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Cross Connection Control

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1. My meter has been locked by Cross Connection (bright colored laminated tag) for non-compliance. How do I get it unlocked?

PLEASE NOTE: 

In an effort to help protect the quality of water in the City’s distribution system non-compliant non-essential water (Irrigation) meters that have already been locked will remain locked until all essential water backflow preventer assemblies, such as domestic and fire assemblies, are completely in compliance with annual testing.

Intentional disregard of previous notices and deadlines established by the ordinance which lead to the water being terminated at your location is deemed as a willful violation. If your DOMESTIC water has been turned off following a water termination letter for non-compliance, a willful violation penalty of $500 is also required to be paid prior to water service being restore at your location. The procedures for discontinuance and service restoration as well as liability indemnity are provided in Section 70-592 of the CCC Ordinance. 

1. Go to https://ipn2.paymentus.com/rotp/dhccto make a payment for the unlock
   1. Select “TRIP CHARGE” then enter your address
   2. Proceed with the $75 unlock payment (Per Backflow Preventer)
   3. Upon completion you and the City will receive a paid receipt confirmation.
2. Repeat step 1 above if your DOMESTIC water has been turned off for non-compliance
   1. Select "WILLFUL VIOLATION" then enter your address
   2. Proceed with the $500 civil penalty
   3. Upon completion, you and the City will receive a paid receipt confirmation
3. Hire a certified approved backflow tester.  If you do not know how to find a tester, please follow the steps below:
   1. Go to https://www.bsionlinetracking.com/customer 
   2. Enter your CCN: XXXX-XXXX.  If you do not know your CCN please email [email protected] and request your CCN. Please provide your address in the email.
   3. Click “FIND A TESTING COMPANY.”
4. The approved backflow tester shall coordinate with one of our Code Compliance Officers to schedule a date and time to meet on site.
   1. Lonnie Boone, Senior CCC Compliance Officer
      • Phone: (919) 560-4194, ext. *35411
      • Mobile: (919) 717-4637
      • Email: [email protected]
   2. Thomas Stern, CCC Compliance Officer I
      • Phone: (919) 560-4194 ext. 35998
      • Mobile: (919) 937-7117
      • Email: [email protected]
5. Our inspector will meet the tester, unlock the meter and wait until the tester performs the test. The CCC staff will wait up to 15 min. of the selected time/date. After 15 min. if the tester fails to show up the $75 unlock fee will be forfeited and all the steps above will need to be repeated.
   1. If the backflow passes, the meter will remain unlocked.
   2. If the backflow fails, the meter will be locked back.
6. Upon passing test results, the tester will provide a copy of the test results to City staff and City staff will make the backflow ACTIVE in BSI.
7. Certified Tester shall manually enter the test results into https://www.bsionlinetracking.com/ within 24 hours of the test. If test(s) are not received within 24 hours the meter(s) will be locked again and the process will start all over.

2. What types of backflow conditions exist?

Two: backsiphonage and backpressure.

3. What is Backsiphonage?

Backsiphonage is a reversal of normal flow in a system caused by a negative pressure (vacuum or partial vacuum) in the supply piping.

4. What factors can cause backsiphonage?

Backsiphonage can be created when there is a stoppage of the water supply due to nearby firefighting, repairs or breaks in the City Main, etc. Water is sucked back through the line.

5. What is backpressure?

Backpressure is the reversal of normal flow in a system due to an increase in the downstream pressure above the supply pressure. Water is pushed back through the line.

6. What factors can cause backpressure?

Installation such as heating systems, elevated tanks, and pressure producing systems can create backpressure by making the downstream pressure higher than the supply pressure such as a hot water boiler.

7. What is a cross connection?

A cross connection is a direct connection between potable and non-potable water.

8. What is the most common form of a cross connection?

Your ordinary garden hose and sill cock hose bibb on the outside of your house is the most common cross connection and if used incorrectly can create a variety of potentially dangerous applications.

9. What is an Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB)?

An AVB consist of an air inlet valve, a check seat, and an air inlet port(s). If installed properly, the air inlet opens allowing air into the body of the device which compensates for any vacuum and separates the downstream non-potable water from the upstream potable water.

10. Will an Anti-Siphon Vacuum Breaker protect against backpressure?

Absolutely not. If there is an increase in the downstream pressure over that of the supply, the check valve would tend to “modulate,” thus permitting the backflow of contaminated water to pass through the orifice into the potable water supply line.

11. What is continuous pressure?

Twelve hours of use or more. This term is applied to an installation where the pressure is being supplied continuously to a backflow preventer for periods over 12 hours or more.

12. Can an AVB be used under continuous pressure?

No. Code does not allow AVB’s to be used under continuous pressure because the device could become stuck or frozen causing the device not to function properly under an emergency situation.

13. What is a Hose Bibb Vacuum Breaker (HBVB)?

It’s a type of AVB commonly found on hose bibbs on outside faucets. These only protect against backsiphonage, NOT backpressure. They cannot be used for continuous pressure. They cannot have a shut-off valve downstream of the device.

14. Can I tie my lawn irrigation/sprinkler system to my outside AVB or HBVB?

Absolutely not. General Statue, NC Plumbing Code, and City of Durham Code of Ordinance do not allow this type of connection. See Non-Compliant Hose Bibb Irrigation Systems (PDF) for more information.

15. If I have an existing lawn irrigation/sprinkler system do I need a backflow preventer?

Yes, City of Durham Code of Ordinance requires an Reduced Pressure (RP) type backflow, ASSE 1013 approval.

16. If I have a new lawn irrigation/sprinkler system do I have to have a separate irrigation meter?

It depends. If your property was platted on or before June 30, 2009, no you do not need a separate irrigation meter. However, if your property was platted after June 30, 2009, per GS § 143-355.4, a separate irrigation meter would be required.

