(a) Prohibition of
certain connections and installations. To provide proper sanitary protection to
the corporation's water supply, and to comply with the applicable statutes,
rules and regulations of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and
of the state department of health, as presently adopted and from time to time
amended, no cross-connections with other water supplies, or other physical
connections shall exist, or be installed, located, maintained or operated,
which could permit backflow of contaminated water from the consumer's premises
into the corporation's water supply system, except as provided below:
(1) Cross-connections with other water
supplies. Existing water supplies which are in active use and cross-connected
to the corporation's system will be allowed only under the following
conditions:
(A) Where such water supplies are
regularly analyzed by the corporation, or other agencies satisfactory to the
corporation, meet the requirements of the State's Safe Drinking Water
Regulations and have no cross-connections which could permit backflow of
contaminated water into those water supplies; and
(B) Where such water supplies do not meet the
requirements of paragraph (1) above, are not normally under pressure, and are
maintained solely for firefighting purposes, and, where adequate protection
against backflow to the corporation's water system is provided by mechanical
means, or other methods or devices, satisfactory to the corporation.
(2) Other physical connections.
Other physical connections may be permitted if, in the judgment of the
corporation, adequate protection can be provided to the water supply of the
corporation against backflow by the installation of mechanical or other methods
or devices, approved by the corporation, and installed, maintained, and
operated by the consumer in a manner satisfactory to the corporation at all
times; provided, however, that the corporation may require the consumer to
eliminate or rearrange designated plumbing or piping connections or fixtures,
or to install a backflow device at the meter or other location, subject to the
approval of the corporation whenever
(1) the
consumer is engaged in the handling of dangerous or corrosive liquids or
industrial or process waters, highly contaminated water or sewage, or is
engaged in the medical or dental treatment of persons who might have diseases
transmittable by water; or
(2) in
the judgment of the corporation there exists a danger of backflow into the
corporation's mains because of the possibility of unauthorized connections
being created through noncompliance or inadvertence by reason of the complexity
of the system or systems; or, because of failure by the consumer to provide
adequately qualified personnel and supervision for maintenance and extension of
the consumer's piping system or systems; or, for any other reason or cause
deemed sufficient in the corporation's discretion.
(b) Separate pressure system. The
corporation will require the installation of mechanical or other methods or
devices, on the consumer's side of the meter to prevent backflow whenever the
consumer maintains a separate pressure system or a separate storage facility;
or, in any way increases the pressures of the water within the consumer's
premises above the pressure furnished by the corporation; or, has such
equipment or arrangement of piping, storage or industrial methods or processes
as might under certain conditions raise the pressure of the water within the
consumer's premises above the pressure of the water in the mains of the
corporation. Plans for all such installations must be approved by the
corporation.
(c) Location of
protective devices. Any device installed for the prevention of backflow as may
be required under this chapter shall unless the corporation approves otherwise
in writing, be located above ground, and in such location as to be safe from
flooding or submergence in water or other liquids, properly protected from
external damage, freely accessible, and with adequate working room for testing
and repairing.
All such devices shall be tested at least once annually,
and as often as required by the corporation in those instances where successive
tests indicate repeated failure. Repairs, replacement of parts, etc., shall be
made whenever deemed necessary by the corporation at the expense of the
consumer. Completing annual tests shall be the responsibility of the consumer,
and shall be performed only by the consumer or such other qualified person or
persons in accordance with all applicable health and safety laws, including
section
11-21,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, as may be acceptable to the corporation. Records of
all tests shall be made on forms prescribed by the corporation, and a copy of
each such record shall be promptly furnished to the corporation. If the
consumer fails to complete the proper tests and submission of records, the
corporation may, in its sole discretion, complete the tests, needed repairs,
and replacements, and charge the costs thereof to the consumer.
(d) Conformance with laws and
ordinances. The several conditions relative to installation and maintenance of
cross-connections and other physical connections referred to in this section
shall be subject to the changing requirements of state and federal health and
environmental statutes, rules, regulations, or other authority, and any
applicable county building code.
(e) Discontinuance of water service for
noncompliance. Failure on the part of the consumer to comply with the
corporation's requirements relative to cross-connections and backflow
prevention will be sufficient reason for discontinuing water service until such
time as the corporation is satisfied the requirements have been met.
(f) If the consumer intends to use the
corporation's water system for agricultural use, the corporation shall require
the installation of mechanical, or other methods or devices that have been
approved by the board of water supply of the applicable county, on the
consumer's side of the meter to prevent backflow at the expense of the
consumer. Plans for such installations shall be approved by the corporation.
As a protection to the consumer's plumbing system, a
suitable pressure relief valve must be installed and maintained by the consumer
at its expense when backflow devices are installed on the consumer's side of
the meter.
(1) Upon request of the
corporation, the consumer shall present an affidavit certifying that there are
no connections with other water supply systems on the consumer's premises;
and
(2) The consumer's failure to
comply with the corporation's requirements for backflow prevention will be
sufficient reason for discontinuing water service until such time as the
requirements have been met.
