detrimental to
ones, health.
“Human Consumption” means the use of water for drinking, bathing or showering, hand
washing, food preparation, cooking, or oral hygiene.
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“Internally-loaded check valve” means a check valve which is internally loaded, either by
springs or weights, to the extent it will be drip tight with a 1 p.s.i. differential in the
direction of flow.
“Industrial piping system” refers to that piping system that transmits, confines, or stores
any fluids that are not approved potable water. Such a system would include all pipes,
tanks, fixtures, equipment and other extensions of the non-potable water system.
“In-premises protection” means a method of protecting the health of consumers served by
the consumer’s potable water system, located within the property lines of the consumer’s
premises by the installation of an approved air gap or backflow prevention assembly at
the point of hazard, which is generally a plumbing fixture.
“Local administrative authority” means the local official, board, department, or agency
authorized to administer and enforce the provisions of the Uniform Plumbing Code as
adopted under chapter 19.27 RCW.
“Low health cross-connection hazard” means a cross-connection that could cause an
impairment of the quality of potable water to a degree that dose not create a hazard to the
public health, but does adversely and unreasonably affect the aesthetic qualities of such
potable waters for domestic use.
“Non-potable fluid” means any water, other liquid, gas, or other substance, which is not
safe for human consumption, or is not a part of the public potable water supply as
described by the health authority.
“Non-potable piping system” means a piping system, which is made of non-potable
material. Such materials are to be considered non-potable if they can affect either the
aesthetics or degradation of the healthfulness of the water. Examples of such pipe are
black iron and certain plastics.
“Plumbing hazard” is a cross-connection in a consumer’s potable water system.
“Potable water” means water, which is safe for human consumption, free from harmful or
objectionable materials, as described by the health authority/department.
“Premises isolation” means a method of protecting a public water system by installation
of approved air gap or approved backflow prevention assemblies at or near the service
connection or alternative location acceptable to the purveyor (at the point where the water
purveyor no longer has legal jurisdiction and/or authority to control the water system) to
isolate the consumer’s water system from the purveyor’s distribution system.
“Pressure vacuum breaker assembly” (PVBA) means an approved assembly consisting of
a spring loaded check valve loaded to the closed position, an independently operating air
inlet valve loaded to the open position and installed as a unit with and between two
resilient seated shutoff valves and with suitable connections for testing. It is designed to
protect against backsiphonage only.
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“Private hydrant” means any hydrant, which is not owned, operated or maintained by the
local water purveyor or his agent.
“Process water” means water that is directly connected to, or could come in contact with,
an extreme high hazard situation, and must never be consumed by humans.
“Public health hazard” means a condition, device or practice which is conducive to the
introduction of waterborne disease organisms, or harmful chemical, physical, or
radioactive substance into a potable water system and which presents an unreasonable
risk to health.
“Public water system” is defined and referenced under WAC 246-290-020.
“Purchased source,” means water a purveyor purchases from a public water system not
under the control of the purveyor for distribution to the purveyor’s consumers.
“Purveyor” means an agency, subdivision of the state, municipal corporation, firm,
company, mutual or cooperative association, institution, partnership, or person or other
entity owning or operating a public water system. Purveyor also means the authorized
agents of such entities.
“Reasonable risk” means the amount of risk acceptable to a prudent and reasonable water
purveyor using reasonable diligence.
“Reclaimed water,” means wastewater that has been treated for non-potable water use
within the same facility or premise. Examples of use would be irrigation and industrial
use.
“Reduced pressure backflow assembly” (RPBA) means an approved assembly consisting
of two independently operating check valves, spring loaded to the closed position,
separated by a spring loaded differential pressure relief valve loaded to the open position,
and installed as a unit with and between two resilient seated shutoff valves and having
four suitable test cocks for checking the water tightness of the check valves and the
operation of the relief valve.
“Reduced pressure detector assembly” (RPDA) means an approved assembly consisting
of two approved reduced pressure backflow assemblies, set in parallel, equipped with a
meter on the bypass line to detect small amounts of water leakage or use. This unit must
be purchased as a complete assembly. The assembly may be allowed on fire line water
services in place of an approved reduced pressure backflow assembly upon approval by
the local water purveyor.
“Regional public water supplier” means a water system that provides drinking water to
one, or more, other public water systems.
“Resident” means an individual living in a dwelling unit served by a public water system.
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“Safe drinking water act” was legislation that was enacted by the United States Congress
in 1974 to ensure that the public is provided with safe drinking water, thereby protecting
the public welfare.
“Safe drinking water” means water which has sufficiently low concentrations of
microbiological, inorganic chemical, organic chemical, radiological or physical substance
so that individuals drinking such water at normal levels of consumption will not be
exposed to disease organisms or other substances which may produce harmful
physiological effects.
“Service connection” means a connection to a public water system designed to provide
potable water to a single-family residence, or other residential or non-residential
population.
“Toxicity” means the degree to which a substance is toxic that is poisonous, in relating to
affecting the potability of the water supply.
“Unapproved auxiliary water supply” means a water supply (other than the purveyor’s
water supply) on or available to the consumer’s premises that is either not approved for
human consumption by the health agency having jurisdiction or is not otherwise
acceptable to the purveyor.
“Unreasonable risk to health” means a risk to health, which is not necessary or acceptable
to the water purveyor and/or consumer; a term used to distinguish what type of backflow
prevention should be required.
“Uniform Plumbing Code” means the code adopted under RCW 19.27.031(4) and
amended under chapter 51-46 WAC. This code establishes statewide minimum plumbing
standards applicable within the property lines of the consumer’s premises.
“USC FCCCHR” is the abbreviation for the University of Southern California
Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research. It is an agency,
which test and approves backflow prevention assemblies by approved standards.
“Used water,” means water which has left the control of the purveyor. In most cases, the
potable water has moved past (downstream of) the water meter and/or the property line.