6 TH ANNUAL BACKFLOW TESTER MEETING March 15, 2018
PLEASE TURN YOUR CELL PHONES TO SILENT MODE. RESTROOM LOCATIONS
Background Information • Backflow Prevention & CCC Program has been managed by the Public Utilities Engineering Divisions’ Regulatory Compliance Bureau since March 2011 • Public Utilities is responsible for the drinking water supply as well as sanitary sewer service • The City Code concerning the backflow program was revised and adopted in May 2011 • A lot of the of the program information is now documented in a Public Utilities Departmental Policy that was also adopted in May 2011 • The policy details Public Utilities Responsibilities, Consumer Responsibilities, and Backflow Tester Responsibilities • Program website www.vbgov.com/backflow • Annual Tester Meeting started six years ago as a way to communicate and improve program performance • Annual Meeting will transition into Regional event for Hampton Roads Backflow Programs and Testers
Backflow across Hampton Roads… The Cross Connection programs from Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Isle of Wright, James City County, Newport News, Portsmouth and Town of Smithfield meet on a regular basis to discuss HOT topics and compliance issues. Several Region wide Program Managers and Inspectors are likely here today. Each jurisdiction has unique features; my presentation will feature Virginia B each’s program. There will be time afterwards for questions.
Backflow across Hampton Roads… City Of Chesapeake Isle of Wright County P.O. Box 108 P.O. Box 15225 Isle of Wright, VA 23397 Chesapeake, VA 23328 757-365-6260 757-382-3414 City of Newport News James City County 425 Industrial Park Dr 119 Tewning Road Newport News, VA 23608 Williamsburg, VA 23188 757-234-4888 757-259-4138 City of Portsmouth City Of Norfolk 430 Meander Rd Portsmouth, VA 23704 6040 Waterworks Road 757-393-8561 Norfolk, VA 23502 757-441-5774 City Of Suffolk 272 Benton Rd Town of Smithfield Suffolk, VA 23434 310 Institute St 757-604-3645 Smithfield, VA 23431 757-365-4200
Public Utilities Backflow Team Technical Resource for you and citizens • Kate Nixon – Regulatory Compliance Bureau Manager • Belinda Wilson – Program Manager • Jason Truitt – Engineering Tech • Brandy Cronon – Engineering Aide • Paul Leonard – Code Inspector • Dave Paolucci – Code Inspector • Contact us • backflow@vbgov.com • 757-385-4171 phone • 757-427-3183 fax
Who is Responsible for What? • Permits & Inspections • All permit required work • All permit required inspections/re-inspections • Test Reports for Brand New Installs • Public Utilities • All Annual Testing • Test Reports for Brand New Installs • Investigating possible cross-connections
Public Utilities Responsibilities • Virginia Department of Health Compliance • Implement and maintain a cross connection control and backflow prevention program for the protection of the public drinking water supply system • Maintain backflow testing tracking system and records • Provide Customer Service • Technical Resource for Testers and Customers
Impact of Failure for City • Public Health Compromised • Regulatory Compliance Issues • Negative Impact on Customer Confidence • Loss of public support • Notices of Violation/Consent Order • Monetary Fines • Exposure to Litigation • Significant Monetary Risk Potential • City Council Action
Backflow Tester Responsibilities • Tester shall be certified by the Virginia Board of Contractors to perform backflow tests or shall affirmatively demonstrate that their qualifications meet or exceed the applicable standards prescribed by the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE Standard 5000) • Testers shall use only test kits with up to date calibration certifications . Copies of calibration certifications shall be sent to Public Utilities annually or upon expiration. • Test kits and calibration information will be maintained with tester license information in our Tokay database • Testers should use City of Virginia Beach test form • Tag Backflow device once annual test is complete
Backflow Test Tags • Testers shall tag the device upon completion of a test. • Tags at a minimum shall include the following information: Name, Address, and Phone # of Testing Company; Manufacturer, Model #, Serial #, and Size of device being tested; Test Date; Tester’s Initials; Tester’s Certification #; and indication if the test passed or failed. • If Replacing a device, please put old Serial# on the test form EXAMPLE TAG ONLY • We use the tags to help chase down missing test reports.
