County Code
12.08.200 Cross-connections - Prohibited - Exception
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.08, 1994)
Cross-connections between the domestic water systems and other systems or equipment containing water and other substances of unknown or questionable safety are prohibited, except when and where suitable protective devices, as approved by the Public Works Department, are installed, tested and maintained by the county to ensure proper operation on a continuing basis.
1.028.210 Cross-Connections - Failure to Remedy
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.09, 1994)
Failure on the part of customers to discontinue the use of any and all cross-connections and to physically separate such cross-connections or install a suitable protective device when ordered to do so by the public works department will be sufficient cause for the discontinuance of water service to the premises on which the cross-connection exists and shall subject the customer to penalties as provided by Section 12.08.520.
12.08.220 Cross-Connections - Inspection
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.10, 1994)
The county may make periodic inspections of premises served by the water supply to check for the presence of cross-connections. Any cross- connections found in such inspection shall be ordered removed and water service to the premises shall be discontinued until it is verified that the cross-connection has been removed.
12.08.230 Air Gap & Flood Level Specifications for Tanks
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.11, 1994)
Air gap separation shall be an unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture or other device and the flood level rim of the receptacle, and shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the flood level rim of the vessel. In no case shall the gap be less than 1 inch.
12.08.240 Double Check Valves
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.12, 1994)
Double check valves assembly shall be an assembly composed of 2 single, independently acting check valves, including tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly and suitable connections for testing the watertightness of each check valve. Only Washington State Department of Health approved assemblies shall be accepted
12.08.250 Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Device
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.13, 1994)
Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device shall be a device incorporating 2 or more check valves and an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the 2 checks, 2 shutoff valves, and equipped with necessary appurtenances for testing. The device shall operate to maintain the pressure in the zone between the 2 check valves, less than the pressure on the water supply side of the device. At cessation of normal flow, the pressure between the check valves shall be less than the supply pressure. In case of leakage of either check valve, the differential relief valve shall operate to maintain this reduced pressure by discharging to the atmosphere. When the inlet pressure is 2 pounds per square inch or less, the relief valve shall open to the atmosphere, thereby providing an air gap in the device. Only Washington State Department of Health approved assemblies shall be accepted.
12.08.260 Backflow Prevention Devices - Installation Location
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.14, 1994)
Backflow prevention devices, where required, shall be installed at the meter or at a location designated by the public works director at the expense of the consumer. The device shall be located so as to be readily accessible for maintenance and testing, and where no part of the device will be submerged.
12.08.270 Backflow Prevention Devices - Situations Requiring Devices
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.15, 1994)
Backflow prevention devices shall be installed at the service connection or within any premises identified in Section 12.08.280 where, in the judgment of the public works director, the nature and extent of activities on the premises, or the materials used in connection with the activities, or materials stored on the premises may present an immediate and dangerous hazard to health should a cross- connection occur, even though such cross-connection does not exist at the time the backflow prevention device is required to be installed, including, but not limited to, the following situations:
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.16, 1994)
The following types of facilities shall have a backflow prevention device installed as provided in Section 12.08.270 unless the public works director determines that no hazard will exist without said device:
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.17, 1994)
The type of protective device required shall depend on the degree of hazard which exists, as follows:
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.18, 1994)
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.19, 1994)
Failure of the customer to cooperate in the installation, maintenance, testing or inspection of backflow prevention devices required in this chapter shall be grounds for the termination of water service to the premises or the requirements for an air gap separation and shall subject the customer to the penalties provided in Section 12.08.520.
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.08, 1994)
Cross-connections between the domestic water systems and other systems or equipment containing water and other substances of unknown or questionable safety are prohibited, except when and where suitable protective devices, as approved by the Public Works Department, are installed, tested and maintained by the county to ensure proper operation on a continuing basis.
1.028.210 Cross-Connections - Failure to Remedy
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.09, 1994)
Failure on the part of customers to discontinue the use of any and all cross-connections and to physically separate such cross-connections or install a suitable protective device when ordered to do so by the public works department will be sufficient cause for the discontinuance of water service to the premises on which the cross-connection exists and shall subject the customer to penalties as provided by Section 12.08.520.
12.08.220 Cross-Connections - Inspection
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.10, 1994)
The county may make periodic inspections of premises served by the water supply to check for the presence of cross-connections. Any cross- connections found in such inspection shall be ordered removed and water service to the premises shall be discontinued until it is verified that the cross-connection has been removed.
