A BRIEF LOOK AT BACKFLOW PREVENTION AND CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL LES O BRIEN

Transcription

1 A BRIEF LOOK AT BACKFLOW PREVENTION AND CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL 1 LES O BRIEN 1

2 MILITARY VETERANS THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. 2

3 TOPICS TO DISCUSS: Federal Regulations Florida Statutes / Regulations DEP Rules DEP Rule Changes Introduction to Backflow/Terminology Assemblies Vs Devices Essential Elements of a CCC Program Costs of a CCC Program Maintaining low costs for the customer USC App How to determine if the Assembly is approved 3

4 FEDERAL REGULATIONS SDWA established in 1974 revised 1984 & 1996 Set Maximum Contaminant Levels Not much about Backflow Prevention Granted PRIMACY to the States 4

5 Primacy Primacy means that the states have primary enforcement responsibility 5

6 The water purveyor is responsible for the quality of the public water supply to the last free flowing tap. 6

7 Point of Measurement Other comments on maximum contaminant levels focused on the proposed requirement that such levels be tested at the consumer s tap. Concern was expressed over the inability of the public water system to control potential sources of contaminants which are under the control of the consumer. From the Federal Register, 40 Fed Reg 59,567 59,568 (December 24, 1975): 7

8 The promulgated definition of "maximum contaminant level," 141.2(d), retains the requirement that the maximum contaminant level be measured at the tap except in the case of turbidity, which should be measured at the point of entry to the distribution system. From the Federal Register, 40 Fed Reg 59,567 59,568 (December 24, 1975): 8 8

9 However, the definition has been expanded to make clear that contaminants added to the water by circumstances under the control of the consumer are not the responsibility of the supplier of water, unless the contaminants result from corrosion of piping and plumbing resulting from the quality of the water supplied. From the Federal Register, 40 Fed Reg 59,567 59,568 (December 24, 1975): 9

10 It should be noted, however, that this requirement should not be interpreted as to discourage local, aggressive cross connection control measures. From the Federal Register, 40 Fed Reg 59,567 59,568 (December 24, 1975): 10

11 AUTO FAST FOOD PHOTO LAB 11

12 Florida Regulations 2012 Florida Statutes: CHAPTER 489 CONTRACTING Florida Statutes require any person installing or repairing a backflow prevention assembly for a customer be a state licensed plumbing contractor. 12

13 Florida Regulations 2012 Florida Statutes: CHAPTER 633 FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL Florida Statutes require any person installing, testing, or repairing a backflow prevention assembly on a fire protection system be a state licensed fire sprinkler contractor. See: Florida Statutes: CHAPTER Inspection of fire control systems, fire hydrants, and fire protection systems See Florida Statutes: CHAPTER Certificate Application and issuance; permit issuance; examination and investigation of applicant See Florida Statutes: CHAPTER Requirements for installation, inspection and maintenance of fire protection systems myfloridacfo.com/division/sfm 13

14 Shall Shall is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard. If the requirement is not satisfied then a penalty may be imposed.

15 Should Should is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required.

16 May May is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard.

17 REMEMBER Water is a Product AUTO The Purveyor has Strict Liability ANYONE can be found guilty of Negligence 17

18 Negligence Negligence is shown by doing or failing to do what a reasonable person would have done in like circumstances. 18

19 Reclaim Water Ultimately, many large metropolitan areas in arid regions will have to consider reclaimed water as a source for drinking water because of the cost of securing new supplies. 19

20 Reclaim/Re use Water Reclaimed or recycled water (also called wastewater reuse or water reclamation) is the process of converting wastewater into water that can be reused for other purposes. 20

21 Grey Water Greywater (also spelled graywater, grey water and gray water) or sullage is all wastewater generated in households or office buildings from streams without fecal contamination, i.e. all streams except for the wastewater from toilets. Sources of greywater include, sinks, showers, baths, clothes washing machines or dish washers. 21

22 DEP Rules Cross-Connection Control for Public Water Systems. (1) Cross-connections, as defined in Rule , F.A.C., are prohibited unless appropriate backflow protection is provided to prevent backflow through the cross-connection into the public water system.

23 DEP Rules This does not prohibit a public water system from being interconnected to another public water system of the same type without backflow protection (i.e., a community water system [CWS] may be interconnected to another CWS without backflow protection,

24 DEP Rules O Reclaim water cannot be connected to the public water system (CWS). O Backflow Assemblies for commercial customers must be tested every year.

