Hendersonville Utility District
Cross-Connection Plan
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Purpose and
Policy. This policy sets forth uniform requirements for the protection of the
public water system for the Hendersonville Utility District from possible
contamination, and enable the Hendersonville Utility District to comply with
all applicable local, State and Federal laws, regulations, standards or
requirements, including the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 (42 United States
Code 300f et. seq. Public Law 93-523) and the Rules and Regulations
for Public Water Systems and Drinking Water Quality issued by the Tennessee
Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Water Supply. Objectives. The objectives of this policy are to: (1) To protect the public potable water system of Hendersonville
Utility District from the possibility of contamination or pollution by
isolating within the customer's internal distribution system, such
contaminants or pollutants that could backflow or backsiphon into the public
water system; (2) To promote the elimination or control of existing cross
connections, actual or potential, between the customer's in-house potable
water system and non-potable water systems, plumbing fixtures, and industrial
piping systems; (3) To provide for the maintenance of a continuing program of cross
connection control that will systematically and effectively prevent the
contamination or pollution of all potable water systems. Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in this section, when used in the interpretation
and enforcement of this article: (1) Air-gap shall mean a vertical, physical separation
between a water supply and the overflow rim of a non-pressurized receiving
vessel. An approved air-gap separation shall be at least twice the
inside diameter of the water supply line, but in no case less than two
(2") inches. Where a discharge line serves as receiver, the
air-gap shall be at least twice the diameter of the discharge line, but not
less than two (2") inches. (2) Atmospheric vacuum breaker shall mean a device which
prevents backsiphonage by creating an atmospheric vent when there is either a
negative pressure or sub-atmospheric pressure in the water system. NOTE: The HUD does not consider this
assembly as adequate protection for any degree of hazard. (3) Auxiliary intake shall mean any water supply, on or
available to a premise, other than that directly supplied by the public water
system. These auxiliary waters may include water from another
purveyor's public water system; any natural source, such as a well, spring,
river, stream, and so forth; used, reclaimed or recycled waters; or
industrial fluids. (4) Backflow shall mean the undesirable reversal of the
intended direction of flow in a potable water distribution system as a result
of a cross connection. (5) Backpressure shall mean any elevation of pressure in
the downstream piping system (caused by pump, elevated tank or piping, steam
and/or air pressure) above the water supply pressure at the point which would
cause, or tend to cause, a reversal of the normal direction of flow. (6) Backsiphonage shall mean the flow of water or other
liquids, mixtures or substances into the potable water system from any source
other than its intended source, caused by the reduction of pressure in the
potable water system. (7) Bypass shall mean any system of piping or other
arrangement whereby water from the public water system can be diverted
around a backflow prevention device. (8) Cross connection shall mean any physical connection or
potential connection whereby the public water system is
connected, directly or indirectly, with any other water supply system, sewer,
drain, conduit, pool, storage reservoir, plumbing fixture or other waste or
liquid of unknown or unsafe quality, which may be capable of
imparting contamination to the public water system as a result of
backflow or backsiphonage. Bypass
arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or
changeover devices, through which or
because of which backflow could occur, are considered to be cross
connections. (9) Double check valve assembly shall mean an assembly of
two (2) independently operating, approved
check valves with tightly closing ball valves on each side of the check
valves, fitted with properly located ball valves for testing each check
valve. The HUD allows double check valve assemblies on fire lines only. (10) Double check detector assembly shall mean an
assembly of two (2) independently operating, approved check valves with an
approved water meter (protected by another double check valve assembly)
connected across the check valves, with tightly closing ball valves on
each side of the check valves, fitted with properly located ball valves for
testing each part of the assembly. (11) Fire protection systems shall be classified in six
different classes in accordance with AWWA Manual M14 - Second Edition
1990. The six classes are as follows: Class 1 shall be those with direct connections from public
water mains only; no pumps, tanks or reservoirs; no physical connection from
other water supplies; no antifreeze or other additives of any kind; all
sprinkler drains discharging to the atmosphere, dry wells or other safe
