7 TH ANNUAL BACKFLOW TESTER MEETING March 21, 2019
PLEASE TURN YOUR CELL PHONES TO SILENT MODE. RESTROOM LOCATIONS
Background Information • Backflow Prevention & CCC Program has been managed by the Public Utilities Engineering Divisions’ Regulatory Compliance Bureau since March 2011 • Public Utilities is responsible for the drinking water supply as well as sanitary sewer service • The City Code for the backflow program was revised and adopted in May 2011 • Public Utilities Departmental Policy also adopted in May 2011 • Details PU, Consumer and Backflow Tester Responsibilities • Program website www.vbgov.com/backflow
Public Utilities Backflow Team Technical Resource for you and citizens • Kate Nixon – Regulatory Compliance Bureau Manager • Belinda Wilson – Program Manager • Brandy Cronon – Engineering Aide • Jason Truitt – Engineering Tech • Dave Paolucci – Code Inspector • Bob Hewitt – Code Inspector • Contact us • backflow@vbgov.com (best method) • 757-385-4171 phone • 757-427-3183 fax
Who is Responsible for What? • Permits & Inspections • All permit required work • All permit required inspections/re-inspections • Test Reports for New Installs including replacement devices • Public Utilities • All Annual Testing • Test Reports for all new Installs • Investigating possible cross-connections
Public Utilities Responsibilities • Maintain backflow testing tracking system and records for over 5,000 sites and 11,000 devices • Implement and maintain a cross connection control and backflow prevention program for the protection of the public drinking water system • Virginia Department of Health Compliance • Provide Customer Service • Technical Resource for Testers and Customers
Backflow Tester Responsibilities • Testers shall be certified by the Virginia Board of Contractors to perform backflow tests or shall affirmatively demonstrate that their qualifications meet or exceed the applicable standards prescribed by the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE Standard 5000) • Tests will not be accepted if certifications have expired • Testers shall use only test kits with up to date calibration certifications . • Tester Kit Calibrations due annually (per ASSE 5000 and Public Utilities Departmental Policy) • Calibration certifications shall be sent to PU annually or upon expiration • Test kits and calibration information will be maintained with tester license information in our database • Testers should use City of Virginia Beach test form
Backflow Test Tags • Testers shall tag the device upon completion of a test per the Public Utilities Departmental Policy • We use the tags to help find missing test reports • We can call the Tester/Tester’s Company instead of calling the customer • Tags at a minimum shall include the following information: Name, Address, and Phone # of Testing Company; Manufacturer, Device Model #, Serial #, and Size of device being EXAMPLE TAG ONLY tested; Test Date; Tester’s Initials; Tester’s Certification #; and indication if the test passed or failed
Backflow Test Tags Dates along border are for when the test was done. Expiration Date is when Test Expires not for tester certification expiration or test kit calibration expiration. • Please do not reuse a tag. It is too difficult to know when the test was taken or expires. EXAMPLE TAG ONLY
Citizen & Tester Responsibilities • Public Utilities Departmental Policy and the City of Virginia Beach Code Sec. 37-71 Maintenance and inspection of backflow prevention devices states that the consumer (citizen) shall maintain accurate records of tests and repairs made to backflow prevention devices • Testers shall provide the consumer with copies of the backflow tests and keep a copy for their records. • Testers have had to retest devices when they don’t keep copies of the reports.
Tester Liability • Legal Liability • Loss of Business/Customers • Loss of ability to test in Virginia Beach • Loss of state license • Legal recourse from City or others • Safe Drinking Water Act (1974) • The sabotage of a public drinking water system or even the threat to do so, is a federal offense (title XIV, section 1432 of the federal safe drinking water act P.L. 99-339, 1986) • P.L. 107-188 Amended Safe Drinking Water Act 2002 • Attempt or threat • 10 years in prison/ $100,000 fine • Tampering • 20 years in prison/$1,000,000 fine
Backflow in Irrigation Systems! • June 2012 Boise, Idaho – As many as 80 residents got sick due to a bacteria in the drinking water that came from a House with a failed backflow device on the irrigation system • September 2012 Cedar Hills, Utah – 13 homes had water contaminated from an unprotected connection to an irrigation system, people got sick with giardia • September 2011 Small Town in Idaho – Water system was contaminated with E. coli from a backflow incident involving a home sprinkler system • November 2011 Columbia, SC – Water system was contaminated from a backflow incident involving an residential irrigation. • October 1991 Southgate, Michigan – two homes reported parasitic worms (nematodes) in their water. Water main break caused backsiphonage and pulled water from an unprotected irrigation system
Backflow Test Notification Process • Annual Notifications of a test being due are mailed to the customer on the 15 th of the month before the test is due • One month later if the test is not received, a 30-day Overdue Notification is sent telling the customer they have 30 days to submit test form or their water service will be terminated or a $2500 fine will be implemented. • 7 days before the turn off date, we deliver a 7-Day door hanger • 48 hours before the turn off date, we deliver a 48-hour door hanger • At the end of that time period if compliance or arrangement have not been made, the water service is terminated or a fine of $2,500 is implemented Timeline for a Test Due in April
Backflow Test Form • Pre-printed test forms are provided to the customer with the Annual, 30-day and 7-day notices. • Blank test forms are available online www.vbgov.com/backflow • Online test form allows you to fill it out online and email it to us directly using an electronic signature • Test forms can also be emailed to us at backflow@vbgov.com • Can be faxed #757-427-3183 • Can be mailed
Completing the Backflow Test Form • Header Information • Most of the header in formation will be pre-populated if you are using the form sent with the annual testing notice. • If the customer has lost this form we can reproduce it and send via fax or email. • Cross out and correct any inaccurate information
Completing the Backflow Test Form • Common Mistakes • Not filling out test date – including the YEAR • Not filling in Line Pressure • Filling in test numbers in wrong location • Putting Passing in the comments when the test numbers say it failed • RP Check #1 less than 5.0 psi • RP Relief Port less than 2.0 psi • DC Check #1 or #2 less than 1.0 psi • PVB/SVB Air Inlet or Check Valve less than 1.0 psi • Incomplete Tester Information • New Device versus Replaced Device • Replaced device-please put old device serial # • If a test fails, let us know the time-frame for repairs and retesting if known
Backflow Test Scheduling • We reschedule the annual backflow test from the original due date unless the test is done early. Example: Test is due in April 2019 but it’s tested in March 2019, it will be due again in March 2020 • Test that are done late DO NOT gain any time. Example: Test is due in April 2019 but not done until June of 2019, it will be due in April 2020 • If you install an irrigation system in December then the annual test will be due in December unless we are contacted and an alternative date is arranged • We will also work with you on scheduling multiple devices at the same location to be on the same schedule but you will need to contact us to work out details
Backflow Certified Tester List • List is provided to our customers as a courtesy to them • You DO NOT have to be on the list to test in Virginia Beach • List is provided to customers when annual testing notification is sent, 30 day notification, and 7 day door hangers • It is also available on our website • To be on the list you have to • Provide us a copy of your business license • Provide us a copy of your backflow tester license • Provide us a copy of your test kit calibration certification • Attend this meeting
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