Legal Documents of Newport

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

1. Impractical to provide an effective air-gap separation.
2. That the owner and/or occupant of the premises cannot, or is not willing, to demonstrate to the official in charge of the water supply, or his designated representative, that the water use and protective features of the plumbing are such as to propose no threat to the safety or potability of the water supply.
3. That 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.

   The general manager of the Newport Public Water Supply or his designated representative, 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 preventer approved by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation as to manufacture, model, and size. The method of installation of backflow protective devices shall be approved by the general manager of the public water supply prior to installation and shall comply with the criteria set forth by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The installation shall be at the expense of the owner or occupant of the premises.

   Personnel of the Newport Public Water Supply shall have the right to inspect and test the device or devices on an annual basis or whenever deemed necessary by the general manager, or his designated representative. 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 or devices. Where it is found that only one (1) unit has been installed and the continuance of service is critical, the general manager shall notify, in writing, the occupant of the premises of plans to discontinue water service and arrange for a mutually acceptable time to test and/or repair the device. The Newport Public Water Supply shall require the occupant of the premises to make all repairs indicated promptly, to keep the unit(s) working properly, and 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 general manager of the Newport Public Water Supply.

   The failure to maintain backflow prevention device(s) in proper working order shall be grounds for discontinuing water service to a premises. Likewise, the removal, bypassing, or altering of the protective device(s) or the installation thereof so as to render the device(s) 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 general manager of the public water supply. (Ord. #85-2, Feb. 1985)