Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 310 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › Title 310 CMR 22.00 - Drinking Water › Section 22.22 - Cross Connections Distribution System Protection

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(1)
Purpose
. The
			 Department's purpose in establishing a comprehensive distribution protection
			 program is to prevent the contamination of drinking water to the last free
			 flowing outlets or consumer's tap. For this reason, the Department strongly
			 advocates the elimination of all cross connections. The installation of
			 backflow prevention devices does not eliminate a cross connection. The
			 installation of backflow prevention devices is a protection solution when
			 re-plumbing or re-piping is not feasible. All cross connection protection
			 devices shall be approved and permited in accordance with 310 CMR
			 22.22.
(2)
Maintenance
			 of a Cross Connection
(a) No
			 physical cross connection shall be maintained between the distribution system
			 of a public water system, the water of which is being used for drinking,
			 domestic, or culinary purposes, and the distribution system of any water source
			 not approved by the Department, as being of safe sanitary quality, or any
			 plumbing, fixture, or device whereby nonpotable water or other substances might
			 flow into the potable water system, unless said connection has been protected
			 by a backflow prevention device approved, in accordance with 310 CMR 22.22 or
			 248 CMR 10.00:
Uniform State Plumbing Code
; as
			 applicable.
(b) Backflow prevention
			 devices shall be installed, based on the degree of hazard involved, at all
			 fixtures and equipment where backflow and/or back siphonage may occur and
			 whenever a minimum air gap cannot be provided between the public water system
			 outlets to the fixture or equipment and its flood level rim. All fixtures that
			 have a threaded hose type connection shall, at a minimum, have the required air
			 gap separation and be equipped with a vacuum breaker in accordance with 248 CMR
			 10.14:
Water Supply and the Water Distribution
			 System
;
(c) Where a water
			 connection is not subject to back pressure, a non-pressure type vacuum breaker
			 shall be installed on the discharge side of the last valve on the line serving
			 the fixture or equipment,
(d) Cross
			 connections maintained or created on fire protection system shall comply with
			 310 CMR 22.22(9)(d).
(e) All cross
			 connection requiring the installation of a double check valve assembly or a
			 reduced pressure backflow preventer shall be approved and registered by the
			 public water system.
(f) Cross
			 connections protected by a device other than a double check valve assembly or a
			 reduced pressure backflow preventer, approved and permitted by the inspector of
			 plumbing in accordance with 248 CMR 10.00:
Uniform State Plumbing Code
do not require the approval of the Department, its designee or the
			 public water system.
(g) Except for
			 the installation of backflow prevention devices on fire protection systems, no
			 double check valve assembly or reduced pressure backflow preventors shall be
			 installed on a cross connection until the application for a plumbing permit is
			 accompanied by a letter of approval from the Department, its designee or public
			 water system pursuant to 248 CMR 10.14:
Water Supply and the Water
			 Distribution System
.
(h)
			 Subject to applicable laws and regulations, public water systems shall have the
			 authority to terminate any water service connection to any facility where cross
			 connections are found to be in non-compliance with 310 CMR 22.22. The supplier
			 shall deny water service to any premises where cross connections exist until
			 corrective action is taken. If necessary, water service shall be disconnected
			 for failure to test or maintain backflow prevention devices in a manner
			 acceptable to the supplier. If it is found that the backflow prevention device
			 has been removed or by-passed or otherwise rendered ineffective, water service
			 shall be discontinued unless corrections are made immediately.
(i) The public water system shall establish a
			 time for completion of necessary corrections or removal of actual or potential
			 cross connections, taking into consideration the degree of hazard involved and
			 the time required to obtain and to install the needed equipment. The public
			 water system shall use every means at its disposal to obtain voluntary
			 compliance. However, if proper protection has not been provided after a
			 reasonable period of time (following legal notification and subject to
			 applicable laws and regulations), the public water system shall physically
			 separate the public water supply from the on-site piping system in such a
			 manner that the two systems cannot again be connected by an unauthorized
			 person.
(j) Cross connections
			 between a public water system and a private well or individual water source
			 serving residential dwellings used for potable or nonpotable purposes are
			 prohibited.
(k) All backflow
			 prevention devices shall be installed and repaired by a Massachusetts licensed
			 plumber, except for backflow prevention devices installed on fire protection
			 systems. A Massachusetts licensed fire sprinkler contractor is responsible for
			 all work conducted on a fire protection system, including the installation,
			 maintenance and repair of backflow prevention devices.
(l) An anti-siphon or back pressure device
			 shall be installed on any apparatus that pumps any chemical into a potable
			 water supply to prevent back siphonage.