outlets. Class 2 shall be the same as Class 1, except that
booster pumps may be installed in the connections from the street mains. Class 3 shall be those with direct connection from public
water supply mains, plus one or more of the following: elevated storage
tanks, fire pumps taking suction from above ground covered reservoirs or
tanks, and/or pressure tanks (all storage facilities are filled from or
connected to public water only, and the water in the tanks is to be
maintained in a potable condition). Class 4 shall be those with direct connection from the public
water supply mains, similar to Class 1 and Class 2, with an
auxiliary water supply dedicated to fire department use and available to the
premises, such as an auxiliary supply located within 1700 ft. of the pumper
connection. Class 5 shall be those directly supplied from public water
mains and interconnected with auxiliary supplies, such as pumps taking
suction from reservoirs exposed to contamination, or rivers and ponds; driven
wells; mills or other industrial water systems; or where antifreeze or other
additives are used. Class 6 shall be those with combined industrial and fire
protection systems supplied from the public water mains only, with or without
gravity storage or pump suction tanks. (12) Interconnection shall mean any system of piping or
other arrangements whereby the public water supply is connected directly with
a sewer, drain, conduit, pool, storage reservoir, or other device which does
or may contain sewage or other waste or liquid which would be capable of
imparting contamination to the public water system. (13) Person shall mean any and all persons, natural or
artificial, including any individual, firm or association, and any municipal
or private corporation organized or existing under the laws of this or any
other state or country. (14) Potable water shall mean water, which meets the
criteria of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the
United States Environmental Protection Agency for human consumption. (15) Pressure vacuum breaker shall mean an assembly
consisting of a device containing one (1) or two (2) independently operating
spring loaded check valves and an independently operating spring loaded air
inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check valve(s), with tightly closing shut-off valves on
each side of the check valves and properly located test cocks for the testing
of the check valves and relief valve. NOTE:
The HUD does not consider this assembly as adequate protection for any
hazard. (16) Public water supply shall mean the Hendersonville
Utility District (HUD) water system, which furnishes potable water to the
public for general use and which is recognized as the public water supply by
the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. (17) Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device
shall mean an assembly consisting of two (2) independently operating approved
check valves with an automatically operating differential relief valve
located between the two check valves, tightly closing ball valves, plus
properly located ball valves for the testing of the check valves and the
relief valve. (18) Manager shall mean the General Manager of the
Hendersonville Utility District or his duly authorized deputy, agent or
representative. (19) Water system shall be considered as made up of two
(2) parts, the utility system and the customer system.
a. The utility system
shall consist of the facilities for the storage and distribution of
water; and shall include all those facilities of the water system under the
complete control of the utility system, up to the point where the customer's
system begins (i.e. the water meter); b. The
customer system shall include those parts of the facilities beyond the
termination of the utility system distribution system that are utilized in
conveying domestic water to points of use. Compliance
with T.C.A. The Hendersonville Utility District shall be responsible for the
protection of the public water system from contamination or pollution due to
the backflow of contaminants through the water service connection. The
Hendersonville Utility District shall comply with Sections 68-13-701 through
68-13-719 of the Tennessee Code Annotated, as well as the Rules and
Regulations for Public Water Systems and Drinking Water Quality, legally
adopted in accordance with this Code, which pertain to cross connections,
auxiliary intakes, bypasses and interconnections; and shall establish an
effective, on-going program to control these undesirable water uses. Regulated. (1) No water service connection to any premises shall be
installed or maintained by the Hendersonville Utility District system unless
the water supply system is protected as required by state laws and this
policy. Service of water to any premises shall be discontinued by the
utility system if a backflow prevention device required by this policy is not
installed, tested, and/or maintained; or if it is found that a backflow
prevention device has been removed, bypassed, or if an unprotected cross
connection exists on the premises. Service shall not be restored until such
conditions or defects are corrected. (2) It shall be unlawful for any person to cause a cross
connection to be made; or allow one to exist for any purpose whatsoever
