Chapter 13.32
BACKFLOW PREVENTION
13.32.010 Purpose.
13.32.020 Policy.
13.32.030 Definitions.
13.32.040 Cross-connection prohibited.
13.32.050 Surveys and investigations.
13.32.060 Type of protection required.
13.32.070 Backflow prevention assemblies.
13.32.080 Backflow prevention supervisor.
13.32.090 Administrative procedures.
13.32.100 Water service termination.
13.32.110 Backflow prevention assembly charge.
13.32.120 Noncompliance.
13.32.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is:
A. To protect the public water supply of the city by isolating the customer's water system from the city water service, thus preventing contamination or pollution from the customer's premises to the city water system;
B. To eliminate both potential and existing cross-connections between the potable water system and nonpotable water systems within the customer's premises;
C. To maintain the backflow prevention program by administering an inspection and testing program of backflow prevention assemblies installed near the meter. (Ord. 5112 º 51, 1996: Ord. 4980 º 1, 1992: prior code º 9-130)
13.32.020 Policy.
A. The public service department has a responsibility to protect the public water system from contamination caused by the backflow of contaminants through the water service connection. If in the judgment of the division, where contamination is possible, an approved backflow prevention assembly is required, the division shall give notice to the customer to install the approved assembly or assemblies at the service connection to the premises. The customer shall immediately install the approved assembly or assemblies at the customer's own expense. Failure, refusal or inability on the part of the customer to install the approved assembly or assemblies shall constitute grounds for disconnecting water service to the premises until the backflow assembly or assemblies have been installed.
B. These regulations shall apply to all premises served water by the public service department.
C. These regulations are adopted pursuant to the state of California Administrative Code Title 17, Public Health, entitled "Regulations Relating to Cross-Connections" and all subsequent amendments. This title requires that each water purveyor develop and implement a comprehensive backflow prevention program for protecting the public water supply from contamination or pollution. (Ord. 5112 º 52, 1996: Ord. 4980 º 2, 1992: prior code º 9-131)
13.32.030 Definitions.
The following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them, unless otherwise noted:
The words "air-gap separation," "cross-connection" and "recycled water" have been defined in Section 13.28.020.
"Approved backflow prevention assembly" means a device or a physical separation that has been designed specifically for preventing the backflow of water or liquid from entering the system and the device that has passed laboratory and field evaluation tests performed by a recognized testing organization which has demonstrated their competency to perform such tests to the California Department of Health Services.
"Approved water supply" means any water supply whose potability is regulated by the state or local health agency.
"Auxiliary supply" means any water supply on or available to the premises other than the city water supply.
"AWWA Standard" means an official standard developed and approved by the American Water Works Association (AWWA).
"Backflow" means a flow condition, caused by a differential in pressure, that causes the flow of water or other liquids, gases, mixtures or substances into the distributing pipes of a potable supply of water from any source or sources other than an approved water supply source. Back siphonage is one cause of backflow. Back pressure is the other cause.
"Backflow prevention supervisor" means a person, designated by and at the expense of the water user, to maintain the backflow prevention assemblies and to prevent cross-connections on the premises.
"City water system" means the source facilities and distribution system under the control of the public service department up to and including the meter.
"Contamination" means an impairment of the quality of the potable water by sewage, industrial fluids or waste liquids, compounds or other materials to a degree which creates an actual or potential hazard to the public health.
"Cross-connection," defined in Chapter 13.28, means and includes any unprotected actual or potential connection or structural arrangement between a potable water system used to supply for drinking purposes and any source or system containing unapproved water or a substance that is not or cannot be approved as safe, wholesome and potable. Bypass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or change-over devices and other temporary or permanent devices through which or because of which "backflow" can or may occur are considered to be cross-connections.
"Customer's water system" means and includes all facilities beyond the service meter. The system or systems may include both potable and nonpotable water systems.
"Department," when used in this chapter, means the public service department of the city.
