Caught In The Backwash Over Backflow

The Direct Connection

A newsletter dedicated to Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention- www.abpa-sa.orgApril 2005 Vol. 15 Issue 4

Reprint from the Venicegondolier.comBy J.J. Andrews

More than 100 Venice residents showed up to city hall Thursday night wanting to know why theyʼll have to pay hundreds of dollars for a new plumbing device and then pay to have it tested every year.

Answers ranged everywhere from a 30-year-old federal law to changes last year in Florida laws to blaming it on reclaimed water. The threat of terrorism was even tossed in as a possible reason.

Regardless, a new city plan to protect public drinking water from contamination will require every single-family home to have a backflow prevention device by 2010. The one selected, called an RPZ, is among the strongest and most durable -- and most expensive.

“This is just overkill,” one resident said to Utilities Manager Chris Sharek during the presentation. “If youʼre not the person to protest, who is it? Is it the county commissioners, the state? I mean, this is ludi-crous.”

City staff estimated the RPZʼs cost at around $115, depending on the supplier, but the cost to install the aboveground pipe next to a water meter was estimated at $500. Annual testing to prove it works could cost up to $50, according to the city.

However, none of this work would be done by the city. Property owners must hire private contractors to do the work and be sure to register annual testing results with the city.

Why now?

Residents seemed to understand the backflow deviceʼs purpose -- to prevent water in someoneʼs home or busi-

ness from getting sucked back into the public water lines.

They questioned why every home must have one, and why Venice residents are being required to get one seemingly all of a sudden.

“Why havenʼt I seen it all around the state?” one audi-ence member asked. “Is it just here in Venice or every-where?”

Every municipality is required to implement its own program to comply with the state law, which is derived from the federal Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974. Sarasota County Health Department is responsible for making sure all public drinking water systems comply, explained Rob Bolesta of the health department.

Language was changed last year to prevent a legal loop-hole allowing municipalities not to actually implement a water protection plan, Bolesta said to the audience.

“Times have changed, it relates to terrorist attacks, but I donʼt want to get into that,” said Bolesta, which drew dissatisfied rumblings from the crowd.

Veniceʼs plan

The protection plan itself is developed by the individual water system, in this case Venice, and the county health department simply monitors and approves it. Even though every county system must have a backflow plan in place, only Siesta Keyʼs drinking water system has one as strict as what Venice is attempting to implement, according to county health officials.

Before Venice launched its new plan, only water cus-tomers with a secondary water source were required to

Contʼd on Page 5

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April Meeting DetailsMeetings of the San Antonio Chapter ABPA are usually held the second Thursday of every month. Dinner and refreshments are served at 6:00 p.m. sharp with the meeting at 6:30 p.m. The next meeting is:

Date: Thursday, April 14, 2005Time: 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.Location: Bexar Met Water District 2047 W. MaloneProgram: BAVCOMeal: Provided by BAVCO No alcoholic beverages allowed by

Bexar Met Water District policyFutureMeetings: TBA No alcoholic beverages allowed by

Bexar Met Water District policy

April A.B.P.A.San Antonio Chapter Meeting Agenda

4:45 - 5:15 pm Directorʼs Meeting

5:15 – 6:00 pm Meal

6:00 – 6:30 pm Business Meeting President Bruce Pearson Presiding

Training Schedule6:30-8:30pm- Video presentation and discussion on performing a sanitary survey and water use survey at a treatment plant and a water plant.

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Directorʼs Meeting April Agenda

5:00-5:20 pm General discussions, quorum5:20 pm Call Meeting to Order5:21 pm Reading and acceptance of the Minutes of

the March Meeting.5:25 pm Treasurerʼs Report followed by comments,

questions, acceptance.5:30 pm Supply Officerʼs Report with action as

appropriate.5:34 pm Membership Committeeʼs Report with

action as appropriate5:40 pm Vice Presidentʼs Report on Audit of

Newsletter Advertisements with action as appropriate

5:46 pm Web Masterʼs Report5:48 pm New Business Formation of a Ways and Means Committee Education to the Public5:59 pm Directorʼs Meeting Adjourns