Tester Liability • Legal Liability • Loss of Business/Customers • Loss of ability to test in Virginia Beach • Loss of state license • Legal recourse from City or others • Safe Drinking Water Act (1974) • The sabotage of a public drinking water system or even the threat to do so, is a federal offense (title XIV, section 1432 of the federal safe drinking water act P.L. 99-339, 1986) • P.L. 107-188 Amended Safe Drinking Water Act 2002 • Attempt or threat • 10 years in prison/ $100,000 fine • Tampering • 20 years in prison/$1,000,000 fine
Backflow in Irrigation Systems! • June 2012 Boise, Idaho – As many as 80 residents got sick due to a bacteria in the drinking water that came from a House with a failed backflow device on the irrigation system • September 2012 Cedar Hills, Utah – 13 homes had water contaminated from an unprotected connection to an irrigation system, people got sick with giardia • September 2011 Small Town in Idaho – Water system was contaminated with E. coli from a backflow incident involving a home sprinkler system • November 2011 Columbia, SC – Water system was contaminated from a backflow incident involving an residential irrigation. • October 1991 Southgate, Michigan – two homes reported parasitic worms (nematodes) in their water. Water main break caused backsiphonage and pulled water from an unprotected irrigation system
Backflow Test Notification Process • Annual Notifications of a test being due are mailed to the customer on the 15 th of the month before the test is due • On the 15 th of the second month after which a test is due customers are hand delivered a 30 day notification letter, informing them their test is late and that if not provided within 30 days of receipt of the letter their water service could be terminated or a $2,500 fine implemented • 7 Days before their water service termination date a door hanger is left at the property informing them they have 7 days remaining • 48 Hours before their water service termination date a door hanger is left at the property informing them they have 48 hours remaining • At the end of that time period if compliance or arrangement have not been made, the water service is terminated or a fine of $2,500 is implemented
Backflow Test Notification Process Timeline for a Test Due in April
Backflow Test Form • Pre-printed test forms are provided to the customer with the Annual Notification letter, with the hand delivered a 30 day letter, and when they are hand delivered a 7 day door hanger. • Blank test forms are available online www.vbgov.com/backflow • Online test form allows you to fill it out online and email it to us directly using an electronic signature • Test forms can also be scanned and emailed to us at backflow@vbgov.com • Test forms can be faxed to 757-427-3183 • Test forms can be mailed.
Completing the Backflow Test Form • Header Information • Most of the header in formation will be pre-populated if you are using the form sent with the annual testing notice. • If the customer has lost this form we can reproduce it and send via fax or email. • Cross out and correct any inaccurate information
Completing the Backflow Test Form • Common Mistakes • Not filling out test date • Not filling in Line Pressure • Filling in test numbers in wrong location • Putting Passing in the comments when the test numbers say it failed • RP Check #1 less than 5.0 psi • RP Relief Port less than 2.0 psi • DC Check #1 or #2 less than 1.0 psi • PVB/SVB Air Inlet or Check Valve less than 1.0 psi • Incomplete Tester Information • New Device versus Replaced Device • If a test fails, let us know the time-frame for repairs and retesting if known
Backflow Test Scheduling • We reschedule the annual backflow test from the original due date unless the test is done early. Example if test is due in April 2018 but it is done early in March 2018 then it will be due again in March 2019 • Test that are done late DO NOT gain any time. Example if a test is due in April 2018 but not done until June of 2018 then it will be due in April 2019 • If you install an irrigation system in December then the annual test will be due in December unless we are contacted and an alternative date is arranged • We will also work with you on scheduling multiple devices at the same location to be on the same schedule but you will need to contact us to work out details
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