* Prior ordinance history: Ord. 383.

A. The purposes of this chapter are:
1. To protect the public water supply against actual or potential contamination through cross-connections, by isolating sources of contamination that may occur within a water user’s premises because of some undiscovered or unauthorized cross-connection on the premises;
2. To eliminate cross-connections between drinking water systems and other sources of water that are not approved as safe and potable for human consumption;
3. To eliminate cross-connections between drinking water systems and sources of contamination;
4. To prevent the making of cross-connections in the future.
B. These regulations are adopted pursuant to Article 2 of Group 4 of Subchapter 1 of Chapter 5 of Division 1 of the California Code of Regulations, Title 17, entitled Protection of Water Systems.
C. It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation at any time to make or maintain or cause to be made or maintained, temporarily or permanently, for any period of time whatsoever, any cross-connection between plumbing pipes or water fixtures being served with water by the county water department and any other source of water supply or to maintain any sanitary fixture or other appurtenances or fixtures which, by reason of their construction, may cause or allow backflow of water or other substances into the water supply system of the county and/or the service of water pipes or fixtures of any consumer of the county. (Ord. 383C § 1(part), 1989).

As used in this chapter:
“Air-gap separation” means a physical break between a supply pipe and a receiving vessel The air-gap shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the top rim of the vessel, in no case less than one inch.
“Approved backflow prevention device” means a device which has passed laboratory and field evaluation tests performed by a recognized testing organization which has demonstrated its competency to perform such tests to the California Department of Health Services.
“Approved water supply” means any water supply whose potability is regulated by a state or local health agency.
“Auxiliary supply” means any water supply on or available to the premises other than the approved 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.
“Contamination” means a degradation of the quality of the potable water by any foreign substance which creates a hazard to the public health, or which may impair the usefulness or quality of the water.
“County” includes county service areas and maintenance districts.
“Cross-connection” means any unprotected actual or potential connection between a potable water system used to supply water 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 changeover devices, or other devices through which backflow could occur, shall be considered to be cross-connections.
“Double check valve assembly” means an assembly 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 water tightness of each check valve.
“Health agency” means the California Department of Health Services, or the county health agency with respect to a small water system.
“Local health agency” means the county health authority.
“Person” means an individual, corporation, company, association, partnership, municipality, public utility or other public body or institution.
“Premises” means any and all areas on a water user’s property which are served or have the potential to be served by the public water system.
“Public water supply” means water supplied through a public water system and includes the term “approved water supply” as defined in California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Section 7583.
“Reclaimed water” means a wastewater which, as a result of treatment, is suitable for uses other than potable use.
“Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device” means a device incorporating two or more check valve with an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two checks and a tightly closing shutoff valve on each side of the check valve assembly, and equipped with necessary test cocks for testing.
“Service connection” refers to the point of connection of a user’s piping to the water supplier’s facilities.
“Water supplier” means the person who owns or operates the approved water supply system.
“Water user” means any person obtaining water from an approved water supply system. (Ord. 383C § 1(part), 1989).

A. General Provisions.
1. Unprotected cross-connections with the public water supply are prohibited.
2. Whenever backflow protection has been found necessary, the county will require the water user to install an approved backflow prevention device by and at his expense for continued services or before a new service will be granted.
3. Wherever backflow protection has been found necessary on a water supply line entering a water user’s premises, then any and all water supply lines from the county’s mains entering such premises, building or structures shall be protected by an approved backflow prevention device. The type of device to be installed will be in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
B. Where Protection is Required.
1. Each service connection from the county’s water system for supplying water to premises having an auxiliary water supply shall be protected against backflow of water from the premises into the public water system, unless the auxiliary water supply is accepted as an additional source by the county and is approved by the public health agency having jurisdiction.
2. Each service connection from the county water system for supplying water to any premises on which any substance is handled in such fashion as may allow its entry into the water system shall be protected against backflow of the water from the premises into the public system. This shall include the handling of process waters and waters originating from the county water system which have been subjected to deterioration in sanitary quality.
3. Backflow prevention devices shall be installed on the service connection to any premises having:
a. Internal cross-connections that cannot be permanently corrected and controlled to the satisfaction of the state or local health department and the county; or
b. Intricate plumbing and piping arrangements or where entry to all portions of the premises is not readily accessible for inspection purposes, making it impracticable or impossible to ascertain whether or not cross-connections exist.
C. Type of Protection Required.
1. The type of protection that shall be provided to prevent backflow into the approved water supply shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard that exists on the consumer’s promises. The type of protective device that may be required, listed by increasing level of protection, includes:
a. Double check valve assembly (DC),
b. Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device (RP), and
c. Air-gap separation (AG).
The water user may choose a higher level of protection than required by the county.
2. The minimum types of backflow protection required to protect the approved water supply at the user’s water connection to premises with varying degrees of hazard are given in Table 13.45.030. Situations which are not covered in Table 13.45.030 shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and the appropriate backflow protection shall be determined by the county or health agency.

3. Two or more services supplying water from different street mains to the same building, structure or premises through which an inter-street main flow may occur, shall have at least a standard check valve on each water service to be located adjacent to and on the property side of the respective meters. Such check valve shall not be considered adequate if backflow protection is deemed necessary to protect the county’s mains from pollution or contamination; in such cases the installation of approved backflow devices at such service connections shall be required. (Ord. 383C § 1(part), 1989).

