These rules are being amended to significantly reduce the overall regulatory burden of cross-connection control requirements on community water systems (CWSs) and their residential customers by: (1) allowing a dual check device to be used as ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

62-555.330Engineering References for Public Water Systems

62-555.360Cross-Connection Control for Public Water Systems

62-555.900Forms and Instructions

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: These rules are being amended to significantly reduce the overall regulatory burden of cross-connection control requirements on community water systems (CWSs) and their residential customers by: (1) allowing a dual check device to be used as backflow protection at or for residential service connections from CWSs to premises where there is any type of auxiliary or reclaimed water system; and (2) allowing biennial instead of annual testing of backflow preventer assemblies required at or for residential service connections from CWSs. Also, these rules are being amended to clarify, and thus, achieve more consistent compliance with, cross-connection control requirements for public water systems (PWSs). Furthermore, these rules are being amended to require large CWSs – i.e., CWSs serving more than 10,000 persons – to submit cross-connection control program annual reports using a brief new two-page form. The new reporting requirement will be a slight additional burden on large CWSs, but the annual reports will enable the Department to better ascertain the operational adequacy of large CWSs and more efficiently conduct sanitary surveys of large CWSs. (About 91% of those Florida residents who obtain their drinking water from a CWS are served by a large CWS even though large CWSs comprise only about 14% of the total number of CWSs in Florida.)

SUMMARY: Rule 62-555.330 is being amended to incorporate the current (third) edition of AWWA Manual M14 instead of the second edition of this manual, which is no longer available from the publisher. Subsection 62-555.360(1) is being amended to clarify that cross-connections are prohibited unless appropriate backflow protection is provided to prevent backflow through the cross-connection; to clarify that a PWS may interconnect to another PWS of the same type without installing backflow protection; and to clarify appropriate backflow protection for various applications. Subsection 62-555.360(2) is being amended to require that only CWSs must establish and implement a cross-connection control program; to clarify that the intent and purpose of a CWS cross-connection control program is to utilize backflow protection at or for service connections from the CWS in order to protect the CWS from contamination caused by cross-connections on customers’ premises; and to add Tables 62-555.360-1 and 62-555.360-2. Table 62-555.360-1 clarifies the minimum components that each CWS shall include in its written cross-connection control plan in order to accomplish recommended practices in AWWA Manual M14, and this table also modifies recommended practices in AWWA Manual M14 by allowing biennial instead of annual testing of backflow preventer assemblies required at or for residential service connections from CWSs. Table 62-555.360-2 clarifies the categories of customers for which each CWS shall ensure backflow protection is provided at or for the service connection from the CWS to the customer in order to accomplish recommended practices in AWWA Manual M14, and this table also modifies recommended practices in AWWA Manual M14 by allowing a dual check device to be used as backflow protection at or for residential service connections from CWSs to premises where there is any type of auxiliary or reclaimed water system and at or for residential dedicated fire service connections from CWSs. Additionally, subsection 62-555.360(2) is being amended to require large CWSs to submit cross-connection control program annual reports using a brief new two-page form. Subsection 62-555.360(3) is being amended to clarify the action PWSs are required to take upon discovery of a prohibited or inappropriately protected cross-connection. Subsections 62-555.360(4) and 62-555.360(5) are being deleted as unnecessary because of the clarifications and modifications being made to subsections 62-555.360(1) through 62-555.360(3). Rule 62-555.900 is being amended to add new Form 62-555.900(13) to the list of forms in this rule. Both the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association Utility Council and the Florida Rural Water Association support all of the aforementioned rule amendments.

OTHER RULES INCORPORATING THIS RULE: 62-550.800, 62-550.824, 62-555.314, 62-555.315, 62-555.320, 62-555.325, 62-555.340, 62-555.348, 62-555.350, 62-555.405, 62-555.520, 62-555.528, 62-555.536, 62-610.419, 62-610.469, and 62-610.472, F.A.C.

EFFECT ON THOSE OTHER RULES: The amendments to Rules 62-555.330, 62-555.360, and 62-555.900, F.A.C., will not have any significant effect on the other rules cited above.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has been prepared by the agency.

