1. POLICY
The East Smithfield Water District Executive Board recognizes that it has a responsibility to the customers within the district to provide potable water to service connections that is safe to consume under all foreseeable circumstances. ESWD will maintain and operate the community distribution system in such a manner that no actual or potential connection between a public drinking water system and a source of contamination shall be permitted unless a backflow preventer, commensurate with the degree of hazard, is installed. The ESWD Executive Board takes reasonable precaution to protect the public from hazards originating on the premises of its customers that could contaminate the water in the community distribution system by the establishment of a Containment Approach Cross Connection Control Program.
The Containment Approach Cross Connection Control Program will address the responsibility of the East Smithfield Water District to implement and administer a cross connection control program pursuant to the provisions of 46-13-22 of the General Laws of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Drinking Water Section 9.4. The program also addresses the Owner responsibility to take measures to include the installation of a backflow prevention device consistent with the degree of hazard as determined by a survey of the owners plumbing and fire protection systems by a certified cross connection surveyor. Failure to comply with Owner responsibility as outlined in the ESWD Cross Connection Control program will result in discontinuance of service as directed in RI Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Drinking Water Section 9.4(6)
2. Authority
The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act requires that the water purveyor has the primary responsibility for preventing water from unapproved sources, or any other substances, from entering the public water system. This intent is further clarified in The Rhode Island General Law Section 46-13-22 (Cross-Connection Control) and the Rhode Island Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Drinking Water, Section 9.4 (Cross Connection Control), which are hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, authority arises from the Rules and Regulations published by East Smithfield Water District, and the Rhode Island Plumbing Code.
3. Definitions
A. Approved – Accepted by ESWD as meeting an applicable specification stated or cited in this regulation.
B. Auxiliary Water Supply – Any water supply, on or available, to the premises other than the purveyors approved public potable water system.
C. Backflow – The flow of water or other fluids, mixtures or substances into the distributing pipes of a potable water supply system from any source other than intended approved source of supply.
D. Backflow Preventer – A device or means designed to prevent backflow or back-siphonage.
a. Air Gap – A physical separation sufficient to prevent backflow between a free-flowing discharge end of the potable water system and any other system. Physically defined as a vertical distance equal to twice the diameter of the supply side pipe diameter; but no less than one (1) inch.
b. Atmospheric vacuum Breaker – 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.
c. Barometric Loop – A fabricated piping arrangement rising at least thirty-five (35) feet at the topmost point above the highest fixture it supplies. It is utilized in water supply systems to protect against back-siphonage.
d. Double Check Valve Assembly – An assembly of two (2) independently operating loaded check valves with tightly closing shut off valves on each side of the check, plus properly located test cocks for the testing of each check valve.
e. Double Check Valve with Intermediate Atmospheric Vent – A device having two (2) independently operating loaded check valves separated by an atmospheric vent chamber.
f. Hose Bib Vacuum Breaker – A device which is connected to a hose bib and which acts as an atmospheric vacuum breaker. Not to be used under constant pressure.
g. Pressure Vacuum breaker – A device containing one or two independently operated check valves and an independently operated spring loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check valve(s). The device includes tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valve(s) and properly located test cocks for the testing of the check valve(s).
h. Reduced Pressure Principal Backflow Preventer – An assembly consisting of two (2) independently operating loaded check valves with an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two (2) check valves, tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valves plus properly located test cocks for testing of the check valves and the relief valve.
i. Residential Dual Check – An assembly of two (2) loaded independently operating check valves with without tightly closing shut-off valves and test cocks. Generally employed immediately downstream of the water meter to act as a containment device.
E. Backpressure – A condition in which the owner’s system pressure is greater than the supplier’s system pressure.
F. Back-Siphonage – The flow of water or other fluids, mixtures or substances into the distribution pipes of a potable water system from any other source other than its intended source by the sudden reduction in pressure in the potable water supply system.
G. Containment – A method of backflow prevention which requires a backflow prevention device at the water service entrance directly after the meter outlet valve and always before the first tap to any appliance, appurtenance, device, pump, pressure vessel, apparatus or outlet intended to serve or handle water.
H. Contaminant – A substance that will impair the quality of the water to a degree that it creates a serious health hazard to the public leading to poisoning or spread of disease.
I. Cross-Connection – Any actual or potential connection between the public water supply and a source of contamination or pollution.
J. Fixture Isolation – 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.
K. Owner – Any person who has legal title to, or license to operate or habitat in, a property upon which a cross-connection inspection is to be made or upon which a cross-connection is present.
L. Permit – A document issued by the water supplier which allows the use of a backflow preventer.
M. Pollutant – A foreign substance, that if permitted to get into the water system, will degrade its quality so as to constitute a moderate hazard, or 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 effect such water for domestic use.
