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CITY OF LEWISTON DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS WATER DIVISION CROSS - CONNECTION CONTROL POLICY ---PAGE BREAK--- CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE PAGE NO. Introduction 2 Purpose 3 Authority 3 Definitions 3 Administration 5 District’s Responsibility 6 Owner’s Responsibility 7 Degree of Hazard 8 Permits 9 Exemptions 10 Periodic Testing 11 Appendix A 13 Appendix B 14 Appendix C 15 ---PAGE BREAK--- CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL 2 INTRODUCTION On December 16, 1975 the Safe Drinking Water Act was passed making each water supply in the country subject to federal regulations. The purpose of this act is to create regulations governing drinking water quality for public health protection. A growing concern in recent years has been the potential health hazard by possible contamination of the public drinking water supply by cross-connections. The need for a cross-connection control program has become more apparent with the increased publicity regarding serious cross-connection incidents. Therefore, the time has come for the City of Lewiston to establish a written cross-connection control program as a measure to prevent any cross-connection control incident within its drinking water distribution system. It is intended to inform the general public of the measures the city will take, as well as the measures they must take, to protect the quality of the drinking water in the distribution system. To meet these goals the City of Lewiston will require that all customer connections, including residential, will install, as a minimum, a class II, dual check valve, backflow prevention device. The following implementation schedule shall be adopted along with this policy: 1. Effective immediately, all new services and seasonal re-hook ups will be required to install devices before service will be connected. Device dependent on degree of hazard. 2. All existing commercial, industrial, municipal, governmental users will be required to install devices before July 1, 1989. Device dependent on degree of hazard. 3. All existing residential users will be required to install devices before January 1, 1990. Device dependent on degree of hazard. ---PAGE BREAK--- CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL 3 1. PURPOSE Cross-connections between water supplies and non-potable sources of contamination represent one of the most significant threats to health in the water supply industry. This program is therefore designed to maintain the safety and potability of the water in the City of Lewiston Water Distribution System by preventing the introduction of any substance other than water from the intended source. 2. AUTHORITY This program derives its enforceability from Title 22, Maine Revised Statutes Annotated, Section 2612, Sub-section Maine Department of Human Services, Cross-connection Rules 10-144A CMR 226. In addition, authority rises from the Rules and Regulations as published by the Lewiston Water Division and as approved by the Public Utilities Commission of the State of Maine and from provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and from provisions of the State Plumbing Code, Part I, 10-144A CMR 238. 3. DEFINITIONS A. Backflow The flow of water or other foreign liquids, gases or other substances into the distribution system of a public water supply from any source other than the intended source. B. Backflow Preventer A device to prevent backflow. 1. Air Gap A physical separation sufficient to prevent backflow between the free-flowing discharge end of the potable water system and any other system. 2. Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker A device which prevents back-siphonage by creating an atmospheric vent where there is either a negative pressure or subatmospheric pressure in a water system. 3. Backflow Preventer with Intermediate Atmospheric Vent A device having two check valves separated by an atmospheric vent. 4. Double Check Valve A device having two spring loaded, bronze faced with rubber disc check valves, with shutoff valves and test cocks for periodic testing. 5. Hose Bibb Vacuum Breaker A device which is permanently attached to a hose bibb and which acts as an atmospheric vacuum breaker. 6. Pressure Vacuum Breaker A device containing a spring loaded check valve and a spring loaded atm o s p h e r i c vent which opens when pressure approaches atmospheric. It contains valves and fittings which allow the device to be tested. 7. Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Preventer An assembly of check valves and a reduced pressure zone which spills water to the atmosphere in event of the failure of the check valves. It has valves and fittings which allow the device to be tested. C. Back-Siphonage Backflow resulting from negative or less than atmostpheric pressure in the water system. D. Back-Pressure A condition in which the owner's system pressure is greater than the supplier's system pressure. ---PAGE BREAK--- CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL 4 E. Containment A method of backflow prevention which requires a backflow preventer at the water service entrance. F. Cross-connection Any physical connection or arrangement between two otherwise separate piping systems, one of which contains potable water and the other water or other substances of unknown or questionable safety, whereby water or other substances may flow from one system to the other, the direction of flow depending on the pressure differential between the two systems. G. Department State of Maine Department of Human Services. H. District The City of Lewiston Public Works Department, Water Division. I. Fixture Isolation A method of backflow prevention in which a backflow preventer is located to correct a cross-connection at an in-plant unit rather than at the water service entrance. J. Owner Any person who has legal title to, or license to operate or habitate in, a property upon which a cross- connection inspection is to be made or upon which a cross-connection is present. K. Permit A document issued by the Department with the approval of the District which allows the use of a back-flow preventer. L. Person Any individual, partnership, company, public or private corporation, political subdivision or agency of the State, department, agency or instrumentality of the United States or any other legal entity. M. Water Service Entrance That point in the owner's water system beyond the sanitary control of the District. This will ordinarily be the outlet end of the meter and will always be before any unprotected branch. 