unless the construction and operation of same have been approved by the
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and the operation of
such cross connection is at all times under the direction of the Manager of
the Hendersonville Utility District. (3) If, in the judgment of the Manager, an approved backflow
prevention device is required at the water service connection to a customer's
premises, or at any point(s) within the premises, to protect the potable
water supply, the Manager shall compel the installation and maintenance of
the required backflow prevention device(s) at the customer's expense. The HUD
will be responsible for testing of backflow prevention devices. (4) An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed on
each commercial or secondary water service line to a customer's premises at
or near the property line or immediately inside the building being served;
but in all cases, before the first branch line leading off the service line. (5) For new installations the Manager shall inspect the site
and/or review plans in order to assess the degree of hazard and to determine
the type of backflow prevention device, if any, that will be required, and to
notify the owners in writing of the required device and installation
criteria. All required devices shall be installed and operational prior
to the initiation of water service. (6) For existing premises, personnel from the Hendersonville
Utility District shall conduct inspections and evaluations, and shall require
correction of violations in accordance with the provisions of this policy. Permit Required. (1) New Installations. No installation, alteration, or change shall be made of any backflow
prevention device connected to the public water supply for water service,
fire protection or any other purpose without first contacting the
Hendersonville Utility District for approval. The HUD will test device(s) at
time of installation. (2) Existing Installations. All devices shall be tested by HUD personnel that are certified for cross
connection by the State of Inspections. The HUD requires all commercial, industrial, and non-residential
buildings be protected by a reduced pressure backflow preventer. Correction of Violations. (1) Any person found to have cross
connections, auxiliary intakes, bypasses or interconnections in violation of
the provisions of this policy shall be allowed a reasonable time within which
to comply with the provisions of this policy. After a thorough
investigation of the existing conditions and an appraisal of the time
required to complete the work, an appropriate amount of time shall be
assigned by the Manager, but in no case shall the time for corrective
measures exceed ninety (90) days.
(2) Where cross
connections, auxiliary intakes, bypasses or interconnections are found that constitute an extreme hazard,
with the immediate possibility of contaminating the public water system the
Hendersonville Utility District shall require that immediate corrective action
be taken to eliminate the threat(s) to the public water system.
Expeditious steps shall be taken to disconnect the public water system from the on
site piping system unless the imminent hazard is immediately corrected,
subject to the right to a due process hearing upon timely request. The
time allowed for preparation for a due process hearing shall be relative to the
risk of hazard to the public health; and may follow disconnection when the
risk to the public health and safety, in the opinion of the Manager,
warrants disconnection prior to a due process hearing. (3) The failure to correct conditions threatening the safety of
the public water system as prohibited by this policy and Tennessee Code
Annotated, Section 68-13-711, within the time limits established by the Manager
shall be grounds for denial of water service. If proper protection has
not been provided after a reasonable time, the Manager shall give the
customer legal notification that water service is to be discontinued, and
shall physically separate the public water system from the customer's on site
piping in such a manner that the two systems cannot again be connected by an
unauthorized person, subject to the right of a due process hearing upon
timely request. The due process hearing may follow disconnection when the
risk to the public health and safety, in the opinion of the Manager, warrants
disconnection prior to a due process hearing. Required Devices. The HUD requires double check valve assemblies on ALL fire protection
systems (wet or dry type systems). (5) Installation Criteria. The minimum acceptable
criteria for the installation of reduced pressure backflow prevention
devices, double check valve assemblies or other backflow prevention devices
requiring regular inspection or testing shall include the following: a. All required devices shall be installed in accordance with the
provisions of this policy, by a person certified by the Tennessee Department
of Environment and Conservation, Division of Drinking Water Supply, or its
successor. Certification shall be for completion of special
training and demonstration of competency in the installation, maintenance and
testing of backflow prevention devices. Evidence of current certification
shall be required at the time of permit application and installation.
