§ 41-22. Backflow prevention assembly approval and testing.

(a)

It is unlawful for any person to install, test, use, or maintain any backflow prevention assembly that is not an approved backflow prevention assembly evidenced by a "certificate of compliance" or "certificate of approval" issued by an approved testing laboratory.

(b)

The following testing laboratory has been approved by the director to test and approve backflow prevention assemblies:

Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research

University of Southern California

KAP-200 University Park MC-2531

Los Angeles, California 90089-2531

(c)

Testing laboratories other than the laboratory listed above may be added to an approved list as they are qualified by the director.

(d)

Backflow preventers which may be subjected to backpressure or backsiphonage that have been fully tested and have been granted a certificate of approval by a qualified laboratory and are listed on the laboratory's current list of approved backflow prevention assemblies may be used without further qualification.

(e)

The consumer at any premises where backflow prevention assemblies are installed shall have a field test performed by a certified backflow prevention assembly tester upon installation and at least once per year. The director may require field tests at more frequent intervals. These tests shall be at the expense of the water user and shall be performed by Irving Water Utilities' personnel or by a certified tester approved by the director.

(f)

The consumer shall notify the director in advance when the tests are to be undertaken so that the director may witness the field tests.

(g)

The consumer at his or her own expense, shall repair, overhaul, or replace any assembly that is defective.

(h)

The consumer shall keep for a period not less than three (3) years records of all tests, repairs, and overhauls of each backflow prevention assembly under his or her control and make them available to the director no later than five (5) days after the test, repair, or overhaul of each backflow prevention assembly.

(i)

It is an affirmative defense to this section except for the testing and maintenance requirements that the backflow prevention assembly was installed before (the date this article becomes effective) and was approved at the time of installation and has been properly maintained, if the director is assured that it will satisfactorily protect the water provider's system.

(j)

If an existing device is moved from its present location or requires more than minimum maintenance or if the director finds that the maintenance work required by the backflow prevention assembly could in itself create a hazard to health, the consumer shall replace the unit with an approved backflow prevention assembly meeting the requirements of this section.

(k)

It is unlawful for any person to use, install, test, or maintain a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly that does not include properly located resilient seated test cocks and tightly closing resilient seated shutoff valves at each end of the assembly. This assembly is designed to protect against a non-health (i.e., pollutant) or a health hazard, (i.e. contaminant). This assembly shall not be used for backflow protection of sewage or reclaimed water.

(l)

It is unlawful for any person to use install, test, or maintain a double check valve backflow prevention assembly to protect against anything other than a non-health hazard (i.e. pollutant).

(m)

It is unlawful for any person to fail to properly protect any plumbing hazard with an appropriate type of backflow prevention assembly.

(Ord. No. 8140, § 1, 3-20-03)