Backflow Requirements

Glide Water Association

Cross Connection Program

Backflow Testing Annual Requirement

The Oregon Health Authority requires backflow devices be tested on a yearly basis. If you are unsure of your backflow device test results, please call the Glide Water Association Office at 541-496-3614.

The water user or owner of the premises where one or more backflow prevention devices have been installed to protect the Association’s water system shall have the device tested at least once a year. Where there are repeated failures the testing shall be undertaken more frequently than once per year. Devices shall also be tested immediately after they are installed and after they are moved. Reports on the tests shall be prepared by the tester and copies of the reports shall be provided to the water user or owner of the premises, to the water supplier, and to the Health Division of the Oregon Department of Human Recourses. Tests shall be performed by certified testers only, please see our list of local certified testers below:

List of Local Certified Backflow Assembly Testers

Popeye’s Pump & Backflow – 541-672-6715
Umpqua Valley Fire Services – 541-229-0911
Chris Nicholls Construction – 541-643-0818
North Umpqua Plumbing – 541-672-0212

Identifying Cross Connections and Regulations

The State of Oregon Health Authority Regulations requires water systems to have a program for identifying and eliminating “cross connections” to all public water systems.

A cross connection is any actual or potential link between the water system and any other liquid or gas. While most of us think of our water as always being under pressure and therefore flowing in only one direction, a drop-in pressure caused by a water line break or a repair project, or fire hydrant use, can cause a reversal of flow, or “backflow”, that could pull, or “siphon”, unwanted material into the water distribution system.

To assist in establishing a cross connection control program we are always conducting surveys or inspections within the water district. If potential backflow conditions are found on a property, Oregon Administrative Rules mandate that a state approved backflow device must be installed to protect against potential cross connections.

The purpose of this legislation is to protect you and all water consumers in our district. It also provides additional benefits for participants, preventing situation where water service is terminated due to non-compliance with the program, and/or legal action being brought against the property owner for polluting the water system.

The program is not an attempt on the part of Glide Water Association to control private property water use. It is mandated by Oregon State Law and is designed to protect the public from contaminated water. Glide Water Association’s water system and affected property owners are “in the same boat.” In order to comply with Oregon State Law, we must participate together. The consequences of not participating can be devastating with regard to public health and legal financial responsibility.

Here is an example of a simple cross connection “incident”: A resident or business owner is filling a vessel (hot tub, pond, or swimming pool) with a garden hose. The individual has the end of the running garden hose immersed in the vessel or structure. At the same time there is a sudden disruption of the pressure due to a break in a nearby Glide Water Association water main line. Normally, pressure in the line would keep water flowing out the end of the hose. However, the major portion of the pressure is now flowing out of the break causing suction through the garden hose. Contents of the hot tub are drawn into the water system distribution system. When the break is repaired, and pressure is restored, the fluid in the hot tub is transmitted to other water system users. To understand how serious this situation could be, imagine that the hose had been in an automobile radiator, water trough, or an herbicide sprayer container.

If you are concerned about a possible cross connection hazard on your property, please call us at your earliest convenience to schedule your appointment with our certified Cross Connection Specialist (541-496-3614).

BACKFLOW REQUIREMENTS

In accordance with Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 33 (Public Water Systems), Section 42-230 (Cross Connection Control Requirements), it shall be the policy of the Glide Water Association to require the installation of backflow prevention devices for protecting the Associations water system where one or more of the following conditions exists:

Where there is an auxiliary supply on the premises which is of unacceptable or unknown quality and is, or can be, connected to the potable water piping on the premises;
Where there is piping on the premises for conveying liquids other than potable water, and where that piping is under pressure and is installed and operated in a manner which could permit the entry of those other liquids into the potable water piping on the premises;
Where there are internal cross connections that are not correctable;
Where there are intricate plumbing arrangements on the premises which can make it impractical to a certain whether or not cross connections exist;
Where there is reason to believe that there are cross connections on the premises, but the water user does not permit an inspection to be made;
Where there is possibility of backflow from contained quantities of potable water that are subject to contamination from controlled or uncontrolled sources.

DEGREE OF HAZARD

The type of backflow prevention device required shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard which exists:

An approved air gap or an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device (RP device) shall be installed where the substance which could backflow is hazardous to health.
An approved double check valve assembly shall be installed where the substance which could backflow is objectionable but does not pose an unreasonable risk to health.

Glide Water Association shall identify the premise where the potential for backflow is high, shall evaluate the conditions at those premises, and when appropriate, shall require the installation of backflow prevention devices.

General Installation Requirements for Backflow Prevention Devices

No backflow prevention device shall be submerged in water or installed in a location subject to flooding. If installed in a vault or basement, adequate drainage shall be provided.
The device must be protected from freezing weather conditions.
All devices shall be installed according to manufacturer’s installation instructions and applicable State and Federal regulations. Only double check valve devices specifically approved by the manufacturer for vertical installation may be installed vertically. For no reason will an RP device be approved for vertical installation.
The device shall be readily accessible with adequate room for maintenance and testing.
No device shall be installed more than 5 feet in height above floor level without providing an adequate supported platform to access the device.
All devices shall be supported with proper material to prevent excess stress on the connection flanges
Upon completion of installation, Glide Water Association shall be notified, and all device installations shall be inspected by Glide Water Association personnel. Each backflow device shall be registered with Glide Water Association. Registration shall consist of date of installation, location, make, model, size, and serial number of the device and initial test report.

All device assemblies required under this policy shall be of a type or model approved by the State of Oregon.

All device assembles shall be installed in accordance with Section 10, Manual of Cross-Connection Control, 7^th Edition, June 1985. Published by the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research, University of Southern California and AWWA Standard 506.

Failure to install, provide for the testing of, or to perform required maintenance of, a backflow prevention device assembly in accordance with this policy, shall result in termination of the water service until such time as the water user or owner meets compliance.

Any installation, corrective measure, testing, or disconnection fees shall be at the sole expense of the owner.

Please contact our office with any questions or concerns related to your backflow assembly our phone number is 541-496-3614 or email us at glidewaterassociation@gmail.com.

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