CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL MANUAL
As
compiled by the
Florida Rural Water Association
2970 Wellington Circle W, Suite 101
Tallahassee FL 32309
Phone: 850-668-2746 Fax: 850-893-4581
STARTING A CROSS CONNECTION PROGRAM
The following are needed to get a Cross-Connection Control
Program rolling.
1.
written policy and procedures…keep it state-of-the-art, not
too innovative.
2.
an inspector...someone delegated to do inspections and to become
an expert in cross-connections and their control.
Effectiveness is lost if these responsibilities are divided up between
too many persons.
3.
an ordinance
4.
a technical library...equipment, catalogues, manuals, handbooks,
laws, codes, and device standards.
5.
a list of facilities needing inspection…list name of
businesses, address, telephone numbers, and, if possible, name of manager.
6.
a list of approved devices along with installation instructions
and diagrams.
7.
a certified tester...someone who “knows” backflow preventers
and has had instruction on testing.
8.
device test equipment...need a duplex gauge for testing DCVA and
a pressure differential gauge for testing RP and PVB (you will find many other
uses for these gauges once you have them).
9.
filing system...correspondence and tickler files.
10.
form letters and test forms...form letters may be impersonal but
they are a simple means of getting the same essential information to each
customer. Remember, there are
legal responsibilities associated with Cross-Connection Control; form letters
give you consistency.
11.
a “spiel”…standard remarks and explanations the inspector
uses at each inspection; this again aids in consistency.
12.
goals…such as identifying the number of inspections you expect
to make each month or a date by which you should rid your distribution system
of cross-connection hazards. Once
you have a goal, shoot for it.
13.
cooperation…within your utility, within your local government,
with your plumbing inspection bureau. Get
your act together, not just as a utility but as a City, get the bureaus out of
your program.
1
Department
of Environmental Protection Statute 62.555.360 (Cross Connection Control for
Public Water Systems)
(1)
Cross connection, as defined in rule 62.555.360 F.A.C., is prohibited.
However, a person who owns or manages a public water system may
interconnect to another public water system if that system is operated and
maintained in accordance with this chapter.
(2) Community water systems, and all public water systems which have service areas that are also served by reclaimed water systems as described in chapter 62.610, part III, F.A.C., shall establish a routine cross-connection control program to detect and prevent cross-connections that create or may create an imminent and substantial danger to public health. This Program shall include a written plan that is developed using accepted practices of the American Water Works Association as set forth in the reference documents cited in Rules 62.555.330 (6) and (7), F.A.C.
(3) Upon discovery of a prohibited cross-connection, public water systems shall either eliminate the cross-connection by installation of an appropriate backflow prevention device acceptable to the Department or shall discontinue service until the contaminant source is eliminated.
(4) Only the following are considered to be backflow prevention devices. They shall be installed in agreement with and under the supervision of the supplier of water or his designated representative (plumbing inspector, etc.) at the consumer’s meter, at the property line of the consumer when a meter is not used, or at a location designated by the supplier of water or the Department. The Devices are:
(a)
Air gap
separation- - A physical separation between the free-flowing discharge end of
a potable water supply pipeline and an open or non-pressure receiving vessel.
An “approved air gap separation” shall be at least double the
diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the top of the rim of
the vessel. In no case shall it be less than 1 inch.
(b) Reduced pressure backflow preventer- - A device containing within its structure a minimum of two independently acting approved check valves, together with an automatically operating pressure differential relief valve located between the two check valves. The first check valve reduces the supply pressure a predetermined amount so that during normal flow and at cessation of normal flow the pressure between the checks shall be less than the supply pressure. In case of leakage of either check valve, the differential relief valve, by discharging to the atmosphere, shall operate to maintain the pressure between the checks less than the supply pressure. The 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.
(c) Atmospheric vacuum breaker- - A backflow prevention device which is operated by atmospheric pressure in combination with the force of gravity. The unit is designed to work on a vertical plane only. The one moving part consists of a poppet valve, which must be carefully sized to slide in a guided chamber and effectively shut off the reverse flow of water when a negative pressure exists.
