The Drinking Water Program

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• The Drinking Water Program
• Cross Connection/Backflow Prevention

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• What is a cross connection?
• What is backflow?
• Cross connection is any actual or potential
  physical connection between a potable water line
  and any pipe, vessel or equipment containing a
  nonpotable fluid so that it is possible to
  introduce the non-potable fluid into the potable
  fluid by backflow.

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• Backflow is the reverse of flow from its normal
  or intended direction of flow. Backflow can be
  caused by backpressure or backsiphonage.
• Backpressure is an elevation of pressure
  downstream that could cause water to flow
  opposite of its intended direction.
• Backsiphonage is a drop in the distribution
  system pressure that could cause water to flow
  opposite of its intended direction.

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• The OARs require Community Water Systems to have
  a written Cross Connection/Backflow Prevention
  (CC/PB) program.
• What elements are necessary for this Written
  Program?

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• Community Water Systems
• Implement their CC/BP programs by
• Enabling Authority or Ordinance
• Assure Devices Properly Tested
• Approved Tester List
• Approved Device List
• Time Frame
• Annual Summary Report
• Education Programs

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• Enabling Authority or Ordinance
• This allows the water purveyor to legally demand
  that their customer meet backflow requirements.
  As a last resort, this usually includes the right
  to cut off the customers water.

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• Approved Tester List
• List by County
• One County
• Test Entire State
• CCB or LCB license
• Construction Contractors Board
• Landscape Contractors Board
• www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/croosconnection/
• docs/publiclistcertifiedbat.pdf

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Approved Assemblies

• Oregon Approved
• The Foundation or USC
• Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and
  Hydraulic Research at University of Southern
  California Viterbi School of Engineering
• Approved Assemblies, Replacement Parts, Required
  Valves, Orientation
• Methods of Testing and Calibration

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Device Testing Time Frame

• Upon installation
• Upon repair
• When moved
• Yearly
• Plumbing Code

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Backflow Devices and Method

• Devices
• Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RP)
• Double Check Backflow Assembly (Double Check)
• Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly (PVB)
• Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB)
• Method
• Air Gap

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Annual Summary Report

• Annual Summary Reports update system information,
  report system practices and report test results.
• Large Community Water Systems have 300 or more
  connections. There are 240.
• Small Systems have less than 300 connections and
  there are 625.

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Annual Summary Reports

• Sent out in early January.
• Due by March 31.
• Very important to be honest. We need accurate
  data on the percent of failures. We need to have
  accurate testing data.
• We often have updated or new Enabling Ordinances
  sent in with an ASR.
• Large Systems need a Specialist.

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• OAR mandated Education Program
• - Residences
• - Industries
• - General Public (Schools)
• - Especially for Industries on Table 32

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CC/BP Elements

• Tester Specialist Certification
• Instructor and Course Approvals
• Program Funding
• Industry Groups
• SDWIS
• Cross Connection Advisory Board

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Testers Specialists

• Testers test backflow prevention devices
• Annually
• Approved devices, gauges and methods
• Form copies to Owner, Water Purveyor, file copy
• Does not allow to repair, there are exceptions
• Specialists (formerly Inspectors)
• These people manage backflow programs and help
• design systems and other water system work.
• May be an employee or contract worker.
• Renewals every July 1 in odd years

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• Certified Testers Specialists
• 873 Active Certified Testers
• 309 Active Certified Specialists
• 145 Tester Specialist
• 1,329 Active Certified thru June 2009

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Instructor Course Approval

• 15 State Approved Instructors
• 4 Approved Training Programs
• BMI - Backflow Management Inc
• CCC - Clackamas Community College
• EWEB - Eugene Water Electric Board
• Local 290 (Plumbers) (Members only)

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Program Funding

• Industry Groups
• American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA)
• Association (AWWA) American Water Works
• Oregon Cross Connection Specialist Regional
  Subcommittee (OCCSRS)
• Pacific Northwest Section of-American Water
  Works Association (PNWS-AWWA)

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SDWIS

• Last 3 Annual Summary Reports
• (submitted not last 3 years)
• See Example
• Ordinance Received
• Ordinance Status
• Annual Summary Report

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• Cross Connection Advisory Board
• Oregon Licensed Plumbers
• DHS Certified Backflow Assembly Testers
• DHS Certified Specialists
• Water Suppliers
• General Public
• DHS Certified Instructors
• Assembly Manufactures Representatives
• Water System Engineers
• Oregon Certified Plumbing Inspectors

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• Questions???
• Michael Perry
• 971-673-1220
• Michael.Perry_at_state.or.us