4. ADMINISTRATION A. The District will develop and operate a cross-connection control program, including keeping necessary records, which fulfills the requirements of the Department's Cross-connection Rules and is approved by the Department. B. The Owner shall allow his property to be inspected for possible cross-connections and shall follow the provisions of the District's program or the Department's Cross-Connection Rules if a cross-connection is permitted. C. If the District requires that the public supply be protected by containment, the Owner shall be responsiblefor water quality beyond the outlet end of the containment device. D. Both the District and the Owner shall attempt to eliminate all cross-connections. 5. RESPONSIBILITY A. District's Responsibility 1. The District's inspections for cross-connections or potential cross-connections shall be made during normal working hours unless otherwise arranged with the Owner. ---PAGE BREAK--- CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL 5 2. The District will, after the initial inspection of plans or premises, inform the Owner by letter of any correction deemed necessary, and the method of making the correction, and the time allowed before correction is required. Ordinarily thirty (30) days will be allowed. 3. The District will not allow any cross-connection to remain unless it is protected by an approved backflow preventer, for which a permit has been issued, and which is regularly tested and operates satisfactorily. Certain fixtures are exempted from this provision and are listed in Section 8. 4. The District shall inform the Owner by letter of any failure to comply by the time of the first re-inspection. The District will allow an additional fifteen (l5) days for the correction. If there is failure to comply by the time of the second re- inspection, the District shall inform the Owner by letter that the water service to the Owner's premises will be terminated. 5. If the District determines at any time that a serious threat to the public health exists, service shall be terminated immediately. 6. Re-establishment of service before the installation of a backflow preventer may be allowed by the District, and after an agreement has been made between the District, the Department and the Owner indicating the intention of the Owner to comply with the provisions of the agreement. 7. The District shall maintain an inspection program which covers all industrial customers every three years and all commercial customers every five years. 8. The District will allow temporary water service for construction purposes only if satisfied that the building plans show adequate provisions for cross-connection control. Permanent water service will only be given after the necessary devices have been installed. 9. The District shall inspect dwellings with more than four apartments and require that they comply with the Cross-Connection Program. 10. The District should encourage Owners of dwellings with four or less apartments to install backflow preventers on hose bibbs and shall warn them of the possible hazards of devices such as siphon type pesticide or fertilizer sprayers, water operated sump pumps, etc.. The Owner may be required to install a backflow preventer at the service entrance, if deemed necessary. B. Owner's Responsibilities 1. The Owner, after being informed by a letter from the District, shall at his expense install, maintain and test, or have tested, any backflow preventer on his premises. 2. The Owner shall correct any malfunction of the backflow preventer which is revealed by periodic testing. This shall include the replacement of parts or the replacement of the backflow preventer if deemed necessary by the District. 3. The Owner shall inform the District of any new proposed or modified cross-connection and also any existing cross-connection which the Owner is aware of but has not been found by the District. ---PAGE BREAK--- CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL 6 4. Any Owner having a private well or other private water source must have a permit if the well or source is cross-connected to the District's system, and permission to cross-connect may be denied by the District. The Owner may be required to have a back-flow preventer at the service entrance if a private water source is maintained, even if it is not cross-connected to the District's system. 5. The Owner shall not install a by-pass around any backflow preventer unless there is a backflow preventer on the by-pass. Owners who cannot shut down operation for testing must supply the additional devices necessary to allow testing to take place. 6. The Owner shall only install backflow preventers listed or approved by the District and the Department. 7. The Owner shall install the backflow preventer in a manner approved by the District. Pit installation will not be allowed. 8. If the Owner installs plumbing to provide potable water for domestic purposes which is on the District's side of the backflow preventer, such plumbing must have its own backflow preventer or individual fixture isolation. 6. DEGREE OF HAZARD The District recognizes the difference in the threat to the public water system arising from different types of cross-connection. These can be classified as follows: A. Class I - Low Degree of Hazard If the backflow were to occur, the resulting health significance would be limited to minor changes in the aesthetic quality such as taste, odor or color. The foreign substance must be non-toxic and non-bacterial in nature and have no significant health effect. B. Class II - Moderate Degree of Hazard If backflow were to occur, the resulting effect on the water supply would be significant changes in aesthetic qualities. The foreign substance must be non-toxic to humans and non-bacterial in nature. C. Class III - High Degree of Hazard If backflow were to occur, the resulting effect on the water supply could cause illness or death if consumed by humans. The foreign substance may be toxic to humans either chemically, bacteriologically or radiologically. Toxicity may result from either short or long term exposure. 