The Law Behind Backflow Testing

"Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 391-3-5-.13 Cross Connections"

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 391-3-5-.13 Cross Connections

Georgia Administrative Code
Department 391. RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Chapter 391-3. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Subject 391-3-5. RULES FOR SAFE DRINKING WATER

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 25, 2023
Rule 391-3-5-.13. Cross Connections
(1)Prohibitions. No person shall construct, maintain or operate a physical arrangement whereby a public water system is or may be connected directly or indirectly with a non-potable water system or non-permitted water system, sewer, drain, conduit, pool, storage reservoir, plumbing fixture, or other device which contains or may contain contaminated water, liquid, gasses, sewage or other waste of unknown or unsafe quality, which may be capable of imparting contamination to the public water system as the results of backflow, bypass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeover devices, or other temporary, permanent or potential connections through which or because of which back-flow or back-siphonage could or would occur.
(2)Contamination Prevention. A supplier of water or any person having possession or control of facilities which may cause the contamination of a public water system has the responsibility to prevent water from unapproved sources or any contaminants from entering the public water system by such physical arrangements cited in paragraph (1) of this Section.
(3)Purchasers and Resellers. Any person connecting to and purchasing water from a public water system and reselling it to others is considered a supplier of the water so purchased as well as a consumer, and is also responsible for the quality of such water.
(4)Cross-Connection Control Program. A supplier shall, when requested by the Division, develop a control program for the elimination and prevention of all cross-connections. A written plan for the program shall be submitted to the Division for review and approval within two (2) years or less in accordance with a written request by the Division. When the plan is approved, the owner shall implement the program immediately.
(5)Conformance with National Standards. The procedures for back-flow and back-siphonage prevention and cross-connection control shall conform to those recommended by the American Water Works Association, Manual 14, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Cross-Connection Manual.
(6)Backflow Prevention Assemblies Field Testing. The supplier shall require that all backflow prevention assemblies installed pursuant to this section be field tested following installation, repair, or relocation and at least annually thereafter.
(7)Certified Backflow Testing. After October 1, 2004, all required field testing shall be performed by persons who are certified in the testing of backflow prevention assemblies by the Georgia Statewide Backflow Prevention Assembly Certification Program, as approved by the Division, the American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA), the American Society of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE) or the University of Florida TREEO Center.
(8)Gauge Accuracy. Gauges used in the testing of backflow prevention assemblies shall be tested for accuracy annually in accordance with the University of Southern California Manual of Cross-Connection Control or American Water Works Association Manual 14. Public water systems shall require testers to include test gauge serial numbers on “Test and Maintenance” report forms and ensure testers have gauges tested for accuracy.
(9)

Record Maintenance. Each water supplier shall maintain records of the following for a minimum of three (3) years:

(a)Most current hazard assessment, conducted pursuant to Section 608 of the Georgia State Minimum Standard Plumbing Code (International Plumbing Code);
(b)Locations and types of backflow protection and associated hazards;
(c)Results of all backflow prevention assembly field testing and air gap inspections; and
(d)Repairs made to, or replacement or relocation of, backflow protection.
(e)Summaries of the information in sections (9)(a) – (d) shall be available to the Division on request for a minimum of three years.
(f)The supplier shall ensure that backflow prevention assemblies that fail the field test are repaired or replaced within thirty (30) days.
(g)The supplier shall ensure that bypass piping installed around any approved backflow preventer is equipped with a backflow preventer providing an equivalent level of protection.
(h)Reduced pressure principal backflow prevention assemblies shall not be installed in any location subject to possible flooding. This includes pits and/or vaults which are not provided with a gravity drain to the ground’s surface that is capable of exceeding the discharge rate of the relief valve.
(i)Each supplier shall notify the Division of any known incident of backflow into the public water system as soon as possible but no later than the end of the next business day upon discovery of the incident. If requested to do so by the Division, the supplier shall submit a written report of the incident describing the nature and severity of the backflow, the actions taken by the water supplier in response to the incident, and the action plan intended to prevent such incidents in the future.
(j)The supplier of water shall deny or discontinue water service to a commercial consumer if a required backflow prevention device is not installed or properly maintained. Water service shall not be restored to such premises until the deficiencies have been corrected or eliminated to the satisfaction of the supplier and the Division. Residential connections shall be maintained in accordance with the Georgia State Minimum Standard Plumbing Code (International Plumbing Code).

Cite as Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-3-5-.13
Authority: Ga. L. 1977, p. 351, et seq., O.C.G.A. Sec. 12-5-170et seq., as amended.
History. Original Rule entitled “Storage Tanks and Distribution System” was filed on September 6, 1973; effective September 26, 1973.
Amended: Rule repealed and a new Rule entitled “Cross Connections” adopted. Filed July 5, 1977; effective July 26, 1977, as specified by Rule 391-3-5-.47.
Amended: Filed July 15, 1983; effective August 4, 1983.
Amended: F. Dec. 4, 1990; eff. Dec. 24, 1990.
Amended: F. Dec. 21, 2004; eff. Jan. 10, 2005.
Amended: New title “Cross-Connections. Amended.” F. Jan. 8, 2014; eff. Jan. 28, 2014.

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