§ 24-347. Inspections.

(a)

The Okaloosa County Water and Sewer Department shall conduct inspections of customers' premises where suspected cross connections may exist. Customers shall be notified in advance of the inspections or, where potential cross connections are detected, the customer shall be notified in writing of the appropriate type of backflow prevention device to be installed. Refusal by a customer to allow an inspection shall be considered prima facie evidence of the existence of cross connections, thereby requiring the installation of an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device or the disconnection of service.

(b)

For existing facilities, customers will be asked to complete a questionnaire on their water usage in order to make preliminary determination of the potential health hazard to the department's water distribution systems. When such information or other knowledge indicates a potential health hazard, a survey or other knowledge indicates a potential health hazard, a survey of the customer's water system shall be conducted. Such surveys need not be a detailed inspection of the location or disposition of water lines, but can be confined to establishing the water use on the premises; the existence of any cross-connections; the availability of auxiliary water supplies; the use or availability of pollutants, contaminants and other liquid, solid or gaseous substances that may be used industrially for stabilization of water supplies and other procedures for determining the degree of health hazard.

(c)

All new services shall be required to install an approved backflow prevention device. For single-family residences, the required device shall be a dual check valve. All other services shall be classified at the time of application to indicate the degree of hazard anticipated and hence, the type of device required. This information shall be given to the applicant in writing. Any later change in water usage may require a change in the type of device. If no realistic evaluation of the proposed water uses can be determined, the customer, architect, engineer or other appropriate individual should be advised in writing that eventually circumstances may require the installation of additional backflow protection of the water supply serving the premises.

(d)

All water customers of the department shall be required to notify the department, in writing, of any changes in their water usage. These changes will be evaluated to determine if there is an increase in the potential health hazard and if such increase requires the installation of a device. If a device is already in place, it will be determined if this device is adequate or if a different type of device is required.

( Ord. No. 16-16 , § 1, 9-6-16)