References & Definitions
References
- Seattle Municipal Code: 21.04.070 Cross-connections
- State Regulations:
- King County Plumbing Permits: Public Health - Seattle & King County
- City of Shoreline Plumbing Permits
- USC Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research
- AWWA Pacific Northwest Section: Cross-Connection Control
- Washington Certification Services
Definitions
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) - The official, board, department, or agency authorized to administer and enforce the provisions of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). Also known as the plumbing authority. For Seattle Public Utilities Customers, the authority is Public Health - Seattle & King County (i.e., King County plumbing) except in Shoreline, where it is the City of Shoreline.
Backflow - The undesirable reversal of flow of water or other substances through a cross-connection into the public water system or consumer's potable water system.
Backflow Assembly Tester (BAT) - A person holding a valid BAT certificate issued under chapter 246- 292 WAC.
Backpressure - A pressure caused by a pump, elevated tank or piping, boiler, or other means on the consumer's side of the water service connection that is greater than the pressure provided by the public water system and which may cause backflow.
Backsiphonage - Backflow due to a reduction in system pressure in the purveyor's distribution system and/or consumer's water system.
Cross-connection - Any actual or potential physical connection between a public water system or the consumer's water system and any source of non-potable liquid, solid or gas that could contaminate the potable water supply by backflow.
Cross-connection Control Specialist (CCS) - A person holding a valid CCS certificate issued under Chapter 246-292 WAC.
Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA) - A testable assembly approved for installation by the State of Washington Department of Health that consists of two independently loaded check valves and two resilient seated shut off valves.
Double Check Detector Assembly (DCDA) - A testable assembly approved for installation by the State of Washington Department of Health that consists of two approved double check valve assemblies arranged in parallel. The bypass assembly is equipped with a meter to detect leakage or water use.
High Health Cross-connection Hazard - A cross-connection involving any substance that could impair the quality of potable water and create an actual public health hazard through injury, poisoning, or spread of disease.
Low Health Cross-connection Hazard - A cross-connection that could cause an impairment of the quality of water to a degree that does not create a hazard to public health but does adversely and unreasonably affect the aesthetic quality of the water.
Premises Isolation - A method of protecting a public water system by installation of approved air gaps or approved backflow prevention assemblies at or near the service connection or alternative location acceptable to the purveyor to isolate the consumer's water system from the purveyor's distribution system.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly (PVBA) - A testable assembly consisting of an internally loaded check valve, an independently operating air inlet valve and two resilient seated shut-off valves.
Reclaimed Water - Effluent derived in any part from sewage from a wastewater treatment system that has been adequately and reliably treated, so that as a result of that treatment, it is suitable for beneficial use or a controlled use that would not otherwise occur, and it is no longer considered wastewater.
Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA) - A testable assembly approved for installation by the State of Washington Department of Health that consists of two independently loaded check valves, a spring-loaded differential pressure relief valve and two resilient seated shut-off valves.
Reduced Pressure Detector Assembly (RPDA) - A testable assembly approved for installation by the State of Washington Department of Health that consists of two approved Reduced Pressure Backflow Assemblies arranged in parallel. The bypass assembly is equipped with a meter to detect leakage or water use.
Unapproved Auxiliary Water Supply - A water supply (other than the purveyor's water supply) on or available to the consumer's premises that is either not approved for human consumption by the health agency having jurisdiction or is not otherwise acceptable to the purveyor.
Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) - The code adopted under RCW 19.27.031(4) and implemented under Chapter 51-56 WAC. This code establishes statewide minimum plumbing standards applicable within the property lines of the consumer's premises.