(1) “Air-Gap Separation” means a physical separation between the free flowing discharge end of a potable water supply pipeline and an open or non-pressure receiving vessel. An “approved air-gap separation” shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the overflow rim of the vessel which in no case shall be less than one inch.

(2) “Approved” when used in reference to a water supply, an air-gap separation, a double check valve assembly, a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly, or other backflow prevention assemblies or methods means one that has the approval of the Department of Health.

(3) “Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker” (also known as the “non-pressure type vacuum breaker”) means an assembly containing a float-check, a check seat and an air inlet port. The flow of water into the body causes the float to close the air inlet port. When the flow of water stops, the float falls and forms a check valve against backsiphonage and at the same time opens the air inlet port to allow air to enter and satisfy the vacuum. A shutoff valve immediately upstream may be an integral part of the assembly. An atmospheric vacuum breaker is designed to protect against a health hazard (i.e. contaminant) under a backsiphonage condition only.

(4) “Backflow” means the undesirable reversal of the flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids, gases, or other substances into the distribution pipes of the water system from any source or sources.

(5) Backflow Prevention Assembly – Approved: “approved backflow prevention assembly” means an assembly that has been investigated and approved by the Department of Health. The type of assembly used should be based on the degree of hazard either existing or potential. The types are:

(6) “Certified Backflow Assembly Tester” means a person who is certified by the Department of Health to inspect and test backflow prevention assemblies.

(7) “Certified Cross Connection Control Specialist” means a person who is certified by the Department of Health to administer a Cross Connection Control Program and to conduct cross connection surveys.

(8) “Contamination” means an impairment of the quality of the water which creates an actual hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease by sewage, industrial fluids, or waste.

(9) “Cross Connection” means any unprotected actual or potential connection or structural arrangement between a customer's water system and any other source or system through which it is possible to introduce into any part of the water system any used water, industrial fluid, gas, or substance other than the intended potable water with which the system is supplied. Bypass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeover devices, and other temporary or permanent devices through which or because of which “backflow” can or may occur are considered to be cross-connections.

(10) “Customer” means the legal owner as shown on the records of the Whitman County Assessor of a parcel of property served by the City's water system or that person's agent.

(11) “Customer's Water System” means all water lines, pipes, plumbing and appurtenant apparatus between a customer's water meter and the points of water use on a premises.

(12) “Department” means the City of Pullman Department of Public Works.

(13) “Department of Health” means the Washington State Department of Health.

(14) “Developer” means a person proposing to cause the construction of any extension to the City's water system.

(15) “Director” means the Director of Public Works of the City of Pullman or his or her authorized representative.

(16) “Double Check Valve Assembly” means an assembly composed of two independently acting, approved check valves, including tightly closing shut-off valves attached at each end of the assembly and fitted with properly located test cocks. This assembly shall only be used to protect against a non-health hazard (i.e., pollutant).

(17) “Double Check-Detector Check Valve Assembly” means a specially designed assembly composed of a line-size approved double check valve assembly with a specific bypass water meter and a meter-sized approved double check valve assembly. The meter shall register accurately for only very low rates of flow and shall show a registration for all rates of flow. This assembly shall only be used to protect against a non-health hazard (i.e., pollutant).

(18) “Dwelling Unit” as used in defining rates under the provisions of Chapter 10A.35 for user services means an independent living unit within a dwelling structure designed and intended for occupancy by not more than one family and having its own housekeeping and kitchen facilities.

(19) Hazard – Degree of: “Degree of Hazard” means the result from the evaluation of conditions within a system which can be classified as either a “pollutional” (non-health) or a “contamination” (health) hazard.

(20) Hazard – Health: “Health Hazard” means an actual or potential threat of contamination of a physical or toxic nature to the water system or the customer's potable water system that would be a danger to health.

(21) Hazard – Pollutional: “Pollutional Hazard” means an actual or potential threat to the physical properties of the water system or the potability of the public or the customer's potable water system but which would not constitute a health or system hazard. The maximum degree or intensity of pollution to which the potable water system could be degraded under this definition would be one which would cause a nuisance or be aesthetically objectionable, or could cause minor damage to the system or its appurtenances.

(22) Hazard – System: “System Hazard” means an actual or potential threat of severe danger to the physical properties of the public or the customer's water system or of a pollution or contamination which would have a protracted effect on the quality of the potable water in the system.

(23) “Multiple Residential Unit” means a structure consisting of two or more dwelling units contained under one roof and held under one common ownership.

(24) “Person” means any individual, firm, company, association, society, corporation, or group.

(25) “Pollution” means 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 and unreasonably affect the aesthetic qualities of such waters for domestic use.

(26) “Premises” means the real property of a customer including appurtenances thereto.

(27) “Pressure Vacuum Breaker” means an assembly containing an independently operating internally loaded check valve and an independently operating loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check valve. The assembly is to be equipped with properly located test cocks and tightly closing shut-off valves attached at each end of the assembly. This assembly is designed to protect against a health hazard (i.e., contaminant) under a backsiphonage condition only.

(28) “Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assembly” means an assembly containing two independently acting approved check valves together with a hydraulically operating, mechanically independent pressure differential relief valve located between the check valves and at the same time below the first check valve. The unit shall include properly located testcocks and tightly closing shut-off valves at each end of the assembly. This assembly is designed to protect against a health hazard (i.e., contaminant).

(29) “Reduced Pressure Principle-Detector Assembly” means a specially designed assembly composed of a line-size approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly with a specific bypass water meter and a meter size approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly. The meter shall register accurately for only very low rates of flow and shall show a registration for all rates of flow. This assembly shall be used to protect against a health hazard (i.e., contaminant).

(30) “User” means the customer or the occupant of the customer's property who uses or has available for use water service connected to the City's water system from which city water is available and can be withdrawn or used, and is the person responsible for paying for water use as shown on the records of the City Finance Department.

(31) “Water Main” means the pipe used or intended for use for the distribution of water to customers through service lines, and may also be referred to as “main”.

(32) “Water Meter” means the device used for the measurement of water delivered to a user.

(33) Water – Potable: “Potable Water” means water from any source which has been investigated by the Department of Health, and which has been approved for human consumption.

(34) “Water Service Connection” means that portion of the public water line running from a water main, or from a stub line of a water main, in a street, right-of-way or easement to the water meter of the customer to be served. A water service connection consists of a saddle, corporation stop, water service line, meter setter, meter, meter box and appurtenances, or any combination thereof as may be required to furnish the requested service.

(35) “Water System” means the City's system of conduits, pumps, wells, and structures used for the purpose of withdrawing, storing, and conveying potable water from its source to and including the water meters of users of that water. (Ord. 92-17 §1, 1992; Ord. 88-23 §2, 1988).