Water Department

A cross connection occurs whenever there is an actual or potential physical connection between the public drinking water system and any possible source of contamination. Sources of contamination can include both high hazard materials, which can cause illness or death, and low or non-hazardous materials which are mainly just a nuisance and can cause the water to look, taste or smell unpleasant. Although the high hazards are the primary concern in a cross connection control program, our public water system strives to provide both safe and high quality water to our customers. Whenever there is a loss of pressure in the public water supply, these cross connections can allow unsafe substances to enter the public water supply.

Cross connections can be caused by both permanent and temporary “piping”. An example of a cross connection being permanently piped in is the drain on a water softener. Many times these discharge lines are connected directly to the sewer line without any type of protection. Hot tub, whirlpool and swimming pool fill pipes are other examples of permanently piped cross connections.

1. PRIVATE WELLS AND SECONDARY WATER SOURCES
A well or secondary source of water on a property is a potential cross connection. Wells or secondary water sources are prohibited from being connected to the Lincoln Water System. A backflow preventer on the public water supply is always required when secondary sources of water are present on a customer’s property.

2. LAWN IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
Underground irrigation systems are a direct cross connection, and the public water supply must be protected with a suitable backflow device. These devices are normally located on the side or back of your home similar to the one pictured. Surface water can be siphoned back into your plumbing system through an automated lawn irrigation system unless a proper backflow device is attached. If the system uses a pump or has fertilizer or chemical injection, additional backflow protection and backflow testing is required.

3. SWIMMING POOLS OR HOT TUBS
Pools and hot tubs that are permanently connected to the home plumbing system are direct cross connections and must be protected with a suitable backflow device. An unprotected cross connection could draw pool water and chemicals back into your household plumbing system and public water supply. When filling a pool or hot tub with a hose, never submerge the end as this is another cross connection. Always leave an air gap when filling pools, tubs, sinks or containers.

4. PHOTO, CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, VETERINARIAN OR OTHER LAB FACILITIES
Home use of photographic chemicals, process chemicals, biological laboratory supplies, veterinarian supplies or other laboratory chemicals can cause contamination due to an unprotected cross connection. A suitable backflow device is necessary to protect the home plumbing system and public water supply.

5. BOILER SYSTEMS FOR HEATING
These systems are not common but do exist in some homes. Normally these systems are in larger homes. Water is used to replenish the boiler which also may have chemicals. This cross connection must be protected with a suitable backflow device to prevent contamination of the home plumbing system and public water supply.

6. HOME MEDICAL, DENTAL OR DIALYSIS EQUIPMENT
Similar to equipment found in medical offices, these devices are sometimes used in the home. When connected to the water supply, these cross connections must be protected with a suitable backflow device to prevent contamination of the home plumbing system and public water supply.

7. OTHER POTENTIAL CROSS CONNECTIONS
A garden hose submerged in a sink or connected to a container containing chemicals or fertilizer is a serious cross connection. A sudden drop in water pressure from a water main break or from water being used to fight a fire can siphon water back into your home plumbing system or the public water supply. A vacuum breaker is a simple inexpensive device that can be installed on the faucet or hose to prevent contamination. Vacuum breakers are provided on outside faucets on homes built since 1992. Most bathtubs and sinks have an air gap. This space between the highest water level in the fixture and the outlet of the water is the best form of backflow protection. Never leave the end of a hose submerged in a tub, pool or container. Residential fire protection systems, in-home water treatment systems, car washes, solar heating and decorative ponds and soaking tubs are other possible cross connections.

• Application for Plumbers License (download PDF)

CHAPTER 112: PLUMBERS

Section
112.01 License required
112.02 Bond required
112.03 License application
112.04 Registration of firm
112.05 Expiration and renewal of registrations
112.06 Unlawful to transfer certificate
112.07 Exemptions

112.99 Penalty

§ 112.01 LICENSE REQUIRED.
Pursuant to the statutes of the State of Nebraska, including Neb. RS 18-1917, no person shall engage in or work at the business of master plumber or journeyman plumber in the city until licensed as a master plumber or journeyman plumber. Application for licensing shall be made in writing to the City Clerk- Treasurer, showing the name and residence of the applicant, the business location of the applicant and other information as the Clerk-Treasurer may require. Before laying out and installing electrical wiring, apparatus and equipment for major electrical home equipment on the load side of the main service, an electrical installer’s license (or higher) must also be obtained from the State Electrical Board and the inspection requirements met pursuant to § 113.02 of this code of ordinances.
(1998 Code, § 10-301)

