04-C Cross-Connect/BackflowAGENDA INFORMATION SHEET
PROJECT: Consider an ordinance amending Article II to Chapter 25 ofthe Code ofOrdinances ofthe City
of Paris, the Plumbing Code, to revise various sections of said code dealing with cross-connection and
backflow prevention to conform to regulations and requirements imposed by the Texas Natural Resource
Conservation Commission (TNRCC).
BACKGROUND: The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission has mandated certain requirements
dealing with cross-connection and backflow prevention which prohibit any connection to a public water system
where an actual or potential contamination hazard exists unless the public water system is protected from the
contamination hazard. During the recent Sanitary Survey of the City of Paris water system, the TNRCC
determined that the current Article II to Chapter 25 of the City of Paris Plumbing Code does not adequately
identify all customers with actual or potential contamination hazards and thus the public water system is not
fully protected from such hazards.
DESCRIPTION: The proposed ordinance would amend Article II to Chapter 25 of the Code of Ordinances
ofthe City ofParis, the Plumbing Code, to require all water customers engaged in certain activities which pose
an actual or potential contamination hazard to the public water system to install and maintain approved
backflow prevention devices attheir own expenses. Furthermore, these devices shall be tested upon installation
and tested annually thereafter to insure proper operation. All backflow prevention devices shall be tested by
a state certified, and City permitted, backflow prevention device tester, and reports of these tests shall be
submitted to the City. The costs of testing and submittal of information is the responsibility of the customer.
Adoption of the proposed amendments to Article II to Chapter 25 of the Plumbing Code will allow the City
of Paris to comply with the rules and regulations for public water systems of Title 30, Texas Administrative
Code, Sec. 290.44(h), concerning backflow prevention, insure a safe potable water supply to the water
customers of the City of Paris, and avoid further enforcement action by the TNRCC.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adoption of the proposed ordinance.
STAFF CONTACT: Rodney Brashier, Environmental Services Supervisor; Herb Campbell, Director of
Utilities; Larry W. Schenk, City Attorney
COSTS: Failure to comply with TNRCC rules and regulations for public water systems is aviolation ofthe
Texas Administrative Code and the Texas Health and Safety Code resulting in possible fines and administrative
and civil penalties, as well as loss of status as a Superior Water System.
COUNCIL DATE: Consider for approval at City Council's April 8, 2002, regular Council meeting.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS: See enclosed ordinance and other supporting documentation.
What is Backflow and what are Cross-Connections?
The term backflow means any unwanted reverse flow of used or non-potable water or subsk-uice from any
domestic, industrial or institutional piping system into the safe and clean, potable (drinkable) water distribution
system. Backflow may be caused by any number of specific conditions; but basically the reverse pressure
gradient is typically caused by either a loss of pressure in thc supply main called backsiphonage, or by
pressurized flow from the customer s system, Nchich is called backpressure. When either of these situations
occurs in an unprotected system, the water at the point of use can pollute or contaminate the remainder of the
wstomer's system. It is also quite possible for this backflow of contaminated water to coniinue on through the
customer's meter into the public distribution system creating a potential health hazazd to others.
The point at which a non-potable substance can come into contact with the potable drinking water system is
known as a cross-connectioa To prevent backflow from occurnng at the poin[ of a cross-connecUoq a
backflow prevention assembly must be installed. The type of backflow prevention assembly used must match
the particular hydraulic condiuons at that location and be suitable to protect against the degree of hazard present.
Some condiUOns require a backflow prevention device on the incoming water line to the entire facility and this
form of protection is known as premises isolation. Other conditions require backflow prevcntion devices at Ihc
point of the cross-connection and this form of protection is kno«m as internal protection. In many situations,
botli forms of backflow protccdon are required to protect both the customer's system and the public water supply
system.
Types of Backflow Prevention Devices
Reduced Pressure Principal Assembly (RP or RPBA): This assembly consists of rivo internally loadcd
independcntly opcrating check valves and a mechanically independent, hydraulically depcndant relief valve
locatcd bcRvccn the eheck valves. Provides protection against both backsiphonage and backpressure under all
hazard condiTions.
