A newsletter dedicated to Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention www.abpa-sa.org

January Vol. 22 Issue 1

A TRAJIC ACCIDENT HAS HAPPENED There may be some of you who have not yet received the word about the serious accident that our beloved Bruce Rathburn had during the Thanksgiving weekend. He was assembling a new deer blind in South Texas and was off the ground about 16 feet when one of the metal frame struts split and caused him to fall all the way back to earth, crushing his L1 vertebrae. Fortunately, his boys were with him and they were able to phone home and turn the heavy duty decision making over to their Mom to get emergency medical help to pick him up and transport him to the hospital in Corpus Christi where they operated on his back. Bruce was finally released to the rehab center in San Antonio where he spent several weeks learning how to deal with the pain and how to start the painful journey to learn to walk again. Fortunately, Bruce had done his due diligence at work in developing his department into a well oiled machine with Charlie Trowbridge able to handle the inside day to day problems and Freddie, supporting the field side of things, able to handle the outside problems. I am sure that Lori Chavers, being the secretarial ace that she is, will keep both of them out of trouble until Bruce is able to return to work.

COMMENTARY

“Testing Requirements on Lawn Sprinkler Systems” The following pertains to the testing and maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies installed on lawn sprinkler systems and the results of not testing these assemblies.

Lawn Sprinkler Systems are considered high hazard cross connections by all national plumbing codes, the American Water Works Association (AWWA), American Society of Sanitary Engineering, University of Southern California’s Foundation of Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research and the American Backflow Prevention Association.

The Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has lawn sprinkler systems classified as low hazard cross connections. This goes way back to the early ‘70’s when AWWA had lawn sprinkler systems listed in their Cross Connection Control Manual as a low hazard and the allowance of a low hazard double check valve assembly on these systems. When TCEQ was mandated by EPA to develop a mechanism to control lead solder and unprotected cross connections in the early ‘90’s, TCEQ adopted AWWA’s listing of internal cross connections and the recommended backflow protection at that time. AWWA’s Cross Connection Control Manual has since been updated and lawn sprinkler systems are now classified as high hazards, as they should be. TCEQ testing regulations apply to what they have classified as high hazard cross connections only.

I was one of those, as many of you are, that mistakenly had lawn sprinkler systems classified as a low hazard for years, due to not understanding the system and how it operates.

We discovered approximately 15 years ago that lawn sprinkler system control valves only with stand .5 psi back-pressure. What does this mean? When the water pressure is lost – the water within the lawn sprinkler system is being drained back into the potable water supply. Tests have been conducted on submerged heads where fecal and chemical contamination has been detected as a head closes.

In today’s world of water conservation measures, we are seeing all types of auxiliary water sources being developed for irrigation purposes, e.g., recycle water, reclaimed water, condensate water, cisterns, wells, ponds, grey water, etc., etc. The TCEQ, as of last year, is now allowing an inter-connection from the potable water system to all internal, on-site water sources (except recycle water – considered black water) through the installation of appropriate mechanical backflow protection. It is absolutely necessary that these backflow preventers be tested and maintained!

Lawn Sprinkler Systems these days also have available fertilizer/chemical injection units, which can be purchased by any homeowner and added to their system. No backflow protection!

A recent topic of discussion at the TCEQ Cross Connection Control Work Group’s bi-monthly meeting was drip irrigation. There is drip irrigation piping being sold that has root killer imbedded into the piping. Additionally, there is also a wafer that can be purchased which will disperse the root killer as water flows through the device. We are being told this is very toxic.

If these backflow prevention assemblies are not tested and maintained, they will fail and there will be a contamination event to the public water supply! Water Flows From a Higher Pressure to a Lower Pressure. The pressure does not even have to be lost to create a siphoning affect. A lawn sprinkler system tapped off a line having a high demand, can go to a negative pressure and aspirate the water within the lawn sprinkler system into the potable water system.