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The Latest…

April Happenings

March and early April have been a very busy time for those of us who are working toward the Orlando and San Antonio Conference. We have received the displays and an abundance of material to take to Orlando to pro-mote the San Antonio Conference. Our treasurer has really taken a major role in helping with everything and a big kudos goes out to him in his efforts. Our committee that was formed to secure raffle prizes for the Sunday Night welcoming event in 2006 has had their first organizational meeting and has already made progress toward obtaining an abundance of prizes. A real thanks goes out to them in their efforts to be a big part of the event in helping us to really put our best foot forward in welcoming everyone to San Antonio next year. Way to go guys! I would like to thank our Region IV Director for his unlimited support in helping the officers organize and continue to make excellent decisions where our chapter is concerned whether it is for the training sessions or for conference decisions. I want to encourage everyone to continue to spread the word about backflow and cross-connection control. The people that we all come into contact with in our daily endeavors are the individuals that we need to educate whether it is design professionals, other contractors, business owners, or homeowners. In addition, we as an orga-nization need to continue to educate ourselves and provide each other with technical assistance. If you havenʼt decided to attend the April Meeting, I encourage everyone to consider because of the special nature of this particular time in our chapter.

Bruce E. Pearson ABPA-SA Chapter President

Contʼd from Page 1

have backflow prevention devices. This included places that accepted reclaimed water, had a well or pond, or were an industrial business.

That policy is out of compliance with state regulations, which requires every water customer to have some type of backflow system.

There are three common types of backflow prevention devices -- dual-valve, double-valve and the RPZ. Many older homes with a backflow device have one of the first two, and will have to switch over to the aboveg-round RPZ model by 2010.

RPZ is the most reliable device, and it allows the city to avoid hiring staff to double check the devices. Utilities

Manager Chris Sharek estimated it would cost Venice at least $500,000 over the next five years to test either of the first two choices, but the current plan is to leave that up to individual residents.

Sharek also said the city cannot do any work between the water meter and the residence because that is con-sidered private property.

“Weʼre trying to prevent that siphoning-effect from your home from getting into the public drinking wa-ter,” Sharek said. “That can happen any time we have a water main break. ... Otherwise, you could contaminate your neighborʼs water or anyone elseʼs.

6

ABPA-SA CHAPTER2005 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive CommitteePRESIDENT – BRUCE PEARSON ............................................................704-1750 WK1st VICE PRESIDENT – JOE JONES ................................................................................2nd VICE PRESIDENT – JOHNNIE IVY ...................................................923-4575 WKTREASURER – JEFF HOFFMAN (parliamentarian) .................................633-3296 HMSECRETARY – SCOTT OKLAND .............................. 235-7466 PGR 354-6573 WK.................................................................................................... oklandisok@hotmail.comSGT. – AT-ARMS – .....GILBERT PALOMINO & DAN FERNANDEZ 704-1750 WKTROY BAIRD (Supply Officer) ...................................................................698-0411 WK

Directors at LargeROBERT STRICKER * .............................207-8279 WK • 545-1832 HM • 207-3315 FXBILL HAMRICK ** ................................ 736-1892 WK • 242-8765 PGR • 736-1893 FXCARL MICHAUD ** ............................ 699-3614 HM • 215-5264 MBL • 688-3177 WKFRED BAIRD * ............................................................................................698-0411 WKJIM HOLT * ............................................ 658-5324 WK • 658-5325 FX • 413-6790 MBLJORGE LOPEZ * ..........................................................................................354-6555 WKDAVID TROUSDALE * ............................................ 733-8001 WK • 830-228-5844 HM......................................................................................... 603-5424 PGR • 846-3101 MBLMATTHEW WILGEN ** ............................................................ webmaster@abpa-sa.orgDAVID MYERS* .........................................................................................599-1304 HMRON RENOUF* ...........................................................................................696-1411 HMMIKE ALDRUP ................................................................................................... 481-2030JIM MABRY .................................................................................................681-3502 HMBILL SAHM (Honorary)* Term expires Nov. 2005 ** Term expires Nov. 2006

NEWSLETTER COMMITTEEEDITOR BRUCE RATHBURNASST. EDITOR ALL BOARD MEMBERS (assigned monthly duty)

PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEECHAIRMAN TED MORALES 207-8279

