Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 41 - PUBLIC HEALTH (§§ 41-1-1 — 41-149-NEW-003) › Chapter 26 - MISSISSIPPI SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT OF 1997 (§§ 41-26-1 — 41-26-103) › IN GENERAL (§§ 41-26-1 — 41-26-31) › Section 41-26-14 - Cross connection control program; legislative intent; adoption of regulations; certain cross connections designated as low hazard; requirements and deadlines for high hazard and low hazard cross connections; inspections; discontinuance of service for violations; local ordinances regulating cross connections or backflow preventer devices may not be more stringent than provisions of this section

(1)
The department shall develop and implement a cross connection control program in accordance with this section. Before development of the cross connection control program, the department shall consult with the United States Environmental Protection Agency regarding the development of a federal cross connection control program. It is the intent of the Legislature that any cross connection control program developed and implemented by the department be equivalent to a federal program, unless otherwise provided in this section.
(2)
(a)
The board shall adopt regulations defining a high hazard cross connection and a low hazard cross connection. The board shall determine which low hazard cross connections pose a very low risk and therefore are below regulatory concern. Those low hazard cross connections posing a very low risk shall be exempt from the requirements of this section and shall not be required to have a backflow preventer device. In addition, the regulations shall specify those backflow preventer devices which are recommended to address both high hazard and low hazard cross connections.
(b)
For the purposes of this section, the following cross connections shall be considered as low hazard cross connections posing a very low risk:
(i)
Any lawn sprinkler system or lawn irrigation system that is connected to a public water system and was professionally installed, regardless of whether the system is underground or above ground or whether the system has pop-up sprinkler heads;
(ii)
Any swimming pool that is connected to a public water system and was professionally installed, or any swimming pool that is connected to a public water system and has a fill line with an anti-siphon air gap;
(iii)
Any water fountain or cooler that provides drinking water for human consumption, that is connected to a public water system and was professionally installed;
(iv)
Any fire sprinkler system that contains only water or a dry pipe and no chemicals, that is connected to a public water system and was professionally installed; and
(v)
Any commercial establishment that is connected to a public water system, that contains no cross connections directly with a dangerous or hazardous substance or material.
(c)
For the purposes of this section, any lawn sprinkler system or lawn irrigation system that is connected to a public water system and either injects or stores lawn chemicals or is connected to a wastewater supply shall be considered as high hazard cross connections and not exempt from the requirements of this section; however, the local public water system shall not be required to conduct an on-site inspection to identify any such system under this paragraph (c).
(d)
Any regulations that were adopted before April 12, 2001, to implement a cross connection control program shall be void to the extent those regulations are in conflict or inconsistent with this section.
(3)
Before December 31, 2000, each public water system shall develop and implement a cross connection control program and shall conduct a survey and on-site visits, as necessary, to locate cross connections within its system. Single family dwellings and multifamily dwellings shall be excluded from the survey, unless the public water system has reason to believe a cross connection exists.
(4)
Before June 30, 2001, each property owner identified by the public water system as having a high hazard cross connection shall install a backflow preventer device. If the property owner already has a backflow preventer device installed and the backflow preventer device functions properly, the public water system shall consider the backflow preventer device approved and shall allow the installed backflow preventer device to remain in place until the backflow preventer device fails to function properly. Additional backflow preventer devices shall not be required for carbonated beverage dispensers if (a) the water supply connection to the carbonated beverage dispenser is protected against backflow by a backflow preventer device conforming to ASSE 1022 or by an air gap, and (b) the backflow preventer device and the piping downstream from the device are not affected by carbon dioxide gas.
(5)
Before June 30, 2004, each property owner identified by the public water system as having a low hazard cross connection shall install a backflow preventer device. This requirement does not apply to any low hazard cross connection that poses a very low risk. If the property owner already has a backflow preventer device installed and the backflow preventer device functions properly, the public water system shall consider the backflow preventer device approved and shall allow the installed backflow preventer device to remain in place until the backflow preventer device fails to function properly.
(6)
Each high hazard backflow preventer device shall be inspected and tested at least annually. If a high hazard backflow preventer device fails to function properly, the property owner shall have the backflow preventer device repaired and retested or shall install a new approved backflow preventer device within thirty (30) days of the initial test. If a low hazard backflow preventer device fails to function properly, the property owner shall have the backflow preventer device repaired or shall install a new backflow preventer device within ninety (90) days after the date the backflow preventer device first fails to function properly.
(7)
All inspection and testing of backflow preventer devices under this section shall be conducted by a certified tester, unless otherwise provided in the regulations of the board. Certified backflow preventer device testers shall be licensed by the department under those conditions as the department deems appropriate.
(8)
If a property owner fails to install a backflow preventer device or fails to have a backflow preventer device tested as required by this section, the public water system may discontinue service to that property owner until the failure is corrected.
(9)
After the dates specified in subsections (4) and (5) of this section, it is unlawful to install or allow the installation or maintenance of any cross connection, auxiliary intake or bypass, unless the source and quality of water from the auxiliary supply, the method of connection and the use and operation of that cross connection, auxiliary intake or bypass has been approved by the director. However, this subsection does not authorize the director to modify, supersede or suspend any provision of this section regarding backflow preventer devices.
(10)
(a)
A municipality, county or public water system shall not adopt or implement any ordinance, rule, regulation, standard or policy regarding cross connections or backflow preventer devices that is more stringent or extensive in scope, coverage or effect than the provisions of this section or any rules or regulations adopted by the board to implement this section, or is in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of this section or any rules or regulations adopted by the board to implement this section. Any such ordinance, rule, regulation, standard or policy regarding cross connections or backflow preventer devices that was adopted before April 12, 2001, is void to the extent that it is more stringent or extensive in scope, coverage or effect than the provisions of this section or any rules or regulations adopted by the board to implement this section, or is in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of this section or any rules or regulations adopted by the board to implement this section.
(b)
If any municipality or county adopts or has previously adopted a building code, plumbing code or any other code that contains requirements or standards regarding cross connections or backflow preventer devices, the municipality or county or any public water system operating in the municipality or county shall not implement or enforce any such requirements or standards that are more stringent or extensive in scope, coverage or effect than the provisions of this section or any rules or regulations adopted by the board to implement this section, or are in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of this section or any rules or regulations adopted by the board to implement this section.
Laws, 2000, ch. 573, § 1; Laws, 2001, ch. 587, § 1, eff. 4/12/2001.