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| Special Services Division |
| Cross Connection Control / Water Protection |
| Program Overview |
General Requirements
The Austin Water Utility’s Special Services Division (SSD) administers the City of Austin’s Water Protection Program and enforces Chapter 15-1 Cross Connection Regulations of the Austin City Code (Adobe PDF). At the heart of these regulations are the minimum requirements for backflow prevention assembly (BPA) installation, testing, maintenance, and reporting. Backflow prevention is essential to protecting the quality of drinking water and the health and safety of those people that depend upon it (read more about backflows – including typical causes, contamination sources, and the measures used to prevent them). The key program elements relating to backflow prevention are described briefly below (for more detailed information, follow the links on the navigation bar to the left):
- Hazards to Drinking Water – the various hazards sources are categorized as either "High" or "Low." The type of backflow prevention required and the frequency that it must be tested varies according to the hazard level.
- Installation Requirements – the BPA installed must be of a design approved and listed by University of Southern California Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research. Also the BPA must be installed in accordance with the Uniform Plumbing Code (as amended) and Utility Criteria Manual.
- Test & Maintenance Requirements – once installed, each BPA is subject to initial and periodic test and maintenance requirements to confirm its continued operational effectiveness. Such testing must be performed by a state licensed Backflow Prevention Assemble Tester registered with the City of Austin (see registration requirements).
Special Program Areas
The SSD also enforces Chapter 15-3 Fire Hydrant Regulation of the Austin City Code (Adobe PDF), which, in addition to backflow protection requirements, includes provisions to prevent unauthorized uses of and damage to fire hydrants. Similarly, the SSD enforces provisions of the National Fire Protection Act as they apply to privately owned fire hydrants that are subject to test, maintenance and notification requirements – the principal goals being the protection of water quality and the assurance of uninterrupted fire suppression ability. The SSD also administers City, state and federal rules and regulations as they apply to users of reclaimed water and/or other auxiliary water sources when used in conjunction with service from a public water system. These special program areas are described briefly below (for more detailed information, follow the links on the navigation bar to the left):
- Auxiliary / Reclaimed Water – the auxiliary water system must be segregated from the potable water system from the start; BPA installation and maintenance requirements apply; periodic verification of system segregation must be performed by a Customer Service Inspector registered with the City of Austin.
- Private Fire Hydrants – testing and maintenance is required annually using an approved private fire hydrant contractor; the fire department must be notified prior testing and maintenance that could impair fire suppression ability; and the required test and maintenance report must be submitted to the SSD.
- Temporary Water Service – a permit application must be submitted and approved by the Austin Water Utility’s Customer Service Division Office prior to any connection to a fire hydrant; adequate backflow prevention must be provided; and all water withdrawn must be metered and reported to the Customer Service Division Office.
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