The Agency estimates that the rule amendment allowing a dual check device to be used as backflow protection at or for residential service connections from CWSs to premises where there is any type of auxiliary or reclaimed water system and the rule amendment allowing biennial testing of backflow preventer assemblies required at or for residential service connections from CWSs could reduce equipment installation and operating costs to CWSs and their residential customers by a total of approximately $199 million over five years or approximately $39.8 million per year. The Agency estimates that the rule amendment requiring large CWSs to complete and submit cross-connection control program annual reports will increase reporting costs to large CWSs by a total of approximately $36,000 per year. The Agency believes that this increase in reporting costs will not affect any small business because the Agency believes that no large CWS in Florida is a small business.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 403.086(8), 403.8055, 403.853(3), 403.861, 403.861(9) FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 367.031, 403.086(8), 403.0877, 403.852(12), 403.853(1), 403.855(3), 403.861, 403.861(7), 403.861(17), 403.8615 FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW (IF NOT REQUESTED, THIS HEARING WILL NOT BE HELD):

DATE AND TIME: Thursday, February 27, 2014, 1:30 p.m., EST.

PLACE: Department of Environmental Protection, Bob Martinez Center, Room 609, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: John Sowerby at [e-mail] or [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: John R. Sowerby, P.E., at [e-mail] or [phone]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

62-555.330 Engineering References for Public Water Systems.

In addition to the requirements of this chapter, the requirements and standards contained in the following technical publications are hereby incorporated by reference and shall be applied in determining whether permits to construct or alter public water system components, excluding wells (but including well pumping equipment and appurtenances), shall be issued or denied. Each of these publications is available from the publisher or source listed for the publication, and each of these publications is available for review at the Department of Environmental Protection, Source and Drinking Water Program, MS 3520, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400, at the Department of Environmental Protection district offices, and at the Approved County Health Departments. The specific requirements contained in this chapter supersede the requirements and standards contained in these publications. Where there are conflicts between these publications, suppliers of water and construction permit applicants shall comply with any one of the publications. Where there are multiple options or alternatives in these publications, suppliers of water and construction permit applicants shall comply with any one of the options or alternatives. The Department shall allow exceptions to the requirements and standards in these publications if suppliers of water or construction permit applicants provide justification for each exception and provide alternative design and construction features that achieve the same purpose and that afford a similar level of strength, durability, reliability, and public health protection.

(1) through (5) No change.

(6) Recommended Practice for Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control: AWWA Manual M14, Third AWWA Manual M14, Second Edition, 2004 1990, American Water Works Association (AWWA). Published by the AWWA, 6666 W. Quincy Avenue, Denver, CO 80235, www.awwa.org.

(7) through (8) No change.

Rulemaking Specific Authority 403.861(9) FS. Law Implemented 403.861(7) FS. History–New 11-19-87, Formerly 17-22.630, Amended 1-18-89, 1-3-91, 1-1-93, Formerly 17-555.330, Amended 9-22-99, 8-28-03,__________.

 

62-555.360 Cross-Connection Control for Public Water Systems.

(1) Cross-connections, Cross-connection, as defined in Rule 62-550.200, F.A.C., are is prohibited unless appropriate backflow protection is provided to prevent backflow through the cross-connection into the public water system. This does not prohibit However, a person who owns or manages a public water system from being interconnected may interconnect to another public water system of the same type without backflow protection (i.e., a community water system [CWS] may be interconnected to another CWS without backflow protection, a non-transient non-community water system [NTNCWS] may be interconnected to another NTNCWS without backflow protection, and a transient non-community water system [TWS] may be interconnected to another TWS without backflow protection) if that system is operated and maintained in accordance with this chapter.

(a) Appropriate backflow protection for various applications is described in Recommended Practice for Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control: AWWA Manual M14, Third Edition, as clarified and modified in paragraphs (b) and (c) below and in Table 62-555.360-2, which appears at the end of this section. The third edition of AWWA Manual M14 is incorporated herein by reference; is available from the American Water Works Association, 6666 West Quincy Avenue, Denver, CO 80235, www.awwa.org; and is available for review at the Department of Environmental Protection, Source and Drinking Water Program, MS 3520, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400, at the Department of Environmental Protection district offices, and at the Approved County Health Departments.