17. When do I need to get a backflow permit? Do I also need a Plumbing Permit?

When a new installation, replacement, relocation, or removal of a backflow is performed, a backflow permit is required. When replacing a backflow like-for-like, only a backflow permit is required. If it’s a new installation or a replacement where plumbing work is involved, a plumbing permit is also required.

18. As a homeowner, can I install my own backflow preventer?

Yes, however you still are required to obtain a backflow permit prior to doing the work. Once the backflow permit is issued you can proceed with doing the work. Once the work is completed please hire a certified backflow tester to test the backflow. The test results shall be submitted to the City of Durham. Once test results have been received by the City, you can schedule an inspection at (919) 560-4194.

19. Do I need a plumbing permit to install a backflow preventer?

It depends. If the backflow installation is new, then a plumbing permit is required. If you are simply replacing an existing backflow and it is like-for-like with no changes to the plumbing, then no, a plumbing permit is not required.

20. What if I have a commercial property or I just don’t feel comfortable doing the work myself, who can I hire?

For installation – a properly licensed contractor (Fire, Utility, or Plumbing Contractors license) is required.
For testing - a certified tester list is provided on our website. These individuals have also provided documentation that they are also properly licensed contractor.
For repairs – a properly licensed contractor (Fire, Utility, or Plumbing Contractors license) is required.

21. How do I become a certified backflow tester in Durham?

To become a certified backflow tester in Durham you first need to be employed by a properly licensed contractor (with proof of employment) or be a property licensed contractor yourself. A Fire, Utility, or Plumbing Contractors license is required. Next, visit our website and print the course packet. When ready, fill out , sign, and return the class application and testers check list.

22. Are re-certification classes every 2 years necessary?

Yes. The plumbing code is updated on a three year cycle with amendments and revisions that may affect installation and testing criteria. In addition, ordinance changes or updates in each municipality could occur of which you need to be aware.

23. Why can’t we have one universal State backflow testing form for each jurisdiction?

This is a reasonable question; however health, inspections, and water purveyor are not the same. Many use parts of the test form to gather information that will prove that the tester actually tested the valves. Others gather information about what they actually have in their water system or simply gather pressure readings throughout their system. No matter the reason, necessary information which allows the tester to record the results of the testing and any needed repairs is useful to any cross connection program, no matter the format.

24. What if I want to test backflows outside of Durham?

The City of Durham has a reciprocity agreement with Raleigh, Charlotte, Greenville, Fayetteville, and NC Rural Water. If a certification or recertification certificate is obtained at any of these schools, the City of Durham will allow you to test in Durham after attending an 2 hour orientation. The same goes if you are originally certified in Durham and you wish to test at any of the above jurisdictions; they will accept your certificate from Durham. Keep in mind: you still have to seek approval from each municipality before you starting testing; they may need things like a copy of your certificate or calibration data.

25. Why do I have to be a properly licensed contractor to test backflows in Durham?

In accordance with the NC General Statues § 87-21, subsection (c) and 21 NCAC 50.0506 anyone who interrupts the water supply is required be properly licensed. When testing a backflow preventer one or both shut-off valves on the backflow preventer is required to be turned off during testing, therefore interrupting the water supply. North Carolina has a statewide licensing program for Plumbing, Utility, and Fire Protection Contractors. Part of the State licensing General Statue requirements is that these individuals are properly trained and certified to preform trouble shooting beyond the routine annual testing. By law, installation and repairs of backflow preventers can only be performed by a properly licensed person, carrying this requirement over to include testing allows the City of Durham to ensure quality work is carried over to each customer.

26. How often do I have to test my backflow preventer?

Annually. You should be receiving a letter annually notifying you when your backflow preventer is due for testing. If you have a backflow preventer and are not receiving a letter from the City of Durham Department of Water Management Cross Connection Control, please contact us at (919) 560-4194.

27. What if I have a temporary use that requires a backflow preventer assembly, do I have to get a permit, inspection, etc.?

For temporary purposes, the City does offer a Fire Hydrant Metering option including a backflow preventer that can be rented from the the Department of Water Management Water & Sewer Maintenance division. For more information or to request the Hydrant Meter Rental Procedures and fees, please contact them at (919) 560-4344.

28. How do I pay for CCC Class Enrollment, residential opt-in testing program enrollment, unlock trip charge fee, illegal connection citations, and any other associated fees with Cross Connection?

Please visit our CCC Online One Time Payment website at https://ipn2.paymentus.com/rotp/dhcc. Select the payment you would like to make and then enter either your permit number or student name. Once payment has been approved, you will receive a confirmation email and a copy will be sent to [email protected]. Your payment will be applied appropriately.

29. What does it take to be ASSE 1060-Certified for Freeze Protection Insulated Enclosures?

There are three different classes an enclosure can be placed in, depending upon the amount of protection it provides. If the enclosure is in a climate where winters are long and temperatures are cold, the ASSE 1060 Class 1 will provide the freeze protection needed.

• Class 1 is the hardest to achieve, but backflow enclosures in this class offer maximum freeze protection. The 1060 standard freeze protection means the heated enclosure will maintain 40 degrees Fahrenheit in as low as -30 degree weather. If you live in an area with freezing temperatures, no matter how long the freeze lasts, you should require Class 1 enclosure.
• Class 2 only includes covers that have frost protection. This means the industrial enclosure is insulated but does not meet the same temperature requirements as Class 1. These should only be used in areas where temperatures never fall below 33 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Class 3 boxes do not provide freeze or frost protection. These are only useful for aesthetics as well as theft, vandal and accident protection.

30. How do I get my meter unlocked?

If your meter has been locked by Cross Connection Control for non-compliance, such as past due backflow testing, please follow these steps to get the meter unlocked.