N. Water Service Entrance – That point in the owner’s water system beyond the sanitary control of the water supplier; generally considered to be the outlet end of the water meter and always before any unprotected branch.
O. Water Superintendent – The official or delegated representative in charge of East Smithfield Water District who is vested with the authority and responsibility for the implementation of an effective cross-connection control program and for the enforcement of the provisions of this ordinance.
5. Responsibilities
A. Industrial and Commercial Accounts
a) East Smithfield Water District
a. On new installations, ESWD will provide an on-site evaluation and/or inspection of plans in order to determine the type of backflow preventer will be required by ESWD for containment. In any case, a minimum of a dual check valve will be required in any new construction.
b. For premises existing prior to the start of this program, ESWD will notify customers by letter that the owner is requested to conduct a CCC survey of the plumbing and mechanical systems beyond the service connection with the assistance of a certified CCC surveyor. ESWD will allow 30 days from the letter date to complete the survey. ESWD will maintain a list of approved CCC surveyors that owners may pick from. ESWD will require a file copy of the survey results to determine which type of backflow prevention device (testable double check valve at a minimum) will be required at the service connection. ESWD will inform the owner by letter indicating the degree of hazard present and the type backflow required at each service connection. ESWD will maintain a list of approved backflow prevention devices. ESWD will approve the proposed device prior to installation. ESWD will ordinarily allow 45 days for the owner have a licensed plumber install the device, have it tested by a certified backflow tester and notify ESWD by letter from the owner that the work has been accomplished. ESWD will inspect and register service connection (containment) backflow devices upon notification of compliance from the owner.
c. Existing in-use Backflow devices shall be allowed by the East Smithfield Water District to continue in service unless the degree of hazard is such as to supersede the effectiveness of the present backflow preventer, or result in an unreasonable risk to the public health.
d. If the East Smithfield Water District determines at any time that a serious threat to the public health exists, the water service will be terminated immediately.
e. The East Smithfield Water District shall have on staff (or under contract) a person who is a certified Cross Connection Control Surveyor.
b) Owner
a. The owner shall be responsible for the elimination or protection of all cross-connections on his premises to include the installation of the containment device approved by ESWD. The owner shall be responsible for the water quality beyond the outlet end of the containment device and should utilize fixture outlet protection for that purpose.
b. The owner, after having been informed by a letter from ESWD to conduct a CCC survey of the owner’s premises will select a CCC surveyor and require the surveyor to provide ESWD with current CCC certification documentation prior to the survey being performed. Owner may select from the list of surveyors maintained at ESWD or may choose to select someone currently not on the list. In either selection ESWD requires current certification documentation from the CCC surveyor prior to the CCC survey being performed.
c. Owner or owners representative who has knowledge of the plumbing from the water connections to the end point use will accompany surveyor and provide access to all public water connections (water meters) for the purpose of a cross connection control survey.
d. 4. The owner or owner’s representative will provide plumbing blueprints, if available, to the surveyor and will provide information to assist the surveyor complete the survey and what the water is being used for to determine cross connection device to be installed.
e. The owner, after having been informed by letter from ESWD, shall absorb all costs to conduct the CCC survey, install backflow prevention device(s) as required, perpetually maintain, and have inspected annually all water service connection backflow preventers on the owner’s premises.
f. The owner shall correct any malfunction of the backflow preventer which is revealed by annual inspecting. This shall include the replacement of parts or replacement of the backflow preventer, if deemed necessary by ESWD
B. Residential
a) East Smithfield Water District
On new installations, ESWD will provide an on-site evaluation and/or inspection of plans in order to determine the type of backflow preventer will be required by ESWD for containment. In any case, a minimum of a dual check valve will be required in any new construction.
a. For premises existing prior to the start of this program, East Smithfield Water District (ESWD) will notify customers by letter that ESWD is required to conduct a Cross Connection Control survey of the plumbing systems beyond the service connection. ESWD will allow 30 days from the letter date to make an appointment for the owner, or a representative of the owner that can assist the surveyor, to meet with the ESWD surveyor at the premises and complete the survey. ESWD will use the survey results to determine which type of backflow prevention device (residential double check valve at a minimum) will be required at the service connection. ESWD will inform the owner by letter indicating the degree of hazard present and the type backflow required at the service connection. ESWD will ordinarily allow 45 days for the owner to allow ESWD access by appointment to install the containment device. ESWD will provide labor and materials at no cost to the customer (Excluding costs relating to the installation of an expansion tank). ESWD will register service connection (containment) backflow device for the purpose of compliance with RI Department of Health statewide Cross Connection Control Plan Regulations.
b. Existing in-use Backflow devices shall be allowed by the East Smithfield Water District to continue in service unless the degree of hazard is such as to supersede the effectiveness of the present backflow preventer, or result in an unreasonable risk to the public health.
