§ 23-32. Defining and regulating cross-connections and backflow prevention devices and providing corrections thereof.

(a)

Cross-connection means any physical arrangement whereby a public water supply is connected, directly or indirectly, with any other water supply system, sewer, drain, lawn sprinklers, conduit, pool, storage reservoir, plumbing fixtures, appliances or other devices which contain or may contain contaminated water, sewage or other waste or liquid of unknown or unsafe qualify which may be capable of imparting contamination to the public water supply as the result of backflow. Bypass arrangements, connections, removable sections, swivel or changeable devices and other temporary or permanent devices through which or because of which backflow could occur are considered to be cross-connections. All primary (potable use) commercial water services require an approved reduced pressure device assembly. All secondary commercial water services (fire suppression, irrigation, etc.) require an approved backflow prevention device. The type of device assembly required for each secondary service is dictated by the service's degree of hazard as determined in the most current edition of the Manual of Cross-Connection Control, published by the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research at the University of Southern California.

(b)

No consumer of water from the city water system shall have a cross-connection or potential cross-connection either inside or outside of any building or buildings without an approved backflow prevention device assembly being installed to prevent any and all backflow. All backflow prevention device assemblies are required to be kept in good working order and be field testable. All backflow prevention device assemblies shall, as a minimum, be tested annually by a certified tester approved by the city. The owner/consumer is responsible for the testing and all maintenance and the costs thereof.

(c)

Only the following are considered to be field testable, backflow prevention device assemblies and shall be installed in agreement with and under supervision of the director of public services or his/her designated representative:

(1)

Air gap separation. A physical separation between the free flowing discharge end of a potable water supply pipeline and an open or nonpressure receiving vessel. This gap must be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the rim of the vessel and in no case less than one (1) inch.

(2)

Reduced pressure device assembly. A device containing, within its structure, a minimum of two (2) independently acting, approved check valves with an automatically operating pressure differential relief valve located between the two (2) check valves that will discharge to the atmosphere, if the check valves should fail. This unit shall include tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the device and each device shall be fitted with properly located test cocks.

(3)

Atmospheric vacuum breaker. This device is operated by atmospheric pressure in combination with the force of gravity. The unit is designed to work on a vertical plan only. The one (1) moving part consists of a poppet valve which must be carefully sized to the slide in a guided chamber and effectively shut off the reverse flow of water when there is a negative pressure.

(4)

Pressure vacuum breaker. This device is similar to an atmospheric vacuum breaker, except that the checking unit "poppet valve" is activated by a spring and does not require a negative pressure to react.

(5)

Double check valve device assembly. An assembly composed of two (2) single, independently acting drip-tight check valves, including tightly closing shutoff valves at each end and suitable connections for testing the water tightness of each check valve.

(d)

The city or its representatives, with property identification, may enter at any time inside or outside of any building or buildings for the purpose of checking for cross-connections. If a cross-connection or potential cross-connection is found, the city shall have the right to discontinue water services until the problem has been corrected by elimination or until a proper backflow prevention device has been installed. All backflow prevention devices are subject to periodic inspection by a city representative, at the city's discretion, to insure proper operation.

(e)

These provisions relative to cross-connection have been established for the protection of all the inhabitants of the city and to comply with Chapters 62-555.330 and 62-555.360, Florida Administrative Code as of September 22, 1999.

(f)

All water services, plumbing fixtures and cross-connection control methods shall conform to the cross-connection control standards and procedures as approved by the department of public works.

(Ord. No. 2001-01, § 1, 4-2-01)