5-ATTACHMENT A.pdf

EASTERN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR

BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY TESTERS

i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. PURPOSE

B. INTENT

C. SUMMARY

D. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

E. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

F. ORIENTATION REQUIREMENTS

G. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

H. TESTING AND REPAIR PROCEDURES

I. ASSEMBLY INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS

J. CONDUCT REQUIREMENTS

K. ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURE

L. QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY TESTERS

A. PURPOSE

The Best Management Practices for Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers (BMPs) are the standards that backflow prevention assembly testers (Testers) on the Eastern Municipal Water District (District) Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester List (District List) will be held to when testing, maintaining, and repairing backflow prevention assemblies (BPAs) in the District’s service area. Each Tester is required to attend a District held orientation to review the BMPs and to familiarize testers with the District’s standard practices. Testers must follow the requirements, standards, and programs of the District.

B. INTENT

The intent is to ensure consistent standards and overall effectiveness of the District’s Cross-Connection Prevention Program. State and local regulations shall be adhered to.

C. SUMMARY

When a request is made to test, repair, replace, or maintain BPAs, a qualified Tester will have the following responsibilities:

1. The Tester will be responsible for performing accurate field tests, repairing BPAs, and providing reports of such tests, repairs, or replacements to the consumer and District in accordance with District Administrative Code, in addition to all State and local authorities that apply.

2. The Tester shall be equipped with and be capable of using all necessary equipment such as tools, gauges, and accessories necessary to properly test, repair, maintain, or replace BPAs. All necessary equipment shall be properly maintained, calibrated, and certified where required (See Section E. Equipment Requirements).

3. The Tester shall only install University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research (USC FCCCHR) approved BPAs or replacement parts.

D. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Only Testers on the District List with a valid certification from an organization approved by the

State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), are authorized to test BPAs within the District’s service area.

a. Testers are required to submit documentation of their certification to remain on the District List

b. A copy of the certification must be provided to EMWD upon renewal

c. Expired certifications will result in the Tester being removed from the District List until current copies can be provided

2. If a Tester is removed from their certifying agency, that Tester will be immediately removed from the District List.

3. If a tester does not test within the District for a minimum of one year, the tester risks being removed from the District’s Public List. A tester who is dropped from the list can request to be added back by contacting the Cross-Connection Control Coordinator.

E. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

1. The Tester is required to calibrate their field test gauge(s) at least annually and to re-calibrate whenever a gauge is inaccurate by more than +/- 0.2 PSID.

2. Test gauge calibration must be verified against a reference source that is traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”)

3. The Tester must retain proof of their test gauge calibration and make it available to the District’s Cross-Connection Control Coordinator upon request within forty-eight (48) hours.

4. The District reserves the right to require a copy of a test gauge calibration certificate during quality check proceedings and at any time deemed reasonable to the District.

5. Testers are required to keep test gauge(s) calibrated and in good repair to remain on the District List.

F. ORIENTATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Only Testers listed on the District List are authorized to test BPAs within the District’s service area.

2. Only testers with a current, valid certification from an organization approved by the State Water Resources Control Board are eligible to be listed on the District List.

3. The District will provide BPA Tester orientation sessions throughout the year to Testers who wish to be placed on the District List.

4. Testers must sign the orientation check list acknowledging adherence to the BMPs and the District’s Administrative Code.

5. Any BPA test report forms received from a Tester who has not attended a District orientation, or has been removed from the District List, will be considered invalid and returned to the customer.

6. Testers may be required to attend additional orientations if there is a pattern of occurrences not adhering to the BMP’s

G. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

1. Only District employees and District approved contractors are authorized to operate any valve that is upstream of the street side of the water meter. The Tester can operate any valve on the customer’s side only with the owner’s permission. District Resolution No. 2963, as may be amended from time to time, provides for a non-compliance fee for anyone violating this policy. If it is necessary to operate any District valves to make a BPA repair or replacement, the Tester must contact the District’s Cross-Connection Control Division to schedule a street valve turn on/off, at least one (1) week in advance, with the requested date, start time, estimated duration of the job, and scope of work.