(b) Except for the temporary cross-connections described in paragraph (c) below, cross-connections between a public water system and a wastewater system or reclaimed water system are prohibited (i.e., an air gap shall be maintained between any public water system and any wastewater system or reclaimed water system). The Department shall allow an exception to this requirement if the supplier of water provides justification for the exception and provides alternative backflow protection that achieves a level of reliability and public health protection similar to that achieved by an air gap (e.g., two biannually-tested reduced-pressure principle assemblies installed in series); however, in no case shall the Department allow a single, annually-tested mechanical backflow preventer to be used as the only protection against backflow of wastewater or reclaimed water into a public water system.

(c) Temporary cross-connections may be made between a public water system and a wastewater system or reclaimed water system for either of the following purposes:

1. To supply water for flushing or testing a new wastewater force main or new reclaimed water main, in which case a double check valve assembly or reduced-pressure principle assembly shall be provided at the cross-connection.

2. To supply water for temporarily operating a new reclaimed water main that has not yet been connected to a reclaimed water supply, in which case a reduced-pressure principle assembly shall be provided at the cross-connection.

(2) Each cCommunity water system (CWS) systems, and all public water systems that have service areas also served by reclaimed water systems regulated under Part III of Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., shall establish and implement a routine cross-connection control program utilizing backflow protection at or for service connections from the CWS in order to protect the CWS from contamination caused by cross-connections on customers’ premises to detect and control cross-connections and prevent backflow of contaminants into the water system. This program shall include a written plan that is developed using recommended practices of the American Water Works Association set forth in Recommended Practice for Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control: AWWA Manual M14, Third Edition, AWWA Manual M14, as clarified and modified in paragraph (a) below incorporated into Rule 62-555.330, F.A.C. The third edition of AWWA Manual M14 is incorporated herein by reference and is available as indicated in paragraph 62-555.360(1)(a), F.A.C.

(a) The minimum components that each CWS shall include in its written cross-connection control plan are listed and described in Table 62-555.360-1, which appears at the end of this section. The categories of customers for which each CWS shall ensure backflow protection is provided at or for the service connection from the CWS to the customer are listed in Table 62-555.360-2, which appears at the end of this section.

(b) Each CWS serving more than 10,000 persons shall prepare and submit cross-connection control program annual reports. The first annual report shall cover calendar year 2016, and subsequent annual reports shall cover each calendar year thereafter. These reports shall be prepared using Form 62-555.900(13), Cross-Connection Control Program Annual Report, effective [insert the effective date of these rule amendments], which is incorporated herein by reference and which is available as described in Rule 62-555.900, F.A.C., and at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-03326. These reports shall be submitted to the appropriate Department of Environmental Protection district office or Approved County Health Department within three months after the end of the calendar year covered by the report.

(3) Upon discovery of a prohibited or inappropriately protected cross-connection, public water systems shall either shall ensure that eliminate the cross-connection is eliminated, shall ensure that by installation of an appropriate backflow protection is installed to prevent backflow into the public water system, prevention device acceptable to the Department or shall discontinue water service until the contaminant source is eliminated. If the discovered cross-connection is on the premises of a customer of a community water system (CWS) and if the customer’s premises is in a category described in Table 62-555.360-2, which appears at the end of this section, the CWS shall ensure that appropriate backflow protection is provided at or for the water service connection to the customer regardless of whether the cross-connection is eliminated or whether internal backflow protection is installed at the cross-connection to the customer’s plumbing system.

(4) Only the following are considered to be backflow prevention devices. They shall be installed in agreement with and under the supervision of the supplier of water or his designated representative (plumbing inspector, etc.) at the consumer’s meter, at the property line of the consumer when a meter is not used, or at a location designated by the supplier of water or the Department. The devices are:

(a) Air gap separation – A physical separation between the free-flowing discharge end of a potable water supply pipeline and an open or non-pressure receiving vessel. An “approved airgap separation” shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the top of the rim of the vessel. In no case shall it be less than 1 inch.