Double Check Valve Assembly (DC or DCVA): This assembly consists oftrvo internally loaded
independently operaUng check valves. Provides protection against both backsiphonage and backpressure but is
not considered adequate protection under health hazard conditions.
Air Gap (AG): A physical separation between the potable water supply line and the receiving vesscl. Thc air
gap scparation must be at least hvice the diameter of the supply line above the receiving vessel with a minimum
separadon of one inch. Provides proteclion against both backsiphonage and backpressure under all hazard
conditions. ln a pressurized system, an air gap is not feasible and a Reduced Pressure Principal Asscmbly
(RPBA) must bc used. An air gap is the only acceptable means of protcction against a direct comiection to
radioactive material or sewagc.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB): This assembly consists of an internally loaded check valve vnd a loaded air
inlet valve. Providcs protection against backsiphonage only and cannot bc used in situations subject to
backpressure.
Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB): This assembly consisu of a"float check" which acts as a check valve
and an air inlet valve. Provides protection against backsiphonage only and cannot be used in situaUOns subject
to backpressure. The AVB must be installed at least six inches above all downstream piping and outlets to
preven[ backpressure.
NOTE: Simple Double Check Valves and Single Check Valves are not testable assemblies and are oot
approved for protection against any backflow conditions.
DRAFT
J:WttorneyW.ICEVORDWO~CURRENT~acINOwPreveutionOrtl Final.wptl
ApN 5, 2002
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING ARTICLE II TO CHAPTER 25 OF THE
CODE OF ORDINANCES, THE PLUMBING CODE, TO REVISE VARIOUS
SECTIONS OF SAID CODE DEALING WITH CROSS-CONNECTION AND
BACKFLOW PREVENTION TO CONFORM WITH REGULATIONS AND
REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED BY THE TEXAS NATURAL RESOURCES
CONSERVATION COMMISSION; REPEALING OTHER PRIOR
INCONSISTENT PROVISIONS; MAHING OTHER FINDINGS AND
PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Paris, Paris, Texas, has previously adopted
Article II to Chapter 25 of the Code of Ordinances, entitled Plumbing Code, regulating various
aspects of the installation of plumbing fixtures in the City of Paris; and,
WHEREAS, included as a portion of said Code, beginning with the definitions set out in
Section 25-20 and continuing with Section 25-22 and Section 25-23, are provisions enacted to control
and prohibitcross-connections and backflow through the various water connections in the city ofParis
to prevent contamination of the City's water system and to preserve the quality of the City's water;
and,
WHEREAS, various portions of the backflow prevention requirements are established by
State law, and the City's current ordinance should be revised to reflect amendments to said state law;
and,
WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that such amendments are necessary to
conform and comply with State law and to preserve and protectthe health, safety, and welfare ofthe
City's water supply and the citizens of the city of Paris; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS,
TEXAS:
Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this ordinance are hereby in all things
approved.
Section 2. That Section 25-22(1) of Article II, Chapter 25 of the Code of Ordinances,
Plumbing Code, shall be and is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 25-22. Cross-connection Control.
(1) For each backflow prevention device on private property, except
irrigation double checks, the owner of such device shall register said device
with the City annually. The Utilities Division of the City of Paris shall keep
a current inventory of all devices except irrigation devices and a record of all
annual inspections provided on said devices. Each owner of such device shall
be and is hereby required to have said devices tested annually at the owner's
expense by a certified backflow prevention device tester who is also registered
with the City. The owner shall be required to maintain copies of said test
results and maintenance reports for a period of at least five continuous years,
and the owner shall also provide a copy ofthe testresults for each annual test
as well as said maintenance reports to the City of Paris Water Utilities
Deparhnent. The fee for registering said test results shall be established by
resolution of the City Council."
Section 3. That Section 25-22(m) of Article II, Chapter 25, Plumbing Code, of the Code of
ordinances of the City of Paris shall be and is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 25-22. Cross-connection Control.
(m) All certified backflow prevention device testers installing, repairing, or
testing devices within the city ofParis shall be registered with the City ofParis
Utilities Division. Such registration shall be on an annual basis, accompanied
by a payment of an annual registration fee established by resolution ofthe City
Council."