25 DEP Rules (a) Appropriate backflow protection for various applications is described in Recommended Practice for Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control: AWWA Manual M14, Third Edition, The third edition of AWWA Manual M14 is incorporated herein by reference;

26 DEP Rules (b) Except for the temporary crossconnections described in paragraph (c) below, cross-connections between a public water system and a wastewater system or reclaimed water system are prohibited (i.e., an air gap shall be maintained between any public water system and any wastewater system or reclaimed water system).

27 DEP Rules an air gap (e.g., two biannually-tested reducedpressure principle assemblies installed in series); however, in no case shall the Department allow a single, annually-tested mechanical backflow preventer to be used as the only protection against backflow of wastewater or reclaimed water into a public water system.

28 DEP Rules O (2) Each community water system (CWS) shall establish and implement a cross-connection control program utilizing backflow protection at or for service connections from the CWS in order to protect the CWS from contamination caused by cross-connections on customers premises. This program shall include a written plan that is developed using recommended practices of the American Water Works Association set forth in Recommended Practice for Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control: AWWA Manual M14, Third Edition,

29 Cross-Connection Control for Public Water Systems. (c) Temporary cross-connections may be made between a public water system and a wastewater system or reclaimed water system for either of the following purposes:

30 Cross-Connection Control for Public Water Systems. 1. To supply water for flushing or testing a new wastewater force main or new reclaimed water main, in which case a double check valve assembly or reducedpressure principle assembly shall be provided at the cross-connection.

31 Cross-Connection Control for Public Water Systems. 2. To supply water for temporarily operating a new reclaimed water main that has not yet been connected to a reclaimed water supply, in which case a reduced-pressure principle assembly shall be provided at the cross-connection.

32 Cross-Connection Control for Public Water Systems. (b) Each CWS serving more than 10,000 persons shall prepare and submit crossconnection control program annual reports.

33 ENOUGH

34 DEP Rule Changes O Test residential assemblies one to two years O Not an Industry Standard O Replace residential dual checks every 5 to 10 years. O Rubber parts wear out on an average of 5 years

35 St. Petersburg Dual Checks replaced with Approved Testable DCVAs 35

36 DEP Rule Changes O Well water is considered low hazard unless the CWS determines otherwise. O AIR GAP: Special circumstances install two RPs in series and test every 6 months.

37 2 times the I.D. of the supply pipe or Minimum of 1 inch. Flood Rim AIR GAP 37

38 The New Air Gap 38

39 90 psi 70 psi Outlet valve leaks Bad Installations 39

40 INTRODUCTION TO BACKFLOW PREVENTION 40

41 Causes of Distribution System Outbreaks % Aging Flouridation 1% Cross Connection 50% Main Breaks 1% 4% Repair Aging 1% 7% Leaching Flouridation 1% 10% Intrusion Main Breaks 1% Repair 4% Corrosion 15% 11% Storage Leaching 7% Intrusion 10% Storage 11% Corrosion 15% Cross Connection 50% Ken Rotert, US EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water EPA White Paper 41

42 CROSS CONNECTION A Cross Connection is a LINK between a potable water system and a nonpotable system. 42

43 BACKFLOW The Reversal of the normal direction of flow. 43

44 2 TYPES OF BACKFLOW... BACKSIPHONAGE BACKPRESSURE 44

45 BACKSIPHONAGE Backflow caused by negative or reduced pressure in the supply piping. 45

46 BACKSIPHONAGE Backflow caused by negative or reduced pressure in the supply piping. 46

47 BACKPRESSURE The customer s pressure is greater than the supply pressure. 60 psi 70 psi 47

48 Cross Connections 48

49 Types of Cross Connections Permanent Cross Connection designed to remain in place Pages 2, 52 Figure

50 Types of Cross Connections Temporary Cross Connection example: garden hose Pages 5, 51 Figure

51 Types of Cross Connections Direct Cross Connection subject to backsiphonage and backpressure Pages 5, 52 WATER METER COOLING TOWER CHEMICAL FEED PUMP EQUIPMENT 51

52 Types of Cross Connections Indirect Cross Connection subject to backsiphonage only Pages 5, 53 Figure

53 Why Are Cross-Connections Created? necessity continuous supply convenience 53

54 How Are Cross-Connections Created? unaware of problem accidentally inadequate devices 54

55 Who are Unaware? Engineers and Architects Contractors - Plumbers Plumbing/Health Inspectors Water Purveyors Customers 55

56 convenience Customers make changes save money I ve got a better idea Contractors Plumbers save money cut costs 56

57 inadequate devices Plumbing Code does not address maintenance Devices cannot be tested 57

58 POTABLE WATER Water that is CHEMICALLY, BIOLOGICALLY and RADIOLOGICALLY safe and is AESTHETICALLY pleasing. Clear, Odorless, & Tasteless 58

