MOORE WATER SUPPLY CORPORATION
Cross - Connection Control Policy
This program has been developed by the MWSC to satisfy requirements from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for the safety of all Public Water Supply consumers. This document contains the rules, definitions, codes, enforcement, and penalties (fees) for violation. There is no “grandfather” clause, as this policy shall be enforced on all members who may present a cross-connection contamination threat to MWSC as defined in this policy. This policy is not all inclusive of TCEQ regulations, and is intended to notify members of the pertinent regulations to be enforced. For a complete listing of regulations and rules please visit the TCEQ website at tceq.texas.gov.
A. Definitions/Rules
The following rules have been extracted from the TAC and reformatted for ease of use. In the case of any discrepancy between this guide and the rules published at the Texas Secretary of State’s website <www.sos.state.tx.us>, the SOS site shall apply.
(1) Manual M14: The American Water Works Association’sRecommendedPractice for Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control, current edition.
(2) TCEQ: The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
(3) 290 Rules: The TCEQ’s rules and regulations for public water systems, which
appear in Title 30, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 290.
290.38. Definitions
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. If a word or term used in this chapter is not contained in the following list, its definition shall be as shown in Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §141.2. Other technical terms used shall have the meanings or definitions listed in the latest edition of The Drinking Water Dictionary, prepared by the American Water Works Association.
290.38(2) Air gap—The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmospherebetween the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet conveying water to a tank, fixture, receptor, sink, or other assembly and the flood level rim of the receptacle. The vertical, physical separation must be at least twice the diameter of the water supply outlet, but never less than 1.0 inch.
290.38(16) Contamination—The presence of any foreign substance (organic, inorganic,radiological or biological) in water which tends to degrade its quality so as to constitute a health hazard or impair the usefulness of the water.
290.38(17) Cross-connection—A physical connection between a public water systemand either another supply of unknown or questionable quality, any source which may contain contaminating or polluting substances, or any source of water treated to a lesser degree in the treatment process.
290.38(20) Disinfection—A process which inactivates pathogenic organisms in thewater by chemical oxidants or equivalent agents.
290.38(21) Distribution system—A system of pipes that conveys potable water froma treatment plant to the consumers. The term includes pump stations, ground and elevated storage tanks, potable water mains, and potable water service lines and all associated valves, fittings, and meters, but excludes potable water customer service lines.
290.38(22) Drinking water—All water distributed by any agency or individual, publicor private, for the purpose of human consumption or which may be used in the preparation of foods or beverages or for the cleaning of any utensil or article used in the course of preparation or consumption of food or beverages for human beings. The term “Drinking Water” shall also include all water supplied for human consumption or used by any institution catering to the public.
290.38(23) Drinking water standards—The commission rules covering drinkingwater standards in Subchapter F of this chapter (relating to Drinking Water Standards Governing Drinking Water Quality and Reporting Requirements for Public Water Systems).
290.38(31) Health hazard—A cross-connection, potential contamination hazard, orother situation involving any substance that can cause death, illness, spread of disease, or has a high probability of causing such effects if introduced into the potable drinking water supply.
290.38(32) Human Consumption—Uses by humans in which water can be ingestedinto or absorbed by the human body. Examples of these uses include, but are not limited to drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, bathing, washing hands, washing dishes, and preparing foods.
290.38(53) Nonhealth hazard—A cross-connection, potential contamination hazard, orother situation involving any substance that generally will not be a health hazard, but will constitute a nuisance, or be aesthetically objectionable, if introduced into the public water supply.
290.38(59) Potable water customer service line—The sections of potable water pipebetween the customer's meter and the customer’s point of use.
290.38(60) Potable water service line—The section of pipe between the potable watermain to the customer's side of the water meter. In cases where no customer water meter exists, it is the section of pipe that is under the ownership and control of the public water system.
290.38(61) Potable water main—A pipe or enclosed constructed conveyance operatedby a public water system which is used for the transmission or distribution of drinking water to a potable water service line.
290.38(62) Potential contamination hazard—A condition which, by its location,piping or configuration, has a reasonable probability of being used incorrectly, through carelessness, ignorance, or negligence, to create or cause to be created a backflow condition by which contamination can be introduced into the water supply. Examples of potential contamination hazards are:
290.38(62)(A) bypass arrangements;
290.38(62)(B) jumper connections;
290.38(62)(C) removable sections or spools; and
290.38(62)(D) swivel or changeover assemblies.