1. Class III hazards can be protected against by containment or fixture isolation. Examples of establishments which will be controlled by containment are: a. Wastewater installations i. Treatment plants ii. Pump stations, including storm water pump stations iii. Industrial waste treatment plants ---PAGE BREAK--- CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL 7 b. Industries where a health hazard exists c. Hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, etc. d. Vessel watering points or fixtures e. Tank trucks, street sweepers, and other similar units which receive water at the District's shop or any of its hydrants Examples of establishments which the District may cause to be controlled by either containment or fixture isolation are: a. Laboratories b. Mortuaries or Funeral Homes c. High pressure boilers d. Chemically treated low pressure boilers e. Lawn irrigation systems f. Swimming pools g. Car wash facilities h. Farms where water is used for other than domestic purposes i. Commercial installations with very small industrial functions 7. PERMITS A. Permits will be issued by the Department upon recommendation of the District for any backflow situation except those listed as exemptions in Section 8, Part C. B. Permits will only be issued if the cross-connection is deemed necessary and cannot be eliminated. C. The degree of hazard will be stated on the permit. D. The frequency of testing of the backflow preventer will be stated on the permit. E. The type, model and make of the backflow preventer will be listed on the permit. If more than one device is used to protect a single cross-connection, it shall be listed on the permit. F. Any exemption will be listed on the permit. G. Permits shall be non-transferable. H. Permits shall be renewed every five years. 8. EXEMPTIONS A. Any cross-connection protected against backflow, at the time this program goes into effect, may continue with that same protection unless: 1. The existing protection is grossly inadequate. 2. The Department notifies the District, in writing, that a change must be made. B. The exemption will be expired at any time the backflow preventer must be replaced and the replacement backflow preventer must be that required by the degree of hazard involved. ---PAGE BREAK--- CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL 8 C. Certain fixtures which constitute cross-connections may be controlled by non-testable backflow preventers and will not require a permit. Examples of these fixtures are as follows: 1. Hose bibbs which are only potential cross-connections. 2. Below the rim outlets which can be replaced by a gooseneck device. 3. Toilets with anti-siphon ballcocks. 4. Any fixture with a built-in atmospheric vacuum breaker which cannot be by-passed. 5. Others as listed in Appendix A of the State regulations. 9. PERIODIC TESTING It is recognized that any backflow preventer can fail and any method of protection can be subverted; thus, periodic testing and inspection is necessary. This includes air gap protection. A. Periodic testing shall be performed by the owner or the District, or other persons approved by the District. B. The District may charge for testing and may include special rates for testing at other than regular business hours. C. The time interval for testing a backflow preventer shall be stated on the permit and shall be determined by the District. D. Any backflow preventer which fails during testing will be immediately repaired. The District shall require that repair parts be ordered within twenty-four (24) hours and that shipment be by the fastest means possible. Any extended delay (more than seven days) shall require discontinuance of service or other means to insure protection of the public water system. E. Certain Class III degree of hazard situations will not be allowed to continue unprotected if the backflow preventer fails the test and cannot be immediately repaired. The Owner will be the person responsible for the provision of spare parts and should have a supply on hand. F. The minimum testing frequency for backflow preventers in the District's system shall be as follows: 1. Grandfathered double check valves on Class III Degree of Hazard cross-connections shall be tested 2. Reduced Pressure Principal Backflow Preventers on Class III Degree of Hazard cross-connections shall be tested at six intervals. 3. Double Check Valves, Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Preventers and Pressure Vacuum Breakers on Class I or Class II Degree of Hazard cross-connections shall be tested annually. 4. Mechanical air gaps shall be inspected annually. ---PAGE BREAK--- CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL 9 APPENDIX A STATE OF MAINE AN ACT to Regulate Drinking Water WATER FOR HUMAN CONSUPMTION SUBCHAPTER II SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT 24 M.R.S.A., Section 2612(5) Cross connections. The department may adopt and enforce regulations governing the connection of any public water systems to any pipes, facilities or structures that carry, store or dis- tribute water that has not been analyzed for compliance or cannot comply with the State Primary Drinking Water Standard, or any connection that may introduce contamination into the system, in order to protect the system from contamination. APPENDIX B Type of Establishment Degree Hazard Type of Preventer Home occupation Office Beauty Shop Animal Grooming Food Service I/II II/III II/III II Double Check Double Check (2)/RPZ Double Check (2)/RPZ Double Check Swimming Pools II/III Double Check (1)/RPZ Barber/Beauty Shops II/III Double Check (2)/RPZ Dry Cleaners III RPZ Laundromats/No Dry Cleaning II Double Check Laundromats/Dry Cleaning III RPZ Garage/Equip. & Vehicle Repair III RPZ Gas Station (Depot Type) II Double Check Residential Homes/without home occupation I/II Double Check Motels, Hotels, Apartment than two units II Double Check Print Shops/No Photo Development II Double Check Prints Shops/Photo Development III RPZ Florist Shops/No Plant Growth or Irrigation II Double Check Hospitals III RPZ Medical/Dental Practices III RPZ Mortuaries III RPZ Cemeteries III RPZ ---PAGE BREAK--- CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL 10 APPENDIX C SAMPLE LIST OF APPROVED DEVICES/NOT A COMPLETE LIST Dual Check such as Watts #7 and Febco 810 or approved equal. Testable Double Check such as Watts #709 S, TORO model BDC, Lawler DC-3, Febco 805 Y, Hersey model FDC or approved equal. Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Preventer(RPZ): such as Watts #909-S, TORO model BDC, Lawler RZ-3, Febco Model 825 Y & 825, Beeco Aergap model 6C or 6CM or approved equal.