Backflow Prevention

FLOWING WELLS IRRIGATION DISTRICT POLICY FOR BACKFLOW PREVENTION

In accordance with Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) Rule R18-4-115, the Flowing Wells Irrigation District (“District”) herein adopts the following back flow prevention plan for facilities other than single family residences.

• As a condition of service, all owners of properties that are not single family residences used solely for residential purposes shall install a back flow prevention device when any of the following occur:
• • A substance harmful to human health is handled in a manner which could permit its entry into the public water system;
  • A source of water supply exists on the user’s premises which is not accepted as an additional source by the water supplier or is not approved by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (“ADEQ” herein);
  • An unprotected cross-connection exists or a cross-connection problem has previously occurred within the user’s premises; or
  • There is a significant possibility that a cross-connection problem will occur and entry to the premises is restricted to the extent that cross-connection inspections cannot be made with sufficient frequency or on sufficiently short notice to assure that unprotected cross-connections do not exist.
• All back flow prevention devices installed properties within the District shall comply with the following:
• • Test cocks shall be issued a certificate of approval by a third party certifying entity that is unrelated to the product’s manufacturer or vendor.
  • If equipment is not equipped with test cocks, it shall be approved by a third party entity unrelated to the product’s manufacturer or vendor.
• The minimum level of back flow protection which shall be provided to protect the District’s water system shall be that which is recommended in the currently adopted version of the Uniform Plumbing Code by the local building authority having jurisdiction over the premises (Pima County or City of Tucson).
• The District may make installation, maintenance and testing of a required back-flow prevention device a condition of service. A property owner’s failure to comply with this requirement shall be sufficient cause for the District to terminate or withhold water service.
• Specific installation requirements for back flow prevention devices shall include the following:
• • Any back flow prevention device that is required shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and applicable provisions of the Uniform Plumbing Code. A permit shall be obtained from the local building authority having jurisdiction and the installation shall be inspected and approved.
  • For all air-gap separation installations, all piping between the user’s connection and the receiving tank shall be entirely visible unless otherwise approved in writing by the building official of the authority having jurisdiction.
  • A reduced pressure principle back flow prevention (RP) device shall not be installed in a meter box, pit or vault unless adequate drainage is provided.
  • A pressure vacuum breaker (PVB) device may be installed for use on landscape water irrigation systems provided the irrigation system conforms to the following:
  • • The water use beyond the device is for irrigation purposes only;
    • The PVB is installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications; and
    • Chemigation, the injection of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, is not practiced or provided in the irrigation systems.

Whenever any of the criteria of Section D are not met, an RP device is required.

• The property owner shall have all required back flow prevention devices tested by a certified person at least annually, or more frequently if directed by the District or ADEQ. The District shall advise the owner of the date by which the testing shall be required. The District may required more than one test in the initial twelve (12) month period of this Policy to allow for staggered notice and reporting.
• The property owner shall have each device tested by a certified person after installation, relocation or repair. No device shall be placed in service unless it has been tested and is functioning as designed. With regard to testing of the device, the property owner shall abide by the following provisions:
• • Testing shall be in accordance with procedures acceptable to the building official having jurisdiction. The results of such tests shall be forwarded to the District.
  • Testing shall be performed by persons who hold a valid “general” tester certification issued by the California-Nevada American Water Works Association (CAL-NEV AWWA) Section, the Arizona State Environmental Technical Training (ASETT) Center, or other certifying authority approved by ADEQ.
  • The property owner shall repair or replace any defective back flow prevention device and maintain such device in good working order.
• The District shall maintain records of back flow prevention device installations and tests performed on back flow prevention devices in its service area. Records shall be retained by the District for at least three (3) years and shall be made available for review by ADEQ. The District may initially require staggered notice and reporting to minimize administrative effort and expense. The District shall endeavor to require an approximately equal number of tests and reports in each calendar month.
• These records shall include an inventory of back flow prevention devices and, for each device, all of the following information:
• • Device identification number and description;
  • Location;
  • Date of tests;
  • Description of repairs and recommendations for repairs made by the tester; and
  • The tester’s name and certificate numbers.
• The District shall submit a written cross-connection incident report within five (5) business days to ADEQ and the local health authority when ever a cross-connection problem has occurred which resulted in contamination of the public water system. The report shall address all of the following:
• • Date and time of discovery of the unprotected cross-connection;
  • Nature of the cross-connection problem;
  • Affected area;
  • Cause of the cross-connection problem;
  • Public health impacts;
  • Dates and texts of any public health advisories issued;
  • Corrective actions taken; and
  • Date of completion of corrective actions.