Assessment of Hazard and Selection of Assemblies [from 30 TAC 290.47(f)]
The following table lists many common hazards. It is not an all-inclusive list of the hazards that may be found connected to public water systems.
Premises Isolation:
Assessment
Required
Description of Premises
of Hazard
Assembly
Aircraft and missile plants
Health
RPBA or AG
Animal feedlots
Health
RPBA or AG
Automotive plants
Health
RPBA or AG
Breweries
Health
RPBA or AG
Canneries, packing houses and rendering plants
Health
RPBA or AG
Commercial car wash facilities
Health
RPBA or AG
Commercial laundries
Health
RPBA or AG
Cold storage facilities
Health
RPBA or AG
Connection to sewer pipe
Health
AG
Dairies
Health
RPBA or AG
Docks and dockside facilities
Health
RPBA or AG
Dye works
Health
RPBA or AG
Food and beverage processing plants
Health
RPBA or AG
Hospitals, morgues, mortuaries, medical clinics, dental
clinics, veterinary clinics, autopsy facilities,
sanitariums, and medical labs
Health
RPBA or AG
Metal manufacturing, cleaning, processing, and
Health
RPBA or AG
fabrication plants
Microchip fabrication facilities
Health
RPBA or AG
Paper and paper products plants
Health
RPBA or AG
Petroleum processing or storage facilities
Health
RPBA or AG
Photo and film processing labs
Health
RPBA or AG
Plants using radioactive material
Health
RPBA or AG
Plating or chemical plants
Health
RPBA or AG
Pleasure-boat marinas
Health
RPBA or AG
Private/Individual/Unmonitored Wells
Health
RPBA or AG
Reclaimed water systems
Health
RPBA or AG
Restricted, classified or other closed facilities
Health
RPBA or AG
Rubber plants
Health
RPBA or AG
Sewage lift stations
Health
RPBA or AG
Sewage treatment plants
Health
RPBA or AG
Slaughter houses
Health
RPBA or AG
Steam plants
Health
RPBA or AG
Tall buildings or elevation differences where the
highest outlet is 80 feet or more above the meter
Nonhealth
DCVA
Internal Protection:
Assessment
Required
Description of Cross Connection
of Hazard
Assembly
Aspirators
Nonhealth†
AVB
Aspirator (medical)
Health
AVB or PVB
Autoclaves
Health
RPBA
Autopsy and mortuary equipment
Health
AVB or PVB
Bedpan washers
Health
AVB or PVB
Connection to industrial fluid systems
Health
RPBA
Connection to plating tanks
Health
RPBA
Connection to salt-water cooling systems
Health
RPBA
Connection to sewer pipe
Health
AG
Cooling towers with chemical additives
Health
AG
Cuspidors
Health
AVB or PVB
Degreasing equipment
Nonhealth†
DCVA
Domestic space-heating boiler
Nonhealth†
RPBA
Dye vats or machines
Health
RPBA
Fire-fighting system (toxic liquid foam concentrates)
Health
RPBA
Flexible shower heads
Nonhealth†
AVB or PVB
Heating equipment
Commercial
Nonhealth†
RPBA
Domestic
Nonhealth†
DCVA
Hose bibbs
Nonhealth†
AVB
Irrigation systems
with chemical additives
Health
RPBA
without chemical additives
Nonhealth†
DCVA, AVB,or
PVB
Kitchen equipment—Commercial
Nonhealth†
AVB
Lab bench equipment
Health or
AVB or PVB
Nonhealth†
Ornamental fountains
Health
AVB or PVB
Swimming pools
Private
Nonhealth†
PVB or AG
Public
Nonhealth†
RPBA or AG
Sewage pump
Health
AG
Sewage ejectors
Health
AG
Shampoo basins
Nonhealth†
AVB
Specimen tanks
Health
AVB or PVB
Steam generators
Nonhealth†
RPBA
Steam tables
Nonhealth†
AVB
Sterilizers
Health
RPBA
Tank vats or other vessels containing toxic substances
Health
RPBA
Trap primers
Health
AG
Vending machines
Nonhealth†
RPBA or PVB
Watering troughs
Health
AG or PVB
NOTE: AG = air gap; AVB = atmospheric vacuum breaker; DCVA = double check valve backflow prevention assembly; PVB = pressure vacuum breaker; RPBA = reduced-pressure principle backflow prevention assembly
AVBs and PVBs may be used to isolate health hazards under certain conditions, that is, back-siphonage situations. Additional area of premises isolation may be required.