"Double check detector check assembly" means a backflow prevention device consisting of a line size double check valve assembly in parallel with a detector meter and meter size double check valve assembly. Each double check valve assembly is to be equipped with properly located test cocks and a tightly closing shutoff valve at the end of the assembly. Specific details of this assembly are on file in the water services administrator's office.
"Double check valve assembly" means an assembly composed of at least two independently acting check valves including tightly closing shutoff valves on each side of the check valve assembly and test cocks available for testing the watertightness of each check valve.
"Double check valve backflow prevention assembly" means a backflow prevention device consisting of two independently operating spring-loaded check valves. In the event one valve is obstructed, the second valve should close to prevent reverse flow. The device should include tightly closing resilient seated shutoff valves at each end of the assembly and be fitted with properly located resilient seated test cocks.
Hazard, Degree of. "Degree of hazard" is a term derived from an evaluation of the potential risk to public health and the adverse effect of the hazard upon the potable water system.
1. "Health hazard" means any condition, device, or practice in the water supply system and its operation which could create, or in the judgment of the division, county or state health official, may create a danger to the health and well-being of the water customer.
2. "Plumbing hazard" means a plumbing type cross-connection in a customer's potable water system that has not been properly protected by an approved air-gap or approved backflow prevention assembly.
3. "Pollutional hazard" means an actual or potential threat to the physical properties of the water system or to the potability of the public of the customer's potable water system but which would constitute a nuisance or be aesthetically objectionable or could cause damage to the system or its appurtenances, but would not be dangerous to health.
4. "System hazard" means an actual or potential threat of severe damage to the physical properties of the public potable water system or the customer's potable water system or of a pollution or contamination which would have a protracted effect on the quality of the potable water in the system.
"Health agency" means the California Department of Health Services.
"Local health agency" means the county of Los Angeles department of health services.
"Person" means an individual, corporation, company, association, partnership, municipality, public utility or other public body or institution.
"Pollution" means the presence of any foreign substance (organic, inorganic or biological) in water which tends to degrade its quality so as to constitute a hazard or impair the usefulness or quality of the water to a degree which does not create an actual hazard to the public health but which does adversely and unreasonably affect such waters for domestic use.
"Premises" means any and all areas on a customer's property which are served or have the potential to be served, as defined in Chapter 13.04.010.
"Public water system" means a system for the provision of piped water to the public for human consumption by the city.
"Reduced pressure detector check assembly" means a backflow prevention device consisting of a line size reduced pressure principle device in parallel with a detector meter and meter size reduced pressure principle device. Each reduced pressure principle device is to be equipped with properly located test cocks and a tightly closing shutoff valve at each end of the assembly. Specific details of this assembly are on file in the water services administrator's office.
"Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly" means an assembly incorporating not less than two independently acting approved check valves together with an automatically operated differential relief valve located between the check valves. The unit shall include properly located test cocks and tightly closing shutoff valves at each end of the assembly.
"Service connection" means the point of connection of a user's piping to the water supplier's facilities.
"Water supplier" means the city public service department.
"Water user" means any person obtaining water from an approved water supply system. (Ord. 5112 º 53, 1996: Ord. 4980 º 3, 1992: prior code º 9-132)
13.32.040 Cross-connection prohibited.
No water service connection shall be installed or maintained to any premises where actual or potential cross-connections are known to exist unless such cross-connections are abated or controlled to the satisfaction of the water services administrator. (Ord. 4980 º 4, 1992: prior code º 9-133)
13.32.050 Surveys and investigations.
A. Existing Facilities. The customer's premises shall be open at all reasonable times to the department for the purpose of conducting surveys and investigations of the water use practices to determine whether there are actual or potential cross-connections within the customer's premises through which contamination or pollution could backflow into the city water system.
