A. Administrator. The City Manager for the City of Ashland.

B. Applicant. An individual firm, corporation, or authorized agent applying for water service.

C. AMC. The Ashland Municipal Code.

D. Approved Air Gap (AG). A physical separation between the free-flowing discharge end of a potable water supply pipeline and an open or nonpressurized receiving vessel. An approved air gap shall be at least twice the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the overflow rim of the vessel and in no case less than 1 inch (2.54 cm), and in accordance with Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code.

E. Approved Backflow Prevention Assembly. A reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly, reduced pressure principle-detector backflow prevention assembly, double check valve backflow prevention assembly, double check-detector backflow prevention assembly, pressure vacuum breaker back-siphonage prevention assembly, or spill-resistant pressure vacuum breaker back-siphonage prevention assembly, of a make, model, orientation, and size approved by the Department. Assemblies listed in the currently approved backflow prevention assemblies list developed by the University of Southern California, Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research, or other testing laboratories using equivalent testing methods, are considered approved by the Oregon Department of Human Services.

F. Backflow. The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, or substances into the distributing pipes of a potable supply of water from any sources other than its intended source, and is caused by back-siphonage or back pressure.

G. Backflow Prevention Assembly. A backflow prevention assembly such as a pressure vacuum breaker back-siphonage prevention assembly, spill-resistant pressure vacuum breaker back-siphonage prevention assembly, double check valve backflow prevention assembly, double check-detector backflow prevention assembly, reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly, or reduced pressure principle-detector backflow prevention assembly and the attached shutoff valves on the inlet and outlet ends of the assembly, assembled as a complete unit.

H. Back Pressure. An elevation of pressure downstream of the distribution system that would cause, or tend to cause, water to flow opposite of its intended direction.

I. Back-Siphonage. A drop in distribution system pressure below atmospheric pressure (partial vacuum), that would cause, or tend to cause, water to flow opposite of its intended direction.

J. Bore-Sighted Drain to Daylight. An unrestricted straight-line opening in an enclosure that vents to grade, and is sized and constructed to adequately drain the full flow discharge from a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly, thus preventing any potential for submersion of the assembly.

K. Check Valve. A valve which allows flow in only one direction.

L. City. The City of Ashland, a municipal corporation in the State of Oregon.

M. Contaminant. Any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in water that creates a health hazard.

N. Council. The City Council for the City of Ashland, Oregon.

O. Cross Connection. Any actual or potential unprotected connection or structural arrangement between the public or user’s potable water system and any other source or system through which it is possible to introduce into any part of the potable system any used water, industrial fluid, gas, or substances other than the intended potable water with which the system is supplied. Bypass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel, or change-over devices, and other temporary or permanent devices through which, or because of which, backflow can occur are considered to be cross connections.

P. Customer. Any individual firm or corporation receiving water service from the City.

Q. Customer Facilities and/or Equipment. Facilities and/or equipment located on customer premises used for receiving, controlling, applying, and/or utilizing City water.

R. Customer Control Valve. A valve installed at or near the outlet of water meter for use by customer to control water to premises.

S. Director. The Public Works Director or City Engineer for the City of Ashland.

T. Distribution System. The network of pipes and other facilities, which are used to distribute water from the source, treatment, transmission, or storage facilities to the water user.

U. Double Check-Detector Backflow Prevention Assembly (DCDA). A specially designed assembly composed of a line size approved double check valve assembly assembled with a bypass containing a specific water meter and an approved double check valve backflow prevention assembly. The meter shall register accurately for only very low rates of flow up to three gallons per minute and shall show a registration for all rates of flow. This assembly is designed to protect against a nonhealth hazard.

V. Double Check Valve Backflow Prevention Assembly (DC). An assembly of two independently acting approved check valves, including tightly closing resilient seated shutoff valves attached at each end of the assembly and fitted with properly located resilient seated test cocks. This assembly is designed to protect against a nonhealth hazard.

W. Federal. The United States of America, Environmental Protection Agency.

X. Health Hazard (Contamination). An impairment of the quality of the water that could create an actual hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease by sewage, industrial fluids, waste, or other substances.

Y. Human Consumption. Water used for drinking, personal hygiene, bathing, showering, cooking, dish washing and maintaining oral hygiene.

Z. Hydrant. A device providing City water for fire protection; examples include fire hydrants and standpipes.

AA. Local Administrative Authority. The individual official, board, department or agency established and authorized by a state, county or city to administer and enforce the provisions of the Oregon State Plumbing Specialty Code as adopted.

BB. Nonhealth Hazard (Pollution). An impairment of the quality of the water to a degree that does not create a hazard to the public health, but does adversely affect the aesthetic qualities of such water for potable use.

CC. OAR. Oregon Administrative Rules.

DD. ODHS. The Oregon Department of Human Services.

EE. Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code (OPSC). The latest edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code as adopted and/or amended by the State.

