(1) To obtain approval of a voluntary cross-connection control program, an owner or operator of a public water supply system shall file an application with the department.

(2) The application must be accompanied by a copy of the local ordinances or plan of operations that describes the methods for implementing the cross-connection control program. The local ordinances or plan of operations must include the following:

(a) a statement defining the responsibilities of the public water supplier and the responsibilities of the consumer regarding implementation of the program;

(b) a requirement for a survey to be conducted by the owner or operator of a public water supply system for the purpose of identifying locations where cross-connections are likely to occur and evaluating the degree of hazard at each location;

(c) a requirement to eliminate cross-connections and hazards in compliance with ARM 17.38.305 on a priority basis beginning with those identified as having the highest degree of hazard.   A health hazard must be assigned a higher degree of risk than all water contamination hazards;

(d) a description of the procedures and criteria that the public water supplier must or will use to evaluate the degree of hazard represented by a cross-connection.   The procedures and criteria must, at a minimum, be consistent with the procedures and criteria specified in the "Manual of Cross-Connection Control", incorporated by reference in ARM 17.38.302;

(e) the method for identifying the appropriate backflow prevention assembly or device for a specific degree of hazard.   The methodology must be in accordance with the "Manual of Cross-Connection Control" incorporated by reference in ARM 17.38.302;

(f) a requirement for the installation of backflow prevention assemblies or devices where cross-connections identified in the survey cannot be practically eliminated;

(g) a provision for maintaining permanent records of the locations and types of backflow prevention assemblies or devices installed in the public water supply system and a provision requiring records regarding the inspection and testing of these backflow prevention assemblies or devices; and

(h) a written procedure that will be used to inspect and test a backflow prevention assembly or device.   The procedures must provide that a certified backflow prevention assembly tester, as defined in this subchapter, will be used to conduct the inspection and testing.