Backflow Regulations

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35-44. Definitions

Definitions of terms as stated in this paragraph and in the Uniform Plumbing Code, as adopted by the City of Grand Island, are hereby adopted for the purposes of this Article.

(A) Air Gap - The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other device and the flood level rim of the receptor.

(B) Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker - A device which prevents back-siphonage by creating an atmospheric vent when there is a negative pressure in a water system, and not subject to static line pressure.

(C) Auxiliary Water Supply - Any water supply system on or available to the premises other than the City's approved public potable water supply system.

(D) Backflow - The reversal of designed flow in a potable water system.

(E) Backflow Preventer - An assembly or means that prohibits the backflow of water into the potable water supply.

(F) Backpressure - A pressure, higher than the supply pressure, caused by a pump, elevated tank, air/stream pressure, or any other means, which may cause backflow.

(G) Back-siphonage - Backflow caused by negative or reduced pressure in the supply piping.

(H) Cross-connection - Any arrangement whereby contamination or pollution due to backflow, backpressure, or back-siphonage can occur.

(I) Double Check Valved Assembly - An assembly of two (2) 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.

(J) Pressure Vacuum Breaker - A device containing one or two independently operated spring loaded check valves and an independently operated spring loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check or checks. Device includes tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valve and properly located test cocks for the testing of the check valve(s), which is designed to be subject to static line pressure.

(K). Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Preventer - An assembly consisting of two independently operating approved check valves with an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two 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.

(L) Residential Dual Check - An assembly of two spring loaded, independently operating check valves. Generally employed immediately downstream of the water meter to act as a containment device.

(M) Water Service Line - The water conveying piping, valves, fittings, and other appurtenances, including the water meter, which allow the movement of water to or from the water distribution system main.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93

35-45. Backflow Prevention

In order to provide protection and prevent the potential of pollutants and contaminants from entering the public water system, backflow protection devices shall be required on all water service lines installed, replaced, or repaired after March 1, 1993. Backflow protection shall be in accordance with 35-47 and as approved by the Utilities Director in cooperation with the Building Department Director.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93

§35-46. Backflow Protection for Existing Facilities

The Utilities Director, in cooperation with the Building Department Director, shall conduct, or cause to be conducted, inspections as required to determine the backflow protection requirements of facilities connected to the city water system at the time of enactment of this Code Section, and shall require the completion of appropriate backflow protection measures at these existing facilities in accordance with the following schedule:

(A) To be completed no later than December 31, 1994:

Hospitals
Dental clinics
Medical clinics
Health clinics
Laboratories
Mortuaries
Nursing homes
Convalescent homes
Pharmaceutical plants
Cosmetic plants
Radioactive materials plants
Veterinary establishments
All City-owned facilities
Premises where, because of security requirements or other prohibitions, restrictions, or other existing conditions it is impossible or impractical to make a complete cross-connection premises survey.

(B) To be completed no later than December 31, 1995:

Automotive service stations
Car washes
Chemical processing plants
Chemical storage plants
Film laboratories
Film development facilities
Laundries
Dry cleaning facilities
Packing facilities
Petroleum processing plants
Petroleum storage plants
Rendering plants

(C) To be completed no later than December 31, 1996:

Fire suppression systems
Premises utilizing boilers or water cooling systems
Premises utilizing water recirculating systems and pumps
Beauty salons
Barber shops
Swimming pools with connections to customer service pipes
Feed yards
Stock yards
Kennels
Pet grooming salons

(D) To be completed no later than December 31, 1997:

Sand and gravel plants
Yard sprinkling or irrigation systems
Food processing plants
Beverage processing plants
Machine tool plants
Dye and metal processing plants
Metal plating plants
Multi-storied buildings greater than 3 stories in height
Paper product plants
Schools
Multiple dwelling units served by one water service pipe

(E) To be completed no later than December 31, 1998:

All non-residential facilities not included in A through D.

Upon notification by the Utilities Director or Building Department Director in accordance with §35-50, the owner of an affected facility shall have 180 days to complete the required backflow protection measures. If the customer fails to complete protection measures, including submittal of initial certification test results to the Utility Department, within 180 days, the water service line shall be shut off.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93

35-47. Evaluation of Hazard and Backflow Protection Requirements

Evaluation of hazard shall be in accordance with Table 1 for commonly encountered equipment, fixtures, facilities, and their use. For a more complete list, refer to the Manual of Cross-Connection Control, Eighth Edition, published by the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research, University of Southern California, which is incorporated by reference as a part of this section. Determination of required backflow devices and methods shall be in accordance with Table 2.

