§ 32.8. Cross-Connection Control Program.

1.

Policy.

(a)

The Director of Public Works shall have authority to establish the guidelines, protocols and requirements for the cross-connection control program.

(b)

In order to safeguard the quality and integrity of the potable water supply, a reclaimed water service connection shall not be made or maintained where actual or potential cross connections may exist, unless the property owner or user can satisfactorily demonstrate compliance with the rules or requirements of FDH and FDEP.

(c)

The property owner or user shall be responsible for verifying proper connections with the reclaimed water system, supervision of reclaimed water use and implementing measures to minimize and to prevent cross-connections or bypass.

(d)

All cross connections are in violation of this Chapter and shall be disconnected immediately upon discovery by the property owner or user. All costs for such disconnection or corrective action shall be paid by the property owner or user prior to restoration of reclaimed water service.

(e)

Reclaimed water service shall be denied until the mandatory backflow prevention and cross-connection control measures have been provided by the user to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works.

2.

Prohibitions.

(a)

A property owner or user shall be prohibited from obtaining reclaimed water service by connecting to another property owner's or user's reclaimed water system or alternative source of water.

(b)

Cross-connections or interconnections between the potable water supply and the reclaimed water system shall be strictly prohibited.

(c)

The return of reclaimed water by the property owner or user to the City's reclaimed water system following delivery to the parcel is prohibited in accordance with Chapter 62-610, F.A.C.

(d)

Reclaimed water shall not enter a dwelling unit or any structure containing a dwelling unit, except as allowed in Chapter 62-610, F.A.C.

(e)

Reclaimed water shall not be used for toilet flushing, wash or clean-up water, make-up water, fire protection, dust control or aesthetic purposes, such as decorative pools or fountains, without the prior written approval of the Director of Public Works. Such stated uses shall be done in accordance with Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., the Reclaimed Water Standards Manual, and this Chapter.

(f)

Above-ground hose bibbs that are connected to the reclaimed water system are prohibited. The Director of Public Works may approve alternative installations, such as a lock-box with special connectors, for hose bibbs or outlets for nonresidential and multifamily property owners or users in accordance with Chapter 62-610, F.A.C.

(g)

By-pass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeable devices, and any other temporary or permanent devices through which backflow or back-siphonage could occur, shall be considered a cross connection, and as such, are prohibited.

(h)

The property owner or user shall not install, or allow to be installed, a by-pass around any backflow prevention assembly, unless a backflow prevention assembly of the same type is placed on the by-pass. Property owners or users that cannot shut down operations or isolate facilities for testing or repair of backflow prevention assemblies must supply additional backflow prevention devices, as necessary, to allow the requisite testing or repair(s) to take place.

3.

Requirements.

(a)

New Service. The private reclaimed water system for each individual parcel shall be inspected and tested for cross connections by a state certified specialist, and the requirements for backflow prevention shall be satisfied, prior to installation of the service connection to the City's reclaimed water system and delivery of reclaimed water. The property owner, user, developer or builder shall submit to the Director of Public Works an inspection report certifying compliance of the private reclaimed water system and the backflow prevention assembly with the provisions of this Chapter.

(b)

Existing Facilities.

(1)

The Director of Public Works may establish guidelines that are in the best interests of the City and the general public for the evaluation of any existing private reclaimed water system.

(2)

Requirements for backflow prevention and the evaluation of the private reclaimed water system shall be satisfied by the property owner or user prior to installation of the reclaimed water service connection and the delivery of reclaimed water to the parcel.

(3)

The Director of Public Works may require nonresidential and multifamily property owners or users to identify and implement measures to prevent cross-connections and bypass. The Director of Public Works may require nonresidential and multifamily property owners or users to submit a cross-connection control plan.

(4)

The Director of Public Works may require a nonresidential property owner or user to submit a certification statement, signed and sealed by a professional engineer that is registered in the State of Florida, attesting that the private reclaimed water system, including backflow prevention devices, has been properly evaluated and tested and is in compliance with the provisions of this Chapter and applicable federal and state regulations.

(5)

The water purveyor shall test and inspect the backflow prevention assemblies at least once per year for residential property owners or users; and periodically shall perform a general inspection of the private reclaimed water system for cross-connections, bypasses and illegal connections or uses.

(c)

Testing and Inspection.

(1)

Nonresidential and multifamily property owners or users with the potential for having cross-connections shall be inspected and evaluated at intervals as reasonably determined by the Director of Public Works. The results of these inspections, testing and evaluations of the private reclaimed water system shall be certified, by a state certified backflow prevention specialist prior to submittal to the Director of Public Works.

(2)

Upon request, results of inspections and testing of the private reclaimed water system and backflow prevention assembly that are performed by the Director of Public Works may be provided to the property owner, user or authorized representative.

(3)

Any corrective action shall be accomplished at the sole expense of the property owner or user, and within the period of time as reasonably determined by the Director of Public Works. Corrective action shall be done in accordance with the Reclaimed Water Standards Manual, applicable building/plumbing codes, manufacturer's instructions, Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., this Chapter and the regulations set forth by the state and federal agencies with appropriate jurisdiction.

(4)

Fees for testing and inspection of backflow prevention assemblies and the reclaimed water system shall be in accordance with the rates adopted by the City Council and as set forth in Section 32.13 of this Chapter.

(Ord. of 5-6-2002, Doc. #020506702)