§ 32-163. Testing.

(a)

Testing standards. All required tests of backflow preventers shall be accomplished in accordance with the procedures in the latest editions of Chapter 8 of AWWA Manual M14 and Section 9 of the University of Southern California's Manual of Cross-Connection Control.

(b)

Initial. All backflow preventers shall be installed under a plumbing, mechanical or fire permit obtained from the Building Official. The backflow preventer shall be tested by a certified backflow preventer tester as defined herein and certified as testing satisfactory prior to final plumbing approval being granted and prior to the installation of the permanent water meter. Where a permanent water meter is not yet installed, the certified tester shall obtain water for testing the backflow preventer cia a method approved by the Department.

(c)

Routine Testing.

(1)

All backflow preventers installed on a non-residential or multi-family residential property with service size greater than 2-inches must be tested at least annually to assure that they are performing satisfactorily by a certified backflow preventer tester.

(2)

All backflow preventers installed on a residential property with service size no greater than 2-inches must be tested at least biennially to assure that they are performing satisfactorily by a certified backflow preventer tester.

(3)

The first routine testing of each backflow preventer installed subsequent to enactment of this article shall occur within twelve (12) months of installation for non-residential, and within twenty-four (24) months for residential customers.

(d)

Change of Occupancy or Ownership. Inspection of premises and satisfactory testing of an existing backflow preventer may be required before initiation of water service to a new customer or issuance of a new certificate of occupancy.

(e)

Deficiencies. If deficiencies are identified during any testing, the tester shall provide the water customer and the Department with a listing of the defects, on a form acceptable to the Department, within five (5) days of the test, which warns the customer that defects must be repaired within thirty-five (35) days of the Department's receipt of the report. Retesting shall be performed at or before the end of that period.

(Ord. No. 99-165, § 1, 12-7-99; Ord. No. 06-158, § 1, 10-24-06; Ord. No. 15-124, § 1, 11-3-15)