B. New Buildings and Facilities. The city building section and permit services section, in cooperation with the water service section of the public service department, will review plans and other conditions to determine if a backflow assembly is required or waived as water service protection for new buildings and facilities. If the installation of a backflow prevention assembly is required in the building or as a meter protection, a plumbing permit shall be issued by the permit services section to comply with the city plumbing code. Existing commercial and industrial buildings and facilities will be reviewed for compliance with city backflow prevention ordinance when changes in occupancy occur or when required by the water services administrator. (Ord. 5112 º 54, 1996: Ord. 4980 º 5, 1992: prior code º 9-134)
13.32.060 Type of protection required.
A. The type of protective device that may be required to prevent backflow into the approved water supply (listing in an increasing level of protection) includes: double check valve assembly (DC), reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly (RP), and an air-gap separation (AG). The customer may choose a higher level protection than required by the division.
B. The minimum types of backflow protection that shall be installed on customer's premises at the service connection whenever the following degrees of hazard exist are as follows:
Minimum Type
of Backflow
Degree of Hazard Prevention
1. Sewage and Hazardous Substances.
a. A system where the city water system AG
is used to supplement a recycled water
supply. If an emergency exists where
potable water is connected to a recycled
water system, potable water system shall
be isolated by an air-gap separation as
determined by the water services admin-
istrator and the health agency. An approved
backflow prevention assembly shall be
installed on the potable water line.
b. A system where there are wastewater AG
pumping and/or treatment plants and there
is no interconnection (but the potential
exists) with the city water system. This
includes multifamily buildings, but not
a single-family residence, that has a
sewage lift pump. A reduced pressure
principle backflow prevention assembly
may be provided in lieu of an air-gap
if approved by the water services
administrator and the health agency.
c. A system where recycled water is used AG
and there is no interconnection (but the
potential exists) with the potable water
system. A reduced pressure principle back-
flow prevention assembly may be provided
in lieu of an air-gap if approved by the
water services administrator and the
health agency.
Minimum Type
of Backflow
Degree of Hazard Prevention
d. A system where hazardous substances AG
are handled such as to create an actual
or potential hazard to the city water
system. This shall include systems hav-
ing auxiliary water supplies, tanks or
industrial piping systems containing
process fluids or used waters origin-
ating from the city water system which
are no longer under the sanitary control
of the city. This, however, does not
include a single-family residence that
has a sewage lift pump. A reduced
pressure principle backflow prevention
assembly may be provided in lieu of an
air-gap if approved by the water services
administrator and the health agency.
e. A system where there are irrigation RP
systems into which fertilizers, herbi-
cides or pesticides are, or can be,
injected.
2. Auxiliary Water Supplies.
a. A system where there is an unapproved AG
auxiliary water supply which is inter-
connected with the public water system.
A reduced pressure principle backflow
prevention assembly may be provided in
lieu of an air-gap if approved by the
water services administrator and the
health agency.
b. A system where there is an unapproved RP
auxiliary water supply and there are
no interconnections with the public
water system. A double check valve
assembly may be provided in lieu of
a reduced pressure principle back-
flow prevention assembly if approved
by the water services administrator
and the health agency.
3. Fire Protection Systems.
All fire protection systems will be re-
quired to have backflow prevention devices
as described below. However, Class I and
Class II fire protection systems will be
exempt from these requirements. Class I
and Class II fire protection systems are
defined under Section 13114.7 of the
California Health and Safety Code (Refer
to AWWA Manual M-14).
a. A fire system that is directly supplied RP
or from the public water system and
an unapproved auxilliary water supply reduced pressure
is available for use on or to the detector check
premises (not interconnected). A assembly
double check valve assembly may be
Minimum Type
of Backflow
Degree of Hazard Prevention
provided in lieu of a reduced pressure
principle backflow prevention assembly
if approved by the water services
administrator and health agency.
b. A fire system that is supplied from AG
the public water system and intercon-
nected with an unapproved auxiliary
water supply. A reduced pressure
principle backflow prevention assembly
may be provided in lieu of an air-gap
if approved by the water services
administrator and the health agency.
c. A fire system supplied by the recycled AG
water and the department's water system
is used as a supplemental supply.
d. A fire system that is supplied from AG
the department's water system and there
exists a recycled water supply to the
premises (not interconnected). An RP
assembly may be provided in lieu of an
AG if approved by the water services
administrator and the health agency.
