NEWWA Rules Governing Cross-Connection Control Certification
APPROVED: FEBRUARY 23, 1984
REVISED: JULY 25, 1990
REVISED: DECEMBER 17, 1992
REVISED: AUGUST 5, 1997
REVISED: FEBRUARY 16, 2001
REVISED: JUNE 7, 2002
Revised: JANUARY 1, 2010
REVISED: JULY 27, 2012
REVISED: NOVEMBER 15, 2012
REVISED: MAY 27, 2015
1. GENERAL
The purpose of these rules is to provide for the certification of individuals who conduct cross-connection control surveys and inspect/test backflow prevention devices.
2. DEFINITIONS
2.1 “Approved Backflow Prevention Device” means a device that has been accepted by the authority having jurisdiction as meeting an applicable standard , specification, requirement, or as suitable for the proposed use.
2.2 “Approved Course of Instruction” means:
(a) Backflow Prevention Device Inspection/Testing: means a course of instruction covering the theory of cross connections and backflow prevention, applicable regulations and laws, and design, testing and maintenance of backflow prevention devices.
(b) Cross Connection Control Survey: means a course of instruction covering the theory of cross connections and backflow prevention, applicable regulations and laws, cross connection control philosophy and the application of backflow prevention devices.
2.3 “Board of Certification for Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection Control” (hereafter referred to as the Board) as used in theses rules, refers to the group of persons designated by the Board of Directors of NEWWA to administer the Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection Control Certification Programs of the New England Water Works Association (NEWWA). The Board will consist of the following persons:
(a) The Executive Director of NEWWA or designee.
(b) The Chief of the Region I EPA Water Supply Section or designee
(c) The drinking water administrator from each of the six New England States’ public drinking water program regulatory agencies, or designees.
(d) Three NEWWA At Large members who are also members of NEWWA and confirmed by the Board of Directors.
(e) One NEWWA at large member who is also a member of a national backflow prevention organization such as the American Backflow Prevention Association and who is also a member of NEWWA and confirmed by the Board of Directors
(f) A representative from a public water system who is also a member of NEWWA and confirmed by the Board of Directors
(g) A representative from the plumbing industry who is also a member of NEWWA and confirmed by the Board of Directors.
2.4 Any action which changes the policy or normal procedures of the Board must be approved by a majority vote of Board members present at a Board meeting, of which all Board members have been properly notified. A minimum of six Board members must be present for such voting to take place. The Chair may accept members as present via phone attendance or any other electronic media. The Board may designate individuals to carry out its work such as instructors, examiners, secretaries, etc.
2.5 “Certified Backflow Prevention Device Inspector/Tester” means a person holding a valid certificate form the Board.
2.6 “Inspection” shall mean the physical examination and testing of a backflow prevention device .
2.7 “Certified Cross Connection Control Surveyor” means a person certificate by the Board to conduct as a cross connection control survey..
2.8 “Survey” shall mean a complete physical examination of plumbing and piping systems to identify cross connections .
3. REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION
To hold a NEWWA certification an individual shall:
(a) Successfully pass the required examinations and meet other requirements as specified in the document; or,
(b) Presenting evidence, acceptable to the Board, of a certificate or license issued by an organization having equivalent standards as determined by the Board.
4. EXAMINATION
4.1 To be Certified as a Backflow Prevention Device Inspector/Tester the applicant must pass a Board approved written and performance examination.
4.2 To be a certified Cross Connection Control Surveyor the applicant shall complete an approved course of instruction as stated at 2.2 (b) and pass a Board approved examination.
4.3 The Board may, at its discretion, require an oral examination in addition to the required examinations.
4.4 In the event an applicant fails to appear for a scheduled examination, without prior notification and Board approval, a new application and filing fee will be required.
4.5 An examination may be repeated as frequently as desired, but each examination will require the submission of a new application and filing fee.
5. CERTIFICATES AND RENEWALS
5.1 Upon satisfactory fulfillment of the requirements provided herein, the Board will issue an appropriate certificate on behalf of NEWWA.
5.2 Each certificate shall indicate that the holder is certified in the appropriate classification.
5.3 Certificates must be renewed every three (3) years to remain valid. Renewal will require submitting a renewal application and renewal fee, the amount of which will be determined by the Board and must be submitted within six months of the current certification expiration date.
5.4 If a Backflow Prevention Device Inspector/Tester or Cross Connection Control Surveyor does not renew his or her certificate by the expiration date, the certificate expires.
5.5 An individual may renew an expired certificate for up to six months after the expiration date by meeting the renewal requirements stated at 5.7.
5.6 To renew an expired certification after the six months grace period, an individual shall meet the renewal requirements stated at 5.8
5.7 The renewal requirements for certification are as follows:
(a) Backflow Prevention Device Inspector /Tester
1. Obtain .6 CEUs in the areas of backflow prevention device testing or cross-connection control as approved by the Board and pass a performance recertification examination; or,
2. Demonstrate competency to the board’s satisfaction in the proper inspection/testing techniques of backflow prevention devices.
(b) Cross Connection Control Surveyor:
1. Perform ten discrete facility surveys, acceptable to the Board, ; or,
2. Pass a Board approved written recertification examination; or,
3. Demonstrate competency to the Board’s satisfaction in the proper survey techniques of cross connection control.
5.8 The requirements for renewing an expired certification after the six months grace period are as follows:
Backflow Prevention Device Inspector/Tester:
1. Attend a NEWWA recertification Inspector/Tester training course and pass the performance examination: or
2. Present evidence acceptable to the Board, of a certificate or license issued by an organization having equivalent standards as determined by the Board and pass the Board approved performance examination.
(a) Cross-Connection Control Surveyor:
1. Attend a NEWWA recertification Cross-connection Surveyor training course and pass the recertification examination; or
2. Present evidence acceptable to the Board, of a certificate or license issued by an organization having equivalent standards as determined by the Board and pass a Board approved written certification examination.
5.9 The Board may revoke the applicable certificate of any person who, after a hearing by the Board shall be found to have obtained or renewed a certificate by fraud or deceit, or displays negligence, incompetency, misconduct or violates any laws, regulations or codes related to the specific certified discipline in the performance of their duties.
5.10 For the reinstatement of certificates revoked by the Board, reapplication and re-examination will be required after a one year waiting period.
5.11 The Chair shall appoint a three member disciplinary review committee from the members of the Board, which will decide on the revocation and reinstatement of certification.
5.12 The Board shall hear and decide any and all appeals associated with these rules
6. APPOINTMENT OF BOARD
The Board shall be appointed by the Board of Directors of NEWWA and shall serve for a period of three years unless reappointed. The Chair of the Board shall be designated by the Board of Directors of NEWWA. The Chair shall appoint a Vice Chair and Secretary, both of whom shall be approved by the Certification Board.
7. FEE FOR CERTIFICATION
7.1 The application fee for a certification examination shall be set by the Board.
7.2 The application fee shall accompany the completed application form. The fee shall not be returned to the applicant because of failure to take the examination or failure to pass the examination.
7.3 The fee for the renewal of a valid certificate shall be set by the Board.
7.4 The fee shall accompany an application for certification or renewal and should be in the form of a check or money order made payable to NEWWA.