OAR 333-061-0070
Cross Connection Control Requirements

(1)

Water suppliers shall undertake cross connection control programs to protect the public water systems from pollution and contamination.

(2)

For the purposes of this rule, the following definitions apply:

(a)

“Pollutant” means a substance that creates an impairment of the quality of the water to a degree which does not create a hazard to the public health, but which does adversely affect the aesthetic qualities of the water.

(b)

“Thermal expansion” means the pressure increase due to a rise in water temperature that occurs in water piping systems when such systems become “closed” by the installation of a backflow prevention assembly or other means, and will not allow for expansion beyond that point of installation.

(3)

The water supplier’s responsibility for cross connection control shall begin at the water supply source, include all public treatment, storage, and distribution facilities under the water supplier’s control, and end at the POD to the water user’s premises.

(4)

Water suppliers shall develop and implement cross connection control programs that meet the minimum requirements set forth in these rules.

(5)

Water suppliers shall develop a procedure to coordinate cross connection control requirements with the appropriate local administrative authority having jurisdiction.

(6)

The water supplier shall ensure that inspections of approved air gaps, approved devices, and inspections and tests of approved backflow prevention assemblies protecting the public water system are conducted:

(a)

At the time of installation, any repair or relocation;

(b)

At least annually;

(c)

More frequently than annually for approved backflow prevention assemblies that repeatedly fail, or are protecting health hazard cross connections, as determined by the water supplier;

(d)

After a backflow incident; or

(e)

After an approved air gap is re-plumbed.

(7)

Approved air gaps, approved devices, or approved backflow prevention assemblies, found not to be functioning properly shall be repaired, replaced or re-plumbed by the water user or premises owner, as defined in the water supplier’s local ordinance or enabling authority, or the water supplier may take action in accordance with subsection (9)(a) of these rules.

(8)

A water user or premises owner who obtains water from a water supplier must notify the water supplier if they add any chemicals or substance to the water.

(9)

Premises isolation requirements:

(a)

For service connections to premises listed or defined in Table 42 (Premises Requiring Isolation), the water supplier shall ensure an approved backflow prevention assembly or an approved air gap is installed;

(A)

Premises with cross connections not listed or defined in Table 42 (Premises Requiring Isolation), shall be individually evaluated. The water supplier shall require the installation of an approved backflow prevention assembly or an approved air gap commensurate with the degree of hazard on the premises, as defined in Table 43 (Backflow Prevention Methods);

(B)

In lieu of premise isolation, the water supplier may accept an in-premises approved backflow prevention assembly as protection for the public water system when the approved backflow prevention assembly is installed, maintained and tested in accordance with these rules.

(b)

Where premises isolation is used to protect against a cross connection, the following requirements apply;

(A)

The water supplier shall:
(i)
Ensure the approved backflow prevention assembly is installed at a location adjacent to the service connection or POD;
(ii)
Ensure any alternate location used must be with the approval of the water supplier and must meet the water supplier’s cross connection control requirements; and
(iii)
Notify the premises owner and water user, in writing, of thermal expansion concerns.

(B)

The premises owner shall:
(i)
Ensure no cross connections exist between the POD from the public water system and the approved backflow prevention assemblies, when these are installed in an alternate location; and
(ii)
Assume responsibility for testing, maintenance, and repair of the installed approved backflow prevention assembly to protect against the hazard.

(c)

Where unique conditions exist, but not limited to, extreme terrain or pipe elevation changes, or structures greater than three stories in height, even with no actual or potential health hazard, an approved backflow prevention assembly may be installed at the POD; and

(d)

Where the water supplier chooses to use premises isolation by the installation of an approved backflow prevention assembly on a one- or two-family dwelling under the jurisdiction of the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code and there is no actual or potential cross connection, the water supplier shall:

(A)

Install the approved backflow prevention assembly at the POD;

(B)

Notify the premises owner and water user in writing of thermal expansion concerns; and

(C)

Take responsibility for testing, maintenance and repair of the installed approved backflow prevention assembly.

