HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Cross-Connection Control Program requirements in Plumbing Code ORDINANCE NO. 3904
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF
AMES, IOWA, BY REPEALING SUBSECTION 21.501(47) AND
READOPTING THE SAME REVISED, FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVISING
SERVICE CONNECTION CONTAINMENT REGULATIONS; REPEALING
ANY AND ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN
CONFLICT TO THE EXTENT OF SUCH CONFLICT; PROVIDING A
PENALTY;AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED,by the City Council for the City of Ames,Iowa,that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa shall be and the same is hereby amended by
repealing Subsection 21.501(47)and re-adopting that Subsection:\
"(47) Section 603 of the UPC is amended as follows:
(a) Section 603.3.3 of the UPC is amended by adding: The test report shall be sent to the
Administrative Authority no later than ten working days after the test.
(b) Section 603 UPC is further amended by adding after the last numbered section a new
section 603.10 as follows:
(i) Purpose.The purpose of these containment regulations is:
a. to protect the City of Ames Public Water Supply (PWS) from the
possibility of contamination or pollution by containing within the
customer's internal distribution system(s) or the customer's private
water system(s) such contaminants or pollutants that could backflow
into the PWS;and
b. to provide for the maintenance of a continuing program of containment
that will systematically and effectively prevent the contamination or
pollution of the PWS.
(ii) Definitions. As used in this section:
a. Approved Backflow Prevention Assembly For Containment means: A
backflow prevention assembly which is approved by the University of
Southern California - Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and
Hydraulic Research. The backflow prevention assembly must also be
listed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical
Officials, or by the American Society of Sanitary Engineering. The
approval and listing requirements do not apply to an air gap used as an
approved backflow prevention assembly for containment.
b. Auxiliary Water Supply means: Any source of water that is available
to the customer over which the City of Ames water utility does not have
sanitary control to reduce pollution, contamination,or other conditions
that make that source of water unacceptable as a potable water supply,
such as,but not limited to
1. a public or private water supply other than the City of Ames
water utility,
2. public or private wells,or
3. lakes, naturally-fed ponds, storm water basins, and flowing
waters(rivers,creeks,etc.)from which water is drawn.
C. Available to the Customer means: The water utility customer has
authority to use, or direct the use of, the auxiliary water supply by
virtue of ownership,contract,or other arrangement for control.
d. Backflow means:The undesirable reversal of flow into the public water
distribution system.
e. Backflow Prevention Assembly means: An assembly or means to
prevent backflow.
1. Air Gap means: This is a physical break between the PWS
and the customer's water system. The air gap is to create an
unobstructed vertical distance between the opening of any
pipe or faucet conveying water to a tank, plumbing fixture,
receptor, or other assembly and the flood level of the
receptacle. The air gap shall conform to the requirements of
UPC Table 6-3.
2. Reduced-Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assembly
(RP) means: The RP consists of two independently acting
check valves together with a hydraulically operating,
mechanically independent pressure differential relief valve
located between the check valves. These units are located
between two tightly closing resilient-seated valves as an
assembly,and equipped with properly located resilient-seated
test shutoff's.
3. Double Check Valve Assembly(DC)means:The DC consists
of two internally loaded check valves,either spring loaded or
internally weighted, installed as a unit between two tightly
closing resilient-seated shutoff valves with properly located
resilient-seated test shutoffs.
f. Commercial/Industrial Fluid means: Any liquid, gas,or solution that is
a chemical, biological, or other substance in a form, quantity, or
concentration that would constitute a hazard (health or non-health) if
introduced into the public water supply,such as,but not limited to
1. polluted or contaminated waters;
2. all types of process and used waters(waters which originated
from the public water supply but may have deteriorated in
sanitary quality);
3. chemicals in fluid form;
4. plating acids and alkalis;
5. circulated cooling waters(except for those solely used for air-
conditioning);
6. oils,gases,caustic and acid solutions;
7. other liquid and gaseous fluids used industrially,
agriculturally, commercially, or for other non-domestic
purposes.
g. Commercial/Industrial Fluid System means: Any system used by the
water utility customer to store or utilize any commercial/industrial fluid
in a manner that may constitute a hazard(health or non-health) to the
public water supply,such as,but not limited to
1. car washes,
2. microbreweries,
3. chlorinators,
4. clean-in-place systems,
5. bulk fluid storage with remote dispensing (motor oil,
antifreeze,etc.),and
6. injection molding with integral heating and cooling.