(b) Reduced pressure backflow preventer – A device containing within its structure a minimum of two independently acting approved check valves, together with an automatically operating pressure differential relief valve located between the two check valves. The first check valve reduces the supply pressure a predetermined amount so that during normal flow and at cessation of normal flow the pressure between the checks shall be less than the supply pressure. In case of leakage of either check valve, the differential relief valve, by discharging to the atmosphere, shall operate to maintain the pressure between the checks less than the supply pressure. The unit shall include tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the device, and each device shall be fitted with properly located test cocks.

(c) Atmospheric vacuum breaker – A backflow prevention device which is operated by atmospheric pressure in combination with the force of gravity. The unit is designed to work on a vertical plane only. The one moving part consists of a poppet valve which must be carefully sized to slide in a guided chamber and effectively shut off the reverse flow of water when a negative pressure exists.

(d) Pressure vacuum breaker – A pressure vacuum breaker is similar to an atmospheric vacuum breaker except that the checking unit poppet valve is activated by a spring. This type of vacuum breaker does not require a negative pressure to react and can be used on the pressure side of a valve.

(e) Double check valve assembly – An assembly composed of two single, independently acting, check valves, including tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly and suitable connections for testing the water tightness of each check valve. A check valve is a valve that is drip-tight in the normal direction of flow when the inlet pressure is one psi and the outlet pressure is zero. The check valve shall permit no leakage in a direction reverse to the normal flow. The closure element (e.g., clapper) shall be internally weighted or otherwise internally loaded to promote rapid and positive closure.

(f) Residential Dual Check – A compact unit manufactured with two independent spring actuated check valves. The residential dual check is acceptable only as added back-flow prevention in areas served by reuse systems defined in Chapter 62-610, Part III, F.A.C., when the cross connection control program identifies activities specific to paragraphs (5)(a) and (5)(b) of this section.

(5) Cross connection control programs specific to reuse systems defined in Chapter 62-610, Part III, F.A.C., shall consider the following:

(a) Enhanced public education efforts towards prevention of cross connections.

(b) Enhanced inspection programs for portions of the distribution system in areas of reuse for detection and elimination of cross connections.

(c) Dual check valves shall be considered acceptable for reducing risks from back-flow only at residential properties served by reclaimed water unless:

1. Local codes, ordinances, or regulations require greater levels of back-flow prevention.

2. Other hazards exist on the property that require a greater level of back-flow prevention.

Rulemaking Specific Authority 403.086(8), 403.853(3), 403.861(9) FS. Law Implemented 403.086(8), 403.852(12), 403.853(1), 403.855(3), 403.861(17) FS. History–New 11-19-87, Formerly 17-22.660, Amended 1-18-89, 1-3-91, 1-1-93, Formerly 17-555.360, Amended 8-28-03,__________.

 

62-555.900 Forms and Instructions.

The forms used by the Department in the Public Water System Supervision Program are listed below by form number and name. Each form has been incorporated into the rule that references it. Copies of these forms may be obtained by writing to the Department of Environmental Protection, Source and Drinking Water Program, Section, M.S. 3520, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400. In addition, these forms are available at the Department of Environmental Protection’s dDistrict offices, at the Approved County Health Departments, and on the Department of Environmental Protection’s web site at www.dep.state.fl.us. Persons and public water systems shall report to the Department using the forms listed below or using computer-generated versions of the forms listed below provided such versions are identical to the forms listed below in every respect other than font type and style, font size, and character spacing.

(1) through (12) No change.

(13) Cross-Connection Control Program Annual Report, effective [insert the effective date of these rule amendments]. Deleted.

(14) through (22) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 403.8055, 403.861, 403.861(9) FS. Law Implemented 367.031, 403.0877, 403.861, 403.8615 FS. History–New 1-18-89, Amended 1-3-91, Formerly 17-555.900, Amended 12-10-96, 9-22-99, 4-3-03, 4-10-03, 8-28-03, 10-14-04, 1-17-05, 10-1-10,__________.

 

Table 62-555.360-1: Minimum Components that Each Community Water System (CWS) Shall Include in Its Written Cross-Connection Control (CCC) Plan (Effective [insert effective date of these rule amendments])

Component Number and Description

I. Legal authority for the CWS’s CCC program – i.e., an ordinance, a bylaw or resolution, or water service rules and regulations. The legal authority shall include or reference Components 2 and 3 below.

