23A-079 (18) •
d - 9
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
125 Locust Street
� Northampton, MA 01060
D
413-587-1570 - ?
Samuel B. Brindis, P.E. Fax 413-587-1576 L 19 2000 , ! �'
Director, City Engineer9 NOfiT
Guilford B. Mooring, P.E. DEPT RT>3UII[ + INSPECTIONS
,? r�=; MR I06Q
Assistant Director of Public Works
September 13, 2000
Dr.George Falk
41 Main Street
Florence, MA 01062
Re: Notice of Non-compliance Cross Connection Violation
Dear Customer:
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT NOTICE. FAILURE TO TAKE ADEQUATE ACTION IN
RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS LEGAL CONSEQUENCES.
An inspection of your facility on August 24, 2000 by the Northampton Department of Public
Works personnel revealed one or more "cross connections" to the public water supply, which
are in non-compliance with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-523)
and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Environmental Protection Drinking
Water Regulations, 310 CMR 22.22. A "cross connection" is an unprotected actual or
potential connection between the public or potable water system and any other source or system
which is unapproved for consumption purposes. A cross connection can also be considered as
any by-pass arrangement, jumper connection, removable section, swivel or change-over device
and other temporary or permanent device through which "backflow" or "backflow siphonage"
can or may occur.
The violation of CMR 22.22 found by the inspectors as a result of the survey are listed on
Attachment "A".
Pursuant to 310 CMR 22.22 and the Northampton Department of Public Works Cross
Connections Regulations, the owner of the premises is required to submit within sixty (60) days
to the Office of the Department of Public Works, 125 Locust Street, Northampton, MA 01060
and the Plumbing Inspector's Office, the corrective action required to protect the public water
supply.
Being delegated by the State, plans and specifications indicating the method of protection must
be approved by the City of Northampton Department of Public Works and Plumbing Inspector
2Et
•
prior to construction of installation. Refer to the Northampton Department of Public Works
policy on cross connections in regard to submittal data.
If you fail to take the requested action by the prescribed deadline, you could be subject to legal
action, including but not limited to, termination of your water service, court imposed civil
penalties or civil administrative penalties assessed by the Department of Environmental
Protection.
If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact the Department of Public
Works at(413) 587-1570.
Very truly yours,
0.,for r('I 19-7(41
till
George Andrikidis, P.E.
Acting Director of Public Works
cc: plumbing inspector
c:\water service\northampton\noncompliance\dr.fadc
•
ATTACHMENT "A"
The following locations are the locations of the cross connections found at this facility:
1. Water Main Entrance: This facility must have a containment backflow device installed.
A Reduced Pressure Zone Backflow Preventer (RPZ) must be installed at the water main
entrance after the meter. The location of this device should be elevated high enough to
allow for relief valve drainage through air gapped drain to outside. No floor drain or
indirect waste is available in this area.
2. Lower Level, Dr. Levinson's Area:
A. The two chair water supplies must have, at a minimum, a dual check backflow
preventer, Watts #7 or equal.
B. The Dent-x 810 X-ray processor water supply must have a RPZ installed to provide
proper protection. Proper height for drainage to waste must be considered.
C. The Foster Model Trimmer water supply must have an in-line backflow preventer,
Watts #N9 or equal installed to provide protection.
D. Modern Image Salon: The two salon sinks must have dual check backflow
preventers, Watts #7 or equal installed in the supply to the spray hose connections.
3. Upper Level, Dental Offices:
A. Dental Chairs: The new water supply lines to the proposed eight dental chairs must
have an RPZ installed on the main line supplying all the chairs and before any other
water connections. This device should be located near the water main device for proper
testing location and drainage.
B. Dental Chairs Continued: All eight dental chairs must have at each chair a dual
check device, Watts #7 or equal to provide proper protection.
C. X-Ray Photo Processor: The water supply to this processor must have an RPZ
installed at the proper height and have drainage provided.
D. Suction Equipment: The suction equipment at this facility has no water use, and no
protection required.
Note: All Reduced Pressure Zone Backflow Preventers have relief valves. These relief valves
have the ability to release large and small amounts of water. If possible, all installations should
consider approved air gap assemblies and a pipe to drain for each device.
The Entire Facility: All sinks with threaded outlets not protected by atmospheric vacuum
breakers, sill cocks, taps, draw-offs, etc., must be equipped with hose bib type vacuum
breakers, so that hoses will not become unprotected cross connections (anti-siphon device).
