The purpose of this article is to protect the public water supply system against actual or potential contamination within a water user’s premises. The City of Chapman may achieve this by the following action(s):

(a)   Isolating sources of cross-connections to prevent possible contamination.

(b)   Inspecting existing cross-connections to eliminate possible undiscovered or unauthorized cross connection on the premises.

(c)   Eliminating unauthorized cross-connections between the City’s potable water and other sources of water that are not approved as safe and potable.

(d)   Prevent any unauthorized cross-connections in the future.

(e)   Testing approved backflow assembly on an annual basis

(Ord. 723; Ord. 739; Code 2016; Ord. 1036)

(a)   City. The tern “City” as used in this article shall be defined as the City of Chapman, its designee, employee, or contractor vested with the authority and responsibility for the enactment and enforcement of this article.

(b)   Auxiliary Water Supply. Any water source or system other than the city potable water supply that may be available in any building or premises.

(c)   Backflow. The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, or substances into the distributing pipes of a potable supply of water from any source or sources other than its intended source. Backflow includes back-siphonage.

(d)   Cross-Connection. Any physical connection between the city’s water supply and any fluid waste pipe, soil pipe, sewer, drain, or auxiliary water supply. It is also any potable water supply outlet which is submerged or can be submerged in waste water or any other source of contamination.

(e)   Health Hazard. Any conditions, devices, or practices on or near the water supply system and its operation which create or, in the judgment of the City, may create, a danger to the quality of the water, including, but not limited to, structural defects in the water supply system, whether of location, design, or construction, that regularly or occasionally may prevent satisfactory purification of the water supply or cause it to be polluted from extraneous sources.

(f)   Potable Water. Water which is processed and treated by the City and made safe for human consumption.

(Ord. 723; Ord. 739; Code 2016; Ord. 1036)

(a)   Unprotected and unauthorized cross-connections with the public water system is prohibited.

(b)   Whenever the city deems a cross-connection is necessary, the City of Chapman will require the water user to install an approved backflow prevention assembly by and at the user’s expense for continued services or before new service is allowed.

(c)   Before a new water meter is approved, the required backflow assembly shall be installed, inspected, and approved by the city.

(d)   The backflow assembly device must also be tested by a certified backflow tester at the customer’s expense.

(e)   The service will not be allowed until these necessary actions are taken.

(Ord. 723; Ord. 739; Code 2016; Ord. 1036)

(a)   Whenever, the city deems necessary, a backflow protection device will be installed on the water supply line entering a water user’s premises and all water supply lines from the City of Chapman mains entering such premises, buildings or structures.

(b)   The type of assembly will be determined by the city and/or the certified backflow tester.

(1)   Each service connection from the City of Chapman’s water system for supplying water to premises having an auxiliary water supply shall be  protected against a backflow of water from the premises in the public water system unless the auxiliary water supply is an approved water supply.

(2)   Every service connection from the City of Chapman water system that supplies water to a premises where any substance is handled that could possibly contaminate the public water supply system must have the proper backflow assembly installed. This includes water that may be subjected to deterioration on sanitary quality.

(3)   Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed on the service connection to any premises having either an internal cross-connection that cannot not corrected or controlled to the satisfaction of the city. This also includes any backflow assembly that cannot be readily accessible to testing or inspections.

(c)   The type of backflow assembly will be determined by the degree of hazard that exists on the premises. The type of protective assembly that shall be required includes: double check valve assembly (DC), Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB), Hydrostatic Loop (HL), Reduced Pressure Zone Device (RPZ), and Air Gap (AG).

(d)   The water user may use a backflow prevention assembly that is of higher level of protection than the City of Chapman required.

(e)   The following list shall define the Category and Risk Level assigned in each situation:

Category 1: No risk. Potable water

Category 2: Aesthetic quality affected, e.g. water which may have been heated

Category 3: Slight hazard from substances of low toxicity, e.g. cold water storage tanks

Category 4: Significant hazard, e.g. pesticides

Category 5: Serious health risk, e.g. human waste

(Ord. 723; Ord. 739; Code 2016; Ord. 1036)

(a)   The backflow assembly to be installed must be approved by the City before installation begins.

(b)   The City of Chapman will provide, upon request, a list of approved backflow prevention assemblies.

(c)   The City will have the final authority in determining the required location of the backflow assembly.

(1)   Air-gap separation (AG): Standards for these air gaps group them by the amount of separation that they provide and their acceptability for the various risk categories. The size of the acceptable gap depends on the capacity of the incoming supply.