II. The CWS’s policy establishing where backflow protection at or for service connections from the CWS is mandatory.

A. This policy shall identify categories of customers for which the CWS is requiring backflow protection at or for the service connection to the customer and shall specify the minimum backflow protection that the CWS is requiring for each such category of customers.

B. This policy shall be no less stringent than Table 62-555.360-2, which appears at the end of Rule 62-555.360, F.A.C.

III. The CWS’s policy regarding ownership, installation, inspection/testing, and maintenance of backflow protection that the CWS is requiring at or for service connections from the CWS.

A. This policy shall specify whether the CWS or customer is responsible for installation, inspection/testing, and maintenance of backflow protection being required at or for service connections.

B. This policy shall specify design and performance standards, and shall specify installation criteria, for new backflow protection being required at or for service connections. Installation criteria shall be consistent with installation criteria in AWWA Manual M14 as incorporated into Rule 62-555.360(2), F.A.C., and shall assure the backflow protection is installed as close as practical to the CWS’s meter or customer’s property line but, in all cases, before the first distribution line off of the customer’s water service line.

C. This policy shall specify the frequency for inspecting air gaps (AGs) being required at or for service connections and shall specify qualifications for persons inspecting such AGs. All AGs being required at or for service connections pursuant to Table 62-555.360-2, which appears at the end of Rule 62-555.360, F.A.C., shall be inspected at least annually.

D. This policy shall specify the frequency for testing backflow preventer assemblies1 being required at or for service connections, shall specify qualifications for persons testing such assemblies, and shall specify test procedures for such assemblies. Assemblies being required at or for non-residential service connections2 pursuant to Table 62-555.360-2, which appears at the end of Rule 62-555.360, F.A.C., shall be tested after installation or repair and at least annually thereafter and shall be repaired if they fail to meet performance standards. Assemblies being required at or for residential service connections2 pursuant to Table 62-555.360-2 shall be tested after installation or repair and at least biennially thereafter and shall be repaired if they fail to meet performance standards.

E. This policy shall specify the frequency for refurbishing or replacing dual check devices (DuCs) being required at or for service connections. DuCs being required at or for service connections pursuant to Table 62-555.360-2, which appears at the end of Rule 62-555.360, F.A.C., shall be refurbished or replaced at least once every 5 to 10 years or at a lesser frequency determined by the CWS if the CWS documents that the lesser frequency is appropriate based on data from spot-testing DuCs in its system or based on data from backflow sensing meters in its system.

IV. The CWS’s procedures for evaluating customers’ premises to establish the category of customer and the backflow protection being required at or for the service connection(s) from the CWS to the customer.3

A. The CWS shall evaluate the customer’s premises at a newly constructed service connection before the CWS begins supplying water to the service connection.

B. The CWS shall evaluate the customer’s premises at an existing – i.e., previously constructed – service connection whenever the customer connects to a reclaimed water distribution system, whenever an auxiliary water system is discovered on the customer’s premises, whenever a prohibited or inappropriately protected cross-connection is discovered on the customer’s premises, and whenever the customer’s premises is altered under a building permit in a manner that could change the backflow protection required at or for a service connection to the customer.

V. The CWS’s procedures for maintaining CCC program records.4

A. The CWS shall maintain a current inventory of backflow protection being required at or for service connections from the CWS.

B. The CWS shall maintain records of the installation, inspection/testing, and repair of backflow protection being required at or for service connections from the CWS.

1Backflow preventer assemblies include the following: double check valve assemblies (DCs) and double check detector assemblies (DCDAs); pressure vacuum breaker assemblies (PVBs); and reduced-pressure principle assemblies (RPs) and reduced-pressure principle detector assemblies (RPDAs).

2For the purpose of this table, “residential service connection” means any service connection, including any dedicated irrigation or fire service connection, that is two inches or less in diameter and that supplies water to a building, or premises, containing only dwelling units; and “non-residential service connection” means any other service connection.

3CWSs may evaluate customers’ premises using questionnaires, reviews of construction plans or pertinent records, on-site inspections, or any combination thereof.

4CWSs may maintain all records in either electronic or paper format.

