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§11-21-1
§11-21-2
§11-21-3
§11-21-4
§11-21-5
§11-21-6
§11-21-7
§11-21-8
§11-21-9
§11-21-10
§11-21-11
TITLE 11
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
CHAPTER 21
CROSS-CONNECTION AND BACKFLOW CONTROL
Purpose
Definitions
Right to inspect
Approval of devices
Installation and location
Existing cross-connections
Irrigation systems
Maintenance requirements
Violations and penalties
Effect .of county government ordinance
Severability
Historical Note: 	Chapter 21 	of Title 11 	Administrative Rules, 	is
based substantially 	upon 	Chapter 22 	of 	the 	Public 	Heal th 	Regulations,
Department of Health. 	[Eff. 12/04/48; R 	DEC 2 6 1981 	]
§11-21-1 	Purpose. 	(a) 	To protect the public water systems from the
possibility of contamination or pollution by isolating within its customers'
internal distribution system(s) or 	its customers' private water system(s)
such contaminants or pollutants which could backflow or backsiphon into
the public water systems.
(b) 	To 	promote 	the 	elimination 	or 	control 	of 	existing 	cross-
connections, actual or potential, between its customers' in-plant potable
water 	system(s) 	and 	non-potable 	water 	systems, 	plumbing fixtures 	and
industrial piping systems.
(c) 	To provide for the maintenance of a continuing program of cross-
connection control which will systematically and effectively prevent the
con ta mina tion 	or 	pollution 	of 	all 	potable 	water 	systems. 	[ Eff.
0 EC 2 6 1981 	] 	(Auth: 	HRS §§340E-2, 340E-9) (Imp: 	HRS §§340E-2,
340E-9)
§11-21-2 	Definitions. 	As used in this chapter:
11 Agency 11 	means 	the 	department 	of health, 	State of 	Hawaii, 	and
vested 	with 	the 	authority 	and 	responsibility 	for 	the 	enactment 	and
enforcement of this ordinance.
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11 Airgap" means the unobstructed vertical distance through the free
atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying
water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other device and the flood-level rim
of the 	receptacle. 	The 	vertical distance 	shall be 	at least double 	the
diameter of the supply pipe above the flood-level rim and in no case shall
the gap be less than one inch.
"Approved" 	means accepted by the department of health and water
purveyor as meeting the 	applicable specification stated or cited in this
ordinance, or as suitable for the proposed use.
11 Backflow 11 means the flow of water or other liquids, 	mixtures, or
substances into the distributing pipes of a potable supply of water from any
source or sources other than its intended source. 	Backsiphonage is one
type of backflow.
11 Backflow Preventor" means a device or means to prevent backflow
into the potable water system.
11 Back Pressure" means backflow caused by a pump, elevated tank,
boiler or other means that could create pressure within the system greater
than the supply pressure.
11 Backsiphonage 11 means the flow of water or other liquids, mixtures
or substances into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply system
from 	any 	source 	other 	than 	its 	intended source 	caused 	by 	the sudden
reduction of pressure in the potable water supply system.
11 Certified 	Tester" 	means three classes of certified testers: 	1) a
limited tester has been trained and is qualified to perform periodic testing,
inspection, and repairs on the specific devices contained within a specific
plant or institution." 	This person is usually an employee of the plant or
institution and has been assigned the duty of taking care of the backflow
prevention equipment as part of his overall plant duties, 	and 	does 	not
extend to backflow prevention devices that are not part of the specific
plant or institution; 2) a general tester been trained and is qualified to
perform the periodic testing, inspection, and repairs on all devices that are
on the market. 	This person may be an employee of a water agency, an
employee of a 	municipal agency, 	or an individual operating a backflow
device testing service; and 3) a manufacturer's agent is an employee of a
manufacturer of backflow prevention equipment and is thoroughly familiar
with the backflow prevention devices produced by his 	employer. 	This
person 	may 	be 	familiar 	with 	other 	makes 	and 	models • of 	backflow
prevention devices but is restricted to only his employer's products.
11 Check 	Valve" 	means 	a 	self-closing 	device 	which 	is 	designed 	to
permit the flow of fluids in one direction and to close if there is a reversal
of flow.
"Community 	Water 	System" 	means 	a 	public 	water 	system 	which
serves at least fifteen service connections used by year-round residents or
regularly serves at least twenty-five year-round residents.
11 Contamination 11 means an impairment of the quality of the potable
water by sewage, 	industrial fluids or waste liquids, 	compounds or other
materials to a degree which creates an actual hazard to the public health
through poisoning or through the spread of disease.
