NOTICE OF HEARING

To the Residents of the City of Williamsburg, Iowa.

You are hereby notified that there is now on file before the City Council a request 

to amend the existing Chapter 90 by adding the following 90.20 as a proposed new section which states as follows:

90.20 BACKFLOW PREVENTION.

1. Definitions. For use in this sub-section, terms are defined as follows:
   1. Backflow:  The undesirable reverse flow of used water contaminants or pollutants into the public drinking water supply as a result of a cross-connection.  Backflow can occur through backpressure or backsiphonage.
   2. Backpressure: Backflow caused by water pressure in a facility that is higher than the pressure of the public drinking water supply.  This may be caused by pumps, boilers, gravity or other sources of pressure.
   3. Backsiphonage: The reverse flow of used, contaminated, or polluted water from a plumbing fixture or device into the public drinking water due to reduced pressure. This can be caused by nearby firefighting, water main breaks or repairs.
   4. Cross Connection: Any actual or potential connection or arrangement, physical or otherwise, between a potable water supply system and any plumbing fixture or tank, receptacle, equipment, or device, through which may make it possible for non-potable, used, unclean, polluted, contaminated water, or other substance, to enter any part of such potable water system under any condition.
   5. Containment: Installation of an approved testable backflow preventer on the water service line immediately following the meter or at the service entrance to the building. 
   6. Isolation: Installation of a backflow preventer at the cross Connection on each piece of water-using equipment, such as a boiler, mortuary aspirator, lawn irrigation, chemical mixer/dispenser.
   7. Approved backflow prevention assembly:  An assembly that has been approved by the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research (USC)
   8. High hazard : A high hazard cross-connection is a cross-connection which may alter the quality of the potable water by creating an actual hazard to the public health, through poisoning or through the spread of disease by sewage, industrial fluids, or Wastewater Service Entrance
   9. Low Hazard: A low hazard cross-connection is a cross-connection which may alter the quality of potable water to a degree which does not create a hazard to the public health, but which does adversely and unreasonably affect the aesthetic qualities of such potable waters for domestic use.

1. Cross Connections from any well or other source of water to any piping system connected to the City of Williamsburg Distribution System are prohibited. 
2. The customer shall be responsible for ensuring that no Cross Connections exists on their premises unless backflow prevention approved by the City of Williamsburg Water Department is installed. This obligation starts from the water service entrance.
3. The customer shall prevent actual or potential pollutants and/or contaminants from entering the City of Williamsburg Distribution System by any lawful means necessary to prevent backflow. 
4. All water-using devices must be designed so backflow to the distribution system cannot occur. 
5. Where harmful contaminants or pollutants are used with any device or process connected to the water system, the customer must install and maintain a USC Approved testable reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly at the water service entrance in accordance with these ordinances and any applicable plumbing code requirements. 
6. All permanently installed underground irrigation systems shall contain an approved testable Backflow Prevention Assembly at the water service entrance designed to prevent backflow to the City of Williamsburg’s distribution system.  
   1. If lawn irrigation is the only cross connection within a premises a reduced pressure principle assembly may be installed on the irrigation connection in lieu of installing one at the meter.
7. All new and existing service lines are subject to the requirements of local and State of Iowa plumbing codes respecting backflow prevention and in addition are also subject to the specific requirements set forth in this code of ordinances.   
8. An approved backflow prevention assembly for containment as defined in applicable State and local plumbing codes shall be installed at the domestic water service entrance as a condition of service to all newly constructed or remodeled commercial buildings. For the purposes of this ordinance, any upgrade to an existing service line is deemed a new service. 
9. An approved backflow prevention assembly for containment shall be installed at the water service entrance in any existing service where an actual or potential cross connection to non potable or hazardous substances exists, is created, or is identified by the City of Williamsburg Water Department. All commercial, multi-tenant properties served by one water meter are deemed to have a potential for cross connections to non-potable or hazardous substances because the City does not have control of tenants changing in this type of facility. 
10. Private wells and any piping served by a private well shall be physically disconnected from any plumbing pipes and fixtures that will be connected to the City of Williamsburg distribution system. If a well will be left in service, no well equipment or piping shall be allowed to remain in the building even if it is physically separated or isolated with a valve unless an approved reduced pressure zone backflow prevention assembly is installed at water service entrance. 
11. INTERCONNECTED SERVICES AND/OR FIRE LINES Where a customer is served by two or more inter-connected services and/or fire lines connected to different distribution mains or different sections of distribution mains, the customer shall install and maintain, at customer’s expense, on each service and/or fire line, an approved check valve according to the latest edition of the AWWA Standard C508. This check valve shall be installed in an access manhole and shall be located on private property just inside the property line. Even though the check valve is located on private property, City of Williamsburg Water Department personnel shall at all times have the right of access to it and the installation of such check valve shall be deemed to grant a license for such access. 
12. Backflow protection requirements of this ordinance shall be administered by the City of Williamsburg or the City’s designee.  
13. The City of Williamsburg may withhold approval to commence water service to a new service line until all backflow requirements are met. 
14. The City of Williamsburg may evaluate existing service connections using a Water Usage Inventory completed by the customer and/or physical inspection by the city designee to determine the type of water usage in the facility.   If a customer fails to timely and accurately complete a Water Usage Inventory, or fails to provide access upon request, a high hazard condition shall be deemed to exist and an approved backflow prevention assembly for containment must be installed at the water service entrance within the time frame specified by the city of Williamsburg or service will be terminated until such time as the required installation is complete. 
15. If the city of Williamsburg determines backflow prevention is necessary, the installation of an approved backflow prevention assembly shall be ordered by written notice through U.S. mail, email or hand delivery. (the “Installation Notice”).  The installation deadline will be assigned by the city of Williamsburg. 
16. If the customer fails to complete installation pursuant to an Installation Notice then the water service at the affected service line shall be terminated until such time as the required installation is complete. 
17. The customer shall cause each backflow prevention assembly installed on their property, or in their facility, to be tested annually by a backflow prevention assembly technician registered with the Iowa Department of Public Health. 
    1. Such test shall be due on an annual testing date for such premises specified by the city of Williamsburg. (“Annual Backflow Test Date”).  
    2. A report of each such annual test shall be submitted by the tester to the customer and the City of Williamsburg using the method prescribed by the City of Williamsburg. 
    3. The required test report shall be past due if the test is not performed and the report of a passing test received by the City of Williamsburg by the Annual Backflow Test Date. 
18. Any failure to have backflow devices that are categorized as containment backflow prevention assemblies to be tested upon installation and annually and a report thereof to be received by the city of Williamsburg by the Annual Backflow Test Due Date may result in the termination of water service until a state registered backflow technician notifies the Water Superintendent of the scheduled test date. 

This matter is now before the City Council and will come on for hearing and final determination at 6:30 p.m. on November 13, 2023, at the city hall in Williamsburg, Iowa.  Anyone having any objections may appear at said time and place and be heard.