Legal Documents of Baxter

Where the nature of use of the water supplied to a premises by the water system is such that it is deemed:

1. Impractical to provide an effective air-gap separation.
2. The owner and/or occupant of the premises cannot, or is not willing, to demonstrate to the superintendent or his designated representative that the water use and protective features of the plumbing are such as to pose no threat to the safety or potability of the water.
3. The nature and mode of operation within a premises are such that frequent alterations are made to the plumbing.

4. There is a likelihood that protective measures may be subverted, altered, or disconnected. Then the superintendent shall require the use of an approved protective device on the service line serving the premises to assure that any contamination that may originate in the customer's premises is contained therein. The protective devices shall be reduced pressure zone type backflow preventers approved by the Tennessee Department of Health and Environment as to manufacture, model, and size. The method of installation of backflow protective devices shall be approved by the superintendent prior to installation and shall comply with the criteria set forth by the Tennessee Department of Health and Environment. The installation shall be at the expense of the owner or occupant of the premises.

   Personnel of the Baxter Public Water System shall have the right to inspect and test the device on an annual basis or whenever deemed necessary by the superintendent.

   Water service shall not be disrupted to test the device without the knowledge of the occupant of the premises.

   Where the use of water is critical to the continuance of normal operations or protection of life, property, or equipment, duplicate units shall be provided to avoid the necessity of discontinuing water service to test or repair the protective device. Where it is found that only one (1) unit has been installed and the continuance of service is critical, the superintendent shall notify in writing the occupant of the premises of plans to discontinue water service and arrange for a mutually acceptable time to test or repair the device. The water system shall require the occupant of the premises to make all repairs indicated promptly, and to keep any protective device working properly. The expense of such repairs shall be borne by the owner or occupant of the premises. Repairs shall be made by qualified personnel, acceptable to the superintendent.

   The failure to maintain a backflow prevention device in proper working order shall be grounds for discontinuing water service to a premises. Likewise the removal, bypassing, or altering of the protective device or the installation thereof so as to render a device ineffective shall constitute grounds for discontinuance of water service. Water service to such premises shall not be restored until the customer has corrected or eliminated such conditions or defects to the satisfaction of the superintendent. (2011 Code, § 18-307)