Only licensed sprinkler contractors with certified cross connection personnel
may install, repair or test backflow prevention devices on fire protection
systems. Annual test records must be submitted to the HUD within seventy-two
(72) hours of inspection/test. b. All devices shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions, and shall possess appropriate test cocks, fittings and caps
required for the testing of the device. All fittings shall be of brass
construction, unless otherwise approved by HUD, and shall permit direct
connection to district test equipment. c. The entire device, including valves and test cocks, shall be easily
accessible for testing and repair. d. All devices shall be placed in the upright position in a horizontal
run of pipe. e. Device shall be protected from freezing, vandalism, mechanical abuse
and from any corrosive, sticky, greasy, abrasive or other damaging
environment. f. Reduced Pressure Backflow Prevention (RPBP) devices shall be located
a minimum of twelve (12") inches plus the nominal diameter of the device
above either; 1) the floor, 2) the top of opening(s) in the enclosure or 3)
maximum flood level, which ever is higher. Maximum height above the floor
surface shall not exceed forty-eight (48") inches. g. Clearance from wall surfaces or other obstructions shall be at least
six (6") inches. Devices located in non-removable enclosures shall have
at least twenty-four (24") inches of clearance on each side of the
device for testing and repairs. h. Devices shall be positioned where a discharge from the relief port
will not create undesirable conditions. The relief port must never be
plugged, restricted or solidly piped to a drain. i. An approved air-gap shall separate the relief port from any drainage
system. An approved air-gap shall be at least twice the inside diameter
of the supply line, but never less than one (1") inch. j. An approved strainer shall be installed immediately upstream of the
backflow prevention device, except in the case of a fire protection system. k. Devices shall be located in an area free from submergence or flood
potential, therefore never in a below grade pit or vault. l. All devices shall be adequately supported to prevent sagging. m. Adequate drainage shall be provided for all devices. RPBP
devices shall be drained to the outside when ever possible. n. Fire hydrant drains shall not be connected to the sewer. o. Enclosures for outside installations shall meet the following
criteria: 1. All enclosures for backflow
prevention devices shall be as manufactured by Hydro Cowl
or approved equal. 2. For backflow prevention devices up to and including two (2")
inches, the enclosure shall be constructed of 5052-H32 aluminum, or an
approved equal material, with a minimum of 1.5" factory manufactured
polyisocyanurate insulation in the walls and roof. For backflow
prevention devices 2-1/2" and larger, the enclosure shall be constructed
of 5052-H32 aluminum, or an approved equal material, with a minimum of
1.5" factory manufactured polyisocyanurate insulation in the walls and
3" factory manufactured polyisocyanurate insulation in the roof. The complete assembly, including valve stems and hand wheels,
shall be protected by being inside the enclosure. 3. To provide access for backflow prevention devices up to and
including two (2") inches, the enclosure shall be completely
removable. Access for backflow prevention devices 2-1/2" and
larger shall be provided through a minimum of two access panels. The
access panels shall be of the same height as the enclosure and shall be
completely removable. All access panels shall be provided with built-in
locks. 4. The enclosure shall be mounted to a concrete pad as specified
by the manufacturer, but in not case less than four (4") inches
thick. The enclosure shall be constructed, assembled and/or mounted in
such a manner that it will remain locked and secured to the pad even if any
outside fasteners are removed. All hardware and fasteners shall be
constructed of 300 series stainless steel. 5. Heating equipment, if required, shall be designed and
furnished by the manufacturer of the enclosure to maintain an interior
temperature of +40oF with an outside temperature of -30oF
and a wind velocity of 15 miles per hour. p. Where the use of water is critical to the continuance of normal
operations or the protection of life, property or equipment, duplicate
backflow prevention devices shall be provided to avoid the necessity of
discontinuing water service to test or repair the protective device.
