Cathy Heald NCGW System Inspection Coordinator

November 22, 2016

Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection Control at

NCGW Systems

Overview

• Sanitary Surveys at NCGW Suppliers of Water

• How BPCCC is Evaluated

• Discovered Cross Connections

Sanitary Surveys at NCGW Suppliers of Water

Public Suppliers of Water Currently 1980 public water systems in Colorado 874 Community 168 Non-transient non-community 938 Transient non-community

Total 1106 Non-community systems

Transient –vs- Non-transient Transient, non-community water system means a non-community water system

that does not regularly serve at least twenty-five of the same persons over six months per year.

Transient –vs- Non-transient Non-transient, non-community water system means a public water

that regularly serves a population of at least 25 of the same people for at least six months per year and is not a community water system. months per year.

• System Management & Operations – 1 of 8 sanitary survey element

• Required of all public suppliers of water

• Evaluated during both the recordkeeping and physical walkthrough

portions of a sanitary survey

Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control

How BPCCC is Evaluated during Sanitary Surveys

• Written backflow prevention and cross-connection control program reviewed by the inspector

• Survey of the water system to identify cross connections

• includes the internal water supply buildings which the

water system owns and/or operates

Evaluation of Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control

• Installation of backflow prevention assemblies or methods

on uncontrolled cross connections • Inspector checks for inventory or summary of existing

backflow prevention assemblies/methods

• Testing and inspection requirements for backflow prevention assemblies/methods

• Annual backflow prevention and cross connection control program report

Evaluation of Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control

• Physical walk-through of the entire water works including the treatment plant, storage tanks if present and the DS

• To evaluate areas where potential cross connections may exist

• To evaluate existing backflow prevention assemblies/methods

that are documented in the program

Evaluation of Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control

NCGW Suppliers typically have small Distribution Systems

Well TP DS

One to two buildings with service connections is not uncommon

NCGW Suppliers with fairly large Distribution Systems

However some can have small community like DS

Multiple Service Connections

• Irrigation systems

• Fire sprinkler systems

• Chemical dispensers

• Beverage dispensers (carbon dioxide gas)

Targeted Areas during Sanitary Surveys

• Boilers (use of chemical or not)

• Heat exchangers (toxic transfer fluid)

• Coffee machines/non-carbonated beverage dispensers

• Areas that use chemicals such as school chemistry labs

Targeted Areas during Sanitary Surveys

Discovered Cross Connections

Irrigation System

Main water line splits into two lines that flow onto the DS

Direct Connect to Potable Water System in TP

Irrigation System

Direct Connect to Potable Water System in DS

Four Hose Manifold Irrigation Hydrant

Recreational Splash Pad

Recreational Splash Pad

Splash Pad Valve Control Box

Splash pad’s overflow collection pond with fountain

Fire Suppression System

No Backflow Prevention Assembly

• The National Fire Protection Association Code 13 (2002 Edition), Section 8.16.4.6.2 requires that a hydraulic analysis be performed as a part of the backflow prevention assembly installation to ensure that the fire suppression system not be compromised.

• Hydraulic Analysis includes:

• revised hydraulic calculations,

• necessary system modifications to accommodate the additional friction loss, and

• new fire flow data.

Cross Connection Control at Existing Fire Suppression Systems

• Must be performed by a certified Fire Suppression System Contractor

• The CO Division of Fire Prevention and Control’s website maintains a list of certified fire suppression contractors at: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dfpc/fire-suppression-system-contractors

Hydraulic Analysis at Existing Fire Suppression Systems

Fire Suppression Tank Water Supply Line

Concentrated Chemical Dispensers

Pure Force dispensers directly connected to the potable water supply

Sanitizing floor cleaner and multi-purpose degreaser

EcoLab Chemical Dispenser

Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker on Mop Sink Faucet mospheric Vacuum Breaker

Concentrated Chemical Dispensing Hose

EcoLab dispenser hose submerged into receiving sink full of dirty dish water

Janitorial Mop Sinks

Boiler System

No backflow prevention device could be located

Boiler Intermediate Atmospheric Vent

Identified after the sanitary survey

Swimming Pool Fill Lines

2” below water level

RV Waste Digesters

High Hazard!

Plastic Vacuum Breaker

Advertised as fully backflow prevented

Reclaim Water Digester Tank

Finished water directly enters the digester

Reverse osmosis waste line

Water softener waste line

Evaporative cooler drain line (not connected to the drinking water system)

Both are cross connections

Not a cross connection

Anti-freeze Water Pump

Discharge Hose

Artesian Well Overflow Line

Barn Animal Water Troughs

Water Softener Discharge Line

Questions & Comments?