Laserfiche WebLink
BACKFLOW PREVENTERS <br />Section 78-27 of the City of ElkRiver Code of Ordinances requires theinstallation and testing of all <br />testable backflow prevention devices at all connections to the municipal water system, and delegates to <br />Elk River Municipal Utilities(ERMU)the authority to implementa testing program. All customers served <br />by ERMU, whose operations are determined by Minnesota Plumbing Code to constitute a potential for a <br />cross connection or backflow, shall install and maintain an appropriate backflow preventer assembly at <br />the owners costincluding, but not limited to, reduced pressure zone (RPZ)and pressure vacuum <br />breaker(PVB)devices.The backflow preventer assembly shall be installed at the location of the hazard, <br />but at a minimum immediately down line from the meter.The City of Elk River building safety <br />departmentshall be responsible for ensuring that testable backflow preventer devices are installed and <br />are initially tested.The building safety department shall notify municipal utilities within 30 days of <br />installation.Residential customers with existing PVB devices connectedto the municipal water system <br />are required to notify ERMUof the device,andif available,the installation date of the device. <br />Annual testing of all testable backflow preventer devices is required. ERMUhas established the <br />followingtesting procedure for commercial and residential customers. <br />In addition to fees authorized by this policy, ERMUisalsoauthorized to discontinue water serviceto any <br />property,ortake suchother precautionary measures as necessary,to eliminate any potential damageto <br />orcontaminationofthe municipalwater system. <br />Elk River Municipal Utilities Backflow Prevention Annual Testing Procedure <br />I.Commercial Annual Inspection: <br />1)ERMUwillmail commercial or industrial customers a reminder to get their backflow <br />preventer assembly tested. Notices will be mailed approximately 30 days before the annual <br />duedate and will include instructions on how to submit the test results. <br />2)The ownersresponsibilitywill be to contactaplumber certified in installing,testing,and <br />repairing backflow preventers, and contract to have their backflow preventer assembly <br />testedand/or repaired. <br />3)The plumber will submit the test results to ERMUsthirdparty records management <br />company.The valve tag attached to the backflow prevention assembly will befilled out and <br />reattached to the valve assembly. <br />4)Should thebackflowpreventertest fail, the owner will berequired to repair and/or replace <br />the device within30 days. <br />5)Atotal of three notices will be mailedasreminders to test the device. Failure to comply with <br />testing and/or repairing the device may result in a penalty per the ERMUfee schedule. <br />II.Residential Annual Inspection: <br />1)ERMUwill mail residentialcustomers a reminder to get their backflow preventer assembly <br />tested. Notices will be mailed approximately 30 days beforetheannual due date and will <br />include instructions on how to scheduleatest at no costto the customer. <br />2)Customers are required to respondto the notificationand schedule a test. <br />3)Should thebackflow preventertest fail, the customerwill be required to repairand/or <br />replace thedevice utilizing aplumber certified in installing, testing,and repairing backflow <br />preventerswithin 30 daysat the customers expense. <br />4)Atotal of three notices will be mailed as reminders to test the device. Failure to comply with <br />testing and/or repairing the device mayresult in a penalty per ERMUsfee schedule.If the <br />test appointmentis scheduled and/or repair is made within 30 days ofthe penaltybeing <br />applied, the penalty will be refunded. <br />51 <br />