Encinitas Municipal Code Art. 18 Cross-Connection and Backflow Prevention

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Prior history: Res. No. 2020-02, adopted 5/20/20; Res. No. 2023-05, 4/19/2023.

Prior to the deadline set forth by the CCCPH, the District will submit a written Cross-Connection Control Plan ("Plan") to the SWRCB in accordance with the requirements set forth in CCCPH Section 3.1.4 and other applicable sections of the CCCPH. The District will ensure its Plan remains updated and representative of its Program and will resubmit the Plan to the SWRCB when substantive revisions are made.

(Res. No. 2024-05, 5/15/2024)

Except as otherwise specified herein, the terms used in this Policy shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Section 3.1.1. of the CCCPH.

For clarity and ease of reference, the following key terms from CCCPH Section 3.1.1 are explicitly defined herein:

"Air-gap separation" or "AG"

means a physical vertical separation of at least two times the effective opening, as defined in Section 207.0 of the California Plumbing Code, between the free-flowing discharge end of a potable water supply pipeline and the flood level of an open or non-pressurized receiving vessel, and in no case less than one inch.

"Auxiliary water supply"

means a source of water, other than an approved water supply, that is either used or equipped, or can be equipped, to be used as a water supply and is located on the premises of, or available to, a water user.

"Backflow prevention assembly" or "BPA"

means a mechanical assembly designed and constructed to prevent backflow, such that while in-line it can be maintained and its ability to prevent backflow, as designed, can be field tested, inspected and evaluated.

(Res. No. 2024-05, 5/15/2024)

A cross-connection control specialist is hereby designated as the program coordinator ("Coordinator"), responsible for being involved in the development of, and the reporting, tracking, and other administrative duties of, the Program. The Coordinator shall maintain status as a cross-connection control specialist. For a PWS with more than 3,000 service connections, the Cross-Connection Control Program Coordinator must be a cross-connection control specialist. The Coordinator and the General Manager (or designee) are authorized to administer and enforce this Policy and the Program.

(Res. No. 2024-05, 5/15/2024)

The District will survey its service area and conduct a hazard assessment as required by Chapter 3, Article 2 of the CCCPH. Noncommunity water systems must conduct an initial or follow-up hazard assessment within three years of the effective date of the CCCPH.

A community water system must perform a subsequent hazard assessment if any of the following criteria are met:

* If a user premises changes account holder, excluding single-family residences;

* If a user premises is new or reconnected to the PWS;

* If evidence exists of changes in the activities or materials on a user's premises;

* If backflow from a user's premises occurs;

* Periodically, as identified in the PWS's Cross-Connection Control Plan required pursuant to CCCPH Section 3.1.4;

* If the State Water Board requests a hazard assessment of a user's premises; or

Updates needed Article 18 in the Admin Code: Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention

* If the PWS concludes an existing hazard assessment may no longer accurately represent the degree of hazard.

A cross-connection control specialist must review or conduct each initial and follow-up hazard assessment pursuant to this section and make a written finding that, in the specialist's judgment based on cross-connection control principles, the PWS's hazard assessment properly identified all hazards at the time of the assessment, the appropriate degree of hazards, and the corresponding backflow protection.

(Res. No. 2024-05, 5/15/2024)

All BPA testers and cross-connection control specialists shall be certified per CCCPH Chapter 3, Article 4.

(Res. No. 2024-05, 5/15/2024)

Each customer who is required to install, test, inspect, maintain, or repair an approved backflow prevention device must maintain records of such tests, inspections, repairs, and overhaul for three years and must provide a copy of the records to the District on request.

The District will maintain records in accordance with CCCPH Section 3.5.1.

(Res. No. 2024-05, 5/15/2024)

The District will implement a public outreach and education program, identified in its Plan, that includes educating staff, customers, and the community about backflow protection and cross-connection control. Methods may include providing information on cross-connection control and backflow protection in periodic water bill inserts, pamphlet distribution, new customer documentation, email, and consumer confidence reports.

(Res. No. 2024-05, 5/15/2024)

The District will coordinate with applicable local entities that are involved in either cross-connection control or public health protection (including plumbing, permitting, or health officials, law enforcement, fire departments, maintenance, and public and private entities) to ensure hazard assessments can be performed, to ensure appropriate backflow protection is provided, and to provide assistance in the investigation of backflow incidents.

(Res. No. 2024-05, 5/15/2024)