†Where a greater hazard exists (due to toxicity or other potential health impact) additional area protection with RPBAs is required.
290.38(73) Service line—A pipe connecting the utility service provider’s main and thewater meter, or for wastewater, connecting the main and the point at which the customer’s service line is connected, generally at the customer’s property line.
§290.43. Water Storage.
§290.43(c)(7) Each clearwell or potable water storage tank shall be provided with ameans of removing accumulated silt and deposits at all low points in the bottom of the tank. Drains shall not be connected to any waste or sewage disposal system and shall be constructed so that they are not a potential agent in the contamination of the stored water.
§290.43(c)(9) No tanks or containers shall be used to store potable water that havepreviously been used for any non-potable purpose. Where a used tank is proposed for use, a letter from the previous owner or owners must be submitted to the Commission which states the use of the tank.
§290.44. Water Distribution.
§290.44(b) Lead ban. The following provisions apply to the use of lead in plumbing.
§290.44(b)(1) The use of pipes and pipe fittings that contain more than 0.25%lead or solders and flux that contains more than 0.2% lead is prohibited in the following circumstances:
§290.44(b)(1)(A) for installation or repair of any public water supply; and
§290.44(b)(1)(B) for installation or repair of any plumbing in a residentialor nonresidential facility providing water for human consumption and connected to a public drinking water supply system.
§290.44(b)(2) This requirement will be waived for lead joints that are necessary forrepairs to cast iron pipe.
§290.44(h) Backflow, siphonage.
§290.44(h)(1) No water connection from any public drinking water supply systemshall be allowed to any residence or establishment where an actual or potential contamination hazard exists unless the public water facilities are protected from contamination.
§290.44(h)(1)(A) At any residence or establishment where an actual orpotential contamination hazard exists, additional protection shall be required at the meter in the form of an air gap or backflow prevention assembly. The type of backflow prevention assembly required shall be determined by the specific potential hazard identified in §290.47(i) of this title (relating to Appendices).
§290.44(h)(1)(B) At any residence or establishment where an actual orpotential contamination hazard exists and an adequate internal cross-connection control program is in effect, backflow protection at the water service entrance or meter is not required.
§290.44(h)(1)(B)(i) An adequate internal cross-connection control program shall include an annual inspection and testing by a certified backflow prevention assembly tester on all backflow prevention assemblies used for health hazard protection.
290.44(h)(1)(B)(ii) Copies of all such inspection and test reports must be obtained and kept on file by the water purveyor.
290.44(h)(1)(B)(iii) It will be the responsibility of the water purveyor to ensure that these requirements are met.
§290.44(h)(2) No water connection from any public drinking water supply system shall be connected to any condensing, cooling, or industrial process or any other system of nonpotable usage over which the public water supply system officials do not have sanitary control, unless the said connection is made in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection. Water from such systems cannot be returned to the potable water supply.
290.44(h)(3) Overhead bulk water dispensing stations must be provided with an air gap between the filling outlet hose and the receiving tank to protect against back siphonage and cross-contamination.
290.44(h)(4) All backflow prevention assemblies that are required according to this section of this title shall be tested upon installation by a recognized backflow prevention assembly tester and certified to be operating within specifications. Backflow prevention assemblies which are installed to provide protection against health hazards must also be tested and certified to be operating within specifications at least annually by a recognized backflow prevention assembly tester.
290.44(h)(4)(A) Recognized backflow prevention assembly testers shall have completed an executive director approved course on cross-connection control and backflow prevention assembly testing, pass an examination administered by the executive director, and hold a current license as a backflow prevention assembly tester.
290.44(h)(4)(A)(i) Backflow prevention assembly testers are qualified to test and repair assemblies on any domestic, commercial, industrial, or irrigation service.
290.44(h)(4)(A)(ii) Backflow prevention assembly testers may test and repair assemblies on firelines only if they are permanently employed by an Approved Fireline Contractor. The State Fire Marshal’s office requires that any person performing maintenance on firelines must be employed by an Approved Fireline Contractor.
290.44(h)(4)(B) Gauges used in the testing of backflow prevention assemblies shall be tested for accuracy annually in accordance with the University of Southern California’s Manual of Cross-Connection Control or the American Water Works Association Recommended Practice for BackflowPrevention and Cross-Connection Control (Manual M14). Public water systems shall require testers to include test gauge serial numbers on “Test and Maintenance” report forms and ensure testers have gauges tested for accuracy.