e. A fire system that is supplied from RP or
the public water system and where reduced
either elevated storage tanks or fire pressure
pumps which take suction from the detector
private reservoirs or tanks are used. check
A double check valve assembly may be assembly
provided in lieu of a reduced pressure
principle backflow prevention assembly
if approved by the water services
administrator and the health agency.
f. A fire system that is interconnected DC or double
with more than one service connec- check detector
tion from the city water system and check
no other system hazard exists. assembly
4. Other Systems.
a. A system that requires a booster pump on RP
the service connection line. (For fire
service requirements, refer to subsection
(B)(3)(e) of this section.)
b. A system where there are intricate RP
plumbing and piping arrangements or
where entry to all portions of the
premises is not readily accessible for
inspection purposes making it imprac-
ticable or impossible to ascertain
whether or not cross-connections exist.
c. A system that is restricted, classified RP
or closed to on-site inspection.
Minimum Type
of Backflow
Degree of Hazard Prevention
d. A system where there is a repeated RP
history of cross-connections being
established or reestablished within
customer's premises.
e. A system with internal cross-connec- RP
tions that cannot be permanently
corrected and controlled to the
satisfaction of the water services
administrator and health agency.
f. Two or more services supplying water DC
from different street mains to the
same building, assembly, structure or
premises through which an interstreet
main flow may occur, shall have a
double check valve on each water
service to be located adjacent to and
on the property side of the respective
meters.
g. Other systems which may be specified Device to
by city public service department from be specified
time to time.
(Ord. 5112 º 55, 1996: Ord. 4980 º 6, 1992: prior code º 9-13)
13.32.070 Backflow prevention assemblies.
A. Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies. Only backflow prevention devices which have been approved by the water services administrator shall be acceptable for installation by a water user connected to the public water system.
B. Backflow Prevention Assembly Installation.
1. The approved backflow assembly shall be installed at the expense of the customer.
2. Air-Gap Separation (AG). The air-gap separation shall be located on the customer's premises as close to the service connection as is practical. All piping from the service connection to the receiving tank shall be above grade and be entirely visible. No water use shall be provided from any point between the service connection and the air-gap separation. The water inlet piping shall terminate a distance of at least two pipe diameters of the supply inlet, but in no case less than one inch above the overflow rim of the receiving tank as specified in the current edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code requirements for minimum air-gaps for water distribution.
3. Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assembly (RP). The approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device shall be installed on the customer's premises of and as close to the service connection as is practical. The device shall be installed a minimum of twelve inches above grade and no more than thirty-six inches above grade measured from the bottom of the device and with a minimum of twelve inches side clearance. The assembly shall be installed so that it is readily accessible for maintenance and testing. Water supplied from any point between the service connection and the RP device shall be protected in a manner approved by the water services administrator.
4. Double Check Valve Assembly (DC). The approved double check valve assembly shall be located as close as practical to the user's connection and shall be installed horizontally above grade and in a manner where it is readily accessible for testing and maintenance. If it is necessary to put a double check valve assembly below the grade, upon the approval of the water services administrator and the local health agency, it must be installed in a vault such that there is a minimum of twelve inches between the bottom of the vault and the bottom of the assembly so that the top of the assembly is not more than a maximum of eight inches below grade, so there is a minimum of twenty-four inches of clearance between the side of the assembly with the test cocks and the side of the vault, and a minimum of twelve inches clearance between the other side of the assembly and the side of the vault. The vault must have adequate drainage to prevent flooding. Special consideration must be given to double check valve assemblies of the "Y" type. These devices must be installed on their "side" with the tests cocks in a vertical position so that either check valve may be removed for service without removing the assembly. Vaults which do not have an integrated bottom must be placed on a three-inch layer of gravel.
5. Approved backflow assemblies shall have at least the same cross-sectional area as the water meter. If a continuous water supply is necessary, two sets of approved backflow assemblies shall be installed in parallel. Where parallel assemblies are required, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the assemblies shall be at least equivalent to the cross-sectional area of the meter.
