Two of the most frequently asked questions received by the engineering department at BCWSA are “what do I need to do to get sewer service?”,and “what are the fees for?” The item to be completed is a Professional Service Agreement (PSA). Four (4) signed copies of the agreement need to be returned to the BCWSA office with the fee of $8,500. This fee covers the cost of a consulting engineering firm to begin the review of the planning module application and engineer’s submission for the project.
Next complete a Reservation of Capacity Agreement (ROC) and return four (4) signed copies to the BCWSA office with the appropriate fees. There are two components (fees) in the ROC, a tapping fee and a debt service fee. Tapping fees are incurred when a new customer is added to the system and pays for existing capacity and existing infrastructure improvements. This fee is charged on an EDU (Equivalent Dwelling Unit) basis, which is measured at 250 gallons per day. This is a one-time charge for each EDU required for the property. Debt service fees cover the debt payment borrowed and spent on existing facilities and infrastructure upgrades. It is a set yearly charge.
The final step is the execution of a Sewer Service Agreement and a Sewage Facilities Escrow Agreement after all engineering and planning module approvals have been obtained. These agreements will be drafted and customized for your project at that time. When agreements are approved and executed by BCWSA, a preconstruction meeting is held and construction of the sanitary sewer lines and connecting of laterals can proceed. These last two agreements will be custom drafted by BCWSA’s legal representatives.
Below is a link to the PSA with instructions on how to complete the form. You will also find a link to a sample of a ROC so that you can see what is involved in its completion. As always, if you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the engineering department for assistance at 215-343-2538.
In keeping with our pledge to sustain an ongoing investment in our customers, communities and partners to help us all enjoy a cleaner lifestyle – and realize a bright green future, BCSWA is proud to announce that it has joined with Pennsylvania Water Specialties Company (PAWSC) to establish a cross-connection control administration and backflow prevention program for its commercial customers to insure that our relentless focus on quality and accountability provides a proven source of drinking water that you can count on.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in Pennsylvania define a “cross-connection” as any point in the water supply system where non-potable, or non-drinkable, water can be introduced to potable or clean sources. All service lines connected to public water systems are therefore potential “cross-connections”.
The Authority’s water distribution system is designed to ensure that water flows from the water main through a service line to the premises of its customers. Certain conditions-such as frozen pipes, a water main break, or even extreme and unexpected demand on the system-can cause water pressure to fail. When that happens, water from customer service lines can flow back into the distribution system, potentially contaminating the local public water supply, and thereby creating a hazardous situation which is commonly referred to as “backflow.” To avoid such dangerous incidents, and as a matter of public safety, federal and state laws require certain customers to install backflow prevention (“BFP”) assemblies on their water services and to test and maintain these assemblies periodically.
Accordingly, BCSWA is responsible for adopting and implementing a Cross-Connection Control (“CCC”) Program for its commercial customers to survey the water distribution system and communicate with customers to determine the existence of cross-connection hazards and to enforce rules for the customers to install BFP assembles and have those assemblies tested on a regular basis.
At no cost to the authority, BCSWA has joined with PAWSC, a knowledgeable provider about state and federal CCC Programs requiring installation, testing and maintenance of BFP assemblies. PAWSC will administer the program which involves the professional day-to-day administration, tracking and record-keeping functions of a properly established CCC Program.
PAWSC will be in contact with those commercial customers who are required to install and properly maintain these BFP devices through letters about the requirement of the program.
A cross connection is a physical connection between a possible source of contamination and the public drinking water system. This connection, if not properly protected, can lead to the contamination of the drinking water system through a backflow event. Any service connection is a cross-connection.
Backflow is the reversal of water flow through a cross connection from a possible source of contamination into the public drinking water system. Backflow may be caused by either backpressure or backsiphonage. A loss of pressure in the public drinking water system may lead to backsiphonage through unprotected cross connections, or backpressure may be created when the water pressure of a facility’s internal water system is elevated above the supply pressure of the public drinking water system resulting in backflow through unprotected cross connections.