However,commercial/industrial fluid systems do not include:
1. fuel gas(propane or natural gas)systems;
2. air conditioning, cooling, refrigeration, and similar systems
using only Freon or similar refrigerants;
3. sanitary sewer,rainwater,or storm sewer lines;and
4. boilers.
h. Containment means: A method of backflow prevention which requires
the installation of a backflow prevention assembly at the water service
connection.
i. Contamination means: An impairment of a potable water supply by the
introduction or admission of any foreign substance that degrades the
quality of the water and creates a health hazard.
j. Cross-Connection means: An actual or potential connection between
any part of a potable water system and any other environment
containing other substances in a manner that,under any circumstances,
would allow such substances to enter the potable water system.
k. Hazard, Degree of means: The rating of a cross-connection or service
connection which indicates if it has the potential to cause contamination
or pollution.The term is derived from an evaluation of the potential risk
to public health and the adverse effect of the hazard upon the potable
water system.
1. Hazard - Health means: A hazard upon the PWS involving
any substance that, if introduced in the potable water supply,
could cause death, illness, spread disease, or have a high
probability of causing such effects.
2. Hazard - Non-health means: A hazard upon the PWS
involving any substance that generally would not be a health
hazard but, if introduced into the PWS, could cause a
nuisance by introducing color, taste or odor, or would alter
the quality of the PWS physically, chemically, or
biologically.
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1. Permanent Swimming Pool means: A pool or tub with a capacity of
1,000 gallons or more of chemically treated water that has a filtration
system with a pump and rigidly supported walls/sides. Above-ground
movable pools and tubs that meet the above criteria shall be deemed
"permanent swimming pools."
in. Pollution means: The presence of any foreign substance in water that
impairs, alters, or degrades its quality but does not constitute a health
hazard.
n. Registered Backflow Prevention Assembly Technician(Technician)
means:A person who is registered by the State of Iowa to test or repair
backflow prevention assemblies and report on the condition of those
assemblies.
o. Service Connection means: The terminal end of the pipe connected to,
directly or indirectly,the City of Ames water main;that is,the point of
delivery to the customer's water system.If a meter is installed at the end
of the service connection, then the service connection shall mean the
downstream end of the meter. Service connections shall also include,
but not be limited to, a temporary water service connection from a fire
hydrant and all other temporary or emergency water service
connections from the public water system.
P. Thermal Expansion means:Volumetric increase of water due to heating
resulting in increased pressure in a closed system.
Administrative Authority
a. The Administrative Authority is the Ames City Council acting through
such persons or departments as the City Council shall designate.
b. The Administrative Authority shall have the right to enter, with the
consent of the customer or upon the basis of a suitable warrant issued
by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, any property to determine if the
conditions for a partial or total exemption have been satisfied or if a
backflow prevention assembly has been properly installed for
containment.
1. All backflow prevention assemblies shall be available for
City inspection within a short notice by the Administrative
Authority.Short notice is considered to be less than 24 hours.
2. The entrance to the properly to determine if the conditions for
a partial or total exemption have been satisfied will not be
necessary if the customer has properly installed, tested, and
maintained an approved RP or air gap on every and all
service connections serving the customer's premises.
C. The Administrative Authority may collect fees for the administration of
this program.
d. The Administrative Authority shall maintain records of containment
hazard surveys, and of the installation, testing, and repair of all
backflow prevention assemblies installed for containment purposes.
(iv) Where Containment Is Required
a. An RP or air gap is required for containment for every direct or indirect
service connection unless such connection:
1. qualifies for a total or partial exemption;or
2. supplies a fire protection system.
b. A DC may be installed for containment in place of an RP or air gap
when a partial exemption is granted.
C. A partial exemption shall be granted only if all of the following
conditions precedent are met.