TABLE 1 - Direct or Indirect Potable Water Connections

Cross-connections Rated by Degree of Hazard for Commonly Encountered Equipment, Fixtures, Facilities, and Their Use .

	High Hazard	Low Hazard
I. Subject to Back Pressure
A. Pumps, tanks & lines handling:
1. Sewage	X
2. Toxic substances	X
3. Nontoxic substances		X
B. Water connection to steam and steam boiler:
1. Boiler or steam connection to toxic substances	X
2. Boiler or steam connection to nontoxic substances (boiler blowoff through air gap)		X
II. Not Subject to Back Pressure
A. Sewer-connected water line (not subject to waste stoppages)	X
B. Low inlets to receptacles containing:
1. Toxic substances	X
2. Nontoxic substances		X
C. Coils or jackets used as heat exchangers in compressors in lines carrying:
1. Sewage	X
2. Toxic substances	X
3. Nontoxic substances		X
D. Flush valve toilets or urinals	X
E. Toilet, urinal tanks and approved bathtubs		X
F. Bidets, sitz tanks, or spa, therapy and roman pools not otherwise isolated by design or backflow protectors	X
G. Trough urinals		X
H. Valved outlets or fixtures with hose attachments that may constitute a cross- connection to:
1. Toxic substances	X
2. Nontoxic substances		X
I. Aspirators that may constitute a cross-connection to:
1. Toxic substances	X
2. Nontoxic substances		X
III. Other Equipment and Facilities Subject to a Variety of Backflow Conditions
A. Lawn sprinkling systems that may constitute a cross-connection to:
1. Toxic substances including lawn chemicals	X
2. Nontoxic substances		X
B. Fire suppression systems employing toxic chemicals	X
C. Soft drink dispenser or bar carbonators	X
D. Radiological, photographic, dental, medical, biological or chemical laboratories or facilities	X
E. Swimming pools	X
F. Tank truck loading station	X

TABLE 2 - Permitted Backflow Assemblies, Devices, and Methods

Assembly, Device or Method¹	Degree of Hazard				Installation^2,3,4,6
	Low		High
	Back Siphonage	Back Pressure	Back Siphonage	Back Pressure
Air Gap	X	X	X	X	Shall be a minimum of 1 inch but not less than 2 times the diameter of the effective spout opening when not affected by side walls, and 8 times the diameter of the effective opening when affected by side walls. Side walls will be assumed to not affect air gaps when they are spaced horizontally a distance greater than 4 times the effective opening from the spout opening.
Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker	X		X		Upright position. No valves downstream. Minimum of 6 inches or listed distance above all downstream piping & flood level rim of receptor5.
Double Check Valve Assembly	X	X			Horizontal unless otherwise listed. Requires 1 foot below & sufficient side & head room for testing & maintenance with a maximum of 5 feet above the ground, work floor, or a permanently installed working platform with stairs or ladder affixed. Does not discharge water.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly	X		X		Upright position. May have valves downstream. Minimum of 12 inches above all downstream piping & flood level rim of receptor. May discharge water.
Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assembly	X	X	X	X	Same as Double Check Valve Assembly above except may discharge water & wherever installed, provision for draining away at least 2 times the rated gallons per minute of the device shall be made.
Dual Check Valves	X	X			Residential services only & where high hazards are not known to exist on the premises. Properly protected lawn sprinkling systems are assumed to be low hazard for this purpose. Dual checks are not subject to annual inspection unless so stipulated by the manufacturer. Otherwise, reasonable inspection periods will be assumed to be every 6 years.

Table Footnotes:

^1. For description of assemblies and devices, refer to the Manual of Cross-Connection Control, published by the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research, University of Southern California, Eighth Edition and American Water Works Manual, M-14, Second Edition. Backflow preventers described herein and in the guidelines as "assemblies" must be installed as assemblies keeping the shut-off valves intact.

^2. Previous approval by the public water supply system is required for use of a pit or vault (normally prohibited due to possible flooding) or for parallel and bypass installations (normally prohibited without special design considerations and proper cross-connection controls).

^3. Backflow preventers shall not be located in any area containing fumes that are toxic, poisonous or corrosive; nor in any area in which they could be damaged by freezing, or by excessively high temperatures or pressures, vibration, physical impact or structural stress; nor knowingly be allowed to conduct highly corrosive or sandy waters without a special testing and maintenance program to assure proper and safe operation.