6. There shall be no outlet, tee, tap or connection of any sort between the water meter and the approved backflow assembly. A "Y" strainer and/or pressure-reducing valve installed before the approved backflow assembly are the only exceptions.
7. Approved backflow assemblies shall not be bypassed, made inoperative or removed without specific written authorization by the water services administrator.
8. Approved backflow assemblies shall be protected, when necessary, from extreme weather or site condition that could cause physical damage to or malfunction of the backflow assembly.
C. Backflow Prevention Device Testing and Maintenance.
1. The owners of any premises on which, or on account of which, backflow prevention assemblies are installed, shall have the assemblies tested by a certified backflow prevention assembly tester licensed by the local health agency. Backflow prevention assemblies must be tested at least annually and immediately after installation, relocation or repair. The department may require a more frequent testing schedule if it is determined to be necessary by the water services administrator. No device shall be placed back in service unless it is functioning as required. A report in a form acceptable to the city shall be filed with the public service department each time a device is tested, relocated or repaired. These devices shall be serviced, overhauled or replaced whenever they are found to be defective and all costs of testing, repair and maintenance shall be borne by the water user.
2. The department will supply affected water users with a list of persons acceptable to the city to test backflow prevention assemblies. The department will notify affected customers by mail when annual testing of a device is needed and also supply users with the necessary forms which must be filled out each time a device is tested or repaired.
D. Backflow Prevention Assembly Removal.
1. Approval must be obtained from the water services administrator before a backflow prevention assembly is removed, relocated or replaced.
a. Removal. The use of a device may be discontinued and the device removed from service upon presentation of sufficient evidence to the water services administrator to verify that a hazard no longer exists or is not likely to be created in the future;
b. Relocation. An assembly may be relocated following confirmation by the water services administrator that the relocation will continue to provide the required protection and satisfy installation requirements. A retest will be required following the relocation of the device;
c. Repair. An assembly may be removed for repair, provided the water use is either discontinued until repair is completed and the device is returned to service, or the service connection is equipped with other backflow protection approved by the water services administrator. A retest will be required following the repair of the assembly; and
d. Replacement. An assembly may be removed and replaced provided the water use is discontinued until the replacement assembly is installed. All replacement assemblies must be approved by the water services administrator and must be commensurate with the degree of hazard involved. (Ord. 5112 º 56, 1996: Ord. 4980 º 7, 1992: prior code º 9-136)
13.32.080 Backflow prevention supervisor.
At each of the premises, when required by the department, a "blackflow prevention supervisor" shall be designated by and at the expense of the water customer. Such backflow prevention supervisor shall be responsible for the monitoring of the backflow prevention assemblies and for avoidance of cross-connections. In the event of contamination or pollution of the drinking water system due to a cross-connection on the premises, the water services administrator shall be promptly notified by the backflow prevention supervisor so that appropriate measures may be taken to overcome the contamination. The water customer shall inform the water services administrator of the backflow prevention supervisor's identity on an annual basis and whenever a change occurs. (Ord. 5112 º 57, 1996: Ord. 4980 º 8, 1992: prior code º 9-137)
13.32.090 Administrative procedures.
A. Water Supply Survey.
1. The water services administrator shall review all requests for new services to determine if backflow protection is needed. Plans and specifications must be submitted to the water services administrator upon request for review of possible cross-connection hazards as a condition of service for new service connections. If it is determined that a backflow prevention assembly is necessary to protect the public water system, the required device must be installed before service will be granted.
2. The water services administrator may require an on-premises inspection to evaluate cross-connection hazards. Any customer who cannot or will not allow an on-premises inspection of their piping system shall be required to install the backflow prevention assembly the water services administrator considers necessary.
3. The water services administrator may require a reinspection for cross-connection hazards of any premises to which water is serviced by the department. Any customer who cannot or will not allow an on-premises reinspection of their piping system shall be required to install, at the meter, the backflow prevention assembly the water services administrator considers necessary.