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§11-21-2
"Critical Level" means the critical level C-L or C/L marking on a
backflow prevention device or vacuum breaker which is a point conforming
to approved standards and established by the testing laboratory (usually
stamped 	on 	the 	device 	by 	the 	manufacturer), 	which 	determines 	the
minimum elevation above the flood-level rim of the fixture or receptacle
served at which the device may be installed. 	When a backflow prevention
device does not bear a critical level marking, the bottom of the vacuum
breaker, 	combination valve, 	or the bottom of any such approved device
shall constitute the critical level.
"Cross-Connection" 	means 	any 	physical 	arrangement 	whereby 	a
public water supply is connected, 	directly or indirectly, 	with any other
water 	supply 	system, 	sewer, 	drain, 	conduit, 	pool, 	storage 	reservoir,
plumbing 	fixture, 	or 	other 	device 	which 	contains, 	or 	may 	contain,
contaminated water, sewage, or other waste or liquid of unknown or unsafe
quality which may be capable of imparting contamination 	to the public
water 	supply 	as 	a 	result 	of 	backflow. 	Bypass 	arrangements, 	jumper
connections, removable sections, swivel or changeover devices, and other
temporary 	or 	permanent 	devices 	through 	which, 	or 	because 	of 	which,
backflow could occur are considered to be cross-connections.
"Director" means the director of health of the department of health,
State of Hawaii, or his duly authorized representative.
"Flood-Level 	Rim" 	means 	the edge of the receptacle 	from 	which
water overflows.
"Hazard, 	Health" 	means 	any condition, 	device, 	or practice in the
water supply system and its operation which create, or in the judg 1.ent of
the director may create, a danger to the health and well-being of th 1
~ water
consumer. 	An example of a health hazard is a structural defect in the
water supply system, 	whether of location, 	design, 	or 	construction, 	that
regularly 	or 	occasionally 	may 	prevent 	satisfactory 	purification 	of 	the
water supply or cause it to be polluted from extraneous sources.
"Non-Community Water System" means a public water system that is
not a community water system.
"Non-Potable Water" means water that is not safe for human con-
sumption or that is of questionable potability.
"Pollution" means the presence of any foreign substance (organic.
inorganic, radiological or biological) in water that may degrade the water
quality so as to constitute a hazard or impair its usefulness.
"Potable 	Water" 	means 	water 	free 	from 	impurities 	in 	amounts
sufficient 	to 	cause 	disease 	or 	harmful 	physiological 	effects. 	The
bacteriological, 	chemical, 	and 	radiological 	quality 	shall 	conform 	with
Administrative Rule 11-20, "Potable Water Systems."
"Public Water System" means a system for the provision to the public
of piped water for human consumption, if such system has at least fifteen
service connections or regularly serves an average of at least twenty-five
individuals daily at least sixty days out of the year. 	Such term includes (1)
any collection, treatment, storage, and distribution facilities under control
of the operator of such system and used primarily in connection with such
system, and (2) any collection of pretreatment storage facilities not under
such control which are used primarily in connection with such system. 	A
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public 	water 	system 	is 	either 	a "community water system" or a "non-
community water system."
"Secondary Water System" means any water supply in a building or
premise maintained in addition to a public water system. 	Such secondary
water system shall include any system, other than the public water supply,
supplying 	surf ace 	water 	from 	streams, 	rivers, 	lakes, 	ponds, 	lagoons,
reservoirs 	and 	cisterns, 	and 	groundwater 	from 	both 	deep 	and 	shallow
sources; also, any supply of public water system which has been stored,
held, reserved, treated, and processed in a manner which may detract from
the potability of the water by either bacterial, chemical, or radiological
nature.
"Submerged Inlet" means a water pipe or extension thereto from a
public 	water supply terminating in a 	tank, 	vessel, 	fixture 	or 	appliance
which 	may 	contain 	water 	of 	questionable 	quality, 	waste 	or 	other
contaminant and which is unprotected against backflow.
"Vacuum" 	means 	any 	pressure 	less 	than 	that 	exerted 	by 	the
atmosphere.
"Vacuum Breaker, Atmospheric Nonpressure Type" means a vacuum
breaker 	designed so as 	not 	to be subjected 	to 	static line 	pressure 	or
installed where it would be under pressure for not more than twelve hours
in any twenty-four hour period.
"Vacuum Breaker, Pressure Type" means a vacuum breaker designed
so as not to be subjected to static line pressure.