STEVE BAILYJEFF HOFFMAN

ROBERT STRICKER

TRAINING COMMITTEE MEMBERSTIM HOPKINS (gauge test)JORGE LOPEZ (gauge test)

BILL HAMRICK (gauge test)

ABPA-SA DISTRICTTRAINING COMMITTEE

CHAIRMAN CARL MICHAUD 699-36141ST ASSISTANT FRED BAIRD 698-04112ND ASSISTANT RON RENOUF 696-14113RD ASSISTANT BILL HAMRICK 736-1892

ABPA-SA DISTRICT

TRAINING COMMITTEE

CHAIRMAN CARL MICHAUD 699-36141ST ASSISTANT FRED BAIRD 698-04112ND ASSISTANT RON RENOUF 696-14113RD ASSISTANT BILL HAMRICK 736-1892

Training Committee Members

STEVE BAILY BILL HAMRICK (gauge test)JEFF HOFFMAN ROBERT STRICKERJORGE LOPEZ (gauge test) TIM HOPKINS (gauge test)

NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE

EDITOR BRUCE RATHBURNASST. EDITOR ALL BOARD MEMBERS (assigned monthly duty)

PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE

CHAIRMAN TED MORALES 207-8279

7

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Safety Tip

Donʼt Forget the PPE!

You would not think of wearing a blue three-piece suit to water ski would you? Or draping a brand new cashmere sweater over your shoulders while installing a sump pump? If you think these examples of fashion gaffes---think again. A far more serious fashion mis-step is tackling a job without wearing the right personal protective equip-ment or PPE.

What is PPE?

PPE is equipment designed to protect the eyes, face, head, respiratory tract, and body extremities from potentially hazardous conditions. It includes such items as goggles, face shield, hard hats, respirators, dust masks, welding aprons, and safety shoes.

The workplace must be assessed to determine if hazards are, or may be, present that will necessitate the use of PPE. Then, the right PPE must be selected and employees fitted and trained in it proper use. Listed are some of the most common PPE that is used in the workplace.

Eye and Face Protection

Eye and face protection are necessary when there is potential exposure to flying particles (wood, glass, metal), molten metal (welding spatter), potentially injurious light radiation (welding glare), or chemicals in any form, liquid, vapor or gaseous.

Eye and face PPE can include safety glasses with side shields, chemical goggles, or a full-face respirator. All de-vices must comply with strict federal standards.

Remember, not all eye and face protection will protect you from all hazards! Protective glasses with side shields are fine for particulates but provide no protection from hazardous chemical vapors. Remember, the PPE must fit the hazard.

Respiratory Protection

The first step in controlling potentially hazardous dusts, mists, fumes, smoke, or gases in the workplace is the installation of engineering controls, such as mechanical ventilation systems. But if such measures are not fully ef-fective (or infeasible, such as at a field work site), then respiratory PPE must be used.

Two basic types of respirators are (1) air purifying and (2) atmosphere supplying. The first device simply filters the ambient air by using an air purifying filter, cartridge, or canister. The second type actually provides breathing air to the user from an independent source.

The category of respirator, i.e., purifying or atmosphere supplying style, whether half or full-face, and type of fil-ter or canister all must be carefully selected. Then, you must be properly fitted and trained in when and how to use the PPE. A medical evaluation of your ability to effectively wear and use the respirator must also be conducted.

Contʼd on Page 9

9

Contʼd from Page 8

Head Protection

When working in an area where the potential exists for head injuries resulting from falling objects or impact hazards, you must wear head protection, which usually comes in the form of hard hats. Again, as with other forms of PPE, hard hats must be manufactured to federal standards and then properly worn to ensure proper head protec-tion.

Foot Protection

Just as with the head, if there are potential hazards to the feet from falling or rolling materials, sharp objects pierc-ing the sole, or electrical shock, you must wear appropriate protective footwear. This commonly takes the form of steel-toed safety shoes or boots, often equipped with steel shanks and heavy duty soles. Electrical hazard footwear is designed to reduce the hazards due to contact of the sole with electrically energized parts and to provide second-ary electrical hazard protection on insulated surfaces. Conductive footwear is designed to discharge static electric-ity from the body through the shoes or boots into the floor.