59 NON POTABLE WATER Water contaminated by any liquid, gas or other substance that can be diluted, dissolved, suspended or mixed in water that adversely affects the quality of the water. Page 2 59

60 AUTO HIGH HAZARD CONTAMINANT TOXIC HAZARD HEALTH HAZARD LOW HAZARD POLLUTANT NON TOXIC NON HEALTH HAZARD 60

61 ASSEMBLY vs DEVICE 61

62 DEVICE May not have test cocks ASSEMBLY 62 62

63 DEVICE May not have test cocks ASSEMBLY 63 63

64 Backflow Devices AWWA Manual M14, 3 rd Edition Backflow Devices Backflow devices are not to be substituted for applications that require backflow assemblies. They usually do not include shutoff valves or test cocks, and they usually cannot be tested or repaired in line. Many devices have restrictive head loss and flow restrictions. These devices are used for internal protection and usually come only in smaller sizes (2 in [51 mm] and smaller). The application of these devices usually comes under the jurisdiction of the plumbing code, because they usually are located only in private plumbing systems 64 64

65 Some Examples: Backflow Devices AWWA Manual M14, 3 rd Edition AVB (Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker) Dual Check (Residential Dual Check) Dual Check with Atmospheric Vent Generally not Testable 65 65

66 AVB HBVB LFVB 6666

67 DuC or RDC DuC for CO 2 Hose Connected Dual Check Vented Dual Check Low Hazard Residential Only 6767

68 Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies AWWA Manual M14, 3 rd Edition Testable and Repairable in line: RP (Reduced Pressure Principle) RPDA (Reduced Pressure Detector Assembly) DCVA (Double Check Valve Assembly) [low hazard only] DCDA (Double Check Detector Assembly) [low hazard only] PVB (Pressure Vacuum Breaker) [backsiphonage only] SVB (Spill Resistant Vacuum Breaker) [backsiphonage only]

69 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE CROSS- CONNECTION CONTROL PROGRAM 69

70 Eight Basic Elements of a CCC Program 1. Legal Authority 2. Plan Review of New Construction 3. Survey and Inspect Existing Facilities 4. Standards and Specifications 5. Testing and Maintenance 6. Record Keeping 7. Education and Training 8. Emergency Procedures 70

71 DECISIONS TO BE MADE Who will INSTALL the BFP assemblies? Who will TEST the assemblies? Who will REPAIR the assemblies? Must testers be CERTIFIED? Where can they get certification? What type of PROTECTION will be required? (Health vs. Non-Health) Which TYPE of backflow prevention assembly will be installed? What SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS will be used? 71

72 DECISIONS TO BE MADE (cont.) What RECORDS will be kept? Who will receive TRAINING? How will TRAINING be provided? How will the INSPECTION AND RETROFIT program will be conducted? (Timetable) What about PUBLIC EDUCATION? Do we need an EMERGENCY PLAN? 72

73 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS * Prepare a written ordinance or service contract * Review the plans for new construction. * Access to plumbing permits, building permits, and zoning changes. * Test new installations * Establish annual testing * Remaining visible * Keep records * Inspect each building 73

74 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS (cont.) * Provide training. * Generate funds. * Educate your customers. (thermal expansion) * Create a plan for emergency procedures. * Maintain credibility. * Find help to run your program. 74

75 NO BACKFLOW 75

76 Program Costs 76

77 Who Pays for the Program? The Customer owns the assembly and is responsible for testing and repair. The water Purveyor owns the assembly and is responsible for testing and repair. Every customer pays a small amount each month. 77

78 Why do some water purveyors mandate additional costs to their customers? 78

79 Example: Annual Field Testing 79

80 1. Some water purveyors require the buffer value be 3.0 psi or above. If below 3.0 psi they will consider the RP assembly as failing. 80

81 2. Some water purveyors require the differential pressure for Check Valve #2 be at least 1.0 psi. If below 1.0 psi they will consider the RP assembly as failing. 81

82 3. Some water purveyors demand the shut off valves be leak tight. They claim if a shut off valve is leaking then the assembly fails. 82

83 These three items are not required in order for the assembly to pass. These demands will unnecessarily increase the cost to the customer. 83

84 Additionally some water purveyors require a permit fee for each annual field test. REALLY? 84

85 USC APPROVAL LIST APPLICATION 85

86 USCLIST.com 86

87 USCLIST.com 87

88 USCLIST.com 88

89 USCLIST.com 89

90 USCLIST.com 90

91 Shut off Valves USCLIST.com 91

92 USCLIST.com 92

93 USCLIST.com 93

94 QUESTIONS? 94