Idaho Administrative Code › Title IDAPA 24 - Occupational and Professional Licenses, Division of › Rule 24.05.01 - RULES OF THE BOARD OF DRINKING WATER AND WASTEWATER PROFESSIONALS › Appendix A - IDAHO BACKFLOW ASSEMBLY TESTER CODE OF ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

Current through August 31, 2023
The purpose of this rule is to protect public health by setting
				minimum requirements and standards for licensed Backflow Assembly Testers in
				Idaho who inspect and field test backflow assemblies, backflow prevention
				devices and air gaps that protect public water systems.
1. Code of Ethics
-- A licensed Backflow Assembly
				Tester shall:
a.
At all times, act in accordance with his/her
				primary obligation to perform his/her duties with due care and diligence to
				protect the safety, health and welfare of the public;
b.
Comply with the laws and rules governing
				Backflow Assembly Testers and all applicable state and federal laws and
				regulations relating to backflow assembly testing;
c.
Perform only those duties consistent with and
				appropriate to his/her experience, training. skills, abilities, and licensure;
				and
d.
Be objective and truthful in all professional
				reports, statements, or testimony and include all relevant and pertinent
				information in such reports, statements or testimony.
2. Definitions:
a.
Backflow Prevention Assembly: an approved
				assembly such as a Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA), a Pressure Vacuum
				Breaker Assembly (PVBA), a Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA), or a
				Spill-Resistant Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly (SVBA) used for the protection
				of the public water supply according to the provisions of IDAPA 58.01.08,
				"Idaho Rules for Public Drinking Water Systems," as administered by DEQ.
b.
Backflow Prevention Device: an approved device
				such as an Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB), which does not contain valves or
				test ports, or a method, such as an air gap, that is utilized to prevent cross
				connections to a public water supply.
c.
Calibration/Verification: the annual
				verification, calibration, or both of a backflow assembly field test kit by an
				instrument calibration laboratory/facility or by a person qualified to verify
				and calibrate a field test kit such as a manufacturer, dealer licensed to
				calibrate or verify field test kits, or calibration technician.
d.
Customer: means the owner of the property or
				his/her authorized or appointed agent.
e.
Field Test Kit: an instrument, either
				mechanical or electronic in design, and all related fittings, tools, equipment
				and appurtenances necessary to perform field verification tests on backflow
				prevention assemblies.
3. Standards of Conduct
a.
Principle 1 -- A Backflow Assembly Tester shall
				act only within the scope of practice as set forth in the Board's laws and
				rules. A Backflow Assembly Tester must use due care and diligence in performing
				his/her duties.
b.
Principle 2 -- When conducting inspections and
				field tests of backflow prevention assemblies, a Backflow Assembly Tester must
				use test procedures that comply with standard field test procedures.
c.
Principle 3 -- The Backflow Assembly Tester
				shall observe or inspect existing installations of backflow prevention
				assemblies to identify whether the assembly is properly installed and whether,
				in the opinion of the Backflow Assembly Tester, the assembly is adequate and
				appropriate for the degree of hazard posed to the Public Water System having
				jurisdiction over the assembly.
i. A Backflow Assembly Tester must report improperly installed
				assemblies to the customer and the Public Water System having jurisdiction over
				the backflow prevention assembly and also must note the discrepancy on the test
				report and submit the test report to the customer and the Public Water System
				having jurisdiction over the backflow prevention assembly.
ii. A Backflow Assembly Tester must note discrepancies
				regarding inadequate or inappropriate backflow prevention assemblies on the
				test report and submit the test report to the customer and the Public Water
				System having jurisdiction over the backflow prevention assembly.
d.
Principle 4 -- A Backflow Assembly Tester shall
				use a properly working and calibrated field test kit that meets the
				requirements of the Pacific Northwest Section of the American Water Works
				Association Cross Connection Control Manual, Seventh Edition, November 2012.
				When requested by a Public Water System, a Backflow Assembly Tester shall
				submit the most recent calibration report that verifies the accuracy of the
				field kit. When requested by a Public Water System, a Backflow Assembly Tester
				shall submit proof of current licensure in Idaho as a Backflow Assembly
				Tester.
e.
Principle 5 -- The Backflow Assembly Tester
				must competently use a field test kit, all tools, and other equipment and
				appurtenances necessary to inspect and field test backflow prevention
				assemblies, inspect air gaps and backflow prevention devices.
f.
Principle 6 -- When a backflow prevention
				assembly passes a field test, the Backflow Assembly Tester shall submit within
				fifteen (15) business days of performing the field test a passing test report
				to the customer and the Public Water System having jurisdiction over the
				backflow prevention assembly.
g.
Principle 7 -- When a backflow prevention
				assembly is defective or fails to pass the field test, the Backflow Assembly
				Tester shall submit immediately, if possible, but no later than within two (2)
				business days, a failing field test report to the customer and the Public Water
				System having jurisdiction over the backflow prevention assembly.
h.
Principle 8 -- The Backflow Assembly Tester
				shall complete a test report for each backflow prevention assembly for which
				the Backflow Assembly Tester conducts a field test. A test report must be
				legible and contain all relevant and pertinent information pertaining to the
				field test including, at a minimum, the make, model, size, serial number,
				orientation, and test results for each test conducted.
i. A Backflow Assembly Tester shall record data and sign test
				reports only for backflow prevention assemblies for which the Backflow Assembly
				Tester has personally conducted the field test.
ii. A Backflow Assembly Tester shall not falsify the results of
				a backflow prevention assembly field test or inspection.