 

Table 62-555.360-2: Categories of Customers for Which Each Community Water System (CWS) Shall Ensure Minimum Backflow Protection Is Provided at or for the Service Connection from the CWS to the Customer (Effective [insert the effective date of these rule amendments])

Category of Customer	Minimum Backflow Protection1 to Be Provided at or for the Service Connection from the CWS to the Customer
Beverage processing plant, including any brewery	DC if the plant presents a low hazard2; or RP if the plant presents a high hazard2
Cannery, packing house, rendering plant, or any facility where fruit, vegetable, or animal matter is processed, excluding any premises where there is only restaurant or food service facility	RP
Car wash	RP
Chemical plant or facility using water in the manufacturing, processing, compounding, or treatment of chemicals, including any facility where a chemical that does not meet the requirements in paragraph 62-555.320(3)(a), F.A.C., is used as an additive to the water	RP
Dairy, creamery, ice cream plant, cold-storage plant, or ice manufacturing plant	RP3
Dye plant	RP
Film laboratory or processing facility or film manufacturing plant, excluding any small, noncommercial darkroom facility	RP
Hospital; medical research center; sanitarium; autopsy facility; medical, dental, or veterinary clinic where surgery is performed; or plasma center	RP
Laboratory, excluding any laboratory at an elementary, middle, or high school	RP
Laundry (commercial), excluding any self-service laundry or Laundromat	RP
Marine repair facility, marine cargo handling facility, or boat moorage	RP
Metal manufacturing, cleaning, processing, or fabricating facility using water in any of its operations or processes, including any aircraft or automotive manufacturing plant	DC if the facility presents a low hazard2; or RP if the facility presents a high hazard2
Mortuary	RP
Premises where oil or gas is produced, developed, processed, blended, stored, refined, or transmitted in a pipeline or where oil or gas tanks are repaired or tested, excluding any premises where there is only a fuel dispensing facility	RP
Premises where there is an auxiliary or reclaimed water system4,5	A. At or for a residential service connection6: DuC7 B. At or for a non-residential service connection6: DC if the auxiliary or reclaimed water is a low hazard8,9; or RP if the auxiliary or reclaimed water is a high hazard8,9
Premises where there is a cooling tower	RP
Premises where there is an irrigation system that is using potable water and that… I. Is connected directly to the CWS’s distribution system via a dedicated irrigation service connection       II. Is connected internally to the customer’s plumbing system	I. At or for a residential or non-residential dedicated irrigation service connection6: PVB if backpressure cannot develop in the downstream piping10; or RP if backpressure could develop in the downstream piping10 II. None11
Premises where there is a wet-pipe sprinkler, or wet standpipe, fire protection system that is using potable water and that… I. Is connected directly to the CWS’s distribution system via a dedicated fire service connection12                     II. Is connected internally to the customer’s plumbing system	I.A. At or for a residential dedicated fire service connection6: DuC if the fire protection system contains no chemical additives and is not connected to an auxiliary water system4; or RP or RPDA if the fire protection system contains chemical additives or is connected to an auxiliary water system4,13 I.B. At or for a non-residential dedicated fire service connection6: DC or DCDA if the fire protection system contains no chemical additives and is not connected to an auxiliary water system4; or RP or RPDA if the fire protection system contains chemical additives or is connected to an auxiliary water system4,13 II. None11
Radioactive material processing or handling facility or nuclear reactor	RP
Paper products plant using a wet process	RP
Plating facility, including any aircraft or automotive manufacturing plant	RP
Restricted-access facility	RP
Steam boiler plant	RP
Tall building—i.e., a building with five or more floors at or above ground level	DC if the customer has no potable water distribution lines connected to the suction side of a booster pump; or RP if the customer has one or more potable water distribution lines connected to the suction side of a booster pump
Wastewater treatment plant or wastewater pumping station	RP
Customer supplied with potable water via a temporary or permanent service connection from a CWS fire hydrant	Varies14

1Means of backflow protection, listed in an increasing level of protection, include the following: a dual check device (DuC); a double check valve assembly (DC) or double check detector assembly (DCDA); a pressure vacuum breaker assembly (PVB); a reduced-pressure principle assembly (RP) or reduced-pressure principle detector assembly (RPDA); and an air gap. A PVB may not be used if backpressure could develop in the downstream piping.

