ARTICLE 14: CROSS CONNECTION ORDINANCE

BRMWC Bylaws

ARTICLE FOURTEEN – CROSS CONNECTION ORDINANCE

1. Cross-Connections In accordance with the requirements and regulations of the BRMWC, The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, The Environmental Protection Agency and the State Water Resources Control Board - Division of Drinking Water, no water service connection to any dwelling or premises shall be installed or maintained by the BRMWC unless the public water supply is protected as required by said federal and state regulations and the requirements stated herein.

A. Required Protection. Back flow prevention devices shall be
installed on the service connection to any dwelling or premises having:

1. Access to any auxiliary water supply;
2. Any substance handled under pressure in such fashion as to permit entry into the water system;
3. Any material dangerous to health or toxic substance that might possibly be introduced into the water system;
4. Any lawn or garden sprinkling system, not installed in accordance with the Uniform Plumbing Code;
5. Any swimming pool or spa system.

B. Type of Protection. In general, types of back flow prevention devices shall be required as follows:

1. A service connection to a dwelling or premises having an auxiliary water supply, internal pressure boosting system, or internal systems containing water of deteriorated quality shall be protected by an approved double check valve assembly.
2. A service connection to a dwelling or premises handling dangerous or toxic materials shall be protected by an approved reduced pressure principle back flow prevention device properly located and installed.
3. A service connection to any sewage treatment plant or sewage pumping station shall be protected by an air-gap separation properly located and installed.

C. Responsibility for Installation. Inspection and Maintenance. Back flow prevention devices required herein shall be approved by the BRMWC and shall be installed, inspected, replaced when proven faulty and maintained at the expense of the owner of the dwelling or premises being served by the District.

D. Discontinuance of Service. The BRMWC shall disconnect service of water to any dwelling or premises and shall physically disconnect the customer’s piping from the District’s water distribution system if a back flow prevention device required by this section is not installed, tested and maintained, or if any defect is found in an installed back flow prevention device, or if it is found that a back flow prevention device has been removed or bypassed or if unprotected cross connections exist on the premises. Service will not be restored until such conditions or defects are corrected.

E. Right of Ingress and Egress to and from owner/customer premises. BRMWC personnel and representatives of the EPA or the SWRCB - Division of Drinking Water shall have the right of ingress and egress to and from the customer’s dwelling or premises at all reasonable hours for any purpose directly related to the furnishing of water service and the exercise of any and all rights secured to it by law or these regulations, including inspection of the customer’s piping and equipment as to compliance.

F. Prevention of flow from one service connection through another. If premises are supplied by more than one water connection to the BRMWC facilities, the customer/owner shall be required to install an approved back flow prevention devise at each service connection to prevent the back flow of water from one service to another.

G. Annual Inspections. Annual inspections of all back flow devices shall be performed by a certified back flow tester at the owner’s expense. Once tested, records for said tests shall be provided and kept on file at the District office.

H. Exception. Any installation of equipment, such as sprinkler systems, pools, spas, etc., installed in accordance with the Uniform Plumbing Code and providing back flow devices shall be exempt from this section.

2. Pressure Reducer. As a protection to the customers plumbing system, a suitable pressure reducer must be installed and maintained by the customer, at his/her expense. This reducer shall be installed immediately behind the water meter.

3. Interruptions in Service. BRMWC shall not be liable for damage, which may result from an interruption in service from a cause beyond the control of the Water department to make improvements and repairs. Whenever possible and as time permits, all customers affected will be notified prior to making such shutdowns. BRMWC will not be liable for interruption, shortage, or insufficiency of supply, or for any loss or damage occasioned thereby, if caused by accident, act of God, fire, strikes, riots, war, or any other cause not within its control.

4. Ingress and Egress. Representatives from BRMWC shall have the right of ingress and egress to the customer's premises at reasonable hours for any purpose directly connected with the furnishing of water service.

5. Health and Safety. If a condition on the customers premises is found to be hazardous to the health and safety of the public arising from the use of water, the use and maintenance of any apparatus, appliances or equipment or otherwise, the BRMWC may discontinue service to such premises without notice. BRMWC in such event shall make a reasonable effort to notify the customer of the discontinuance of service, and corrective action shall be taken by the customer before service will be restored.