Backsiphonage occurs when there is a partial vacuum (negative pressure) in a water supply system, which draws the water from a contaminated source into a potable water supply. The water pressure within the distribution system falls below that of the plumbing system it is supplying. The effect is similar to siphoning or drinking water through a straw. For example, during a large fire, a pump is connected to a hydrant. High flows pumped out of the distribution system can result in significantly reduced water pressure around the withdrawal point. A partial vacuum has been created in the system, causing suction of contaminated water into the potable water system. During such conditions, it is possible for water to be withdrawn from nonpotable sources located near the fire — for example, air-conditioning systems, water tanks, boilers, fertilizer tanks and washing machines — into buildings located near a fire. The same conditions can be caused by a water main break.
Garden hoses, toilets or similar devices create most household cross-connections. Under certain conditions, the flow in household water lines can reverse and siphon contaminates into the water supply. A toilet installed incorrectly without a “plumbing-code approved” toilet ballcock (air gap) will allow contaminated water to backflow to other water outlets in your house, including the kitchen sink.
A backflow prevention device is a means or mechanism to prevent backflow. The basic means of preventing backflow is an air gap, which either eliminates a cross-connection or provides a barrier to backflow. The basic mechanism for preventing backflow is a mechanical backflow preventer, which provides a physical barrier to backflow. The principal types of mechanical backflow preventers are the reduced-pressure principle assembly, the pressure vacuum breaker assembly, and the double check valve assembly. A secondary type of mechanical backflow preventer is a dual check valve.
Some water customers are required to have an approved backflow device installed and tested on an annual basis. These customers must certify to BCWSA that these devices have been maintained and are in working order. This should include a test performed by a qualified technician and a completed backflow prevention device test form submitted to the Cross-Connection Control department.
Authority to enforce Cross-Connection Control comes from Pennsylvania’s Safe Drinking Water Act, the Pennsylvania Code Chapter 109, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), the International Plumbing Code (IPC) Section 312, and the BCWSA Ordinance.
The type of backflow device depends upon the degree of hazard present at your location. The degree of hazard depends on the use of water at your location and what could potentially enter the system. If you are unsure, please contact the Cross-Connection Control department at 1-844.605.5213 to determine the type of device needed at your facility.
While there are no standards set for who can install a backflow prevention device, repairs and tests to backflow preventers must be performed by certified technicians. Technicians testing backflow preventers should be American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE) Series #5110 certified. Technicians repairing backflow preventers should be ASSE Series #5130 certified.
The backflow device must be installed on the customer’s water service line immediately after the meter and before any branching of the service line.
The cost of a backflow device varies based on the size, type and location.
It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that any contaminants or pollutants do not enter the water distribution system from their location. All costs related to the installation, maintenance and testing are the customers’ responsibility.
Yes. All non-residential customers are required to comply. There are no exceptions.
Yes. All new construction/new residential service connections are required to have appropriate backflow protection in place before service is provided. Existing customers also must have appropriate backflow protection in place. Most fire sprinklers and lawn sprinklers require a testable backflow prevention device be installed. If you are unsure, please call the Cross-Connection Control Department at 844.605.5213.
The water company has the right under the Pennsylvania Code Section 109.709 to shut off your water service until you are in compliance.
Test forms will only be accepted from the technician, who has sole responsibility for providing the form to the Cross-Connection Control department. It is not necessary for the customer to submit the test form. Test forms can be submitted online at https://pawsc.tokaytest.com/
It is the responsibility of the property owner to have the backflow device tested by a qualified tester. It is also the responsibility of the property / business owner to schedule their own test appointment.
In ground sprinkler systems are required to have a testable backflow prevention device installed on the water line servicing the system. If you are unsure, please contact the Cross-Connection Control department at 844.605.5213 to determine the type of device needed on your system.
Fire sprinkler systems connected to the public water supply are required to have either a reduced pressure zone (RPZ) backflow preventer or a double check (DC) backflow prevention device installed on the water line servicing the system. The type of device needed will depend on the type of fire sprinkler system in the residence. If you are unsure, please contact the Cross-Connection Control department at 844.605.5213 to determine the type of device needed on your system.
BCWSA conducts periodic surveys of their customers’ use of water to identify and eliminate possible sources of cross connections to help ensure the safety of the public water supply. The information collected through the surveys helps to identify where backflow prevention devices may be needed as well as providing information on existing devices that may not have been previously submitted to the water company.
BCWSA is an independent, non-profit agency formed in 1962 under the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Act.