2The CWS shall determine the degree of hazard. “Low hazard” or “non-health hazard” and “high hazard” or “health hazard” are defined in AWWA Manual M14 as incorporated in paragraph 62-555.360(1)(a), F.A.C., and subsection 62-555.360(2), F.A.C.

3A DC may be provided if it was installed before [insert the effective date of these rule amendments]; and if such a DC is replaced on or after [insert the effective date of these rule amendments], it may be replaced with another DC.

4For the purpose of this table, “auxiliary water system” means a pressurized system of piping and appurtenances using auxiliary water, which is water other than the potable water being supplied by the CWS and which includes water from any natural source such as a well, pond, lake, spring, stream, river, etc., includes reclaimed water, and includes other used water or industrial fluids described in AWWA Manual M14 as incorporated in paragraph 62-555.360(1)(a), F.A.C., and subsection 62-555.360(2), F.A.C.; however, “auxiliary water system” specifically excludes any water recirculation or treatment system for a swimming pool, hot tub, or spa. (Note that reclaimed water is a specific type of auxiliary water and a reclaimed water system is a specific type of auxiliary water system.)

5The Department shall allow an exception to the requirement for backflow protection at or for a residential or non-residential service connection from a CWS to premises where there is an auxiliary or reclaimed water system if all of the following conditions are met:

The CWS is distributing water only to land owned by the owner of the CWS.

The owner of the CWS is also the owner of the entire auxiliary or reclaimed water system up to the points of auxiliary or reclaimed water use.

The CWS conducts at least biennial inspections of the CWS and the entire auxiliary or reclaimed water system to detect and eliminate any cross-connections between the two systems.

6For the purpose of this table, “residential service connection” means any service connection, including any dedicated irrigation or fire service connection, that is two inches or less in diameter and that supplies water to a building, or premises, containing only dwelling units; and “non-residential service connection” means any other service connection.

7A DuC may be provided only if there is no known cross-connection between the plumbing system and the auxiliary or reclaimed water system on the customer’s premises. Upon discovery of any cross-connection between the plumbing system and any reclaimed water system on the customer’s premises, the CWS shall ensure that the cross-connection is eliminated. Upon discovery of any cross-connection between the plumbing system and any auxiliary water system other than a reclaimed water system on the customer’s premises, the CWS shall ensure that the cross-connection is eliminated or shall ensure that the backflow protection provided at or for the service connection is equal to that required at or for a non-residential service connection.

8Reclaimed water regulated under Part III of Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., is a low hazard unless it is stored with surface water in a pond that is part of a stormwater management system, in which case it is a high hazard; well water is a low hazard unless determined otherwise by the CWS; industrial fluids and used water other than reclaimed water are high hazards unless determined otherwise by the CWS; reclaimed water not regulated under Part III of Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., and surface water are high hazards.

9Upon discovery of any cross-connection between the plumbing system and any reclaimed water system on the customer’s premises, the CWS shall ensure that the cross-connection is eliminated.

10A DC may be provided if both of the following conditions are met:

The dedicated irrigation service connection initially was constructed before [insert the effective date of these rule amendments].

No chemicals are fed into the irrigation system.

11The CWS may rely on the internal backflow protection required under the Florida Building Code or the predecessor State plumbing code. The CWS may, but is not required to, ensure that such internal backflow protection is inspected/tested and maintained the same as backflow protection provided at or for service connections from the CWS.

12The Department shall allow an exception to the requirement for backflow protection at or for a residential or non-residential dedicated fire service connection from a CWS to a wet-pipe sprinkler, or wet standpipe, fire protection system if both of the following conditions are met:

The fire protection system was installed and last altered before [insert the effective date of these rule amendments].

The fire protection system contains no chemical additives and is not connected to an auxiliary water system as defined in Footnote 4.

13Upon discovery of any cross-connection between the fire protection system and any reclaimed water system on the customer’s premises, the CWS shall ensure that the cross-connection is eliminated.

14The CWS shall ensure that backflow protection commensurate with the degree of hazard is provided at or for the service connection from its fire hydrant.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Mark Thomasson, P.E., Director, Division of Water Resource Management

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Herschel T. Vinyard Jr., Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: January 17, 2014

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: March 27, 2013