Athens City Code

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Auxiliary intake means any piping connection or other device whereby water may be secured from a source other than that normally used.

Bypass means any system of piping or other arrangement whereby the water may be diverted around any part or portion of a water purification plant.

Cross connection means any physical arrangement whereby the public water supply is connected with any other water supply system, whether public or private, either inside or outside of any building, in such manner that a flow of water into the public water supply is possible either through the manipulation of valves or because of ineffective check or back pressure valves, or because of any other arrangement.

Interconnection means any system of piping or other arrangement whereby the public water supply is connected directly with a sewer, drain, conduit, pool, storage reservoir, or other device which normally contains sewage or other waste or liquid which would be capable of imparting contamination to the public water supply.

Public water supply means the waterworks system furnishing water to the city for general use and which supply is recognized as the public water supply by the state department of health.

(Code 1972, § 8-301; Code 1995, § 18-501; Ord. No. 972, 11-18-2008)

It is unlawful for any person to cause a cross connection, auxiliary intake, bypass or interconnection to be made, or allow one to exist for any purpose whatsoever unless the construction and operation of the same have been approved by the state department of health, and the operation of such cross connection, auxiliary intake, bypass or interconnection is at all times under the direct supervision of the superintendent of the waterworks of the city.

(Code 1972, § 8-302; Code 1995, § 18-502; Ord. No. 972, 11-18-2008)

Any person whose premises are supplied with water from the public water supply, and who also has on the same premises a separate source of water supply, or stores water in an uncovered or insanitary storage reservoir from which the water stored therein is circulated through a piping system, shall file with the superintendent of the waterworks a statement of the nonexistence of unapproved or unauthorized cross connections, auxiliary intakes, bypasses, or interconnections. Such statement shall also contain an agreement that no cross connection, auxiliary intake, bypass, or interconnection will be permitted upon the premises until the construction and operation of the same have received the approval of the state department of health, and the operation and maintenance of the same have been placed under the direct supervision of the superintendent of the waterworks.

(Code 1972, § 8-303; Code 1995, § 18-503; Ord. No. 972, 11-18-2008)

Any person who now has cross connections, auxiliary intakes, bypasses or interconnections in violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be allowed a reasonable time within which to comply with such provisions. After a thorough investigation of existing conditions and an appraisal of the time required to complete the work, the amount of time to be allowed shall be designated by the superintendent of the waterworks. In addition to, or in lieu of any fines and civil penalties that may be judicially assessed for violations of this chapter, the superintendent of the waterworks shall discontinue the public water supply service at any premises upon which there is found to be a cross connection, auxiliary intake, bypass, or interconnection, and service shall not be restored until such cross connection, auxiliary intake, bypass, or interconnection has been discontinued.

(Code 1972, § 8-304; Code 1995, § 18-504; Ord. No. 972, 11-18-2008)