****SPECIAL CAUTION****
THERMAL EXPANSION_- When water is heated and stored in a consumer's water system or
a branch of the system that has been closed by the installation of a backflow prevention device
or any other checking device, an auxiliary relief valve, or expansion chamber, shall be installed
to limit thermal expansion of the water being heated to not more than 80 psi static (no flow)
pressure at any fixture on the system.
0oP17yPt.\
,._„t, CITY OF NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
, 125 Locust Street
-�- Northampton, MA 01060
413-587-1570
Samuel B. Brindis, P.E. Fax 413-587-1576
Director, City Engineer
Guilford B. Mooring, P.E.
Assistant Director of Public Works
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON POLICY REGARDING CROSS CONNECTIONS
The following information is the policy of the City of Northampton Department of Public Works installations of
cross connections in accordance with the Massachusetts Fuel, Gas and Plumbing Code, (248-CMR-1.00-7.00)and
DEP Cross Connection Regulations, (310-CMR-22.22).
No person or his agent shall maintain, upon premises which they own or occupy, a cross connection between the
distribution system of a public water supply(water that is being used for drinking, domestic or culinary purposes)
and the distribution system of any unapproved water source, unless the installation has been reviewed and
approved by the Northampton Department of Public Works and permits have been issued by the Northampton
Plumbing Inspector's office. The Northampton Department of Public Works has the authority to terminate any
water service connection to any facility where cross connections are maintained without required backflow
prevention devices that have been approved for installation.
The owner or his agent found in violation of these regulations must submit plans to the City of Northampton
Department of Public Works and Plumbing Inspector's office showing proposed corrections of violations. The
submittal must include the following:
1. A complete design data sheet, (enclosed)
2. A complete application for permit to do plumbing, (inspector)
3. A schematic showing incoming water lines, the separation of domestic and process water, the type and
model#of the device to be used, and all clearances involved in the installation.
4. A payment of$65.00 for each device application.
The design data sheet(s)and plumbing plan(s) must be submitted to this office for review and approval within
sixty (60) days of the receipt of this letter. After review and approval of plans and subsequent installation of
backflow prevention devices, an initial test and inspection must be arranged to verify the correct installation of the
device and to ensure proper operation. The permit will be issued after such initial test and inspection. A permit
from the Northampton Plumbing Inspector is necessary for the installation of each device.
There will be a Sixty-Five Dollar ($65.00) fee made payable to the City of Northampton for the approval and
initial inspection of each device.
In situations of economic hardship, time extension may be granted. In order for an extension to be considered, a
request must be made to the Northampton Department of Public Works in writing, indicating the reasons for the
extension and the proposed schedule for installation. This must be submitted with the design data sheet and
plumbing plan according to the previously mentioned time frame.
If further information is necessary, please contact the Northampton Department of Public Works at(413) 587-
1570, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Please be advised, if you fell that
any or all of the above mentioned violations are incorrect, please submit a written statement listing the violation(s)
that you feel are in error and your facility will be re-evaluated.
c:\water service\northampton\form letters\policy letter
City of Northampton Department of Public Works
Division of Water Supply
Application for Installation
Backflow Prevention Device Design Data Sheet
Owner's name
Address
Telephone number
Facility
Name
Address
Contact person/agent
Telephone number of facility contact person
New facility Existing facility
General description for the need of the installation of a backflow device
Device Data
Manufacturer name
RPBP or Double Check Valves Size
Hot or cold water unit By-pass arrangement: Yes or No
Exact location of device
Water usage down stream of device
Gate valve Ball valve Butterfly valve
Plans and Spare Parts Required
The installation contractor is responsible for supplying a spare rubber parts kit for each device
A fully labeled,detailed schematic of the potable and non-potable water piping inunediately surrounding
the backflow prevention device installation showing:
1. Height above floor of the device
2. Distance from wall of the device
3. Type of chemical(s)used(if any)and the type of equipment upstream,and downstream of the
device
Please note block:The schematic drawing must be at least 8 '/z by 11 inches with the following
information in the completed title block.
Submitted by:
Plumber's signature:
Plumber's license#:
Owner/agent signature:
Date:
All information listed above must be included on schematic drawing. In addition,a fee of$65.00,
made payable to the City of Northampton for each device application must be submitted to the
D.P.W. before any application will be processed. A permit form the plumbing inspector may be
necessary for the installation of these devices.
Approvals or denials of this application will be sent directly to the owner.