Definitions of terms as stated in this paragraph and in the Uniform Plumbing Code, as adopted by the City of Grand Island, are hereby adopted for the purposes of this Article.

(A) Air Gap - The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other device and the flood level rim of the receptor.

(B) Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker - A device which prevents back-siphonage by creating an atmospheric vent when there is a negative pressure in a water system, and not subject to static line pressure.

(C) Auxiliary Water Supply - Any water supply system on or available to the premises other than the City's approved public potable water supply system.

(D) Backflow - The reversal of designed flow in a potable water system.

(E) Backflow Preventer - An assembly or means that prohibits the backflow of water into the potable water supply.

(F) Backpressure - A pressure, higher than the supply pressure, caused by a pump, elevated tank, air/stream pressure, or any other means, which may cause backflow.

(G) Back-siphonage - Backflow caused by negative or reduced pressure in the supply piping.

(H) Cross-connection - Any arrangement whereby contamination or pollution due to backflow, backpressure, or back-siphonage can occur.

(I) Double Check Valved Assembly - An assembly of two (2) independently operating spring loaded check valves with tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valves, plus properly located test cocks for the testing of each check valve.

(J) Pressure Vacuum Breaker - A device containing one or two independently operated spring loaded check valves and an independently operated spring loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check or checks. Device includes tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valve and properly located test cocks for the testing of the check valve(s), which is designed to be subject to static line pressure.

(K). Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Preventer - An assembly consisting of two independently operating approved check valves with an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two check valves, tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valves, plus properly located test cocks for the testing of the check valves and the relief valve.

(L) Residential Dual Check - An assembly of two spring loaded, independently operating check valves. Generally employed immediately downstream of the water meter to act as a containment device.

(M) Water Service Line - The water conveying piping, valves, fittings, and other appurtenances, including the water meter, which allow the movement of water to or from the water distribution system main.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93

In order to provide protection and prevent the potential of pollutants and contaminants from entering the public water system, backflow protection devices shall be required on all water service lines installed, replaced, or repaired after March 1, 1993. Backflow protection shall be in accordance with 35-47 and as approved by the Utilities Director in cooperation with the Building Department Director.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93

The Utilities Director, in cooperation with the Building Department Director, shall conduct, or cause to be conducted, inspections as required to determine the backflow protection requirements of facilities connected to the city water system at the time of enactment of this Code Section, and shall require the completion of appropriate backflow protection measures at these existing facilities in accordance with the following schedule:

(A) To be completed no later than December 31, 1994:

1. Hospitals

2. Dental clinics

3. Medical clinics

4. Health clinics

5. Laboratories

6. Mortuaries

7. Nursing homes

8. Convalescent homes

9. Pharmaceutical plants

10. Cosmetic plants

11. Radioactive materials plants

12. Veterinary establishments

13. All City-owned facilities

14. Premises where, because of security requirements or other prohibitions, restrictions, or other existing conditions it is impossible or impractical to make a complete cross-connection premises survey.

(B) To be completed no later than December 31, 1995:

1. Automotive service stations

2. Car washes

3. Chemical processing plants

4. Chemical storage plants

5. Film laboratories

6. Film development facilities

7. Laundries

8. Dry cleaning facilities

9. Packing facilities

10. Petroleum processing plants

11. Petroleum storage plants

12. Rendering plants

(C) To be completed no later than December 31, 1996:

1. Fire suppression systems

2. Premises utilizing boilers or water cooling systems

3. Premises utilizing water recirculating systems and pumps

4. Beauty salons

5. Barber shops

6. Swimming pools with connections to customer service pipes

7. Feed yards

8. Stock yards

9. Kennels

10. Pet grooming salons

(D) To be completed no later than December 31, 1997:

1. Sand and gravel plants

2. Yard sprinkling or irrigation systems

3. Food processing plants

4. Beverage processing plants

5. Machine tool plants

6. Dye and metal processing plants

7. Metal plating plants

8. Multi-storied buildings greater than 3 stories in height

9. Paper product plants

10. Schools

11. Multiple dwelling units served by one water service pipe

(E) To be completed no later than December 31, 1998:

1. All non-residential facilities not included in A through D.

Upon notification by the Utilities Director or Building Department Director in accordance with §35-50, the owner of an affected facility shall have 180 days to complete the required backflow protection measures. If the customer fails to complete protection measures, including submittal of initial certification test results to the Utility Department, within 180 days, the water service line shall be shut off.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93

Cross-connections Rated by Degree of Hazard for Commonly Encountered Equipment, Fixtures, Facilities, and Their Use .

1. For description of assemblies and devices, refer to the Manual of Cross-Connection Control, published by the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research, University of Southern California, Eighth Edition and American Water Works Manual, M-14, Second Edition. Backflow preventers described herein and in the guidelines as "assemblies" must be installed as assemblies keeping the shut-off valves intact.