12.08.230 Air Gap & Flood Level Specifications for Tanks
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.11, 1994)
Air gap separation shall be an unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture or other device and the flood level rim of the receptacle, and shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the flood level rim of the vessel. In no case shall the gap be less than 1 inch.
12.08.240 Double Check Valves
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.12, 1994)
Double check valves assembly shall be an assembly composed of 2 single, independently acting check valves, including tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly and suitable connections for testing the watertightness of each check valve. Only Washington State Department of Health approved assemblies shall be accepted
12.08.250 Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Device
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.13, 1994)
Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device shall be a device incorporating 2 or more check valves and an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the 2 checks, 2 shutoff valves, and equipped with necessary appurtenances for testing. The device shall operate to maintain the pressure in the zone between the 2 check valves, less than the pressure on the water supply side of the device. At cessation of normal flow, the pressure between the check valves shall be less than the supply pressure. In case of leakage of either check valve, the differential relief valve shall operate to maintain this reduced pressure by discharging to the atmosphere. When the inlet pressure is 2 pounds per square inch or less, the relief valve shall open to the atmosphere, thereby providing an air gap in the device. Only Washington State Department of Health approved assemblies shall be accepted.
12.08.260 Backflow Prevention Devices - Installation Location
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.14, 1994)
Backflow prevention devices, where required, shall be installed at the meter or at a location designated by the public works director at the expense of the consumer. The device shall be located so as to be readily accessible for maintenance and testing, and where no part of the device will be submerged.
12.08.270 Backflow Prevention Devices - Situations Requiring Devices
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.15, 1994)
Backflow prevention devices shall be installed at the service connection or within any premises identified in Section 12.08.280 where, in the judgment of the public works director, the nature and extent of activities on the premises, or the materials used in connection with the activities, or materials stored on the premises may present an immediate and dangerous hazard to health should a cross- connection occur, even though such cross-connection does not exist at the time the backflow prevention device is required to be installed, including, but not limited to, the following situations:
- Premises having an auxiliary water supply
- Premises having internal cross-connections that are not correctable; or intricate plumbing arrangements which make it impracticable to ascertain whether or not cross- connections exist
- Premises where entry is restricted so that inspections for cross- connections cannot be made with sufficient frequency or at sufficiently short notice to assure that cross-connections do not exist
- Premises having a repeated history of cross-connections being established or reestablished
- Premises on which any substance is handled under pressure so as to permit entry into the public water supply, or where a cross- connection could reasonably be expected to occur. This shall include the handling of process waters and cooling waters
- Premises where materials of a toxic or hazardous nature are handled such that, if back siphonage should occur, a serious health hazard may result
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.16, 1994)
The following types of facilities shall have a backflow prevention device installed as provided in Section 12.08.270 unless the public works director determines that no hazard will exist without said device:
- Hospitals, mortuaries, and clinics
- Laboratories
- Piers and docks
- Sewage treatment plants
- Food or beverage processing plants
- Chemical plants using a water process
- Metal plating industries
- Petroleum processing or storage plants
- Radioactive material processing plants or nuclear reactors
- Others specified by the public works director
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.17, 1994)
The type of protective device required shall depend on the degree of hazard which exists, as follows:
- An air gap separation or a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device shall be installed where the water supply may be contaminated with sewage, industrial waste of a toxic nature, or other contaminant which would cause a health or system hazard;
- In the case of a substance which may be objectionable but not hazardous to health, double check valve assembly, air gap separation or a reduced pressure principal backflow prevention device shall be installed.
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.18, 1994)
- Backflow prevention devices shall be installed under the supervision of, and with the approval of, the county at the expense of the consumer.
- Backflow prevention devices shall be inspected and tested annually by the public works department or more often where successive inspections indicate repeated failure. The devices shall be repaired, overhauled or replaced whenever they are found to be defective. Inspections, tests and repairs and records thereof shall be done under the county's supervision at the expense of the consumer.
(Ordinance 4-1985 Module 4 § 3.19, 1994)
Failure of the customer to cooperate in the installation, maintenance, testing or inspection of backflow prevention devices required in this chapter shall be grounds for the termination of water service to the premises or the requirements for an air gap separation and shall subject the customer to the penalties provided in Section 12.08.520.