§ 27-208. Definitions.  


Latest version.
  • The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

    Air gap means a physical separation sufficient to prevent backflow between the free-flowing discharge end of the potable water system and any other system. The term "air gap" is physically defined as a distance equal to twice the diameter of the supply side pipe diameter but never less than one inch.

    Approved means accepted by the POD as meeting an applicable specification stated or cited in this chapter or as suitable for the proposed use.

    Approved backflow preventer means a device that has been manufactured in full conformance with the standards established by the American Water Works Association titled, "AWWA C510-89 - Standard for Double Check Valve Backflow Prevention Assembly" and "AWWA C511-89 - Standard for Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assembly," and have met completely the laboratory and field performance specifications of the Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research of the University of Southern California established by Specification of Backflow Prevention Assemblies, section 10 of the most current issue of the Manual of Cross Connection Control. The AWWA and FCCHR standards and specifications have been adopted by the department. Final approval shall be evidenced by a certificate of approval issued by an approved testing laboratory certifying full compliance with said AWWA standards and FCCHR specifications. An approved list of qualified laboratories will be available from the department. Backflow preventers that may be subjected to back pressure or back-siphonage that have been fully tested and have been granted a certificate of approval by an approved laboratory and are listed on that laboratory's current list of approved backflow preventers may be used without further testing or qualification.

    Atmospheric vacuum breaker means a device which prevents back-siphonage by creating an atmospheric vent when there is either a negative pressure or sub-atmospheric pressure in a water system.

    Auxiliary water supply means any water supply on, or available to the premises other than the City's approved public potable water supply.

    Backflow means the flow of water or other liquids, mixture or substances, under positive or reduced pressure into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply from any source other than its intended source.

    Backflow preventer means a device or means designed to prevent backflow or back-siphonage. Most commonly categorized as air gap, reduced pressure principle assembly, double check valve assembly, detector check assembly, pressure vacuum breaker, atmospheric vacuum breaker, hose bib vacuum breaker, and dual check.

    Back-pressure means a condition in which the customer's system pressure is greater than the City's system pressure.

    Back-siphonage means the flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply system from any source other than its intended source caused by the sudden reduction of pressure in the potable water supply system.

    Containment means a method of backflow prevention which requires a backflow preventer at the water service connection.

    Contaminant means any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in water.

    Cross connection means any physical arrangement whereby a public water supply is connected, directly or indirectly, with any other water supply system, sewer, drain, conduit, pool, storage reservoir, plumbing fixture, or other device which contains or may contain contaminated or polluted water, sewage or other waste, or liquid of unknown or unsafe quality which may be capable of imparting contamination or pollution to the public water supply as a result of backflow or back-siphonage. Bypass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeable devices, and other temporary or permanent devices through which or because of which backflow or back-siphonage could occur are considered to be cross connections.

    Customer means any person, firm or corporation, or governmental entity, using or receiving water from the City's potable water system.

    Customer water system includes those parts of water system facilities beyond the point of delivery that are utilized to convey potable water to the customer's points of use.

    Department means the water resources department and any successive department.

    Detector check assembly means a double check valve in the main supply line with a smaller parallel flow detection line with a meter and an independently acting double check valve.

    Double check valve assembly means an assembly of two independently operating spring loaded check valves with tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valves, plus properly located test cocks for the testing of each check valve.

    Dual check means an assembly with two springloaded, independently operating check valves, which may be fitted with shut-off valves and test cocks. This device is generally employed immediately downstream of the water meter to act as a containment device.

    Fire service means a water service for a customer which is used to supply a fire protection system.

    High hazard means a cross connection or potential cross connection involving any substance that could, if introduced into the potable water supply, cause death or illness, spread disease or have a high probability of causing such effects.

    Hose bib vacuum breaker means a device which is permanently attached to a hose bib and which acts as an atmospheric vacuum breaker.

    Inspection means cross connection control assessment and evaluation of all fixtures and conduit connected to the customer's water system within the property and structure.

    Isolation means a method of backflow prevention in which a backflow preventer is located to correct a cross connection at an in-plant location rather than at a water service connection.

    Low hazard means a cross connection or potential cross connection involving any substance that generally would not necessarily be a health hazard but would constitute a nuisance or be aesthetically objectionable if introduced into the potable water supply.

    Nonpotable water means all water other than potable water.

    Permit means a document issued by the department which requires the use of backflow preventers, identifies the location for backflow preventers, and specifies maintenance requirements for backflow preventers.

    Point of delivery means the terminal end of service from the public potable water system at the meter installation which shall include the backflow prevention device when the device is installed with the water meter. This is the point at which the public potable water system loses jurisdiction and sanitary control over the water at its delivery to the customer.

    Pollutant means a foreign substance that if permitted to get in the public water system, will degrade its quality so as to 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 water for domestic use.

    Post indicator valve means a valve indicator with a glass window showing whether the fire service is open or shut.

    Potable water means water from any source which has been approved for human consumption by the public health unit.

    Pressure vacuum breaker means a device containing one or two independently operating, spring loaded check valves and an independently operating spring loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check valve. Device includes tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valves and properly located test cocks for the testing of the check valve.

    Public health unit means the health authority having jurisdiction in the county.

    Reclaimed water means water that has received at least secondary treatment plus filtration and is reused after flowing out of a water reclamation facility.

    Reduced pressure principle backflow preventer means an assembly consisting of two independently operating approved check valves with an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the check valves, tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valves plus properly located test cocks for the testing of the check valves and the relief valve.

    Water service connection means that point in the customer's water system beyond the sanitary control of the City; it is generally considered to be the outlet end of the water meter and always before any unprotected branch.

    Water service installation means the establishment of a new point of delivery, reuse of an existing point of delivery for a new or different customer, or the modification of an existing point of delivery from the potable water system for any customer.

(Code 1992, § 27-66; Ord. No. 2090-F, § 1(28-73), 9-19-1991; Ord. No. 109-G, § 1, 8-19-1993; Ord. No. 1009-G, § 1, 1-20-2011)