The average private citizen does not understand the concept of backflow prevention until provided details and at that point they demand all backflow protection be monitored and tested as established in codes. Listed below are just a few contamination events involving unprotected cross connections that have been documented over the years in San Antonio. As these events were documented by SAWS, they were submitted for publication to the University of Southern California’s Foundation of Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research (USC FCCCHR) and the American Water Works Association. These published events, along with many others, can be seen in the latest edition of the USC FCCHR Manual of Cross-Connection Control – 10th Edition. Some involve illnesses and across the nation deaths have occurred. The TCEQ currently requires all contamination events involving unprotected cross connections and backflow situations to be reported to the State.

A Few Examples of Cross Connection Contamination Related Events in San Antonio: USAA - Close to a million gallons of contaminated water pumped into SAWS Water Distribution

System – Irrigation Interconnection with another water source. Illnesses reported on the site. Lanier H.S. – Chromates pumped into schools potable water system from heat exchanger – BFPA at

meter prevented water main contamination. Schools water supply turned off for 3-Days – Chemically treated water from steam boiler back-pressured into SAWS distribution system –

discovered through melted water meter NEISD – Acid pumped into maintenance facilities potable water supply – Acid splashed on

employees face at drinking fountain Brackenridge Golf Course – Recycle water contamination event – contaminated entire subdivision –

No BFPA installed on the irrigation system.

Each one of these backflow related, cross connection contamination events detected was due to not testing and maintaining backflow prevention assemblies as detailed in Plumbing Codes. It has been estimated on a national level, for every event documented, approx. 20,000 – 30,000 occur and go undetected due to dilution. Most documented events are detected through water quality complaints, which points out the necessity for those handling water quality complaints to speak backflow!

The only way to ensure assemblies are tested is to notify the facility every year and monitor the backflow protection; otherwise the BFPA will not be tested! Many believe this could almost be deemed negligent and borderline criminal not to test and maintain these health and safety valves. There are numerous backflow preventers having toxic chemicals, additional water sources, etc., back-pressured against them, as previously discussed.

Controlling Testing Fees: There are sub-divisions that let out bulk backflow preventer testing contracts and receiving very low testing costs. This is one option that could be promoted, plus shopping around for the most reasonable testing fee. Maybe, instead of eliminating the annual test requirements as a few cities are doing, let’s develop an education process for those having lawn irrigation systems and the associated hazards. Why couldn’t this be undertaken on a national level? We in Texas aren’t the only ones having to deal with this political nightmare!

We continually advise those enforcing backflow prevention programs not to place containment, testable backflow prevention requirements on what would be considered a no hazard type facility.

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Additionally, we advise against placing internal, testable backflow prevention assembly requirements on what is considered low/no hazard type cross connections. Lawn Sprinkler Systems are not one of these low/no hazard type cross connections.

Education is a key factor with regard to backflow protection and irrigation systems!!!

Fred Baird Bac-Flo® Unlimited, Inc.

Blind Note: The EPA threatened to withhold Federal Funding out of Texas in the late ‘80’s due to unsanitary plumbing conditions along the Border and mandated TCEQ establish provisions to address the issues of “Lead Solder Sampling and Cross Connection Control”. A CBS 60-Minute segment initiated this.

About Bac-Flo® Unlimited, Inc. – “If It’s Backflow Related We Do It”! Conduct Cross Connection Surveys, Test Assemblies, Assist Cities with their Backflow Prevention Program, Separation Assurance, Shut-down/Dye Testing, Train those Associated with the Water Industry on Backflow Prevention Measures, Testing and Trouble-shooting Backflow Prevention Assemblies, Responding to Contamination Events – Backflow Related, Third Party Surveys, etc., etc. – ABPA Nationally Certified Proctors. Editor’s Note: Bac-Flo® Unlimited, Inc. also donates each year, an 8 hour hands-on class for all of the ABPA-SA members who have the required 16 hours of CEUs.

IF YOU MISSED THE NOVEMBER MEETING, YOU MISSED A GOOD TIME

Twenty-two members won a large assortment of prizes from the $2 raffle tickets that were purchased throughout the year. A number of members won multiple prizes each. The “No missed meetings” contest was won by Kenneth Wallace, who received $200 cash and the “One missed meeting” was won by Richard Villanueva, who received $100 cash. Are you going to attend the meetings and participate in the contest this year to earn cash and knowledge?