Hearing Protection

Hearing is a precious gift. However, continual exposure to elevated noise levels can seriously damage your hear-ing. If noise levels are too high, then you must be supplied with hearing protection. Simple disposable earplugs or high-tech earmuffs can provide hearing protection. It all depends on the nature of the hazard and the type of job you are doing. Remember one thing, to protect your hearing; you must properly wear your hearing protection equipment.

Other PPE

Other PPE can take the form of gloves, welding aprons, chemical protective suits, coverall, and back support braces. All are designed to protect a very important person---you---from potential hazards you might encounter on the job.

But again, remember, No PPE will protect your vision, your lungs, your head, or any other part of your body un-less you wear it and wear it correctly.

Be Fashionable…Be Save…Wear your PPE!

10

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“The Direct Connection” is published monthly and may be obtained by becoming a member of the ABPA-SA. Due to the expenses associated with printing and mailing, future editions will be mailed to members only. Opinions or facts within “The Direct Connection” are not necessarily representative of the opinions of the American Backflow Prevention Association and may or may not represent an official policy. Additionally, the opinions or facts of con-tributors or advertisers may or may not represent an official policy.

Published by the ABPA-Region IV,Editor: Bruce Rathburn,Assistant Editor: Robert Stricker.Layout, Publishing & Circulation:Alamo Advertising - Fernando Galdeano

For further information about ABPA, contact:Bruce Rathburn3930 E. Houston(210) 704-1751

Gauge StolenSerial #240375

If you have information relating to the location of this gauge please contact

704-7136

Backflow Trivia Answer:

The year was 1973!

11

AMERICAN BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSOCIATION

NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION To join the American Backflow Prevention Association, simply fill out the membership application form and mail it with your check to the address listed below, or if paying by credit card you may fax the completed form to 979/846-7607. Annual dues for individual membership is $30.00. Local chapters have additional fees.Below is a listing of chapters by region. To find out if there is a local chapter in your area please review the chapter information on this web site or call the National Office at 979.846.7606. Membership in theAssociation constitutes paying National dues.

Name:_________________________________________________________________________________Employer:______________________________________________________________________________Address:_______________________________________________________________________________City:_______________________________________State:_____________________Zip:_______________Work phone:(____)____________________________Fax:(_____)_________________________________E-mail address:__________________________________________________________________________Local Chapter:__________________________________ Local Dues:_____________________Total Amount Paid:______________________

Please make checks payable to: American Backflow Prevention Association, PO Box 3051, Bryan, TX77805-3051. If paying by credit card include the following:

Credit Card No.:_______________________________________________Expiration Date:_____________

Name as it appears on the card:_______________________________________________

LOCAL CHAPTER DUES LISTED BY REGION:REGION 1 MaineNew EnglandWestern New YorkRhode IslandREGION 2 DelawarePennsylvaniaREGION 3 CarolinasGeorgiaGold Coast MississippiTennesseeREGION 4 ArkansasCorpus Christi Gulf CoastLone Star

$18.008.00

13.0018.00

$ 5.00 10.00

$10.0028.0010.0025.0020.00

$10.0023.0023.0010.00

Lower Rio Grande ValleyNorth TexasN.E. LouisianaRio Grande Int. San AntonioREGION 5ColoradoUtahREGION 6ArizonaCentral Coast Central Valley CaliforniaHawaiiSilver State Southern ArizonaSouthern CaliforniaREGION 7 OregonSpokane

$15.0023.0020.0015.0020.00

$25.0012.00

$10.0010.0010.0023.0023.0023.0015.00

$20.0020.00

REGION 8 No LocalREGION 9 New BrunswickOntarioREGION 10 WisconsinREGION 11 IndianaIllinoisMichiganOhioREGION 12 Central MissouriEastern NebraskaHeart of AmericaPanhandleWestern Nebraska

$16.0050.00

$25.00

$5.0023.0037.0010.00

$20.0010.0012.005.008.00

POST OFFICE BOX 3051 . BRYAN, TX 77805-3051 . 979-846-7606 . 979-846-7607 FAX 3829 OLD COLLEGE ROAD . BRYAN, TX 77801-4112 . www.abpa.org

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