"Water-Service 	Connection" 	means 	the 	terminal 	end 	of a service
connection from the public potable water system; i.e., where the water
purveyor loses jurisdiction and sanitary control over the water at its point
of delivery to the customer's water system. 	If a meter is installed at the
end of the service connection, then the service connection shall mean the
downstream end of the meter. 	There shall be no unprotected tackoffs from
the service line ahead of any meter or backflow prevention device located
at 	the 	point 	of 	delivery 	to 	the 	customer's 	water 	system. 	Service
connection shall also include water service connection from a fire hydrant
and all other temporary or emergency water service connections from the
public 	potable 	water 	system. 	[ Eff. 	.0 EC 2 6 1981 	] 	(Auth: 	HRS
§§340E-2, 340E-9) (Imp: 	HRS §§340E-2, 340E-9)
§11-21-3 	Right to inspect. 	The director shall be allowed to enter
any building or premise at any reasonable hour and be permitted to inspect
or 	reinspect 	the 	plumbing 	facilities 	for 	cross-connections 	or 	other
structural or sanitary hazards, 	including violations of these regulations.
When such a condition becomes known, the director shall inform the water
supplier to immediately discontinue service to the premise by providing for
a physical break in we service line until the customer has corrected the
condition(s). 	[ Eff. 	EC 2 6 1981 	] 	(Auth: 	HRS §§340E-2, 340E-9) (Imp:
HRS §§340E-2, 340E-9)
§11-21-4 	Approval 	of devices. 	Before 	any 	backflow 	prevention
device is installed, the device shall be manufactured in full conformance
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§11-21-7
with the standards established by the American Water Works Association--
A WW A--C506-78 	and 	have 	met 	completely 	the 	laboratory 	and 	field
performance specification of the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control
and Hydraulic Research of the University of Southern California-FCCC
and HR.
The director may accept standards and 	testing results from 	other
acceptable 	laboratories 	when 	it 	becomes 	necessary. 	[ Eff.
0 EC 2 6 1981 	J (Auth: 	HRS §§340E-2, 340E-9) (Imp: 	HRS §§340E-2,
340E-9)
§11-21-5 	Installation and location. 	The backflow prevention device
shall be installed on the consumer side of the property line and as close to
the water. meter where applicable as physically possible. 	Connections or
tees between the meter where 	applicable and the backflow prevention
device will not be permitted without approval from the director.
A backflow prevention device shall not be installed underground or in
a vault without written approval by the director.
Installation dimension for backflow prevention devices shall conform
to the following table:
DIMENSION 	DIMENSION
GROUND LEVEL TO 	DISTANCE TO
SIZE 	CENTERLINE OF 	SURROUNDING
OF DEVICE 	BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE 	OBSTRUCTIONS
Minimum 	Maximum
3/4 11 to 1-1/2 11 	18 11 	4g11 	24 11
2 11 to 3" 	24 11 	48 11 	24"
4 11 to 611 	30" 	48 11 	24 11
811 to 10 11 	36" 	48" 	24 11
In 	all 	cases, 	the 	back:fJPw 	prevention 	device 	shall 	be 	installed
according to the backflow preventor manufacturer's directions and in an
easily accessible location 	[Eff. 	DEC 2 6 1981 	] 	(Auth: 	HRS §§340E-2,
340E-9) (Imp: 	HRS §§340E-2, 340E-9)
§11-21-6 	Existing 	cross-,connections. 	Within 	a 	reasonable 	time
following the 	adoption 	of 	this 	regulation, 	existing 	cross-connections
between a public water system and any secondary water system shall be
eliminated 	or protected 	by 	means of an 	approved backflow preventer.
[ Eff. 	0 EC 2 6 1981 	J 	(Auth: 	HRS 	§§340E-2, 	340E-9) 	(Imp: 	HRS
§§340E-2, 340E-9)
§11-21-7 	Irrigation systems. 	(a) 	The following guidelines relating to
backflow prevention devices for irrigation systems shall apply:
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TF2 -
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Atmospheric vacuum breakers shall be installed after the last
control valve of each sprinkler circuit and at a minimum of six
inches 	above 	the 	highest 	irrigation 	head. 	The 	atmospheric
vacuum breaker shall be installed only on irrigation 	circuits
with heads that will not return any pressure in the circuit when
the circuit control valve is closed.
Pressure vacuum breakers shall be installed at the beginning of
each irrigation circuit and at a minimum of twelve inches above
the highest irrigation head on the circuit. 	Individual irrigation
circuits having quick coupling valves or other similar type heads
that will permit pressure to be retained in the circuit shall have
a pressure vacuum breaker installed as a minimum requirement
for each circuit. 	Irrigation systems using the subsurface drip
method shall have a pressure vacuum breaker on each circuit.
