Backflow can occur by events such as backpressure and/or back-siphonage due to a sudden loss of pressure in the distribution system which allow contaminants and/or pollutants to enter the potable water supply. The purpose of this policy is to protect the Clifton Water District’s distribution system from contaminants using backflow prevention and cross-connection control (BPCCC) at customer service connections.

This policy applies to all commercial, industrial, and multi-family residential service connections within the distribution system and to any persons designated “In-District” or “Out-of-District” who are, by contract or agreement with the District, users of the public water system. This policy does not apply to single-family-residential service connections unless the District becomes aware of a cross-connection at the single-family service connection.

1. Article 1-114 and Article 1-114.1 of Title 25 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS)
2. Section 11.39 of 5 CCR 1002-11, Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations
3. Colorado Plumbing Code

1. Air Gap - is a physical separation between the free-flowing discharge end of a potable water supply pipeline and an open or non-pressure receiving vessel installed in accordance with standard ASME A112.1.2.
2.  Backflow- means the undesirable reversal of flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids, gases, or other substances into the public water systems distribution system from any source or sources other than its intended source.
3. Backflow Contamination Event - backflow into a public water system from an uncontrolled cross connection such that the water quality no longer meets the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations or presents an immediate health and/or safety risk to the public.
4. Backflow Prevention Assembly - any mechanical assembly installed at a water service line or at a plumbing fixture to prevent a backflow contamination event, provided that the mechanical assembly is appropriate for the identified contaminant at the cross connection and is an in-line field-testable assembly.
5. Backflow Prevention Method - any method and/or non-testable device installed at a water service line or at a plumbing fixture to prevent a backflow contamination event, provided that the method or non-testable device is appropriate for the identified contaminant at the cross connection.
6. Backpressure – Means backflow caused by a pump, elevated tank, boiler, or “head” in pipe, or any means that could create greater pressure within a piping system than that which exists within the potable water supply.
7. Back-siphonage – Means the reverse flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, gases or substances into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply system caused by negative or sub atmospheric pressure in the potable water supply system.
8. Certified Cross-Connection Control Technician - a person who possesses a valid Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester certification from one of the following approved organizations: American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE) or the American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA). If a certification has expired, the certification is invalid.
9. Containment - means the installation of a backflow prevention assembly or a backflow prevention method at any connection to the public water system that supplies an auxiliary water system, location, facility, or area such that backflow from a cross connection into the public water system is prevented.
10. Containment by Isolation - means the installation of backflow prevention assemblies or backflow prevention methods at all cross connections identified within a customer’s water system such that backflow from a cross connection into the public water system is prevented.
11. Contamination – Means an impairment of the quality of the potable water by sewage, industrial fluids or waste liquids, compounds or other materials to a degree which creates an actual hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease.
12. Controlled Cross-Connection - having a properly installed, maintained, and tested or inspected backflow prevention assembly or backflow prevention method that prevents backflow through a cross connection.
13. Cross-Connection - any connection that could allow any water, fluid, or gas such that the water quality could present an unacceptable health and/or safety risk to the public, to flow from any pipe, plumbing fixture, or a customer’s water system into a public water system’s distribution system or any other part of the public water system through backflow.
14. Customer – refers to the property owner or responsible party that has authority to manage the account.
15. District – The Clifton Water District hereinafter referred to as “District.”
16. District Facilities – include the administration building, water treatment plant, pump stations, fill stations, storage tanks, meter pits/vaults, fire hydrants, and remote monitoring sites.
17. Dual Check Meter Yoke – refers to a meter yoke that contains a dual check assembly. The meter yoke is the copper assembly in the meter pit where the water meter is set.
18. Multi-Family - a single residential connection to the public water system’s distribution system from which two or more separate dwelling units are supplied water.
19. Non-Potable Water – means water that is not safe for human consumption or that does not meet the requirements set forth in the State of Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations.
20. Potable Water – Means water free from impurities in amounts sufficient to cause disease or harmful physiological effects. The bacteriological, chemical, and radiological quality shall conform with State of Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations.
21. Reduced Pressure Principle Assembly – an assembly of two independently operating approved check valves with a hydraulic automatic operating differential relief valve between the two check valves. The assembly shall be located between two (2) tightly closing (resilient seated) shut-off valves, and four (4) properly located test cocks for the testing of the check and relief valves. The entire assembly shall be an approved backflow prevention device.
22. Single Family –
    • A single dwelling which is occupied by a single family and is supplied by a separate service line; or
    • A single dwelling comprised of multiple living units where each living unit is supplied by a separate service line and water meter.
23. Service Connection – means the terminal end of the supplier’s service connection from the potable water distribution system, where the water supplier loses jurisdiction and sanitary control over the water as its point of delivery to the shut-off valve or meter, whichever comes first from the water main. The District owns the water service from the main line to the water meter.
24. Uncontrolled Cross-Connection - means not having a properly installed and maintained and tested or inspected backflow prevention assembly or backflow prevention method, or the backflow prevention assembly or backflow prevention method does not prevent backflow through a cross connection.
25. Water Supplier – means any person or group owning and/or operating a public water supply.
26. Water Supply System - a water distribution system, piping, connection fittings, valves and    appurtenances within a building, structure, or premises. Water supply systems are also referred to commonly as premise plumbing systems.