The next Hands-On training will be October 10, 2012 Each member is responsible for themselves – Know where you stand

FAQ ABOUT THE OCTOBER 10th TRAINING SESSION

Who needs to attend: If your BPAT license expires before October 1, 2013, you need to attend the October 10th Training Session if you need your 8 hours of hands-on training. How do I know if I need the hands-on training: Go to Search Individual Licensing Information and look at your license information to see if you need the 8 hours hands-on training. Who is eligible to attend: Only ABPA-SA members in good standing and will have 16 CE hours may attend. What does it cost: Fred and Troy Baird of Bac-Flo® Unlimited donate their time and talent each year to the members of the San Antonio Chapter of ABPA to provide FREE training. How long is the class: The class is 8 hours from 8:00am to 5:00pm with an hour for lunch. Where do I get lunch: Bac-Flo Unlimited provides Bar-B-Q lunch with all the trimmings for all attendees. How do I qualify to attend: You must have 16 hours of CE (continuing ed) hours by the day of the training in order to attend. How do I get CE hours: Attending the ABPA-SA monthly meetings generally earns you two CE hours per meeting. Occasionally a meeting may not qualify for hours or may only qualify for one hour. How do I register for the Hands-On Training: Put your name on the Training Registration Form at one of the ABPA-SA monthly meetings or call Bac-Flo Unlimited 210-698-0411 3

January Meeting Details Meetings of the San Antonio Chapter ABPA are usually held the second Thursday of every month except December. Dinner and refreshments are served at 6:00 p.m. sharp with the meeting starting at 6:30. The next meeting is: Date: Thursday, January 12, 2012 Time: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Location: 6425 Evers Rd. (Leon Valley Community Center) Program: Confined space awareness David McLellan with SAWS Meal: WWIP

No alcoholic beverages allowed by

Leon Valley Next Meeting: February 9, 2012

Director’s Meeting January Agenda 5:00 p.m. General discussion and quorum

confirmation 5:15 p.m. Call Meeting to order. 5:16 p.m. Secretary’s Report. Read and approve the

minutes of the previous meeting. 5:20 p.m. Treasurer’s Report. Discussion and

approval of the treasurer’s report. 5:25 p.m. Supply Officer’s Report 5:30 p.m. Vice President’s, Directors, and any other

reports for the good of the chapter. Comments, new business, any discussion.

5:40 p.m. Training Report. Training & Meal Sponsors 5:45 p.m. Webmaster Report 5:50 p.m. President’s Report. New & old business 6:00 p.m. Meal is served. 6:30 p.m. General Membership Meeting

1. Gauges to be tested. Bill Hamrick-Carl Michaud 2. Irrigator’s Report. Ron Renouf 3. Anything from the Directors Meeting. Dan

Fernandez 4. City, regional and national reports. Bruce

Rathburn and any City personnel present 5. First time attendees or visitors (get w/Troy for

member-ship) 6. Supply Officer Report. Troy Baird 7. Raffle prize announcement. 8. Training program for the evening.

Ongoing Goals of ABPA-SA Chapter

1. Educational Outreach with public by presenting at PHCC meetings, engineering firms, schools, and neighborhood associations. Continuing goal.

2. Greater use of TCEQ website. Tracking of

CEUs, Services available. Personal education.

3. Increase member awareness of importance of chapter meetings. Increase attendance and public awareness.

4. Increase website resource information. More

detailed links to more information like TCEQ, COSA, and any place that would be helpful to our members

Big Thanks to

Pat Ahearn with Wilkins and Manny Hernandez with CMR for sponsoringthe meal, presenting the training program and providing the $50 raffleprize. The new Wilkins 375 manufactured with 304 stainless steel was one of the highlights of the presentation.

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ABPA-SA Board of Directors

Executive Officers

2011 - 2012

1) President –Daniel Fernandez

2) 1st Vice President – David Smith

3) 2nd Vice President – Mike Aldrup

4) Treasurer – Troy Baird

5) Secretary – Greg Shean

Special Officers to the Association

6) SGT-AT-ARMS – Hector Flores and Jeff Meeks

7) Supply Officer – Troy Baird

8) Gauge Testing and Certification – Bill Hamrick, Special Officer to Gauge Testing and Certification: Carl Michaud.

