Lake Elizabeth Mutual Water Co.
Cross-Connection Control, Ordinance No. 1.,  

AN ORDINANCE INSTITUTING A CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL PROGRAM TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM

THE LAKE ELIZABETH MUTUAL WATER COMPANY (LWEMC) DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

 

SECTION I – PURPOSE

 

The purpose of this ordinance is to protect the public water supply system from contamination due to potential and actual cross-connections. This shall be accomplished by the establishment of a cross-connection control program as required by State regulations. Pursuant to sections 116407 and 116555.5 of the CHSC, the State Water Board chose to adopt standards for backflow protection and cross-connection control through the adoption of this State Cross Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH), which became effective July 1, 2024.

 

 

Prior to AB 1671 and the adoption of the State CCCPH, California’s regulations pertaining to cross-connection control were set forth in regulations in CCR Title 17, which were adopted in 1987 with minor revisions in 2000. Although still protective to public health, the CCR Title 17 cross-connection regulations required updating as both the drinking water and cross-connection control industries had evolved. This State CCCPH updates those regulations, which as previously noted are no longer operative following the adoption of the State CCCPH.

 

The CCCPH requires that each Public Water Supply prepare and submit for State Water Board approval a Cross Connection Control Management Plan (CCCMP). The purpose of the CCCMP is to provide the basis for the Public Water System’s compliance with the requirements of the State Water Board CCCPH.

 

SECTION II – RESPONSIBILITY

 

The Manager shall be responsible for implementing and enforcing the cross-connection control program as described in the Lake Elizabeth Mutual Water Company (LEMWC) CCCMP. An appropriate backflow prevention assembly shall be installed by and at the expense of the water user at each user connection where required to prevent backflow from the water user’s premises to the domestic water system. It shall be the water user’s responsibility to comply with the LEMWC’s requirements.

 

SECTION III – CROSS-CONNECTION PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

 

The type of protection that shall be provided to prevent backflow into the public water supply system shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard, actual or potential, that exists on the water user’s premises. Unprotected cross- connections with the public water supply are prohibited. The type of backflow prevention assembly that may be required (listed in decreasing level of protection) includes: Air-gap separation (AG), Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assembly (RP), and Double Check Valve Assembly (DC). The water user may choose a higher level of protection than required by the water supplier. The minimum types of backflow prevention required to protect the approved water supply at the user’s water connection to premises with varying degrees of hazard are listed in the CCCMP. Situations which are not covered in the CCCMP shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and the appropriate backflow prevention shall be determined by the water supplier or health agency.

 

SECTION IV – BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLIES

 

Only backflow prevention assemblies which have been approved by the LEMWC and the USC Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research shall be acceptable for installation by a water user. Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in a manner prescribed in the LEMWC CCCMP. Location of the assemblies shall be as close as practical to the user’s connection. The LEMWC shall have the final authority in determining the required location of the backflow prevention assembly.

 

Testing of backflow assemblies shall be conducted only by qualified testers and testing will be the responsibility of the water user. Backflow prevention assemblies must be tested at least annually and immediately after installation, relocation or repair. More frequent testing may be required if deemed by the LEMWC. No assembly shall be placed back in service unless it is functioning as required. These assemblies shall be serviced, overhauled, or replaced whenever they are found to be defective, and all costs of testing, repair, and maintenance shall be borne by the water user. Approval must be obtained from the LEMWC prior to removing, relocating or replacing a backflow prevention assembly.

 

SECTION V – ADMINISTRATION

 

The cross-connection control program shall be administered by the Manager. The LEMWC will establish and maintain a list of approved backflow prevention assembly testers. The LEMWC shall conduct necessary surveys of water user premises to evaluate the degree of potential health hazards. The LEMWC shall notify users when an assembly needs to be tested. The notice shall contain the date when the test must be completed.

 

SECTION VI – WATER SERVICE TERMINATION

 

When the LEMWC encounters water uses that represent a clear and immediate hazard to the potable water supply that cannot be immediately abated, the procedure for terminating water service shall be instituted.

Conditions of water uses that create a basis for water service termination shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

 

For condition 1, the LEMWC will terminate service to a water user’s premises after proper notification has been sent. If no action is taken within the allowed time period, water service shall be terminated.

 

For conditions 2, 3, or 4, the LEMWC shall take the following steps:

 

LEMWC .

 

SECTION VII – EFFECTIVE DATE

 

This ordinance shall supersede all previous cross-connection control ordinances and shall take effect thirty (30) days from the date of its adoption. Before the expiration of fifteen (15) days after its adoption, this Ordinance shall be published in the Antelope Valley Press, a newspaper of general circulation, printed and published in the Antelope Valley .