(10)

In community water systems, water suppliers shall implement a cross connection control program directly, or by written agreement with another agency experienced in cross connection control. The local cross connection program shall consist of the following elements:

(a)

Local ordinance or enabling authority that authorizes discontinuing water service to premises for:

(A)

Failure to remove or eliminate an existing unprotected or potential cross connection;

(B)

Failure to install a required approved backflow prevention assembly;

(C)

Failure to maintain an approved backflow prevention assembly; or

(D)

Failure to conduct the required testing of an approved backflow prevention assembly.

(b)

A written program plan for community water systems with 300 or more service connections shall include the following:

(A)

A list of premises where health hazard cross connections exist, including, but not limited to, those listed in Table 42 (Premises Requiring Isolation);

(B)

A current list of certified cross connection control staff members;

(C)

Procedures for evaluating the degree of hazard posed by a water user’s premises;

(D)

A procedure for notifying the water user if a non-health hazard or health hazard is identified, and for informing the water user of any corrective action required;

(E)

The type of protection required to prevent backflow into the public water supply, commensurate with the degree of hazard that exists on the water user’s premises, as defined in Table 43 (Backflow Prevention Methods);

(F)

A description of what corrective actions will be taken if a water user fails to comply with the water supplier’s cross connection control requirements;

(G)

Current records of approved backflow prevention assemblies installed, inspections completed, backflow prevention assembly test results on backflow prevention assemblies and verification of current Backflow Assembly Tester certification; and

(H)

A public education program about cross connection control.

(c)

The water supplier shall prepare and submit a cross connection control Annual Summary Report to the Authority, on forms provided by the Authority, before the last working day of March each year.

(d)

In community water systems having 300 or more service connections, water suppliers shall ensure at least one person is certified as a Cross Connection Control Specialist, unless specifically exempted from this requirement by the Authority.

(11)

Fees: Community water systems shall submit to the Authority an annual cross connection program implementation fee, based on the number of service connections, as follows:

(a)

Billing invoices will be mailed to water systems in the first week of November each year and are due by January first of the following year;

(b)

Fees are payable to Oregon Health Authority by check or money order;

(c)

A late fee of 50 percent of the original amount will be added to the total amount due and will be assessed after January 31 of each year.

(12)

In transient or NTNC water systems, the water supplier that owns or operates the system shall:

(a)

Ensure no cross connections exist, or are isolated from the potable water system with an approved backflow prevention assembly, as required in section (13) of this rule;

(b)

Ensure approved backflow prevention assemblies are installed at, or near, the cross connection; and

(c)

Conduct an annual cross connection survey and inspection to ensure compliance with these rules, and test all backflow assemblies annually. All building permits and related inspections are to be made by the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Building Codes Division, as required by ORS 447.020 (Plumbing to conform to state building code).

(13)

Approved backflow prevention assemblies and devices required under these rules shall be approved by the University of Southern California, Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research, or other equivalent testing laboratories approved by the Authority.

(14)

Backflow prevention assemblies installed before the effective date of these rules that were approved at the time of installation, but are not currently approved, shall be permitted to remain in service provided the assemblies are not moved, the piping systems are not significantly remodeled or modified, the assemblies are properly maintained, and they are commensurate with the degree of hazard they were installed to protect. The assemblies must be tested at least annually and perform satisfactorily to the testing procedures set forth in these rules.

(15)

Tests performed by Authority-certified Backflow Assembly Testers shall be in conformance with procedures established by the University of Southern California, Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research, Manual of Cross-Connection Control, 10th Edition, or other equivalent testing procedures approved by the Authority.

(16)

Backflow prevention assemblies shall be tested by Authority-certified Backflow Assembly Testers, except as otherwise provided for journeyman plumbers or apprentice plumbers in OAR 333-061-0072 (Backflow Assembly Tester Certification) of these rules (Backflow Assembly Tester Certification). The Backflow Assembly Tester must produce three copies of all test reports. One copy must be maintained in the Tester’s permanent records, one copy must be provided to the water user or property owner, and one copy must be provided to the water supplier.

(a)

Test reports must be provided within 10 working days; and

(b)

The test reports must be in a manner and form acceptable to the water supplier.

(17)

All approved backflow prevention assemblies subject to these rules shall be installed in accordance with OAR 333-061-0071 (Backflow Prevention Assembly Installation and Operation Standards) and the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code.