290.44(h)(4)(C) A test report must be completed by the recognized backflow prevention assembly tester for each assembly tested. The signed and dated original must be submitted to the public water supplier for recordkeeping purposes. Any form which varies from the format specified in commission Form No. 20700 must be approved by the executive director prior to being placed in use.
290.44(h)(5) The use of a backflow prevention assembly at the service connection shall be considered as additional backflow protection and shall not negate the use of backflow protection on internal hazards as outlined and enforced by local plumbing codes.
290.44(h)(6) At any residence or establishment where there is no actual or potential contamination hazard, a backflow prevention assembly is not required.
290.44(i) Water hauling. When drinking water is distributed by tank truck or trailer, it must be accomplished in the following manner.
290.44(i)(2)(E) Connections for filling and emptying the tank shall be properly protected to prevent the possible entrance of contamination. These openings must be provided with caps and keeper chains.
290.44(j) If a structure is connected to a public water supply system and has a rainwater harvesting system, the structure must have appropriate cross-connection safeguards in accordance with subsection (h)(1) of this section.
290.44(j)(1) A privately owned rainwater harvesting system with a capacity of more than 500 gallons that is connected to a public water system for a back-up supply shall have a backflow prevention assembly or an air gap installed at the storage facility for the harvested rainwater to ensure physical separation between the rainwater harvesting system and the public water system.
290.44(j)(2) At each residence or facility where water from a rainwater harvesting system is used for potable purposes and there is a connection to a public water system, the public water system shall ensure that the rainwater harvesting system is installed and maintained by a master plumber or journeyman plumber licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners and who holds an endorsement issued by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners as a Water Supply Protection Specialist.
290.44(j)(3) A person who intends to connect a rainwater harvesting system to apublic water system must give written notice of that intention to the municipality or the owner or operator of the public water system in which the rainwater harvesting system is located.
290.44(j)(4) The public water system used as a back-up supply for the rainwaterharvesting system may be connected only to the water storage tank and may not be connected to the plumbing of a structure.
290.46. Minimum Acceptable Operating Practices for Public Drinking Water Systems
290.46(f)(3) All public water systems shall maintain a record of operations.
290.46(f)(3)(B) The following records shall be retained for at least threeyears: …
290.46(f)(3)(B)(v) the records of backflow prevention deviceprograms; …
290.46(f)(3)(E) The following records shall be retained for at least tenyears: …
290.46(f)(3)(E)(iv) copies of the Customer Service Inspectionreports required by subsection (j) of this section;
[CSI Certificate retention: The CSI Certificate requires that it be retained permanently, whereas the rule references 10 years; therefore, a discrepancy exists. The TCEQ recommends that CSI Reports be retained permanently, as long as the inspected facility is in existence.]
290.46(j) Customer service inspections. A customer service inspection certificateshall be completed prior to providing continuous water service to new construction, on any existing service either when the water purveyor has reason to believe that cross-connectionsor other potential contaminant hazards exist, or after any material improvement, correction, or addition to the private water distribution facilities. Any customer service inspection certificate form which varies from the format found in commission Form No. 20699 must be approved by the executive director prior to being placed in use.
290.46(j)(1) Individuals with the following credentials shall be recognized ascapable of conducting a customer service inspection certification.
290.46(j)(1)(A) Plumbing Inspectors and Water Supply ProtectionSpecialists licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE).
290.46(j)(1)(B) Customer service inspectors who have completed acommission-approved course, passed an examination administered by the executive director, and hold current professional license as a customer service inspector.
290.46(j)(2) As potential contaminant hazards are discovered, they shall bepromptly eliminated to prevent possible contamination of the water supplied by the public water system. The existence of a health hazard, as identified, shall be considered sufficient grounds for immediate termination of water service. Service can be restored only when the health hazard no longer exists, or until the health hazard has been isolated from the public water system in accordance with §290.44(h) of this title (relating to Water Distribution).
290.46(j)(3) These customer service inspection requirements are not consideredacceptable substitutes for and shall not apply to the sanitary control requirements stated in §290.102(a)(5) of this title (relating to General Applicability).
290.46(k) Interconnection.No physical connection between the distribution system ofa public drinking water supply and that of any other water supply shall be permitted unless the other water supply is of a safe, sanitary quality and the interconnection is approved by the executive director.
B. General
a. (1) No water-service connection shall be made to any establishment where a potential or actual contamination hazard exists unless the water supply is protected in accordance with the 290 Rules and this ordinance. The water purveyor shall discontinue water service if a required air gap or backflow prevention assembly is not installed, maintained, and tested in accordance with the 290 Rules and this ordinance.
b. No backflow protection at the water service meter is required where an adequate internal cross-connection control program is in place.