1. The entire facilities are within the scope and applicability of
the plumbing regulations of the City of Ames,Iowa.
2. All water uses are protected by the"isolation" provisions of
Chapter 6 of the Uniform Plumbing Code.
3. There are no auxiliary water supplies.
4. There are no solar heating systems.
5. There are no permanent swimming pools.
6. There are no commercial/industrial fluid systems.
7. The entire facilities and all pertinent circumstances and
conditions are fully accessible for inspection by
representatives of the City's Water and Pollution Control
Department.
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d. No backflow prevention assembly is required for containment when a
total exemption is granted.
e. A total exemption shall be granted when a partial exemption has been
granted and all of the following conditions precedent are met.
1. There is only one service connection, not including services
for fire protection systems.
2. The facility is less than four stories above grade.
f. Failure of the Administrative Authority to notify a customer that they
do not qualify for an exemption and that they shall install backflow
prevention assemblies for containment shall in no way relieve a
customer of the responsibility to comply with all requirements of these
regulations.
g. The Director of the City of Ames Water and Pollution Control
Department may require installation of an air gap, by and at the
customer's sole expense, at the service connection where records
indicate a history of threat to the public water supply system because of
inappropriate handling of health hazard substances or actual backflow
into the PWS.
(v) New Service Connections
a. Plans shall be submitted to the Administrative Authority for review on
all new service connections in order to determine if a partial or total
exemption shall be granted.
b. The Administrative Authority shall require the installation of the
appropriate backflow prevention assembly for containment before the
initiation of water service.
(vi) Fire Protection Systems
a. A backflow prevention assembly to be used in a fire protection system
shall meet the requirements of Factory Mutual Research Corporation
(FM) and Underwriters Laboratory (UL) and the requirements of the
fire code and the building code of the City of Ames, in addition to the
requirements of paragraph (ii)a. Assemblies sized smaller than 2-1/2
inches which have not been tested by FM and listed by UL may be
allowed if approved by the City of Ames Fire Department Chief.
b. An RP shall be installed on all new and existing fire protection systems
which the Administrative Authority determines to have any of the
following:
1. Interconnections with auxiliary supplies such as reservoirs,
rivers, ponds, wells, mills, or other industrial water systems;
or
2. Use of antifreeze or other additives in the fire protection
system unless an RP is used to isolate the loop or branch
containing antifreeze or other additives when a DC is
installed at the service connection;or
3. Any other facility, connection,or condition which may cause
contamination
C. A DC will be required for all other fire protection systems. The DC
shall be required on all new systems at the time of installation and on
existing systems at the time that they are modified.
(vii) Portable Tanks. Portable tanks and vessels shall be filled through a properly
installed and maintained backflow prevention assembly or vacuum breaker.
(viii) Installation of Backflow Prevention Assemblies
a. All backflow prevention assemblies for containment shall be installed
so that they are accessible for testing as stated in the UPC at Section
603.3.4 thereof. The installation shall also provide the same clearances
as called for the water meter in the City of Ames Municipal Code,
Section 28.205.(5).
b. No backflow prevention assembly for containment shall be installed in
a place where it would create a safety hazard such as,but not limited to,
over an electrical panel or above ceiling level.
C. The required backflow prevention assemblies for containment shall be
installed in horizontal plumbing immediately following the meter or as
close to that location as deemed practical by the Administrative
Authority unless approved in writing by the Administrative Authority.
In any case, it shall be located upstream of any branch piping.
Installation at this point does not eliminate the responsibility of the
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customer to protect the water supply system from contamination or
pollution between the backflow prevention assembly and the water
main, and to protect the water supply system from contamination or
pollution within the premises.
d. RPs for containment shall be installed so as to be protected from
flooding.
e. RPs for containment shall not be installed in underground vaults or pits.
f. All Backflow prevention assemblies for containment shall be protected
from freezing. Assemblies used for seasonal services may be removed
in lieu of being protected from freezing; however, the assemblies must
be reinstalled and tested by a technician prior to the service being
reactivated.
g. If hot water is used within the water system,thermal expansion shall be
provided for when installing a backflow prevention assembly for
containment.
h. Provisions shall be made to convey the discharge of water from RPs to
a suitable drain.
i. If interruption of water service during testing and repair of backflow
assemblies for containment is unacceptable to the customer, another
backflow prevention assembly for containment, sized to handle the
temporary water flow needed during the time of test or repair, shall be
installed in parallel piping.