FF. Point of Delivery (POD). The point of connection between a public water system and the user’s water system. Beyond the point of delivery, the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code applies. See “Service Connection.”

GG. Pollutant. A substance that creates 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 affect the aesthetic qualities of the water.

HH. Potable Water. See “Safe Drinking Water.”

II. Potential Cross Connection. A cross connection that would most likely occur, but may not be taking place at the time of an inspection.

JJ. Premises. Real estate and the structures on it.

KK. Pressure Vacuum Breaker Back-Siphonage Prevention Assembly (PVB). An assembly consisting of an independently operating, internally loaded check valve and an independently operating loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check valve. This assembly is to be equipped with properly located resilient seated test cocks and tightly closing resilient seated shutoff valves attached at each end of the assembly. This assembly is designed to protect against a nonhealth hazard or a health hazard under back-siphonage conditions only.

LL. Private Water Main. A water main installed by customer to serve customer’s premises. A private water main may provide, but is not limited to, private hydrants, private fire protection systems, landscape irrigation, multiple buildings or customer’s equipment.

MM. Private Water System. Any water system for water supply other than the City water system. Examples include: wells, springs, ponds, streams, and the Talent Irrigation District water.

NN. Public Health Hazard. A condition, device or practice which is conducive to the introduction of waterborne disease organisms or harmful chemical, physical, or radioactive substances into a public water system, and which presents an unreasonable risk to health.

OO. Public Water System. A system for the provision to the public of piped water for human consumption, if such system has more than three service connections, or supplies water to a public or commercial establishment that operates a total of at least 60 days per year, and is used by ten or more individuals per day. Public water system also means a system for the provision to the public of water through constructed conveyances other than pipes to at least 15 service connections or regularly serves at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days of the year. A public water system is either a “community water system,” a “transient noncommunity water system,” a “nontransient noncommunity water system” or a “state-regulated water system.”

PP. Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assembly (RP). 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 resilient seated test cocks and tightly closing resilient seated shutoff valves at each end of the assembly. This assembly is designed to protect against a nonhealth hazard or a health hazard.

QQ. Reduced Pressure Principle-Detector Backflow Prevention Assembly (RPDA). A specifically designed assembly composed of a line size approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly with a bypass containing a specific water meter and an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly. The meter shall register accurately for only very low rates of flow up to three gallons per minute and shall show a registration for all rates of flow. This assembly is designed to protect against a nonhealth hazard or a health hazard.

RR. Regular Working Hours. Winter from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and summer from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

SS. Safe Drinking Water. Water which has sufficiently low concentrations of microbiological, inorganic chemical, organic chemical, radiological or physical substances so that individuals drinking such water at normal levels of consumption will not be exposed to disease organisms or other substances which may produce harmful physiological effects.

TT. Service Connection. The piping connection by means of which water is conveyed from a distribution main of a public water system to a user’s premises. For a community water system, the portion of the service connection that conveys water from the distribution main to the user’s property line, or to the service meter, where provided, is under the jurisdiction of the water supplier.

UU. Spill-Resistant Pressure Vacuum Breaker Back-Siphonage Prevention Assembly (SVB). An assembly containing an independently operating, internally loaded check valve and independently operating loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check valve. The assembly is to be equipped with a properly located resilient seated test cock, a properly located bleed/vent valve, and tightly closing resilient seated shutoff valves attached at each end of the assembly. This assembly is designed to protect against a nonhealth hazard or a health hazard under a back-siphonage condition only.

VV. Spring. A naturally occurring discharge of flowing water at the ground surface, or into surface water. Springs can be derived from groundwater or they can be surface water influenced.

WW. State. The State of Oregon Department of Health and/or Department of Environmental Quality.

XX. Surface Water. All water which is open to the atmosphere and subject to surface runoff.

YY. Temporary Service Connection. A service connection installed for circuses, bazaars, fairs, construction work, or similar short-term temporary usage, the location of which is to be determined by the City.

ZZ. Vault. An approved enclosure above or below ground to house a backflow prevention assembly that complies with the local administrative authority having jurisdiction.

AAA. Water Meter. A device for measuring water flow to water supply line housed in an approved meter box and located between the water service line and water supply line.

BBB. Water Meter – Exempt. A water meter as defined in subsection AAA above for a use that does not return water to the City of Ashland sanitary sewer system. Such meters will be exempt from sanitary sewer charges. Examples of exempt meters are meters used for landscaping or a self-contained process such as juice or soft drink manufacture.

CCC. Water Supply Line. A customer-owned water line located between water meter and plumbing on the premises.

DDD. Water System. The City-owned and operated water system, which includes, but is not limited to, water treatment facilities, dams, reservoirs, pumps, water mains, fire hydrants, and appurtenances. (Ord. 3192 § 108, amended, 11/17/2020; Ord. 2964, added, 10/07/2008)