C. Installation, Testing, and Maintenance of Backflow Prevention Assemblies
a. All backflow prevention assemblies must be tested upon installation by a licensed backflow prevention assembly tester and certified to be operating within specifications. Backflow prevention assemblies that are installed to protect against health hazards must also be tested and certified to be operating within specifications at least annually by a recognized backflow prevention assembly tester.
b. Backflow prevention assemblies installed on fire suppression systems must be tested by a backflow prevention assembly tester permanently employed by an approved fireline contractor.
c. Gauges used for backflow prevention assembly testing must be tested for accuracy at least annually in accordance with the AWWA’s Manual M14 or the current editionof the University of Southern California’s Manual of Cross -Connection Control. A copy of the gauge accuracy test report must be submitted to the City of Moore to demonstrate the gauge has been tested for accuracy.
(3) A recognized backflow prevention assembly tester must hold a current license issued from the TCEQ.
D. Customer Service Inspections
(1) A customer service inspection must be completed before the provision of continuous water service to all new construction, on any existing service when the water purveyor has reason to believe that cross-connections or other contaminant hazards exist, or after any material improvement, correction, or addition to the private water-distribution facilities.
(2) Only individuals with the following credentials shall be recognized as capable of conducting a customer service inspection:
(A) Plumbing inspectors and water-supply-protection specialists that have been licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.
(B) Customer service inspectors that have been licensed by the TCEQ.
(3) The customer service inspection must certify that:
(A) No direct connection between the public drinking water supply and a potential source of contamination exists. Potential sources of contamination must be isolated from the public water system by a properly installed air gap or an appropriate backflow prevention assembly.
(B) No cross-connection between the public water supply and a private water source exists. Where an actual, properly installed air gap is not maintained between the public water supply and a private water supply, an approved reduced-pressure-zone backflow prevention assembly is properly installed and a service agreement exists for annual inspection and testing by a recognized backflow prevention assembly tester.
(C) No connection exists that allows water to be returned to the public drinking
water supply.
(D) No pipe or pipe fitting that contains more than 0.25 percent lead is used for the installation or repair of plumbing at any connection that supplies water for human use.
(E) No solder or flux that contains more than 0.2 percent lead is used for the installation or repair of plumbing at any connection that provides water for human use.
E. Irrigation Systems
(1) Any irrigation system that is connected to a public or private potable water supply must be connected through a backflow prevention assembly approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
(2) Backflow prevention assemblies installed on irrigation systems that are classified as health hazards must be tested at least annually
.
SECTION 2—REPEAL
All ordinances that are in conflict with the provisions of this policy are hereby repealed, and all other policies of the MWSC not in conflict with the provisions of this policy shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 3—SEVERABILITY
The phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs, and sections of this policy are severable and, if any phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, or section of this ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional by the valid judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such unconstitutionality shall not affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs, and sections of this ordinance.
SECTION 4—ENFORCEMENT
Any person who violates this policy shall be punished by a feeof not less than $300 and not more than $1500. Each day that one or more of the provisions in this policy is violated shall constitute a separate offense. If a person is in violation of a provision of this policy, the MWSC, shall, upon due notice to the customer, be authorized to discontinue water service to the premises where such violations occur. Services discontinued under such circumstances shall be restored only upon payment of a reconnection charge, hereby established at current tariff prices, and any other costs incurred by the MWSC in discontinuing service. In addition, suitable assurance must be given to MWSC, that the same action shall not be repeated while the policy is in effect. Compliance with this policy may also be sought through injunctive relief in
district court.
Optional Provisions for the Section “Installation, Testing and Maintenance of Backflow Prevention Assemblies”:
All backflow prevention assemblies must be installed and tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, Manual M14, or the University of Southern California’s Manualof Cross-Connection Control.
Assemblies must be repaired, overhauled, or replaced whenever the assemblies are found to be defective. Original forms recording testing, repairs, and overhaul must be kept and submitted to the MWSC within five working days of the test, repair or overhaul of each backflow prevention assembly.
No backflow prevention assembly or device may be removed from use, or relocated, or other assembly or device substituted for it, without the approval of the MWSC.
Optional Provision for the Section “Irrigation Systems”:
Backflow prevention assemblies installed on irrigation systems that are not classified as health hazards must be tested every 3 years or as required and adopted by MWSC.