9) Public Relations/ Speakers/ Program Topics – Manny Hernandez

10) Webmaster – Matthew Wilgen

Directors at Large

Two year term

1) Fred Baird 2) James Franco 3) Johnnie Ivy, Jr. 4) Robert Stricker 5) Jeff Hoffman 6) Frank Snyder 7) Brad Harrell

One year term remaining 8) Fallon Foster 9) Jim Holt 10) Ron Renouf 11) David Trousdale 12) Scott Okland 13) Mark Ochoa 14) Peter Gastol

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A LOOK AT THE 2012 TRAINING PROGRAMS

David McLellan from SAWS will provide a program on Confined Space Awareness at the January meeting. Manny and I are trying to “THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX” to expand the ABPA-SA Chapter’s CE (Continuing Education) Training program.

Next month we will have Hal Hass from Hugh Cunningham return to present his program on “Thermal Expansion”. At March’s meeting, the always interesting, David Trousdale will be covering “Troubleshooting Backflow Assemblies”. In April BAVCO will conduct the training. Troy Baird will discuss “Backflow Assembly Repair” at the May meeting .

In June, Doug Meeks from Dig Tess will return with his program on “Call Before You Dig”. July is “SMART IRRIGATION MONTH” and Don Weiss will be here to talk about backflow in irrigation. Frank Snyder will present the August program on “Reclaimed, re-use, and recycled water”.

In September we should have an interesting presentation from Bill Hamrick on the “Operation, Calibration, and Care of test gauges”. To give Bill all the time he needs, if your test gauge is due in September, try to come early and have it tested before the meeting. October 7th-13th is “Fire Prevention Week” and Pat Ahern from Wilkins will be talking about “Backflow prevention assemblies on fire lines” at our October Meeting.

And finally in November, Bruce Rathburn, Fred Baird and hopefully Joel Klumpp from TCEQ will be here to discuss “Water system response to Cross Connection Emergency Incidents”.

Remember this is YOUR backflow association. If you have a topic for the 2013 schedule please let Manny or me know. If you would like to present a program, let us know and we will help you put together a program that you could also take back to your company for discussion.

Mike Aldrup 2nd Vice President

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CHAPTER CHATTER

By Greg Shean, Secretary

The title is subject to change. Articles will be about what is happening in the chapter. This will include subjects discussed at the Directors’ Meeting that are not discussed at the General Meeting to save time from details that are not of general interest. The training and your time are valuable. You will find out what is going on. You can be very proud of your very active chapter as one of the best in the nation.

We spent $756.59 on the November meeting raffle items at Academy. All previous yearly bought raffle tickets are in play so the more tickets you buy throughout the year, the better your chances are of winning some of the great prizes.

Don’t forget the attendance prize drawing for the “$200 cash, Didn’t miss any meetings” and the “$100 cash, Only missed one meeting”. Kenneth Wallace won the $200 and Richard Villanueva won the $100 at the November 2011 meeting.

The chapter bought the air based gauge tester for $1,295. The regular price is $1,695.00. Bill Hamrick will provide warranty maintenance for as long as he is a chapter member. This enables all gauge testing to be done in the dry and warm indoors instead of outdoors in the elements. The air gauge tester will also test the Non Potable gauges, which the water column tester would not.

The chapter will be adopting a resolution that all chapter positions to any Enforcement or other organization be written and presented to the Executive Board and Directors for review and approval, and be signed and sent under the President’s signature. This is necessary to insure a coordinated position/response so as to not embarrass the chapter and create problems at any of the enforcement agencies or other organizations. The resolution will be incorporated into the chapter’s by-laws.

Don’t like the direction of your trade is taking? Robert Stricker said that master plumbers must get involved in current legislation or face the consequences of having to live with the results. He described a few issues.

Please don’t forget to sign the Sign-In sheets, whether you need CEUs or not. Attendance is an important Presidential Award for Chapter Excellence (PACE) award criteria so help us keep track of accurate attendance. This also applies to increasing chapter membership, so please bring others. The chapter is reviewing the PACE award submission criteria for what else the chapter can do to enhance their submission. We have done well in the past, but do not want to be caught napping and embarrassed by not receiving future PACE awards.