(ix) Removal of Backflow Prevention Assemblies
a. Approval must be obtained from the Administrative Authority before a
backflow prevention assembly for containment is removed, relocated,
or replaced.
b. The use of an assembly may be discontinued and the assembly removed
from service upon presentation of sufficient evidence that the customer
qualifies for an exemption.
C. An assembly may be relocated following confirmation by the
Administrative Authority that the relocation will continue to provide
the required protection and satisfy installation requirements.A test will
be required following the relocation of the assembly.
d. An assembly may be removed and replaced, provided the water use is
discontinued until the replacement assembly is installed.
e. An assembly may be removed to protect it from freezing provided that
1. water use is discontinued until the assembly is reinstalled and
tested;and
2. the Administrative Authority is notified in writing within five
days of the removal.
(x) Testing of Backflow Prevention Assemblies
a. Testing of backflow prevention assemblies for containment shall be
performed by a registered backflow prevention assembly technician
(technician).The costs of required tests shall be borne by the customer.
b. Backflow prevention assemblies for containment shall be tested and
inspected upon installation and at least annually thereafter.
C. Backflow prevention assemblies for containment which are in place,
but have been out of service for more than three months,shall be tested
before being put back into operation. Backflow prevention assemblies
for containment used in seasonal applications shall be tested before
being put into operation each season.
d. Before being placed back into service, any backflow prevention
assembly for containment which fails a test shall be repaired or
replaced. In the case when a reported value is less than the minimum,
the Director of the City of Ames Water and Pollution Control
Department may approve temporary restoration of service before
repairs are completed. Backflow prevention assemblies for containment
shall be retested by a technician immediately after repair or
replacement.
e. When water service has been terminated for non-compliance,the
backflow prevention assembly for containment shall be repaired or
replaced and then tested prior to the resumption of water service.
f. When warranted, the Administrative Authority may require backflow
prevention assemblies for containment to be tested at any time in
addition to the annual testing requirement. Examples of this include,
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but are not limited to, assemblies with a history of repeated failures or
assemblies that have been subjected to fire, flood, or other unusual
environmental conditions.
g. The technician shall report the results of all inspections and tests of a
backflow prevention assembly for containment to the customer and to
the Administrative Authority on the form provided by the
Administrative Authority within ten working days of the test. The
technician shall immediately report to the Administrative Authority
when and where a test indicates that an assembly fails to perform and
no immediate repair is done to make the assembly function properly.
h. The Administrative Authority may periodically verify test procedures
and results.
(xi) Repair of Backflow Prevention Assemblies For Containment
a. All repairs to backflow prevention assemblies for containment shall be
performed by technicians.
b. The technician shall not change the design, material, or operational
characteristics of a backflow prevention assembly for containment
during repair or maintenance and shall use only original manufacturer
replacement parts or equivalent parts approved by the University of
Southern California - Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and
Hydraulic Research.
C. The repaired assembly must be tested after each repair and pass the test
before being placed back into service.
d. The technician shall report the repair of a backflow prevention
assembly for containment to the customer and to the Administrative
Authority within ten working days of the repair. The report shall
include the list of materials or replacement parts used and subsequent
tests.
(xii) Backflow Incidents
a. The customer shall immediately notify the Administrative Authority
when the customer becomes aware that backflow has occurred in the
building,property,or private water system receiving water service.
b. The Administrative Authority may order that water service be
temporarily shut off when Backflow occurs in a customer's building,
property,or private water system. Such shut off is to protect the system
from further contamination or pollution and to allow time for locating
and mitigating the cause and extent of the contamination or pollution.
