§ 8-08-030. Definitions.

The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this article.

Air-gap. The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet conveying water or waste to a tank, plumbing fixture, receptor and the flood level rim of the receptacle.

Approved assembly. The term approved assembly refers to a specific (by size, model and make) backflow prevention assembly listed by an approved listing agency as follows:

(1)

Containment backflow prevention assembly. An assembly listed by the Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research of the University of Southern California or other listing agency, acceptable to the New Mexico Environment Department and approved by the City Building Code Division, hereinafter referred to as the "Building Code Division."

(2)

Isolation backflow prevention assembly. An assembly listed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials or the International Code Council and approved by the Building Code Division.

Atmospheric vacuum breaker assembly. An assembly consisting of a float check, a check seat and an air inlet port. The assembly shall include a tightly closing, full ported, resilient seated shut-off valve immediately upstream of the valve body.

Auxiliary water supply. A water supply on or available to the premise other than the municipal water system supply.

Back pressure. An increased pressure in a customer's water system caused by a pump, elevated tank, boiler, or any other means that may result in backflow.

Back siphonage. A backflow condition wherein water is being drawn or pulled backwards as a result of a negative or decreased pressure in the water supply.

Backflow. The reversal of water flow into a potable water system.

Backflow prevention assembly. An assembly or means to prevent backflow.

Certified backflow prevention assembly repair person. A person who is a certified backflow prevention assembly tester, is cognizant of all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations and is licensed by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division to perform the necessary repair work.

Certified backflow prevention assembly tester. A person who has demonstrated competence in the testing of backflow prevention assemblies by attending and passing the written and performance examinations administered as part of a training course approved by the Building Code Division and who has a current certificate issued by the Building Code Division.

Contamination. An actual or potential impairment of a potable water system by the introduction, of any substance that could cause the water to be a hazard.

Cross connection. An actual or potential connection between any part of a potable water system and any other environment containing other substances in a manner that, under any circumstances, would allow such substances to enter the potable water system. Other substances may be gases, liquids, or solids, such as chemicals, waste products, steam, water from other sources (potable or non potable), or any matter that may change the taste, color or odor of the water.

Cross connection control by containment. The use of an air-gap or an approved backflow prevention assembly at each service connection to a customer's water system.

Cross connection control by isolation. The use of an air-gap or an approved backflow prevention assembly within the customer's water system at the point of each and every cross connection to effectively isolate the customer's potable water system from the remainder of the customer's water system.

Cross connections, controlled. A connection between a potable water system and a nonpotable water system with an approved backflow prevention assembly or air-gap properly installed and maintained so that it will continuously afford the protection commensurate with the degree of hazard.

Customer. The account holder responsible for payment of fees set forth in article 28-03 of the Alamogordo Code of Ordinances.

Customer's water system. The water system on the customer's premises beginning at the service connection.

Double check valve assembly. An assembly consisting of two (2) internally loaded check valves, either spring loaded or internally weighted, installed as a unit between two (2) tightly closing, full ported, resilient seated shut-off valves and equipped with properly located resilient seated test cocks.

Enforcement authority. The Building Code Division of the City. Enforcement authority may also refer to the authorized agent of the Building Codes Division.

Hazard, degree of. Degree of hazard is determined by the enforcement authority based on evaluation of conditions within the customer's premises. Hazards are classified as follows:

(1)

Health hazard. An actual or potential threat of contamination of a physical or toxic nature to the municipal water system or the customer's water system that could be a danger to the public health.

(2)

Non-health hazard. An actual or potential threat of pollution of a physical nature to the municipal water system but which would not constitute a health hazard. The maximum degree of intensity of pollution to which the potable water system could be degraded would be that which would cause a nuisance or be aesthetically objectionable.

(3)

System hazard. An actual or imminent threat of contamination to the municipal water system which presents an imminent danger to public health.

Industrial fluids. Fluid or solution that may be chemically, biologically, or otherwise contaminated or polluted in a form or concentration, such as would constitute a hazard if introduced into a potable water system. This may include, but is not limited to: polluted or contaminated waters; all types of process waters and used waters originating from the municipal potable water system that may have deteriorated in sanitary quality; chemicals in fluid form, plating acids and alkalis; circulating cooling towers that are chemically or biologically treated or stabilized with toxic substances; contaminated natural waters, such as wells, springs, streams, rivers, irrigation canals or systems, and so forth; oils, gasses, glycerin, paraffin, caustic and acid solutions, and other liquid and gaseous fluids used in industrial areas for the purposes of suppressing fires.

Municipal water system. The potable water system owned and operated by the City to supply residential and nonresidential water users within and beyond the corporate city limits of the city.

Nonresidential service. Any service connected to the municipal water system that supplies water for a premises intended for uses other than those defined as single-family residential within the current adopted building codes.

Pollution. An actual or potential impairment of a potable water system by the introduction or admission of any substance that does or tends to degrade the taste, color, odor or aesthetic quality of the water system but does not constitute a health hazard.

Pressure vacuum breaker assembly. An assembly consisting of one (1) independently operating spring loaded check valve and an independently operating spring loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check valve, installed as a unit between two (2) tightly fitting, full ported, resilient seated shut-off valves and equipped with properly located resilient seated test cocks.

Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly. An assembly consisting of two (2) independently acting approved check valves together with hydraulically operating, mechanically independent pressure differential relief valves located between the check valves and below the first check valve. These units are located between two (2) tightly closing, full ported, resilient seated shut-off valves as an assembly and equipped with properly located resilient seated test cocks.

Residential service. Any service connected to the municipal water system that supplies water for a premises intended for uses defined as any dwelling that has four (4) residential units or less.

Service connection. The terminal end of a water service from a municipal water system.

For metered water services, the terminal end is the customers side of the city's water meter to a customer's water system.

For unmetered water services and fire lines which serve private fire protection systems the terminal end, is located at the property boundary or at the water utility easement boundary to a customer's premises.

For the use of a fire hydrant and all other temporary or emergency water services, the terminal end is located at the point of connection to the municipal water system.

Water, fire sprinkler. Water contained in a fire protection system intended for extinguishing fires and begins at the point of connection to the municipal water mains for unmetered fire line services and for metered fire line services, the fire sprinkler water begins at the customer's side of the city water meter.

Water, nonpotable. Water that is not safe for human consumption or that has questionable quality.

Water, potable. Water delivered by the municipal water system or water located within the customer's nonmunicipally owned plumbing intended for human consumption.

Water, used. Any water delivered by the municipal water system to a customer's water system after it has passed the service connection.

(Ord. No. 1068, 12-14-99; Ord. No. 1114, § 19, 3-27-01; Ord. No. 1321, § 39, 2-12-08)