Section 4. That Section 25-23(b) of Article II, Chapter 25, Plumbing Code, of the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Paris shall be and is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 25-23. Backflow prevention device installation requirements.
(b) An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed in a facility
if any of the following applications are utilized in the structure being supplied
water by the City of Paris water system:
1. Aircraft
2. Amusement Parks
3. Aniinal Feedlots
4. Aspirators
5. Autoclaves
6. Automorive Plants
7. Automated Filxn Processors
8. Autopsy Facilities
9. Auxiliary Water Systems
10. Bedpan Washers
11. Beverage Bottling Plants
12. Boilers (large)
13. Breweries
14. Buildings with sewer ejectors or pumps
15. Buildings with water storage tanks, or non-
potable water sources
16. Canneries
17. Car Wash Faciliries
18. Carbonated Drink Fountains
19. Cement and Concrete Mixing
20. Centralized Heating, and Air Condirioning
Plants
21. Chemical Plants, Chemical Plants,
Manufacturing, or Processing
22. Chemical Treatment Lawn Applicarion
Systems
23. Chemically Treated Fire Sprinkler Systems
24. Clinics, dental, medical, veterinary
25. Cold Storage Plants
26. Colleges
27. Commercial Laundries and Laundromats
28. Convalescent and Nursing Homes
29. Cooking and Heating Systems
30. Cooling Towers
31. Connecrion to Sewer Pipe
32. Creameries
33. Cuspidors
34. Dairies
35. Degreasing Equipment
36. Dental Buildings
37. Dry-Cleaning Processing
38. Dye Works
39. Domestic Space-Heating Boilers
40. Fabricating Plants
41. Facilities using Radioactive Materials
42. Filxn Laboratories
43. Fire-FigJiting System (toxic liquid foam)
44. Flexible Shower Heads
45. Food and Beverage Processing ar Canning
Operations
46. Gas Production Properties, Storage, or
Transmission Facilities
47. Gravel Plants
48. Holding Tank Reservoirs
49. Hospitals
50. Hose Bibbs
51. Industrial Process where water is used to
clean or manufacture products
52. Irrigation Systems
53. Kitchen Equipment - Commercial
54. Laboratories
55. Landscape Nurseries
56. Manufacturing Plants
57. Marinas
58. Meat Processing or Packing Operation
59. Medical Clinics
60. Metal Cleaning, Plating, Processing
Industries
61. Metal Fabricating Plants
62. Missile and Explosives Plants
63. Morgues
64. Morhxaries
65. Motion Picture Studios
66. Ornamental Fountains
67. Paint and Body Shops (Automorive & Boat)
68. Paper and Paper Products Plants
69. Petroleum Processing or Storage Operations
70. Photo and Filxn Processing
71. Radiator Repair Shops
72. Restricted, Classified, or other Closed
Facilities
73. Rubber Processing Plants
74. Sanitariums
75. Sewage Lift or Crnnder Starions
76. Sewage Treatment Plants
77. Shampoo Basins
78. S1augJiter Houses
79. Specimen Tanks
80. Steam Generating Operations
81. Solar Energy Systems
82. Swimmiiig Pools
83. Tanks or Vessels Containixig Toxins
84. Veterinary Clinics
85. Tall Buildings with Elevation Difference 80
ft or more above meter
86. Trap Primers
87. Vending Machines with Water
88. Watering TrougJi
In some applications not listed above, an approved backflow
prevention device may be required by the Water Utilities Superintendent
and/or Chief Building Official."
Section 5. All other terms or provisions of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Paris in
conflict with the terms and provisions of this ordinance shall be and are hereby repealed to the extent
of such conflict only.
Section 6. All other terms and provisions of Article II of Chapter 25 of the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Paris, except as amended herewith, shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 7. That this ordinance shall be effective beginning May 1, 2002.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 8th day of April, 2002.
Michael J. Pfiester, Mayor
ATTEST:
Mattie Cunningham, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Larry W. Schenk, City Attorney