A. Approved Backflow Prevention Devices.
1. Only backflow prevention devices which have been approved by the county shall be acceptable for installation by a water user connected to the county’s potable water system.
2. The county will provide, upon request, to any affected customer a list of approved backflow prevention devices.
B. Backflow Prevention Device Installation. Backflow prevention devices shall be installed in the manner prescribed in Section 7603, Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. Location of the devices should be as close as practical to the user’s connection. The county shall have the final authority in determining the required location of a backflow prevention device.
1. Air-Gap Separation (AG). The air-gap separation shall be located on the user’s side of the service connection and as close 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 at a distance of at least two pipe diameters from the supply inlet, but in no case less than one inch above the overflow rim of the receiving tank.
2. Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Device (RP). The approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device shall be installed on the user’s side of the service connection and as close as is practical. The device shall be installed a minimum of twelve inches above grade and not more than thirty-six inches above grade measured from the bottom of the device, and with a minimum of twelve inches’ side clearance. The device 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 county.
3. 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 above grade, if possible, and in a manner where it is readily accessible for testing and maintenance. If a double check valve assembly is put below grade it must be installed in a vault such that there is a minimum of six inches between the bottom of the vault and the bottom of the device, the top of the device is no more than a maximum of eight inches below grade, and there is a minimum of six inches of clearance between the side of the device with the test cocks and the side of the vault. 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 device. Vaults which do not have an integrated bottom must be placed on a three-inch layer of gravel.
C. Backflow Prevention Device Testing and Maintenance.
1. The owners of any premises on which, or on account of which, backflow prevention devices are installed, shall have the devices tested. Backflow prevention devices must be tested at least annually and immediately after installation, relocation or repair. The county may require a more frequent testing schedule if it is determined to be necessary. No device shall be placed back in service unless it is functioning as required. 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 county will test a water user’s backflow prevention device to fulfill the requirements of this chapter. The water user will be charged for the test, and any maintenance found necessary to keep the device in working order, on the next regular water bill.
D. Backflow Prevention Device Removal. Approval must be obtained from the county before a backflow prevention device is removed, relocated or replaced.
1. Removal. The use of a device may be discontinued and the device removed from service upon presentation of sufficient evidence to the county that a hazard no longer exists or is not likely to be created in the future.
2. Relocation. A device may be relocated following confirmation by the county 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.
3. Repair. A device 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 county. A retest will be required following the repair of the device.
4. Replacement. A device may be removed and replaced provided the water use is discontinued until the replacement device is installed. All replacement devices must be approved by the county and must be commensurate with the degree of hazard involved. (Ord. 383C § 1(part), 1989).

At each premises where it is necessary, in the opinion of the county, a user supervisor shall be designated by and at the expense of the water user. This user supervisor shall be responsible for the monitoring of the backflow prevention devices and for avoidance of cross-connections. In the event of contamination or pollution of the drinking water system due to a cross-connection of the premises, the county shall be promptly notified by the user supervisor so that appropriate measures may be taken to overcome the contamination. The water user shall inform the county in writing of the user supervisor’s identity and current address on, as a minimum, an annual basis, and whenever a change occurs. (Ord. 383C § 1(part), 1989).

A. Water System Survey.
1. The county shall review all requests for new services to determine if backflow protection is needed. Plans and specifications must be submitted to the county 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 device is necessary to protect the public water system, the required device must be installed before service will be granted.
2. The county may require an on-premises inspection to evaluate cross-connection hazards. The county will transmit a written notice requesting an inspection appointment to each affected water user. Any water user who cannot or will not allow an on-premises inspection of his piping system shall be required to install the backflow prevention device the county considers necessary.
B. Customer Notification--Device Installation.
1. The county will notify the water user of the survey findings, listing the corrective actions to be taken if any are required. A period of sixty days will be given to complete all corrective actions required, including installation of backflow prevention devices.
2. A second notice will be sent to each water user who does not take the required corrective actions prescribed in the first notice within the sixty-day period allowed. The second notice will 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 county may terminate water service to the affected water user until the required corrective actions are taken.
C. Customer Notification--Testing and Maintenance.
1. The county will notify each affected water user when it is time for the backflow prevention device installed on his/her 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 county.
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 will give the water user a two-week period to have his/her backflow prevention device tested. If no action is taken within the two-week period, the county may terminate water service to the affected water user until the subject device is tested. (Ord. 383C § 1(part), 1989).

A. General. When the county encounters water uses that represent a clear and immediate hazard to the potable water supply that cannot be immediately abated, the county shall institute the procedure for discontinuing the county water service.
B. Basis for Termination. Conditions or water uses that create a basis for water service termination shall include, but are not limited to, the following items:
1. Refusal to install a required backflow prevention device;
2. Refusal to test a backflow prevention device;
3. Refusal to repair a faulty backflow prevention device;
4. Refusal to replace a faulty backflow prevention device;
5. Direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a sewer line;
6. Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a system or equipment containing contaminants;
7. Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and an auxiliary water system;
8. A situation which presents an immediate health hazard to the public water system.
C. Water Service Termination Procedures.
1. For conditions in subsections (B)(1),(2),(3) or (4) of this section, the county will terminate service to a customer’s premises 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, water service may be terminated.
2. For conditions in subsections (B)(5), (6), (7) or (8) of this section, the county will take the following steps:
a. Make a reasonable effort to advise the water user of the intent to terminate water service;
b. Terminate the water supply and lock the service valve. The water service will remain inactive until correction of violations has been approved by the county. (Ord. 383C § 1(part), 1989).

If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this chapter, or any part thereof, is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter or any part thereof. The county hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases are declared invalid. (Ord. 383C § 1(part), 1989).