§ 112.02 BOND REQUIRED.
Pursuant to the statutes of the State of Nebraska, including Neb. RS 17-121, 17-123 and 17-145, each plumber shall be required to provide the city with a personal surety bond in an amount as set by City Council resolution signed by one or more sufficient sureties, or a bond in that amount from an approved corporate surety, conditioned that the licensee shall indemnify and hold harmless the city from all accidents, damage, liability, claims, judgments, costs or expense caused by any negligence arising from a failure to adequately protect plumbing work, by unfinished, unskilled or inadequate work, or arising out of furnishing defective material; and that the licensee shall adhere to the rules, regulations and requirements of the city. All bonds tendered by the applicant for a license shall be approved as to form and substance by the City Attorney before being signed by the Mayor.
(1998 Code, § 10-302)

§ 112.03 LICENSE APPLICATION.
(A) In accordance with the statutes of the State of Nebraska, including Neb. RS 17-145, application for a license and examination of a master plumber shall be made in writing at the office of the City Clerk-Treasurer on forms furnished which shall show the name and residence of the applicant, the business location of the applicant and any other information as may be required by the Clerk-Treasurer. The applicant shall pay an examination fee in an amount set by City Council resolution which shall be non-refundable in the event that the applicant is denied the license.
(B) A master plumber’s license shall not be issued unless the applicant shall have first successfully passed an examination, paid an initial license fee as set by City Council resolution, and has posted the bond required. The applicant shall satisfy the Sewer Commissioner by a written examination that the applicant possesses the qualifications and fitness to install plumbing, and if the Commissioner is satisfied that the applicant possesses the necessary qualifications, the Commissioner shall recommend the issuance of a license to the Mayor and Council. The license shall thereafter be renewed annually upon payment of a license fee in an amount set by City Council resolution and the continuance of the required bond.
(C) A license may be issued to a journeyman plumber upon application made in writing by the master plumber under whose supervision the journeyman plumber will be working, at the office of the City Clerk-Treasurer on forms furnished by the City Clerk-Treasurer which shall show the name and residence of the journeyman plumber, and the name and address of the master plumber under whose supervision the journeyman plumber will be working. A license shall be issued upon payment of an annual fee as set by City Council resolution, and the license shall be reissued each year so long as the applicant remains under the direct supervision of the master plumber named in the application.
(1998 Code, § 10-303)

§ 112.04 REGISTRATION OF FIRM.
Any firm may be registered hereunder as a master plumber in the name of the firm, provided that the firm shall have a master plumber who is duly registered as provided in this chapter and who is a bona fide officer of the firm or an employee who is regularly employed by the firm and is actually engaged in the planning, superintending and practical installation of plumbing and drainage. The master plumber shall be in actual charge of and responsible for the installation, removal or repair of any plumbing or drainage work done by the firm.
(1998 Code, § 10-304)

§ 112.05 EXPIRATION AND RENEWAL OF REGISTRATIONS.
All registrations shall expire on April 30 of each year and shall not be assignable. Certificates of registration may be renewed at expiration upon the recommendation of the Sewer Commissioner, without an examination, upon payment of the required registration fee.
(1998 Code, § 10-305)

§ 112.06 UNLAWFUL TO TRANSFER CERTIFICATE.
No registered plumber shall allow another person to use his or her name, directly or indirectly, to obtain a permit for the installation of any work; and if any registered plumber violates this provision, the Mayor and Council shall forthwith revoke the certificate of registration issued to that registered plumber, and the registered plumber may be prosecuted under the penalty section of this chapter.
(1998 Code, § 10-306) Penalty, see § 112.99

§ 112.07 EXEMPTIONS.
The provisions of this chapter relating to plumbers shall not apply to any public utility company serving the city and its inhabitants under a franchise agreement with the city, nor to its agents and employees, and shall not be construed as a limitation or restriction upon any franchises heretofore granted by the city.
(1998 Code, § 10-307)

§ 112.99 PENALTY.
(A) In accordance with the statutes of the State of Nebraska, including Neb. RS 17-505, any person who shall violate or refuse to comply with the enforcement of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not more than $500 for any one offense, recoverable with costs.
(B) A new violation shall be deemed to have been committed every 24 hours of failure to comply.
(1998 Code, § 10-1001) (Ord. 724, passed 1-25-2000; Ord. 950, passed 6-22-2010)