2. Previous approval by the public water supply system is required for use of a pit or vault (normally prohibited due to possible flooding) or for parallel and bypass installations (normally prohibited without special design considerations and proper cross-connection controls).

3. Backflow preventers shall not be located in any area containing fumes that are toxic, poisonous or corrosive; nor in any area in which they could be damaged by freezing, or by excessively high temperatures or pressures, vibration, physical impact or structural stress; nor knowingly be allowed to conduct highly corrosive or sandy waters without a special testing and maintenance program to assure proper and safe operation.

4. Refer to general and specific installation requirements as stated in the Manual of Cross-Connection Control, Eighth Edition, for conditions or situations not otherwise covered in these regulations.

5. Atmospheric vacuum breakers shall not be subjected to operating pressure for more than 12 hours in any 24-hour period. Hose bibb vacuum breakers are permitted for some uses described in the manual for Cross-Connection Control, Eighth Edition. Garden hose bibbs shall be protected with approved, non-removable or integral, frost-proof, self-draining, anti-siphoning vacuum breakers.

6. Fire protection systems as a minimum shall be equipped with backflow prevention devices as described in AWWA Manual M-14, Second Edition. Backflow preventers under this regulation and connected to fire protection systems shall be considered part of those systems. As such, they shall not be installed, moved, removed, replaced, shut off or in any way altered unless in strict compliance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the State Fire Marshal, and shall be tested and repaired only by authorized fire protection system certified testers. The backflow protection device shall be Underwriters Laboratory listed.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93

Backflow preventers required by this Article shall have been tested and approved or listed for the intended use by one of the following organizations:

(A) Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydrologic Research, University of Southern California, University Park, Los Angeles, California 90089.

(B) American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, New York 10018.

(C) Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., 333 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook, Illinois 60062.

(D) National Sanitation Foundation, 2355 West Stadium Boulevard, P. O. Box 1468, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106.

(E) International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, 5032 Alhambra Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90032.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93

The Building Department or Utilities Department may inspect any premise to determine what level of protection will be necessary to protect the public health and safety.

In order to inspect a premise, the inspecting department shall give notice to the customer, setting forth a proposed date and time at least ten (10) working days in advance. If the customer cannot make the premises available for inspection on that date and time, the customer shall contact the Department to arrange another date and time for inspection. If the Department and the customer cannot agree on a date and time for inspection within 30 days of the initial notice, the water service line shall be shut off.

All inspections shall be made during normal working hours.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93

The Utilities Director or Building Department Director shall have the authority to issue any order consistent with the provisions of this ordinance in order to protect the public health and safety. Any order of either department shall be in writing and shall clearly state the nature of the order, compliance requirements and set a reasonable date by which compliance must be met. All orders will be mailed to the customer certified mail, return receipt requested.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93

The customer shall have the right to appeal any order issued in accordance with §35-50 to the Plumbing Board. This appeal shall be done in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 26, Plumbing, of the Grand Island City Code.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93

The cost of the installation, maintenance, and testing of backflow preventers in accordance with this Article shall be paid by the customer. All backflow prevention devices shall be installed in accordance with all manufacturers' instructions and guidelines, in a manner that the device shall be accessible for inspection and testing, and in accordance with §35-47. A reduced pressure principle backflow preventer shall not be installed in a pit or other location which may be subject to flooding.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93

Backflow prevention devices shall be maintained in good working condition by the customer.

(A) The customer shall be responsible to cause all backflow, backpressure or back-siphonage protection devices equipped with test ports to be tested as often as required by the Utilities Director, but at least upon initial installation, when repaired, and once each year. All tests shall be done by a Backflow Preventer Test and Repair Technician, Grade VI Water Supply Operator, certified by the State of Nebraska Department of Health. Test results shall be forwarded to the Utilities Director on standard reporting forms. The test report shall be signed by the certified tester, attesting to proper backflow preventer operation. Devices equipped with test ports and installed on lawn sprinkling systems which are supplied with water from a service line equipped with a backflow, backpressure or back siphonage detection device shall be tested upon initial installation, replacement of integral parts, and every fifth year thereafter.

(B) Public water supply system consumers are required to assess and report potential backflow hazards on their premises and take any steps necessary for protection of public health and safety as often as reasonably requested by the Utilities Director and which shall be no less often than every five years.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93
Amended by Ord. No. 8157, eff. 4-15-96

Any person who violates any of the prohibitions or provisions of this ordinance, or who modifies plumbing or backflow preventers so as to defeat the protection against backflow, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. A new violation shall be deemed to have been committed each day of such failure to comply.

Added by Ord. No. 7880, 2-15-93