2. If the water meter is locked off, it is the Tester’s responsibility to schedule the unlocking of the water meter with the District’s Cross-Connection Control Division, at least one (1) business day in advance.

3. Only the District BPA Test Maintenance Report Form (District Form) will be accepted.

4. If the District Form is missing information and/or if the writing is not legible, the District Form will be returned to the Tester for proper completion.

5. All BPA test information must be recorded clearly and legibly on the District’s BPA Test Maintenance Report Form.

6. The District BPA Test Maintenance Report Form may be submitted via e-mail in lieu of mailing or dropping off the original form. Forms can be emailed to backflow@emwd.org.

7. No BPAs shall be tested after the FINAL due date without the authorization of the District’s Cross- Connection Control Division.

8. Do not cross out information on a District Form. Changes and corrections of District Form information must be placed in the proper fields or in the comments section of the District Form.

9. Changes to customer name, address, or account information must be made by the CUSTOMER, through the District Billing Department. The District’s Cross-Connection Control Division cannot make these types of changes.

10. Requests for grouping or separating BPA test due dates can be made by the customer to the District’s Cross-Connection Control Division, or the Tester can request to consolidate testing by documenting the change in the “Comments” portion of the District Form.

11. A copy of the Backflow Device Test report must be provided to the owner/customer.

12. If the Tester is contacted by the District’s Backflow Division to request additional information regarding an account, or request a backflow device test report be corrected and resubmitted, follow-up is expected within a maximum of 2 business days.

H. TESTING AND REPAIR PROCEDURES

1. BPAs must be tested and the District Form received by the District by the due date listed on the District Form. If the Tester is not able to submit the District Forms on or before the due date, or if repairs are needed, the Tester must request a time extension from the District’s Cross- Connection Control Division. Extensions are given at the sole and absolute discretion of the District.

2. All BPAs must be tested in accordance with the procedures outlined in the latest edition of the USC FCCCHR Manual of Cross-Connection Control.

3. All information on the District Form must be verified to the actual BPA and water meter.

(Remember to Notify, Identify, Inspect, and Observe; as required by USC FCCCHR test procedures).

4. BPA testing is required at minimum, annually. More frequent testing may be required if deemed necessary by the District. Certification testing is required immediately after a BPA has been relocated, replaced, or repaired per District Administrative Code, prior to installation acceptance and water delivery.

5. When a BPA is found off at the #1 shut off valve (SOV) upon arrival of the Tester, the BPA must be left off at the #2 SOV, only if the test passes.

6. The District is not responsible for any work performed by the Tester.

7. Only lubricating and sealing substances receiving NSF 61 approval for use on potable water systems shall be used.

8. Only District Forms will be accepted. The District Form can be found on the District website.

9. The Backflow Tester is responsible to work safely and follow all appropriate safety procedures including, but not limited to: traffic control and confined space entry precautions.

I. ASSEMBLY INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS

1. The backflow Tester is responsible for following proper installation procedures for new or replacement BPAs in accordance with the Cross Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH), USC FCCCHR approval, District Administrative Code, District standard drawings and Plumbing Code.

2. The Tester should contact the District Cross-Connection Control Division if there are any questions about whether the BPA meets the degree of hazard protection required.

3. If the Tester finds an incorrect installation, the Tester shall notify the District Cross- Connection Control Division.

4. BPA sizing needs to meet the requirements outlined in the sizing table on the District specification.

5. BPA installations for the supply of domestic water shall comply with the California Lead-Free Law.

6. BPAs shall be located within three feet (3’) of the water meter unless a variance is obtained from the District’s Cross-Connection Control Division prior to installation.

7. No outlets, tees, or connections shall be allowed between the meter and the BPAs.

8. BPAs shall maintain a vertical clearance of twelve inches (12’) (minimum) to thirty-six inches (36’) (maximum) from the lowest point of the BPA to the finished grade. Lateral clearances from the BPA shall also be at least twelve inches (12’).

9. BPA installations must allow adequate drainage and access to the BPA for testing and maintenance.

10. A BPA installed on a recycled water service shall be painted purple and is strictly prohibited from use or reuse on any potable water system.