A pressure vacuum breaker may not be installed where a double
check 	valve 	assembly, 	reduced 	pressure 	principle 	backflow
prevention device, or air gap separation is required.
A double 	check 	valve 	assembly 	may 	be 	installed 	to 	serve
multiple irrigation circuits in lieu of vacuum breakers on each
individual irrigation circuit.
A reduced 	pressure 	principal backflow 	preventor 	or 	air 	gap
separation shall be required before any piping network in which
fertilizers, 	pesticides 	and 	other 	chemicals 	or 	toxic
contaminants 	are 	injected 	or 	siphoned 	into 	the 	irrigation
system. 	[ Eff. 	0 EC 2 6 1981 	J (Auth: 	HRS §§340E-2, 340E-
9) (Imp: 	HRS §§340E-2, 340E-9)
§11-21-8 	Maintenance 	requirements. 	(a) 	It 	shall 	be 	the
responsibility of 	water 	users 	to 	mamtam 	all 	backflow 	preventors 	and
vacuum breakers within the building or on the premises in good working
order. 	No 	piping 	or 	other 	arrangement 	for 	the 	purpose 	of 	bypassing
backflow devices shall be permitted.
(b) 	Periodic testing and inspection ,.schedule shall be established by
the director for all backflow preventors in intervals between such testing,
inspection and overhauls of each devices shall be established in accordance
with age and condition of 	the 	backflow prevention 	device. 	Inspection
intervals should not exceed one year. 	Backflow prevention devices should
be inspected frequently after initial installation to assure that the devices
are 	properly installed and debris resulting from 	the installation has not
interfered with the functioning of the device. 	The inspection and testing
shall be performed by a certified tester approved by the director. 	In those
instances where the director deems the hazard to be great, inspections may
be required at more frequent intervals. 	Records of any tests, repairs and
overhauls shall be kept 	and made on forms prescribed by the director.
Should the water user fail to make the proper test and provide all records
on the test, the director at his discretion may perform the necessary test,
needed repairs, and ~lPca~~lrnM and charge the cost thereof to the water
consumer. 	[ Eff. 	U 	J (Auth: 	HRS §§340E-2, 340E-9) (Imp:
HRS §§340E-2, 340E-9)
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§11-21-11
§11-21-9 	Violations and penalties. 	(a) 	The director shall notify the
owner, 	or 	authorized agent of the owner, of the building or premise in
which there is found a violation(s) of these regulations. 	The director shall
set 	a specific 	time 	for 	the owner to have the violation(s) 	removed or
corrected. 	If the owner fails to correct the violation(s) in the specified
time, 	the 	director 	may, 	if in his 	judgment an imminent 	health hazard
exists, request that the water service to the building or premise be ter-
minated. 	Additional 	fines 	or 	penalties 	may 	also 	be 	invoked 	following
termination of service.
(b) 	The owner or authorized agent of the owner responsible for the
maintenance of the plumbing system in the building who knowingly permits
a 	violation 	to 	remain 	uncorrected 	after 	the 	specified time set by 	the
director, shall, upon conviction thereof by the court, be required to pay a
fine of not more than $500.00 or by imprisonment in jail for a period of
time not to exceed one year, or both such fine and imprisonment. 	[ Eff.
DEC 2 6 1981 	] 	(Auth: 	HRS §§340E-2, 	340E-8, 340E-9) (Imp: 	HRS
§§340E-2, 340E-7, 340E-8)
§11-21-10 	Effect of county government ordinances. 	When a county
government 	has 	adopted 	an 	ordinance 	governing 	cross-connection 	and
backflow prevention, and the provisions of the ordinance and the methods
of enforcement by the county government are approved in writing by the
director, said ordinance, and not these regulations, shall control the matter
of 	cross-connection 	and 	backflow 	prevention 	in 	such 	county. 	[ Eff.
OE C 2 6 1981 	] 	(Auth: 	HRS §§340E-2, 340E-9) (Imp: 	HRS §§340E-2,
340E-9)
§11-21-11 	Severability. 	If 	any 	provision 	of this 	chapter, 	or 	its
application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the application of
such provision to other persons or circumstances, and the remainder of this
chapter, shall not be affected thereby. 	[ Eff. 	0 EC 2 6 1981 	] 	(Auth:
HRS §§340E-2, 340E-9) (Imp: 	HRS §§340E-2, 340E-9)
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