(xiii) Existing Backflow Prevention Assemblies For Containment
a. All backflow prevention assemblies for containment installed prior to
November 1, 1996, that do not meet the requirements of these
regulations but were approved testable assemblies for the purpose
described herein at the time of installation and that have been properly
installed and maintained, shall, except for the testing, inspection, and
maintenance requirements under Section (x) and Section (xi), be
excluded from the requirements of these rules so long as the
Administrative Authority is assured that they will satisfactorily protect
the PWS. Whenever the existing assembly for containment is moved
from the present location,requires replacement,or when the use of the
service area protected by the assembly changes so that the
Administrative Authority determines that the customer no longer
qualifies for a partial exemption, the unit shall be replaced by an
approved backflow prevention assembly for containment meeting the
requirements of these regulations.
(xiv) Customer Non-compliance
a. In case of non-compliance with these regulations, the Administrative
Authority shall notify the customer to comply within ten working days.
In the event of failure or upon refusal of the customer to comply as
ordered, the Administrative Authority may, after notice and reasonable
opportunity for hearing, terminate water service. Non-compliance
includes,but is not limited to,the following:
1. Refusal to allow the Administrative Authority access to the
property to determine if the conditions for a partial or total
exemption have been satisfied,except when an RP or air gap
is properly installed for containment and properly maintained
2. Providing inadequate backflow prevention
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3. Failure to install a backflow prevention assembly for
containment which has been required by the Administrative
Authority
4. Failure to test, maintain, or properly repair a backflow
prevention assembly for containment as required by the
Administrative Authority
5. Failure to comply with the requirements of these regulations
6. Refusal to replace a faulty backflow prevention assembly
7. Removal of a backflow prevention assembly for containment
which has been required by the Administrative Authority
except for seasonal removal as in Section(viii)f
8. Bypassing of a backflow prevention assembly for
containment which has been required by the Administrative
Authority
9. Failure to report a backflow incident
10. Direct connection between the PWS and a sewer line
11. A situation which presents an immediate health hazard to the
PWS
b. For conditions 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, the Administrative Authority will
take the following steps.
1. Make a reasonable effort to advise the customer of intent to
terminate water service.
2. Terminate water service and lock service valve. The water
service will remain inactive until correction of the violation
has been approved by the Administrative Authority.
(xv) COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT There is hereby established the Containment
Committee of Adjustment.
a. The Committee shall consist of three members as follows: the Building
Official of the City or that official's designee; the Director of Water
and Pollution Control or the Director's designee; and a representative
of the Plumbing and Mechanical Board of Appeals, selected from
among the members of that Board by majority vote of the Board's
members.
C. The said Committee of Adjustment shall have the following powers.
1. To hear and decide appeals that allege an error in any
decision or determination made in the administration and
enforcement of Section 21.501(47)(b)of the Municipal Code
of the City of Ames,Iowa
2. To authorize, in specific cases, such exemption from the
requirements of Section 21.501(47)(b)of the Municipal Code
of the City of Ames,Iowa,as will not be contrary to the laws
of the State of Iowa,when due to special circumstances not of
the property owner's own creation, a strict literal
interpretation of Section 21.501(47)(b)would result in undue
expenses to the property owner in view of an alternative
measure agreed to by the property owner that will not be
contrary to the public interest
(xvi) Presumptive Exemptions. The following water uses shall generally be presumed
exempt from the containment requirements of Section 21.501(47)(b): water
closets, lavatories, bath tubs, showers, water softeners, single-faucet water
treatment units, boilers, sinks, irrigation systems, clothes washers, dishwashers,
pre-rinse stations, garden hose connections, drinking fountains, urinals,
carbonators/beverage dispensers, garbage disposals, ice makers, cleaning
chemical dispensers,and private fire hydrants.
However,when warranted by the facts and circumstances of a particular situation,
the Administrative Authority,with notice and opportunity to be heard extended to
the property owners,may apply to the Containment Committee of Adjustment for
a determination that containment measures are required under such facts and
circumstances.
Section Two. Violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall constitute a municipal infraction punishable by
a penalty of$500 for a first violation and$750 for each and every repeat violation.
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Section Three. All ordinances,or parts of ordinances, in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of
such conflict,if any.
Section Four. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication as
required by law.
Passed this 6`h day of March , 2007.
Diane R.Voss,City Clerk Ann H. Campbell,Mayor
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