c. If the East Smithfield Water District determines at any time that a serious threat to the public health exists, the water service will be terminated immediately.
f. The East Smithfield Water District shall have on staff (or under contract) a person who is a certified Cross Connection Control Surveyor.
c) Owner
a. The owner shall be responsible for the elimination or protection of all cross-connections on his premises beyond the containment device installed by ESWD. The owner shall be responsible for the water quality beyond the outlet end of the containment device and should utilize fixture outlet protection for that purpose.
b. The owner, after having been informed by a letter from ESWD, needs to make an appointment within 30 days to meet with the ESWD Cross Connection Control (CCC) surveyor and complete the CCC survey.
c. Owner or owner’s representative must accompany surveyor and provide access to the public water connection (water meter) for the purpose of a cross connection control survey and will need to provide information to assist the surveyor complete the survey to determine cross connection control device to be installed.
d. In most instances the backflow device can be installed by ESWD during the survey appointment if agreeable to the owner and the second appointment will not be necessary.
e. If a second appointment is required. East Smithfield Water District will notify the owner by letter to make an appointment within 45 days to install the backflow prevention device at the water meter.
f. Owner or owner’s representative must be present to allow access to the water meter for the purpose of installing the backflow device.
C. Local Plumbing Inspector
Local Plumbing Inspectors, authorized by RIGL 23-27-3 to administer and enforce SBC-3 (the State Plumbing Code), have the following responsibilities relative to cross connections:
a) As required by SBC-3 the Inspector of Plumbing will ensure that potable water systems are designed, installed and maintained in a manner as to prevent contamination from non-potable liquids, solids or gasses which may be introduced to a potable water supply system through cross connections:
b) After reviewing the plans and specifications for plumbing work under SBC-3, and before issuing a plumbing permit, the Plumbing Inspector, as required by SBC-3, shall require the installation of appropriate devices in accordance with SBC-3
6. Records and Templates
A. The East Smithfield Water District will initiate and maintain the following records:
a. Master list of all service connections relying upon backflow preventers to protect the public water system
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b. Inventory information on water service connection approved air gaps or backflow preventers to include description, installation date, history of inspections, tests, test results, repairs, and the name of the inspector/tester
c. Master files on water service connection cross-connection permits
d. Copies of permits and permit applications.
e. Copies of inspection results and summaries on water service connection backflow prevention devices.
f. Program summary reports and backflow incident reports.
B. The East Smithfield Water District will prepare standardized survey forms, reports, and notifications to be used during implementation of this program.
7. Enforcement Policy
The water superintendent will be responsible for the protection of the public potable water distribution system from contamination or pollution due to the backflow or back-siphonage of contaminants or pollution through the water service connections. The water operations manager will give notice, in writing to each customer to conduct a cross connection control survey of every water service entrance to the owner’s premises and will allow thirty (30) days from the letter date for completion. East Smithfield Water District (ESWD) will determine the degree of hazard and will notify each owner by letter the type of backflow prevention device(s) that needs to be installed. ESWD will ordinarily allow forty-five (45) days for the owner to have a licensed plumber install the approved device(s). If extenuating circumstances are encountered and the degree of hazard present is determined to be low, ESWD may agree to an extension in the form of a letter if a written plan to accomplish the installation is agreed to by the water superintendent. Failure, refusal, or inability on the part of the customer to install said device or devices within forty-five (45) days, unless an extension is granted, shall constitute a ground for disconnecting water service to the premises until such device or devices have been installed.
8. Quality Assurance and Control
- All persons conducting Cross Connection Control surveys or testing backflow devices in the East Smithfield Water District (ESWD) shall posses a current certification from one of the following certifying agencies. This certification must be available to ESWD if requested.
- New England Water Works Association
- University of Southern California
- American Backflow Association
- All backflow preventers shall be approved by the Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research of the University of Southern California (FCCCHR-USC) and/or the American Society of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE).
9. Public Education
- East Smithfield Water District will promote the elimination of existing cross connections, actual or potential, between it’s customers in plant potable water system(s) and any non-potable source through public education.
- All new and existing customers shall be informed of the dangers of cross connections to the safety of the public water system. This information shall include an explanation of backflow, typical residential or commercial cross-connections and the threats that may be introduced should a backflow condition occur. The importance of the removal or protection of cross connections within the private water system shall be stressed.
- The owner shall be informed that installation of backflow device results in a potential closed plumbing system within the residence or commercial building. As such, provisions may have to be made by the owner to provide for thermal expansion devices and or pressure relief valves.
10. Response
East Smithfield Water District will respond to all suspected cross-connection contamination issues in accordance with the Emergency Response Plan available in the East Smithfield Water District Water System Supply Management Plan, dated June 2007,
Section 2, Group 7 – Emergency Event – Water Contamination