To try and help answer some questions about the Customer Service Inspections (CSI) letters that were recently sent out to some customers by Caney Creek MUD, before continuous water service is established for a new construction, Texas law requires an inspection of the private water-distribution system, to help ensure that the water is safe to drink. This type of “customer service inspection” is required in Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Subsection 290.46(j)
The purpose of a customer service inspection is to identify the presence of potential sources of contamination or illegal lead plumbing materials.
Customer Service Inspections MUST occur in the following situations:
- When there is new construction.
- When there is plumbing work that requires a permit and involves a major modification (i.e., a material improvement, correction, or addition) to the private water distribution system. The “private water system” refers to the facilities on the owner’s side of the meter.
- When certain household modifications are being made that do not require a permit but that nevertheless require a customer service inspection. Examples of these kinds of modifications include the remodeling or expansion of plumbing or water-using devices.
- When the District believes that a cross-connection or other potential contamination hazard exists. In such a case, the District must provide written justification to the customer for requiring an inspection by specifically identifying the threat that is believed to exist.
Under Texas law-30 TAC 290.46(j)-a customer service inspection is required for each connection before continuous water service can be provided.
Inspectors certify there are no cross-connections, which are actual or potential connections between a potable and non-potable water supply, and no lead in the pipes and solder. Here are examples of cross-connections:
- Direct or indirect connections (example private well)
- Connections that allow water that is used for condensing, cooling, or industrial processes to flow back to the public water system. In this context, an “industrial process” is defined as any used other than domestic consumption.
- Potential contaminations hazards:
Lawn Irrigation
Swimming Pools
Water Supplied to Docks or Piers
Here are two examples of prohibited lead plumbing materials:
- For plumbing that was installed on or after July 1st, 1988, and prior to January 4th, 2014, pipe or pipe fitting that contains more than 8.0% lead.
- For plumbing that was installed on or after January 14th, 2014, pipes or pipe fittings that contain more than 0.25% lead or solders and flux that contain more than 0.2% lead.
Customers service inspections may be performed only by the following licensed professionals:
- Plumbing inspectors and water supply protection specialists licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)
- Customer service inspectors licensed by the TCEQ.
The District has options for providing customer service inspections:
- Provide licensed employees to perform the inspections.
- Or advise the customer to hire independent, qualified licensed contractors of their choice to perform the inspections.
A “cross connection” is the point at which a contaminated substance comes in contact with the drinking water system. In checking for such cross-connections, the customer service inspector will also have determined if there is a need for a “backflow prevention assembly.”
The term “backflow” refers to any unwanted flow of used or non-potable water or substance from a domestic, industrial, or institutional piping system into the water distribution system. One of the ways to prevent backflow from occurring at the point of a cross-connection is to install a backflow prevention assembly.
State approved plumbing codes, as well as most local plumbing ordinances require “pressure vacuum breakers” on exterior faucets of new dwellings. These devices are required for existing dwellings.
However, if a cross-connection is found at an existing dwelling, an “air-gap separation” or a backflow prevention device, such as a pressure vacuum breaker, is required. The type of device will be determined by the degree of hazard posed by the cross-connection.
Any questions about CSI’s can be made by contacting us at the office 979-245-0245, or by email at caneycreekmud@yahoo.com. Customers may also find information on CSI’s on the TCEQ website at www.tceq.texas.gov.
Paige Austin-Barrera
Office Manager