24.02.190 Cross-connection abatement and control.
A. General.
1. The utility shall initiate and carry out a cross-connection abatement and control program in conformance with state law by establishing and maintaining minimum requirements for the installation, inspection, testing, certification and maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies. The program shall meet the minimum requirements of WAC 246-290-490 and the latest edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code adopted by the city.
2. The utility hereby adopts by reference the standards and requirements of WAC 246-290-490, as now or hereafter amended.
B. Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies. Only those backflow prevention assemblies and controls identified in the most recent current edition of Approved Cross Connection Control Assemblies, published by the Washington State Department of Health, shall be approved for installation.
C. New or Upgraded Cross-Connection Control Requirements.
1. In situations where there is an existing water service or use and the water supply is protected from cross-connection by a nonconforming backflow prevention assembly (i.e., an assembly that does not meet the current standards and requirements of WAC 246-290-490 or this code), the existing nonconforming backflow prevention assembly shall, at the property owner’s risk, be allowed to remain in service only if:
a. At the time the backflow prevention assembly was installed, the assembly was a state-approved backflow prevention assembly;
b. At the time the backflow prevention assembly was installed, its installation was approved by the city as appropriate for the degree of hazard; and
c. The backflow prevention assembly does not meet the criteria for upgrading as required in subsection (C)(2) of this section.
2. All existing nonconforming backflow prevention assemblies shall be replaced and upgraded to current standards at such time as any of the following conditions exist:
a. The assembly fails to operate properly;
b. The assembly fails required annual testing and certification;
c. The assembly requires continual and excessive repair or maintenance;
d. The degree of hazard at the premises increases from that which existed at the time the assembly was installed; or
e. The water service, fire protection system, landscape irrigation system or plumbing is, or has been, modified.
3. When the utility discovers previously unknown and/or unprotected cross-connections, the utility shall notify the property owner of the cross-connection, the degree of hazard, and the cross-connection abatement and control measures required. The property owner shall make provision to implement all required abatement and control measures within the time frame specified by the utility subject to the enforcement provisions of BCC 24.02.250 or state law.
D. Inspection, Testing and Certification Requirements.
1. Inspection of all newly installed or relocated backflow prevention assemblies shall be completed by the city. Testing and certification shall be done by a private backflow prevention assembly tester certified by the Washington State Department of Health.
2. All backflow prevention assemblies shall be tested and certified annually by a private backflow prevention assembly tester certified by the Washington State Department of Health.
E. Costs and Fees. The property owner or developer shall be responsible for paying all utility costs and fees associated with the installation, inspection, testing, certification, repair, replacement or upgrade of backflow prevention assemblies. See BCC 24.02.250 regarding fees. (Ord. 5963 § 1, 2010.)