(18)

The Authority shall establish an advisory board for cross connection control issues consisting of not more than nine members, and including representation from the following:

(a)

Oregon licensed Plumbers;

(b)

Authority certified Backflow Assembly Testers;

(c)

Authority certified Cross Connection Specialists;

(d)

Water Suppliers;

(e)

The general public;

(f)

Authority certified Instructors of Backflow Assembly Testers or Cross Connection Specialists;

(g)

Backflow assembly manufacturers or authorized representatives;

(h)

Engineers experienced in water systems, cross connection control or backflow prevention; and

(i)

Oregon certified Plumbing Inspectors.
[ED. NOTE: To view attachments referenced in rule text, click here to view rule.]

Source: Rule 333-061-0070 — Cross Connection Control Requirements, https://secure.­sos.­state.­or.­us/oard/view.­action?ruleNumber=333-061-0070.

333–061–0005
Purpose 333–061–0010
Scope 333–061–0015
Adoption by Reference 333–061–0020
Definitions 333–061–0025
Responsibilities of Water Suppliers 333–061–0030
Maximum Contaminant Levels and Action Levels 333–061–0031
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Levels 333–061–0032
Treatment Requirements and Performance Standards for Surface Water, Groundwater Under Direct Influence of Surface Water, and Groundwater 333–061–0034
Treatment Requirements and Performance Standards for Corrosion Control 333–061–0036
Sampling and Analytical Requirements 333–061–0040
Reporting and Record Keeping 333–061–0042
Public Notice 333–061–0043
Consumer Confidence Reports 333–061–0045
Variances 333–061–0046
Permits 333–061–0050
Construction Standards 333–061–0055
Waivers from Construction Standards 333–061–0057
Voluntary Drinking Water Protection Program 333–061–0060
Plan Submission and Review Requirements 333–061–0061
Capacity Requirements for Public Water Systems 333–061–0062
Land Use Coordination 333–061–0063
Environmental Review Process for The Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Program 333–061–0064
Emergency Response Plan Requirements 333–061–0065
Operation and Maintenance 333–061–0070
Cross Connection Control Requirements 333–061–0071
Backflow Prevention Assembly Installation and Operation Standards 333–061–0072
Backflow Assembly Tester Certification 333–061–0073
Cross Connection Specialist Certification 333–061–0074
Cross Connection Training Programs, Course, and Instructor Requirements 333–061–0075
Sanitary Surveys of Watersheds 333–061–0076
Sanitary Surveys 333–061–0077
Composite Correction Program & Comprehensive Performance Evaluations 333–061–0078
Coliform Investigations 333–061–0080
Role of Counties 333–061–0085
Supplemental Fluoridation 333–061–0087
Product Acceptability Criteria 333–061–0089
Annual Water System Fee 333–061–0090
Penalties 333–061–0095
Severability 333–061–0097
Adverse Health Effects Language 333–061–0098
References 333–061–0210
Operator Certification: Scope 333–061–0220
Classification of Water Treatment Plants and Water Distribution Systems 333–061–0225
General Requirements Applying to Water Suppliers and Water Systems 333–061–0228
Certification Requirements for Small Water System Operators 333–061–0230
Contracting For Services 333–061–0232
General Requirements Applying to Water System Operators 333–061–0235
Operator Certification Requirements, Levels 1–4 333–061–0245
Applications for Certification Levels 1–4 333–061–0250
Examinations for Certification, Levels 1–4 333–061–0260
Certificate Renewal Levels 1–4 333–061–0265
Fees 333–061–0270
Refusal, Suspension, or Revocation of Certification 333–061–0272
Suspension of Certification 333–061–0305
Domestic Well Program: Purpose 333–061–0310
Scope 333–061–0324
Area of Public Health Concern 333–061–0325
Domestic Well Tests 333–061–0330
Accredited Laboratories 333–061–0335
Sample Collection 333–061–0400
Reducing Lead in School Drinking Water 333–061–0510
Applicability of Cyanotoxin Rules 333–061–0520
Definitions 333–061–0530
Health Advisory Levels 333–061–0540
Cyanotoxin Monitoring 333–061–0550
Analytical Methods 333–061–0560
Reporting 333–061–0570
Public Notification 333–061–0580
Record Keeping
Last Updated

Jun. 8, 2021

Rule 333-061-0070’s source at or​.us