(2)   Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly (RPZ): RPZ assemblies are used in high-hazard areas where the possibility of a backflow or back siphoning could severely impact the quality of water in the potable water system. These devices shall be permitted to be installed where subject to continuous pressure conditions. The relief opening shall discharge by air gap and shall be prevented from being submerged.

(3)   Backflow preventer with an atmospheric vent (AV): Backflow assembly that is used in a low hazard area. These devices shall be permitted to be installed where subject to continuous pressure conditions. The relief opening shall discharge by air gap and shall be prevented from being submerged.

(4)   Double check valve assembly (DC): A double check valve assembly is used in low hazard areas, generally for irrigation purposes.

(5)   The following Risk Categories shall require the denoted backflow preventer as a minimal level of protection:

(A)  Category 1 does not require a backflow preventer.

(B)  Category 2 requires at least a single check valve.

(C)  Category 3 requires a double check valve.

(D)  Category 4 requires Reduced Pressure Zone Assembly (RPZ)

(E)   Category 5 requires air gaps at every possible contamination zone.

(Ord. 723; Ord. 739; Code 2016; Ord. 1036)

(a)   Any premises required to install a backflow assembly must have their backflow assembly tested on an annual basis, and immediately after installation, relocation, or after being repaired.

(b)   The competent person testing these devices must be backflow certified and show proof of such certification.

(c)   Certification proof must be shown to the City of Chapman, and the City of Chapman will record and keep records of all certified backflow testers approved to test backflow assemblies.

(d)   The city also has the right to request more frequent testing of the backflow assembly if he/she deems necessary.

(e)   A report must be filled out and filed with the City of Chapman before service will allowed to continue.

(f)   These assemblies shall be serviced, overhauled, or replaced whenever they are found to be defective, and all costs of testing, repair, and maintenance shall be borne by the water user.

(g)   A list of all certified backflow testers allowed to work in the City of Chapman will be available at City Hall.

(h)   Any customers that may be affected by backflow assemblies will be notified annually about the testing and/or replacement of such assemblies.

(i)    Any type of removal, relocation, repair, or replacement of backflow assemblies must be approved by the City of Chapman before the backflow assembly is taken out of the service line.

(Ord. 1036)

(a)   The City of Chapman will review all requests for new services to determine ifbackflow protection is needed.

(b)   Plans and specifications must be submitted to the City of Chapman for the city to review. If it is determined a backflow assembly is required, the required assembly must be installed before service will be granted.

(c)   The City of Chapman may also require an on-site inspection or reinspection of possible cross-connection hazards.

(d)   Any water user who refuses to allow an on-site inspection may be required to install a backflow preventer assembly if the City deems necessary.

(e)   The City of Chapman will send a written notice of such inspection to the water user allowing reasonable time to accommodate the inspection.

(f)   If it is determined that a backflow assembly must installed, the City of Chapman will notify the water user of the inspection findings and list the corrective actions that must be completed.

(g)   A written notice will be provided giving the water user sixty (60) calendar days from the date notice is served on, or received by, user to correct the issue(s) that were identified by the City.

(h)   A second notice will be sent to the water user if the required corrective actions are not completed within the initial sixty (60) calendar day period. The second notice will give the water user fourteen (14) calendar days to complete the required corrective action(s).

(i)    If the corrective action(s) have not been completed within the fourteen (14) day period, the City of Chapman may suspend water service to the water user until the required corrective action(s) have been completed.

(Ord. 1036)

(a)   When the City of Chapman encounters a possible backflow or back siphoning issue that represents a clear and immediate hazard to the water supply system, the City of Chapman will immediately suspend water service to the water user.

(b)   The reasons for immediate water service suspension include, but are not limited to:

(1)   Refusal to install proper backflow prevention assembly;

(2)   Refusal to test a backflow prevention assembly or refusal of inspection;

(3)   Refusal to repair or replace a faulty backflow prevention assembly;

(4)   Direct or indirect connection between the public water supply and a sewer line;

(5)   Unprotected connection between the public water supply and a system or equipment that can possibly contaminate the public water supply system;

(6)   A situation that the city deems is an immediate health hazard to the public water system.

(c)   If it is determined that suspension of water service is imminent, the City of Chapman will make a reasonable effort to advise the water user of the intent to terminate their water service.

(d)   Upon suspension of water service supply, the City of Chapman shall close and lock the service valve until corrective actions are completed.

(Ord. 1036)