HomeMy WebLinkAbout16 Cross Connection Control Agenda Item # 16
Public Utility District
WORKSHOP
To: Board of Directors
From: Mark Thomas
Date: January 07, 2009
Subject: Discussion Regarding Cross-Connection Control (Backflow)
Protection Program
1. WHY THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE BOARD
The Board of Directors requested a workshop to discuss and review the District's
Cross-Connection Control Program.
2. HISTORY
Under Federal Public Law 99-339, the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1986
& Title 17 Code of Regulations from the State of California.
For water purveyors, like the District, this law requires planning and execution of a
program of cross-connection control which either eliminates all cross-connections or
requires the installation and maintenance of approved backflow prevention devices at
the water service connection whenever a potential hazard is determined to exist.
3. NEW INFORMATION
The District code of regulations, Title 6, addresses cross-connection control with
respect to customer service connections and the District's treated water distribution
system.
The general requirement for backflow prevention is:
Where it is probable that a pollutant, contaminant or plumbing hazard may be created
by a water user; where materials dangerous to health or toxic substances in toxic
concentrations are handled in tanks, piping systems or other vessels on the premises;
or where the public water system is unstable and cross-connections may be installed
or reinstalled; an approved backflow prevention assembly of the proper type will be
installed at each service connection on the premises.
Backflow is defined as: an undesired reverse flow of water into a public water supply.
Cross-connection is defined as: a physical connection, or potential connection,
between a public water supply system and a system, or fixture, that carries a non-
potable substance.
Types of systems or facilities that present potential hazards include:
Sewage Lift/Pumping Systems
• Fire Fighting Systems
• Irrigation Systems
Auxiliary Water Storage/Supply Systems
Solar Water Heating Systems
Photo Processing Equipment
Wells
• Sump Pumps
Mortuaries
Hospitals and Medical Offices including Veterinary Facilities
Multi-leveled Buildings
Commercial Laundries
Dry Cleaning Facilities
There are three general methods for addressing cross-connections. These include: 1)
abating the hazard by re-piping or eliminating non-potable substances; 2) installing an
approved backflow prevention device between the District's point of service and the
customer's service line; and 3) severing the connection between the customer's
service and the District.
When determining how to address a particular backflow condition, the degree of
hazard must first be assessed. The type of hazard is divided into three general
categories including; Active Cross-Connection; High Hazard; and Low Hazard.
Active Cross-Connections are situations that pose an immediate or on-going risk of
contamination to the public water supply and are not permitted under any
circumstances. When detected, this type of cross-connection must be severed
immediately. There are no known cross-connections of this type within the District.
High Hazard situations are commonly encountered at commercial properties and
include certain types of fire sprinklers, photo processing equipment, etc.
All known high hazard situations have been addressed and are monitored per
regulations.
Low Hazard situations include sump pumps (not connected in any way to the public
water supply system), hydronic heating systems, etc. Largely these types of hazards
have not been addressed within the District.
To address hazards in new construction, the District's cross-connection control
program Specialist reviews all new construction plans to determine what type or if any
backflow protection is needed. The Specialist also reviews any building plan
upgrades. As time permits the Specialist is reviewing commercial customer accounts
that do not have any backflow in place at this time.
The District currently has 625 backflow devices in service that are required to be
tested once a year. Within the District, individual customers are responsible for
installation, annual testing, and maintenance of backflow prevention devices on their
property. Results from annual testing are forwarded to the District to verify that the
required testing has been performed. On average, a certified backflow tester charges
approximately $50.00 to test a device.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this workshop.
5. RECOMMENDATION
hi report and provide comment.
Ed Taylo Michael D. Holley
Water Utility Manager General Manager