 Surveys

• The District shall conduct initial surveys on new commercial, industrial, and multi-family service connections to identify potential cross-connections.
• The District shall resurvey the service connection if made aware of changes or addition of potential cross-connections.
• Single family residential connections will be regulated under this policy for direct water line connections (or permanent plumbing) of the following application including but not limited to:
  • Swimming pools or hot tubs
  • Graywater systems
  •  Cisterns
  • Wells, ponds, lagoons, or irrigation ditches
  • Dedicated irrigation connection to the water main
  • Home businesses such as medical offices, hydroponic system, agricultural system, and laboratories
  • Fire suppression systems
• The District shall survey a single-family residence if made aware of a cross-connection for certain applications not covered under the Colorado Plumbing Code. Identification of a cross-connection will require the removal or protection of the connection.
• The District shall keep documentation of all surveys conducted on service connections. Documentation will also be provided to the customer.
• The District shall have the authority to survey any service connection within the distribution system to identify potential cross-connections.
• The District shall have the authority to control any service connection within the distribution system if the connection contains an uncontrolled cross-connection.
• A certified cross-connection control representative of the District shall have the right of entry to survey all buildings and premises for the presence of cross-connections for possible contamination risk and for determining compliance with this section. This right of entry shall be a condition of the Water Service Agreement to protect the health, safety and welfare of customers throughout the public water system’s distribution system.
  • The District shall provide a 30-day written notice to the property owner to perform a survey if there is suspicion of an uncontrolled cross connection, and/or if changes to the business, premises, or building(s) were made.

Dual-Check Meter Yokes

• The District installs meter yokes that contain dual check assemblies to help further protect the distribution system from backflow caused by backpressure and/or back-siphonage.
• Dual-check meter yokes only provide additional protection of the potable water supply and are not acceptable substitutions for approved backflow protection assemblies and methods that meet the protection requirements for a controlled cross-connection under the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations.
• If a water service connection is discovered that does not contain a dual-check meter yoke, the District shall replace the yoke with one that contains a dual-check assembly. The customer will receive written notice by letter and/or door hanger when this has been installed.
  •  Installation of a dual-check assembly may cause higher pressure in household plumbing due to heated water that results in thermal expansion. The District recommends installing a thermal expansion tank and/or other pressure reducing devices to protect household plumbing.
  • In the event of a planned water service line replacement, the District will notify the customer at least 14 days in advance.
  •  For emergency leak repairs, the District will remove the dual-check assembly from the meter yoke to allow the customer 30 days to make necessary changes to household plumbing.

District Facilities

• The District shall ensure all cross-connections within District facilities are controlled.
• The District shall inspect, test, maintain, repair, or replace facility backflow prevention assemblies and methods to remain compliant to the Colorado Primary drinking Water Regulations.

District Record-Keeping

• The District shall keep documentation of all surveys conducted on service connections. Documentation will also be provided to the customer.
• The District shall maintain all test records. Test records will also be attached to the customer’s account.
• The District shall maintain tracking for each calendar year of the status of each backflow prevention assembly and/or method on record.
• The District shall prepare an annual BPCCC report as required by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

