Residential
The goal of LCWSC is to provide our customers with high quality, safe water that complies with state regulations. To assist in achieving this goal, LCWSC will begin installing residential dual check valves and brass gate valves to each new residential and/or business customer, and reinstated customers. Customers will be required to install a pressure-reducing valve (PRV) at a location of their choosing.
The cut-off valve is to allow customers to interrupt water service to their main water line when it is necessary to make repairs or when potential freezing conditions exist. The residential dual check valve will prevent water being siphoned into the LCWSC water system from a customer’s water system in the event of a water main break. The large size of LCWSC’s system requires relatively high water pressure in most areas to maintain adequate pressure over great distances. The PRV allows the customers to reduce the pressure they receive form the LCWSC’s system to a more suitable level as required by individual homes.
The LCWSC is not responsible for damage to water heaters or other plumbing fixtures as a result of work performed on the LCWSC system. For this reason it is not only recommended but required that all existing LCWSC customers as well as new customers install a pressure-reducing valve (PRV) as described above.
Residential Valve Installation
New Services: It shall be the policy of the Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission to install a residential dual check valve and cut-off valve on the customer side of the meter.
These devices shall be installed by the Commission in the same meter box immediately following the Commission’s meter The customer will be required to install their own pressure reducing valve (PRV) at a location of their choosing. The Commission recommends placing PRV in a valve box directly following Commission’s meter box to help eliminate leaks in customer installed service lines. When new services are applied for, a valve installation fee is collected as part of the standard tap fee.
Existing Services: For existing services, our valve policy is not enforced until a new meter is installed, or the meter changes ownership.
Non Residential
Background
The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) requires all public water systems to maintain a viable cross connection control program per the State Drinking Water Regulation R.61-58.7 (F). The cross connection control program is part of the Drinking Water Protection Program.
The regulation was amended April 29, 2005 to address backflow prevention requirements for low hazard residential lawn irrigation systems. The amendment requires LCWSC to determine the type of backflow device required for residential lawn irrigation systems and implement a change out period for the backflow device.
The Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission maintains a viable cross connection control program (CCCP) to comply with the regulation and prevent the backflow of contaminated water into the LCWSC water system. The program includes policies for installation of residential dual check valves on all services, and installation of testable backflow devices on all commercial or hazardous services.
Backflow Classifications
- Low Hazard Residential: a connection between the LCWSC system and a single residence or business with only residential type plumbing. An irrigation system for a residence or business within this classification that does NOT have chemical injection or other high risk hazard is also within this classification. Businesses may be classified as low hazard residential at the sole discretion of LCWSC, based upon potential cross connections within the business, and are subject to reclassification upon notice.
- Low Hazard: a connection between the LCWSC system and a system that is not cross-connected with a potentially dangerous substance. Some examples include; fire protection, trailer parks, churches, restaurants, and commercial irrigation systems.
- High Hazard: a connection between the LCWSC system and a system that has or may have any material in the water that is dangerous to health. Some examples include; Fire protection with chemical addition, Irrigation systems with chemical addition, Industries with potentially dangerous cross-connections.
Backflow Prevention Devices
All new Low Hazard Residential connections will be protected with a residential dual check valve. For existing services, a double check valve assembly (DCVA) that is installed where only a residential dual check is required may be accepted without annual testing. However, the DCVA will be considered a residential dual check and must be replaced according to the residential dual check valve replacement schedule.
All other Low Hazard connections will be protected with an approved double check valve assembly (DCVA).
All High Hazard connections will be protected by an air gap or an approved reduced pressure principle backflow preventer (RP).
Backflow Device Monitoring and Enforcement
Residential dual check valves are installed and tracked by LCWSC. The installation / inspection date of the most recently installed device is maintained by the billing system for each low hazard residential connection. Each device will be replaced when the associated meter (brass) is replaced. The LCWSC currently replaces meters approximately every 15 years. Refer to the latest meter replacement policy for specific dates.
Double Check Valve Assemblies and Reduced Pressure Backflow Preventers must be installed and maintained by the customer. Each must be tested upon installation and annually thereafter. Test Results for backflow devices on new water service accounts must be received by the LCWSC within fifteen (15) days of the new meter installation date or the meter will be locked. Replacement of an existing backflow device requires a new test result to be submitted to LCWSC within fifteen (15) days of the replacement installation.
The LCWSC maintains a database of all testable devices and the five most recent test results. The LCWSC notifies each customer with a testable device sixty (60) days prior to their testing deadline. The LCWSC will mail a certified letter of Non-Compliance notifying the customer(s) who does not meet the deadline. Non-compliant customers are given an added fifteen (15) days from the letter receipt to contact LCWSC backflow admin, have their device tested and acceptable test results returned to LCWSC. If the customer does not contact us or if acceptable test results are not submitted within these fifteen (15) days, the LCWSC will schedule a certified tester of our choosing to perform the required testing and one of our Distribution operators to witness. The LCWSC will include the associated non-compliant backflow fee on the customer’s next bill. This fee will include administration costs, on-site LCWSC operator hours, third-party fee to test device(s) and any repair parts. If the customer does not pay the fees in full the LCWSC will then lock the meter.
LCWSC will perform random inspections on ten percent (10%) of the testable devices within our system each year.
Customers with double check valve assemblies or reduced pressure principal backflow preventers will be charged a testable device fee to recover the cost of administration and enforcement, including random inspections. The testable device fee will be charged per the most recent revision of the LCWSC Rates and Fees.
The SCDES maintains a current listing of certified backflow testers that you can view by clicking here.