Sec. 17-60. - Requirements.

(a)

Department.

(1)

For all new construction or plumbing improvements and/or modifications which require a plumbing permit, the department will review plans submitted for evaluation in order to determine the type of backflow preventer that will be required. In any case, a minimum of a dual check valve will be required for all new construction and for any plumbing modifications. The department may require an on-site evaluation before the permit is issued.

(2)

For premises existing prior to the start of this program, the department reserves the right to perform evaluations and inspections of plans and/or premises and inform the owner by letter of any corrective action deemed necessary, the method of achieving the correction, and the time allowed for the correction to be made. Ordinarily, 90 days will be allowed, however, this time period may be shortened depending upon the degree of hazard involved and the history of the device(s) in question.

(3)

The department will not allow any cross-connection to remain unless it is protected by an approved backflow preventer for which a permit has been issued and which will be regularly tested in accordance with these regulations to insure satisfactory operation.

(4)

The department shall inform the owner, in writing, of any failure to comply by the time of the first re-inspection. The department will allow an additional 15 days for the correction. In the event the owner fails to comply with the necessary correction by the time of the second re-inspection, the department will inform the owner by letter that the water service to the owner's premises will be shut off within a period not to exceed five days. In the event that the owner informs the department of extenuating circumstances as to why the installation has not been made, a time extension may be granted.

(5)

If the department determines at any time that a serious threat to the public health exists, the water service will be shut off immediately.

(6)

The department shall have on file, a list of private contractors who are certified backflow device testers. All charges for these tests will be paid by the owner of the building or property.

(b)

Owner.

(1)

The owner shall be responsible for the elimination or protection of all cross-connections on his premises.

(2)

The owner, after having been informed in writing by the department, shall at his/her expense install, maintain, and test or have tested any and all backflow preventers on the premises.

(3)

The owner shall at his/her expense correct any malfunction of any backflow preventer which is revealed by periodic testing. The department reserves the right to require replacement of any backflow preventer that it deems unrepairable or otherwise unfit in order to provide service and operation.

(4)

The owner shall not install a by-pass around any backflow preventer unless there is a backflow preventer of the same type on the bypass. Owners who cannot shut down operations for testing of the device(s) must supply an additional device on a bypass in order to allow testing to take place.

(5)

The owner shall immediately inform the department of any proposed or modified cross-connections and also any existing cross-connections of which the owner is aware but has not been found by the department.

(6)

The owner shall install backflow preventers in a manner and location approved by the department.

(7)

The owner shall install only backflow preventers approved by and in accordance with the requirements of the department.

(8)

In the event the owner installs plumbing to provide potable water for domestic purposes which is on the department's side of the backflow preventer, such plumbing must have its own backflow preventer installed.

(9)

The owner shall be responsible for the payment of all fees for permits, testing and retesting in the case that the device fails to operate correctly and second and subsequent re-inspection for non-compliance with the department's requirements.

(10)

Effective the date of the acceptance of this cross connection control program, all new residential buildings will be required to install a residential dual check device immediately downstream of the water meter. Installation of this residential dual check device on a retrofit basis on existing service shall be done upon the issuance of a plumbing permit for any plumbing improvements or modifications.

(11)

The owner must be aware that installation of an approved backflow prevention device results in a potential closed plumbing system within his/her facility or residence. As such, provisions may have to be made by the owner to provide for thermal expansion within the closed loop system, i.e., the installation of thermal expansion devices. The city shall not be held liable for plumbing failures associated with faulty or inappropriate installations.

(12)

In accordance with the Rhode Island State Building Code, Plumbing Code Regulations, "The owner or the owner's designated agent shall be responsible for the safe and sanitary maintenance of the plumbing system in any building or structure at all times."

(Ch. 356, § I, 9-20-05)