^4. Refer to general and specific installation requirements as stated in the Manual of Cross-Connection Control, Eighth Edition, for conditions or situations not otherwise covered in these regulations.

^5. Atmospheric vacuum breakers shall not be subjected to operating pressure for more than 12 hours in any 24-hour period. Hose bibb vacuum breakers are permitted for some uses described in the manual for Cross-Connection Control, Eighth Edition. Garden hose bibbs shall be protected with approved, non-removable or integral, frost-proof, self-draining, anti-siphoning vacuum breakers.

^6. Fire protection systems as a minimum shall be equipped with backflow prevention devices as described in AWWA Manual M-14, Second Edition. Backflow preventers under this regulation and connected to fire protection systems shall be considered part of those systems. As such, they shall not be installed, moved, removed, replaced, shut off or in any way altered unless in strict compliance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the State Fire Marshal, and shall be tested and repaired only by authorized fire protection system certified testers. The backflow protection device shall be Underwriters Laboratory listed.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93

35-48. Device Certification

Backflow preventers required by this Article shall have been tested and approved or listed for the intended use by one of the following organizations:

(A) Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydrologic Research, University of Southern California, University Park, Los Angeles, California 90089.

(B) American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, New York 10018.

(C) Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., 333 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook, Illinois 60062.

(D) National Sanitation Foundation, 2355 West Stadium Boulevard, P. O. Box 1468, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106.

(E) International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, 5032 Alhambra Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90032.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93

35-49. Backflow Inspections

The Building Department or Utilities Department may inspect any premise to determine what level of protection will be necessary to protect the public health and safety.

In order to inspect a premise, the inspecting department shall give notice to the customer, setting forth a proposed date and time at least ten (10) working days in advance. If the customer cannot make the premises available for inspection on that date and time, the customer shall contact the Department to arrange another date and time for inspection. If the Department and the customer cannot agree on a date and time for inspection within 30 days of the initial notice, the water service line shall be shut off.

All inspections shall be made during normal working hours.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93

35-50. Backflow Prevention; Order Authority

The Utilities Director or Building Department Director shall have the authority to issue any order consistent with the provisions of this ordinance in order to protect the public health and safety. Any order of either department shall be in writing and shall clearly state the nature of the order, compliance requirements and set a reasonable date by which compliance must be met. All orders will be mailed to the customer certified mail, return receipt requested.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93

§35-51. Appeal of Backflow Prevention Order

The customer shall have the right to appeal any order issued in accordance with §35-50 to the Plumbing Board. This appeal shall be done in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 26, Plumbing, of the Grand Island City Code.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93

35-52. Backflow Preventer; Installation, Maintenance, and Testing

The cost of the installation, maintenance, and testing of backflow preventers in accordance with this Article shall be paid by the customer. All backflow prevention devices shall be installed in accordance with all manufacturers' instructions and guidelines, in a manner that the device shall be accessible for inspection and testing, and in accordance with §35-47. A reduced pressure principle backflow preventer shall not be installed in a pit or other location which may be subject to flooding.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93

35-53. Customers Responsibility

Backflow prevention devices shall be maintained in good working condition by the customer.

(A) The customer shall be responsible to cause all backflow, backpressure or back-siphonage protection devices equipped with test ports to be tested as often as required by the Utilities Director, but at least upon initial installation, when repaired, and once each year. All tests shall be done by a Backflow Preventer Test and Repair Technician, Grade VI Water Supply Operator, certified by the State of Nebraska Department of Health. Test results shall be forwarded to the Utilities Director on standard reporting forms. The test report shall be signed by the certified tester, attesting to proper backflow preventer operation. Devices equipped with test ports and installed on lawn sprinkling systems which are supplied with water from a service line equipped with a backflow, backpressure or back siphonage detection device shall be tested upon initial installation, replacement of integral parts, and every fifth year thereafter.

(B) Public water supply system consumers are required to assess and report potential backflow hazards on their premises and take any steps necessary for protection of public health and safety as often as reasonably requested by the Utilities Director and which shall be no less often than every five years.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93
Amended by Ord. No. 8157, eff. 4-15-96

35-54. Backflow Prevention; Penal Provision; Violation; Penalty

Any person who violates any of the prohibitions or provisions of this ordinance, or who modifies plumbing or backflow preventers so as to defeat the protection against backflow, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. A new violation shall be deemed to have been committed each day of such failure to comply.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93