B. Customer Notification-Device Installation.
1. The water services administrator shall notify the water user of the survey findings, listing corrective action to be taken if required. A period of thirty (30) days shall be given to complete all corrective action required including installation of backflow prevention assemblies.
2. A second notice shall be sent to each water user who does not take the required corrective action prescribed in the first notice within the thirty-day period allowed. The second notice shall give the water user a two-week period to take the required corrective action. If no action is taken within the two-week period, the water service to the affected water user shall be terminated until the required corrective actions are taken.
C. Customer Notification-Testing and Maintenance.
1. The water services administrator shall notify each affected water user when it is time for the backflow prevention assembly installed on their service connection to be tested. This written notice shall give the water user thirty days to have the device tested and supply the water user with the necessary form to be completed and resubmitted to the department.
2. A second notice shall be sent to each water user who does not have his/her backflow prevention device tested as prescribed in the first notice within the thirty-day period allowed. The second notice shall give the water user a two-week period to have his/her backflow prevention assembly tested. If no action is taken within the two-week period, the water services administrator may terminate water service to the affected water user until the subject device is tested. (Ord. 5112 º 58, 1996: Ord. 4980 º 9, 1992: prior code º 9-138)
13.32.100 Water service termination.
A. General. When the department encounters water uses that represent a clear and immediate hazard to the potable water supply that cannot be immediately abated, the water services administrator shall institute the procedure for terminating the water service.
B. Basis for Termination. Conditions or water uses that create a basis of water service termination shall include, but are not limited to, the following items:
1. Refusal to install required backflow prevention assembly;
2. Refusal to test a backflow prevention assembly;
3. Refusal to repair a faulty backflow prevention assembly;
4. Refusal to replace a faulty backflow prevention assembly;
5. Removal and/or bypassing without prior approval of a backflow assembly where required;
6. Direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a sewer line;
7. Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a system or equipment containing contaminants;
8. Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and an auxiliary water system;
9 A situation which presents an immediate health hazard to the public water system;
10. Nondesignation of a user's supervisor when required within a specific time period;
11. Nonsubmission of records of tests, repairs and maintenance to the department upon a second letter request of their submission; and
12. Nonpayment of fees/charges incurred by the division in connection with the administration of the backflow prevention program.
C. Water Service Termination Procedures.
1. For conditions in subsection (B)(1), (2), (3), (4), (10), (11) or (12) of this section, the water service to a customer's premises shall be terminated after two written notices have been sent specifying the corrective action needed and the time period in which it must be done, if no action is taken within the allowed time period.
2. For conditions in subsection (B)(5), (6), (7), (8) or (9) of this section, the following steps shall be taken by the department:
a. Make reasonable effort to advise water user of intent to terminate water services;
b. Terminate water supply and lock service valve. The water service shall remain inactive until correction of violations has been approved by the water services administrator and any charges due to the department have been paid by the water customer. (Ord. 5112 º 59, 1996: Ord. 4980 º 10, 1992: prior code º 9-139)
13.32.110 Backflow prevention assembly charge.
Where backflow prevention assemblies must be maintained and tested, an administrative fee of four dollars and fifty cents per month per backflow prevention assembly shall be charged. (Ord. 4980 º 11, 1992: prior code º 9-140)
13.32.120 Noncompliance.
A. Upon noncompliance by user following second notice pursuant to Section 13.23.090(C)(2) regarding the periodic testing of the backflow prevention assembly, the department's representative shall have the option of either hiring a certified backflow assembly tester to test such assembly or terminating water service. All expenses for such backflow assembly test and an administrative fee of not less than fifty dollars shall be charged to and collected from the customer. Nonpayment of such expenses and fee shall result in termination of water service.
B. For noncompliance in the installation of required backflow prevention assembly, the department may install or hire a licensed contractor to install the approved assembly. An administrative fee of not less than fifty dollars and all other expenses incurred in such installation shall be charged to and collected from such customer. Nonpayment of such fee and expenses shall result in termination of water service. (Ord. 5112 º 60, 1996: Ord. 4983 º 1, 1992: Ord. 4980 º 12, 1992: prior code º 9-141)