N.Y.C. Admin. Code § L.L. 2009/076: L.L. 2009/076

Enactment date: 12/7/2009

Int. No. 935-A

By Council Members Gennaro, Comrie, Fidler, James, Koppell, Nelson, Weprin, Gerson, White Jr., Jackson, Recchia Jr., Vallone Jr., Liu, Sears, Crowley and Eugene.

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to backflow prevention device reporting and certification.

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

Section 1. Legislative findings and intent. The Council finds that plumbing cross-connections, points in the plumbing system where it is possible for wastewater, industrial fluids, gas or substances other than the intended potable water, to come into contact with the potable drinking water supply, are a significant public health risk. Backflow of non-potable water or other substances from cross connections may take place when water flows in the opposite direction than that intended because a potable system is connected to a nonpotable supply under higher pressure than the distribution system as a result of a pump, boiler or elevation difference. Backsiphonage of nonpotable water from cross connections may take place when negative pressure in a portion of the distribution system is below ambient pressure in the distribution system as a result of water main breaks, firefighting efforts or any high demand situation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), plumbing is often installed by persons who are "unaware of the inherent dangers of cross connections". Backflow and backsiphonage into the public water distribution system can be prevented by not creating cross-connections, by eliminating existing cross connections, and by educating the public to prevent cross-connections. However, because new cross-connections are routinely created, it is also useful to create impediments to backflow or backsiphonage by installation of backflow prevention devices and assemblies. The Council further finds that an annual filing of proof that an approved backflow prevention device was installed by any owner or operator of a facility that uses hazardous materials or that is legally required to install such a device would help to reduce the potential adverse impacts from cross-connections.

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[Consolidated provisions are not included in this Appendix A]

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§ 3. This local law shall take effect ninety days after enactment.