11. Parallel installations of BPAs are strongly recommended for all facilities requiring uninterrupted water supply, such as hospitals and schools.

12. Freeze protection is recommended; however, the relief valve must be able to vent freely and test cock openings shall remain exposed.

13. Theft prevention devices are strongly recommended for bronze BPAs; however, the BPAs must allow adequate drainage and access to the BPA for testing and maintenance.

J. CONDUCT REQUIREMENTS

1. The Tester is not authorized to enforce the District’s Cross-Connection Control Program.

Enforcement lies solely with the District. The Tester is responsible to report to the District any actual or suspected conditions that may pose a risk to public health.

2. Testers on the District List are expected to perform their work in a professional manner. Failure to work in a professional manner or receipt of continuing customer complaints may result in an administrative hearing and notification sent to the Tester’s certifying agency.

3. The Tester must never knowingly falsify the results of a BPA test or the condition of a BPA. Any

Tester found to have deliberately reported false information to the District will be subject to removal from the District’s List and notification to their certifying agency.

4. Per the CCCPH, “This Article does not preclude a PWS* from disallowing the use of an individual tester certified pursuant to this Article if the PWS* has reason to believe a certified tester may not be proficient in accurately determining the operating condition of a BPA, or for any other reason (e.g., fraud, deceit, negligence, misconduct, etc.). A PWS* must report any evidence of a tester falsifying reports to that tester’s certifying organization.” *Public Water System

Examples of falsifying include, but are not limited to:

• Signing BPA test reports for tests not performed by the individual signing the report.

• Submitting BPA test reports on BPAs that were not actually tested (falsification of test reports).

• Making unneeded repairs or replacements.

• Testing without current, valid certification from an organization approved by the State Water

Resources Control Board.

• Testing with equipment not authorized by a State approved agency or with test equipment without a current calibration date.

K. ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURE

1. If a Tester does not submit a copy of his/her current certification by the expiration date, the Tester will be removed from the District List.

2. If the SWRCB certifying agency removes a Tester from their list, the Tester will be immediately removed from the District List and will not be permitted to test, repair, or maintain BPAs within the District’s service area, until the Tester has been recertified by an organization approved by the State Water Resources Control Board and reinstated by the District. In order to be reinstated on District List, a Tester must attend a District accepted Tester orientation.

3. Failure to comply with Administrative Code or District’s BMPs will result in disciplinary action by the District, in accordance with the procedures outlined in these BMPs.

4. A Tester found to be in violation of the District’s Administrative Code or the BMPs, will be subject to enforcement action. Violations will be investigated and recorded in the Tester’s file. The Tester’s actions will be taken into consideration based on the seriousness of the violation’s impact on public health and may be dealt with pursuant to Eastern Municipal Water District Cross-connection and Recycled Water Programs Enforcement Response Plan.

a. Minor violations or repeated violations will be recorded in the Tester’s file and the Tester will be made aware that recurrence of the violation or any new violations will make a Tester subject to removal from the District List.

b. Major violations will be referred to the District’s Source Control Department for enforcement action in accordance with Eastern Municipal Water District Cross-connection and Recycled Water Programs Enforcement Response Plan.

c. If a Tester is removed from the District List for any reason, the initial suspension period will be for a minimum of six (6) months. To be reinstated to the District List, the Tester must contact the Cross-Connection Control Coordinator and provide current certifications.

d. Any Tester suspended more than once may be subject to permanent removal from the District List.

L. QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES

1. The District may perform a quality check to verify the results of any District Form submitted to the District. If the findings of the District are inconsistent with the Tester’s data, the Tester will be asked to retest the device with a representative from the District’s Cross-Connection Control Division present. The Tester will perform the test per USC FCCCHR approved test procedures and section H of this document.

2. A quality check that includes inspection and/or retesting will be conducted within a reasonable time of the initial inspection or BPA test as determined by the District.

3. Any re-inspection or retest that finds improper testing, repairs and/or reporting may result in the removal of the Tester from the District List and notification sent to the SWRCB, after an administrative hearing per section J of this document.