Where it is found that only one device has been installed and the continuance
of service is critical, HUD shall notify, in writing, the occupant of the
premises of plans to interrupt water services and arrange for a mutually
acceptable time to test the device. In such cases, HUD may require the
installation of a duplicate device. q. HUD shall require the occupant of the premises to keep any backflow
prevention devices working properly and to make all indicated repairs
promptly. Repairs shall be made by qualified personnel, possessing valid
certification from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation,
Division of Water Supply, acceptable to HUD. Expense of such repairs
shall be borne by the owner for occupant of the premises. The failure
to maintain a backflow prevention device in proper working condition shall be
grounds for discontinuance of water service to premises. Likewise the
removal, bypassing or alteration of a backflow prevention device or the
installation thereof, so as to render a device ineffective shall constitute a
violation of this policy and shall be grounds for discontinuance of water
service. Water service to such premises shall not be restored until the
customer has corrected or eliminated such conditions or defects to the
satisfaction of HUD. (6) Testing of Devices. Devices shall be
tested at least annually by a qualified person possessing valid certification
from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of
Water Supply for the testing of such devices. A copy of this
certification shall be on file with HUD for any person installing, repairing
or testing backflow prevention devices. Records of all installations,
repairs and testing shall be submitted to the Manager upon completion. HUD
personnel shall have the right to inspect and/or test a device whenever
deemed necessary by the utility. Water service shall not be disrupted
to test a device without the knowledge of the occupant of the premises.
All testing and inspection services are to be at the expense of the owner or
occupant of the premises. All testing, inspection services and repairs are to be at the expense
of the owner or occupant of the premises. Water service operation
(activation/deactivation) shall be performed by affected customer personnel
or their designated representative. Nonpotable Supplies. The potable water supply made available to a premises served by the
public water system shall be protected from contamination as specified in the
provisions of this policy. Any water pipe or outlet which could be used
for potable or domestic purposes and which is not supplied by the potable
water system must be labeled in a conspicuous manner such as: WATER UNSAFE
FOR DRINKING The minimum acceptable sign shall have black letters at least one
(1") inch high located on a red background. Color coding of
pipelines, in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Act guidelines,
shall be required in locations where in the judgment of HUD, such coding is
necessary to identify and protect the potable water supply. Statement Required. Any person whose premises are supplied with water from the public water
system, and who also has on the same premises a well or other separate source
of water supply, or who stores water in an uncovered or unsanitary storage
reservoir from which the water is circulated through a piping system shall
file with the utility a statement of the nonexistence of unapproved or
unauthorized cross connections, auxiliary intakes, bypasses or
interconnections. Such statement shall contain an agreement that no
cross connections, auxiliary intakes, bypasses or interconnections will be
permitted upon the premises. Such statement shall also include the
location of all additional water sources utilized on the premises and how
they are used. Maximum backflow protection shall be required on all
public water sources supplied to the premises. Fees. A fee shall be assessed for all backflow prevention devices requiring
inspection or testing. The amount of this fee shall be set and adjusted
by HUD based on the recommendations of the Manager to reflect the cost of
providing an effective cross connection control program. The fee shall
be assessed each time a device is installed, tested or inspected. Where
repeated inspections are required to correct violations or deficiencies, the
fee shall be assessed each time the inspection is repeated. Penalty; Discontinuance of water supply. (1) Any person who neglects or refuses to comply with any of the
provisions of this policy may be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and subject
to a fine. (2) Independent of and in addition to any fines or penalties imposed,
the Manager may discontinue the public water supply service to any premises
upon which there is found to be a cross connection, auxiliary intake, bypass
or interconnection; and service shall not be restored until such cross
connection, auxiliary intake, bypass or interconnection has been eliminated. Provision Applicable. The requirements contained in this policy shall apply to all premises
served by the Hendersonville Utility District (HUD) and are hereby made
part of the conditions required to be met for HUD to provide water services
to any premises. The provisions of this policy shall be rigidly
enforced since it is essential for the protection of the public water
distribution system against the entrance of contamination. Any person
aggrieved by the action of the policy is entitled to a due process hearing
upon timely request. ADOPTION BE IT RESOLVED that this policy shall take effect from and after its
passage by the Board of Commissioners of the Hendersonville Utility District,
the public welfare requiring it. Date
Adopted – April 25, 2005
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