§ 25-140. Installation and testing.

(a)

The purpose of this section is to require that each backflow prevention assembly required by this article be properly located, installed, maintained and tested so that the backflow prevention assembly is effective in protecting the public water system from any possible contamination or pollution.

(b)

The installation or replacement of a backflow prevention assembly shall be performed only by a licensed plumber (irrigation contractor) or licensed utility contractor. All backflow prevention assemblies shall be tested by an approved certified tester authorized by Salisbury-Rowan Utilities. Repairs to a backflow prevention assembly shall be performed by an approved certified tester.

(c)

All proposed connections to SRU's water system regardless of jurisdiction shall apply to development services for review, determination of the degree of hazard, and approval.

(d)

All existing facilities zoned commercial or industrial and having existing water services with Salisbury-Rowan Utilities for which a certificate of occupancy is being requested from the city or county planning and zoning offices, shall be inspected for compliance with this backflow prevention and cross-connection control ordinance. Any facility not having adequate backflow protection in accordance with this article or changing the degree of hazard shall be brought into compliance before the meter services supervisor shall release the certificate of occupancy.

(e)

All backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed and maintained on the customer's premises as part of the customer's private water system at or near the service connection, or at the building or facility (for approved service line installations encased according to Salisbury-Rowan Utilities' standards) and before the service line is connected to any other pipes except as authorized by SRU.

(f)

If it has been determined that a backflow prevention assembly cannot be installed at the meter service, an approved backflow assembly shall be installed on any branch of plumbing installed between the service meter and the service backflow prevention assembly.

(g)

Any branch of plumbing installed on the private water system that may be of a greater hazard than the supply line, (example: Chemical induced irrigation or fire systems, pump systems, etc.) shall be protected with a reduced pressure principle assembly.

(h)

All backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in accordance with the Backflow and Cross-Connection Control Assemblies and Devices Installation Manual furnished by Salisbury-Rowan Utilities and/or the manufacturer's instructions, whichever is most restrictive.

(i)

Double check valve assemblies (DCVA) shall be installed in an ASSE1060 approved insulated enclosure above ground. If an assembly is allowed below ground by the meter services supervisor, the double check valve assembly shall meet the drainage, size, and clearance specifications in the Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control Assemblies And Devices Installation Manual and the vault shall be adequately drained. Note: If vault is five (5) feet or more in depth, it is considered a confined space and permitted entry is required and all OSHA safety standards and precautions shall be met.

(j)

Reduced pressure principle assemblies shall be installed in a horizontal position and in a location in which no portion of the assembly can become submerged in any substance under any circumstances (underground vault installations are prohibited.)

(k)

Each backflow prevention assembly that is required shall function properly at time of installation. Each customer shall be required to test, maintain and repair each assembly which is a part of the customer's private water system. Only a certified tester may conduct such a test. Testing shall be done immediately following installation, maintenance/repair, or replacement of any backflow prevention assembly and on an annual basis thereafter. Rubber components in the assembly shall be replaced if found to be the cause of failure during the test.

(l)

A complete duplicate copy of any testing and/or maintenance/repair report shall be sent to Salisbury-Rowan Utilities within fifteen (15) working days of completion of the test or maintenance/repair. Each customer shall maintain a complete copy of any test or maintenance/repair report for no less than five (5) years. All test and maintenance/repair records shall be maintained on forms approved by SRU's Meter Services Supervisor.

(m)

Any customer installing a reduced pressure principle assembly (RP) or double check valve assembly (DCVA) shall provide the following information to the meter services supervisor within fifteen (15) working days after installation:

(1)

Service address where assembly is located.

(2)

Owner.

(3)

Description of assembly's location.

(4)

Date of installation.

(5)

Type of assembly.

(6)

Manufacturer.

(7)

Model number.

(8)

Serial number.

(9)

Test results/reports.

(n)

Each backflow prevention assembly required by this article shall be approved by the meter services supervisor or his/her designee prior to installation. A list of approved assemblies may be obtained through the meter services supervisor or the city's development services office; any existing unapproved/nonconforming backflow prevention assembly shall be replaced, within two years of receipt of notification, with an approved backflow prevention assembly.

(o)

If it has been determined that a consumer/customer shall install a backflow prevention assembly, the meter services supervisor shall provide the consumer/customer with a letter of notification and list of approved backflow prevention assemblies. The following time periods shall be set forth for the installation of the specified assemblies:

a. Severe hazards without existing backflow prevention, but without imminent threat	30 days to one year
b. Moderate hazards without existing backflow prevention, but without imminent threat	30 days to one year
c. Low hazards without existing backflow prevention	30 days to two years
d. Existing, but non-conforming backflow devices without imminent threat	30 days to two years

 

(p)

If an imminent hazard or unreasonable threat of contamination or pollution to the public water system is detected, the meter services supervisor or his/her designee may require the installation of the required backflow assembly immediately or within a shorter time period than specified in subsection (o).

(q)

When a backflow prevention assembly is tested, repaired, or replaced, a parallel installation shall be made using an approved assembly of the same degree of hazard. The parallel line may be of the same or smaller size, if approved by SRU.

(Ord. No. 2007-11, § 1, 4-3-07; Ord. No. 2009-07, § 1, 2-3-09)