2
(d) Pressure vacuum breaker - - A pressure vacuum breaker is similar to an atmospheric vacuum breaker except that the checking unit “poppet valve” is activated by a spring. This type of vacuum breaker does not require a negative pressure to react and can be used on the pressure side of a valve.
(e) Double check valve assembly - - An assembly composed of two single, independently acting check valves, including tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly and suitable connections for testing the water tightness of each check valve. A check valve is a valve that is drip-tight in the normal direction of flow when the inlet pressure is on psi and the outlet pressure is zero. The check valve shall permit no leakage in a direction reverse to the normal flow. The closure element (e.g., clapper) shall be internally weighted or otherwise internally loaded to promote rapid and positive closure.
(f) Residential dual check - - A compact unit manufactured with two independent spring actuated check valves. The residential dual check is acceptable only as added backflow prevention in areas served by reuse systems defined in Chapter 62-610, Part III, F.A.C., when the cross connection control program identifies activities specific to (5) (a) and (5) (b) of this section.
(5)
Cross connection control programs specific to reuse systems defined in
chapter 62-610, part III, F.A.C., shall consider the following:
(a) Enhanced public education efforts towards prevention of cross connection.
(b) Enhanced inspection programs for portions of the distribution system in areas of reuse for detection and elimination of cross connection.
(c) Dual check valves shall be considered acceptable for reducing risks from back-flow only at residential properties served by reclaimed water unless:
1. Local codes, ordinances, or regulations require greater levels of back-flow prevention.
2. Other hazards exist on the property that require a greater level of back-flow prevention.
Specific Authority: 403.861(9), F.S.
History: New 11-19-87; formerly 17-22.660; Amended 1-18-89, 1-3-91, 1-1-93, Formerly 17.555.360
3
In the interest of public health, the City of ____________________________________________
maintains a continuing program of cross-connection inspection and control. This program provides for reasonable protection of the public drinking water from possible contamination caused by back pressure or backsiphonage conditions, which can result from an unprotected cross-connection.
You should be aware of any
existing cross-connection on your premises that might cause contamination to
the public drinking water.
To assist you with identifying actual or potential cross-connections on your premises, a cross-connection inspector will phones you in the near future to arrange for a time when an inspection can be made of you property. Following the inspection, you will receive a written report of any significant findings.
Yours very truly,
Superintendent of Water Division
Initial Contact Letter
4
On the above referenced date, personnel from the City of _______________________________
made an inspection of the water facilities on your premises for the purpose of detecting any existing or potential cross-connections to the public water supply.
The inspection revealed that some revisions, as indicated on the attached sheet, need to be made. However, it should be pointed out that our inspection is not an absolute guarantee that all cross-connection hazards have been located.
Provisions of the City of _____________________________ “Cross-Connection Control-General Policy”, and Chapter 17-22, Rules of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, prohibit the existence of cross-connections within the public water supply. Since the Water Division is committed to ensuring the safety of the public’s water, in the future, periodic inspections will be made to determine if existing on-site water facilities are in compliance with these laws.
If you have any question, please give me a call between 8:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. at
Yours very truly,
Superintendent of Water Division
Form 1
5
TYPE
OF BUSINESS_____________________________________________________
NAME
OF BUSINESS____________________________________________________
ADDRESS
OF BUSINESS_________________________________________________
CONTACT______________________________________________________________
************************************************************************
ABBREVIATIONS:
AG-approved
air gap.
AVB-approved
atmospheric vacuum breaker.
BPw/IAV-approved
backflow preventer with intermediate atmospheric vent.
HBVB-approved
double check valve assembly.
PVB-approved
pressure vacuum breaker.
RP-approved
reduced pressure principle backflow preventer.