Our sponsors – they are so important. They pay for the meal and provide the training for the CEUs. The chapter does not have the resources to pay for and provide all of the monthly meals and training that are the main reasons why you attend. We want to continue to acknowledge those sponsors and to give you some encouragement to continue to attend our meetings and to bring others. In October, Tommy Toon (Apollo Backflow area rep) and Sean Perry (Headquartered in NC) reviewed the Apollo detector assembly and the reduced pressure assemblies from ¾” to 4”including the parameters, installation requirement, parts, and how to disassemble and repair the assemblies. Two different assemblies were taken apart and explained. They are always interested in your field level feedback to improve their product. Apollo Backflow sponsored the country fried steak meal and raffle ($50 Best Buy gift certificate).

In November, Pat Ahern from Wilkins in Monroe, North Carolina, reviewed the reasons for the design changes to their ¾’ thru 2” new epoxy bodied backflows and their new 2 ½” thru 6” stainless steel body backflows. He took apart a sample of each, reviewed repair procedures, and reassembly procedures. There were many questions from the members. Wilkins sponsored the Thanksgiving style dinner and raffle ($50 gift certificate).

That’s it. Please let me know if you have any comments. Your feedback is much appreciated. gregshean@clear.net

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STOLEN: (2) Mid-West 845-5 SN 09051437 and SN 08112401 Contact: Kevin Carter (210) 559-3472

“The Direct Connection” is published monthly and may be obtained from the website. Due to theexpenses associated with printing a mailing, future editions will be available only on the website, www.abpa-sa.org. 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 contributors or advertisers mayor may not represent an official policy. Published by the ABPA-SA Chapter Editor: Bill Hamrick Assistant Editor: Bruce Rathburn Additional Editors: The entire Membership For further information about ABPA, contact: Bruce Rathburn 2800 US Hwy 281 North San Antonio, TX 78212

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POST OFFICE BOX 3051 . BRYAN, TX 77805-3051 . 979-846-7606 . 979-846-7607 FAX www.abpa.org

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 $60.00. 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 our website at abpa.org or call the National Office at 979.846.7606. Membership in the Association constitutes paying National dues.

Name:_________________________________________________________________________________ Employer:______________________________________________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________________________________________________ City:_______________________________________State:_____________________Zip:_______________ Work phone:(____)____________________________Fax:(_____)_________________________________ E-mail address:__________________________________________________________________________ Local Chapter (if joining one) :__________________________________ Local Dues:_______________ Total Amount Paid:______________________ New Member Renewal Please make checks payable to: ABPA, PO Box 3051, Bryan, TX 77805-3051. If paying by credit card include the following:

Credit Card No.:______________________________________________ Expiration Date:_____________

Name as it appears on the card:_______________________________________________

ABPA Federal ID # 74-2395100 LOCAL CHAPTER DUES LISTED BY REGION:

REGION 1 Maine New England Western New York Rhode Island REGION 2 Delaware Penn State REGION 3 Carolinas Florida Suncoast Georgia Gold Coast Peach State “1788” Tennessee REGION 4 Arkansas Corpus Christi Gulf Coast Lower Rio Grande Valley

$18.00

8.00 13.00 18.00

$ 5.00 10.00

$10.00

12.00 31.00 10.00 30.00 20.00

$10.00

23.00 23.00 25.00

North Texas San Antonio

REGION 5 Colorado Southeastern Colorado Utah

REGION 6 Arizona Central Coast Central Valley California Hawaii Silver State Southern Arizona Southern California REGION 7 Idaho Oregon Spokane

$23.00 20.00

$15.00

15.00 12.00

$20.00

10.00 10.00 23.00 23.00 23.00 15.00

$10.00

20.00 20.00

REGION 8 No Local REGION 9 (USD) New Brunswick Ontario REGION 10 Wisconsin REGION 11 Central Illinois Indiana Michigan Northern Illinois Ohio Southern Illinois REGION 12 Central Missouri Eastern Nebraska Heart of America Panhandle Western Nebraska

$50.00 50.00

$10.00

$25.00

5.00 37.00 23.00 10.00 23.00

$20.00

10.00 12.00 5.00 8.00

ABPA-S.A. Chapter P.O. Box 1113 Boerne, TX 78006