12 Va. Admin. Code § 5-590-600 - Cross-connection control program responsibilities

A. The owner shall establish and implement a CCCP consistent with the extent of the distribution system and the consumers served by the waterworks. The owner shall review the CCCP and written cross-connection control plan not less than every five years and update it as necessary to satisfy the requirements of this chapter. The owner shall submit updates to the department to obtain approval. The department may review the plan upon request. This program shall include at least one designated individual assigned by the owner. Requirements for this position shall include training and experience in cross-connection control programs.

B. The CCCP shall not be in conflict with the USBC and applicable building code regulations, including 13VAC5-63 or subsequent regulations promulgated by the Board of Housing and Community Development.

C. The CCCP shall ensure complete assessments of every consumer's water system and shall determine both the degree of hazard and the appropriateness of existing safeguards to prevent contamination from cross-connections and backflow.

D. The CCCP shall ensure testing, maintenance, and repairs of all backflow prevention assemblies, backflow elimination methods, and backflow prevention devices required and installed pursuant to 12VAC5-590-610.

E.13VAC5-63-530, which incorporates the International Property Maintenance Code into the USBC, requires testing of RPZ assemblies, double check valve assemblies, double check detector backflow assemblies, and pressure vacuum breaker assemblies after initial installation, immediately after repairs or relocation, and annually thereafter. The CCCP shall establish procedures for completing and monitoring operational tests, or other evaluation procedures as appropriate, at least annually, and after installation, relocation, or repairs, for testable backflow prevention assemblies, devices, and methods that provide containment. The CCCP may include a public education program to:

1. Prompt consumer self-assessments, increase the awareness of cross-connections, and inform the consumer of the public health hazards of backflow.

2. The public education program, if provided as part of the CCCP, shall include, at a minimum, the following:

a. Causes of backflow;

b. Hazards and health effects of cross-connections and backflow;

c. Resources available to identify actual or potential cross-connections;

d. Safeguards to use to eliminate or control the hazards at the point of use; and

e. Sources for additional information.

F. The CCCP shall provide a method to discontinue or refuse water service to the consumer to ensure that the waterworks is adequately protected from cross-connections and backflow if any of the following conditions occur:

1. The consumer does not install, test and maintain a required backflow prevention assembly or backflow elimination method in accordance with the applicable sections of this chapter;

2. The consumer allows a required backflow prevention assembly or backflow elimination method to become inoperable or the consumer removes or bypasses it; or

3. The owner knows an unprotected or inadequately protected cross-connection exists on the premises and determines that there is inadequate backflow prevention at the service connection.

G. In the event of backflow of contaminants into the waterworks, the owner shall promptly take or cause corrective action to confine and eliminate the contamination. The owner shall report the event to the department within one business day in the most expeditious manner. The owner shall submit a written report by the 10th day of the month following the month during which backflow occurred addressing the incident, its causes and effects, and safeguards required or other action taken.

H. The owner shall maintain an inventory and records of testing, repairs, and maintenance of all backflow prevention assemblies, backflow elimination methods, and backflow prevention devices required and installed under 12VAC5-590-610 C. In the case of single-family residences subject to 12VAC5-590-610 C 5, the owner may determine whether or not to maintain an inventory or records. The department recommends the owner follow best practices identified in the AWWA Manual of Water Supply Practices M14 and the EPA Cross-Connection Control Manual.

I. The owner shall maintain an inventory and records of testing, repairs, and maintenance of all backflow prevention assemblies, backflow elimination methods, and backflow prevention devices required and installed under 12VAC5-590-610 E.

J. The owner shall maintain records related to the CCCP implementation, and any other records the department requires in accordance with 12VAC5-590-550.

Notes

12 Va. Admin. Code § 5-590-600

Derived from VR355-18-006.03 § 2.27, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. 6/23/2021.

Statutory Authority: §§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.