1. Cross-connections identified from surveys on commercial, industrial, multi-family, and dedicated connections used for irrigation must have an approved backflow prevention assembly and/or method to protect the distribution system. The District will allow up to 120 days to install an approved backflow prevention assembly and/or method upon discovery of the uncontrolled cross-connection. Assemblies and/or methods must be installed downstream of the water meter.
2. If the cross-connection cannot be controlled within the 120 days, the District may enforce action by suspending service and/or removing the cross-connection. An approved alternate schedule is possible from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment if this is not possible within the 120 days.
3. It is not permissible to install any additional connections upstream of the protected cross-connection.
4. Backflow prevention assemblies and methods must be installed in an accessible location adequate to accommodate maintenance and testing.
5. Adequate drainage of discharge water must be provided for reduced pressure principal backflow assemblies, and they should not be installed in a location subject to flooding.
6. Assemblies and methods must be protected from freezing conditions. It is acceptable to remove a device that eliminates a cross-connection; however, the device must be tested by a certified cross-connection control technician when re-installed.
7. For backflow prevention assemblies or methods installed at locations that contain hot water storage and are subject to thermal expansion that results in increased pressure, a pressure control device must be installed.
8. All backflow prevention assemblies shall be tested at the time of installation and on an annual schedule thereafter. Such tests must be conducted by a Certified Cross-Connection Control Technician. For new water service connections, test results must be submitted to the District within 30 days of installation.
9. The customer or owner is responsible for all costs involved with the design, installation, maintenance, testing, repairs, and replacement of backflow prevention assemblies and methods.
10. For buildings or premises with new water service connections, the customer/owner shall schedule an initial survey with the District to document all cross-connections, backflow prevention assemblies, and methods within 30 days of establishing water service.
11. Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Requirements
    • The District requires annual inspection, testing, and repair/replacement as needed for all backflow prevention assemblies and methods by a Certified Cross-Connection Control Technician.
    • The District will notify the customer by letter 30 days prior to the annual inspection/test month. The customer will be required to submit an inspection/test report within 60 days of receiving the notification letter.
    • For backflow prevention assemblies that have been removed or winterized for the season (i.e., connections used for irrigation), the District will require a passing test report by the end of the calendar year.
      •  Irrigation months typically run from April to October of each year. It is the responsibility of the customer to plan accordingly.
      • Backflow prevention assemblies that have been inspected and noted to have been “shut-off” will not be accepted on test reports. Valves isolating the connection does not protect the distribution system from a cross-connection. This is still considered an uncontrolled cross-connection.
      • If the winterized backflow assembly and cross-connection is to remain out-of-service, the District will require documentation from a Certified Cross-Connection Control Technician that the device has been removed, thus establishing an air gap and shall include photographs demonstrating a controlled cross-connection.
    •  For failed tests or when repair/replacement is needed, the District will allow 90 days for repair/replacement of the backflow prevention assembly or method. A passing test report will be required to be submitted to demonstrate compliance.
    • Testing equipment used to perform assembly testing shall be calibrated at least once annually. This information shall be noted in the test report.
    • Failure to submit backflow prevention assembly and method inspection/test reports to the District will result in additional fines and/or suspension of water service as defined in the “Penalties” section of this policy.
12. Customer Record-Keeping
    • Customers with identified cross-connections shall keep assembly inspection, testing, repair, replacement reports for at least 3 years.
    • All test reports are required to be submitted to the District by hand delivery, mail, or email.

Compliance

1. Backflow assemblies must be tested by licensed backflow testers and results must be reported to the District within the timeframe specified. Failure to comply with the annual testing requirements may result in fines, having water service suspended and possible violations to the District. If violations are issued to the District, it may be required to notify all of their customers of the violation within 30 days and that it was caused by a customer not testing backflow assemblies as required. In the public notice, the District can identify the customer that caused the violation.
2. Under Colorado State Law CRS 25-1-114(1)(h) it is unlawful for anyone to create or allow a cross-connection. Failing to test a backflow assembly is essentially creating a cross-connection. Failing to comply with these and your water system’s requirements puts people at risk of illness and is not allowed under state law.
3. Customers shall comply with installation, testing, inspections, repair, and replacement of backflow prevention assemblies and surveys. Upon discovery of an uncontrolled cross-connection, the District will enforce action within 120 days of discovery to “control” the cross-connection to protect the potable water supply in the distribution system with the following actions:
   • Install a backflow prevention assembly or method.
   • Remove the cross-connection.
   • Suspend service to the cross-connection. This will include removing the water meter to eliminate a cross-connection by establishing an air gap.
4.  The District shall not knowingly suspend service to a connection dedicated to a fire suppression system.
   • Fines will be issued in lieu of water service suspension.
   • If an alternate connection exists, such as the domestic water supply, then the District shall suspend that connection in lieu of the fire suppression system.

 Penalties

1. The District provides written notification to customers when annual testing is due at least 30 days in advance of the test month of the previous year. A reminder letter will be sent if test reports are not received within 30 days. Failure to submit a test report (pass or fail) for all backflow prevention assemblies and methods within 60 days of initial written notification will result in:
   • A BPCCC non-compliant fee of $500.00 will be added to the customer's account.
     • For failed test reports, the customer is required to repair or replace and retest the backflow prevention assembly and submit a new test report within 90 days. The customer will not be issued the non-compliant fee unless the new test report is not submitted to the District in the given time frame.
   • Upon issuance of the BPCCC non-compliant fee, another written notification will be sent to the customer warning of the suspension of water service within 30 days.
     • The District will issue a $50.00 disconnect/shut off fee.
   • If, for reasons deemed acceptable by the District, such that scheduling for testing is not possible, the District may provide assistance by providing backflow assembly testing services to avoid water shut-off and removal of the water meter.
     • The District will issue a $250.00 fee if backflow testing services are provided.

• Survey Form
• Single Family Residential Questionnaire
• Backflow Test Reminder Letter
• Fee Issuance and Suspension of Service Letter
• Failed Assembly Test Letter