************************************************************************
REQUIRED
CORRECTIONS:
(_________ day’s compliance time)
______________________________________________
6
INSPECTION
ADDRESS
__________________________________________________
PHONE
NO._________________________________________________
DATE INSPECTED______________INSPECTOR’S
NAME___________________________________
ORDINANCE
VIOLATIONS:
Cross Connection____________________________________________________
Backflow __________________________________________________________
Back-Siphonage_____________________________________________________
Other _____________________________________________________________
COMMENTS:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________
Inspector’s
Signature
7
Date: ____________________________
_________________________________ (Name)
_________________________________ (Address)
_________________________________ (City)
Subject: Inspection
Backflow Preventer
Dear ____________________________:
A final inspection of your _________________________ was completed on _________________. You are hereby notified that you are in compliance with City Ordinance No. ________.
Please remember that your auxiliary water supply cannot be used for any purpose other than heat pumps and irrigation.
Your City supply and well supply cannot be inter-connected.
Your system should be open for inspection at all reasonable times to authorize representatives of the City to determine whether cross-connection exist.
Your cooperation concerning this matter has been greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Water Division Superintendent
cc: file
8
RE:
Cross Connection Control
Dear Sir:
On ______________________ you were notified by letter that your firm was not in compliance with City Ordnance #___________.
On a follow up inspection made by City of ______________________ Division personnel __________________ it was determined that your business firm is still not in compliance.
We hereby notify you that you must be in compliance with this Ordinance by _______________.
If you have any questions please let me know.
Sincerely,
Public Works Director
cc: City Attorney,
City Manager,
Zoning Official,
Water Division Superintendent,
Attachment – 2 – Copy of previous letter.
9
Subject: Backflow Preventer
Dear Customer:
The City of ___________________ appreciated your cooperation in installing your backflow preventer. We certainly understand and can appreciate the expense you had to pay to comply with the Backflow-Cross Connection Ordinance.
In order to protect your investment you might consider protecting your backflow preventer form freezing weather. Suggestions might be: to wrap the device in insulation, or to build a protective shelter around the exposed device.
The City of ___________________ is grateful to you for your concern in protecting the quality of water in _______________________.
Sincerely,
Water Division Superintendent
cc: file
10
Dear Customer:
Our records indicate that your Backflow Prevention Device is due for testing and inspection.
A representative from the City of _________________________ will contact you to set up a date and time in the near future, in order to complete the testing and inspection; this procedure will be don on an annual basis.
We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to talking with you soon.
Sincerely,
Water Division Superintendent
cc: file
11
No._______________ Date of installation_________________
Name of Premise:_______________________________________________________________
Street Address: _________________________________________________________________
Location: ______________________________________________________________________
Device: ____________________ ________________ _____________ ___________________
(Manufacture) (Model) (Size) (Serial No.)
Type of Device: __________________________ Sketch of Location:
Description of Hazard:
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Type Set Up: ____________________________
Meter Number: __________________________
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Date of Test
Pass or Fail
Discrepancy
Action Taken |
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________________________________________ MAINTENANCE REPORT Cross Connection Control Devices |
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Name of Premise: |
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Street
Address: |
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Location
of Device: |
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Type
of Device: |
oRP |
oDC |
oPVB |
Size |
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Manufacturer: |
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Model
Number: |
Serial
Number |
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Line
Pressure at Time of Test
PSI |
Pressure
Drop Across First Check Valve
PSI |
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Check
Valve #1 |
Check
Valve #2 |
Differential Pressure
Relief Valve |
Pressure
Vacuum Breaker |
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Inti- tial Test |
1. Leaked
o 2. Closed
Tight
o |
1. Leaked
o 2. Closed
Tight
o |
Opened
at ______Lbs. Reduced
Pressure Did Not Open
o |
Air Inlet Opened at _______PSI Did Not Open
o |
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r e p a i r s |
Cleaned
o Replaced Valves
o CV
Assembly
o Seat
Disc
o O-Rings
o Springs
o Gaskets
o Retainer
o Stem/Guide
o Poppet
o Other,
Describe o |
Cleaned
o Replaced Valves
o CV
Assembly
o Seat
Disc
o O-Rings &n | ||||||||||||||||||