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55 Facts, Figures and Follies of Water Conservation
Water conservation is something we all should practice.
Except for the air we breathe, water is the single most important element in our lives. It’s too precious to waste. Here are some useful facts and simple suggestions that will help you understand more about water. They’ll help you save hundreds, even thousands, of gallons per month without any great inconvenience.
There’s as much water in the world today as there was thousands of years ago. Actually, it’s the same water. The water from your faucet could contain molecules that dinosaurs drank. Perhaps Columbus sailed across it.
Nearly 97% of the world’s water is salty or otherwise undrinkable. Another 2% is locked in ice caps and glaciers. That leaves just 1% for all of humanity’s needs-all its agricultural, manufacturing, community, and personal household needs.
The United States uses some 450 billion gallons of water every day. Only about 6% of that-27 billion gallons-is taken by public water supply systems. The U.S. daily average of water pumped by those systems is 185 gallons per person.
We drink very little of our drinking water. Generally speaking, less than 1% of the treated water produced by water utilities is actually consumed. The rest goes on lawns, in washing machines, and down toilets and drains.
For the price of a single 12-ounce can of soda-about 50 cents-many communities deliver up to 1,000 gallons of fresh, clean drinking water to homes 24 hours a day. If drinking water and soda pop were equally costly, your water bill would skyrocket more than 10,000%.
If everyone in the United states flushed the toilet just one less time per day, we could save a lakeful of water about a mile long, a mile wide, and four feet deep every day.
Every glass of water brought to your table in a restaurant requires another two glasses of water to wash and rinse the glass. Since nearly 70 million meals are served each day in U.S. restaurants, we would save more than 26 million gallons of water if only one person in four declined the complimentary glassful.
If you have a lawn, chances are it’s your biggest water gobbler. Typically, at least 50% of water consumed by households is used outdoors. Inside your house, bathroom facilities claim nearly 75% of the water used.
Indoor water use statistics vary from family to family and in various parts of the country, but they average out pretty reliably. Nearly 40% gets flushed down toilets, more than 30% is used in showers and baths, the laundry and dishwashing take about 15%, leaks claim 5% or more, which leaves about 10% for everything else.
How many times a day is the toilet flushed in your house? If U.S. citizens averaged only four or five flushes per day, it would amount to more than 5 billion gallons of water down the drain. That’s enough to supply drinking water to the entire population of Chicago for more than 6 years.
Little leaks add up in a hurry. A faucet drip or invisible toilet leak that totals only two tablespoons a minute comes to 15 gallons a day. That’s 105 gallons a week and 5,460 wasted gallons of water a year.
Ultra-low-flush toilets, which may cost from under $100 to over $300, depending on the type purchased, use only about 1.5 gallons of water per flush. That could cut your family’s total indoor water use by as much as 20%.
Which uses more water, a shower or a tub bath? It all depends. A partially filled tub uses much less than a long shower, while a short shower is much more water efficient than a brimful tub. If you shower in a bathtub, check yourself by plugging the tub to see how high the water comes when you’re finished. Do you use more or less than that amount when you take a bath?
Any showerhead now manufactured in the United States is required by law to release no more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute. Super low-flow showerheads that deliver as little as 1.25 gallons per minute, cost anywhere from $5 to $75.
Is it possible your toilet has a secret leak? You can test it by putting 10 drops of food coloring in the tank. Don’t flush for 15 minutes. If the colored water shows up in the bowl, the tank is leaking.
Some people thoughtlessly flush away tissues and other bits of trash in the toilet. Using a wastebasket, instead, will save all those gallons of water that otherwise go wastefully down the drain.
If someone in your family likes to shave with water running in the basin, they probably use at least on gallon per minute, most of it wasted. A stoppered basin needs one-half gallon or so of water for adequate razor rinsing.
Have you ever heard of showering “The Navy Way”? Because fresh water is relatively scarce on ships, sailors were taught to just get wet, and then turn off the shower while soaping and scrubbing, and turn it on again briefly to rinse off. It’s a great water conservation technique.
Don’t let the water run when you brush your teeth or when washing your face. Most of it will be wasted. Just take what you need and save the rest.
If everyone in the United States could manage to use just one less gallon of water per shower every day, we could save some 85 billion gallons per year. How do you do it? By keeping the shower pressure lower or by making your showers a few seconds shorter.
Fill your dishwasher full because it will use the same amount of water for a normal cycle, whether it contains a full load of dishes or just a few items. Also, there’s really no need to fully wash dishes before loading in the dishwasher. Just scrape off food scraps and rinse.
Water heaters often are set at 140 degrees. You can save energy by turning the temperature on your water heater down to 130 degrees. Don’t go any lower because some harmful bacteria could survive.
Which is more efficient, washing in an automatic dishwasher or doing them by hand in the sink? It depends. But you can check by testing how many gallons a full sink basin holds compared with the 9.5 to 12 gallons dishwashing machines use during a regular cycle.
Instead of letting the water run in the sink when you want a cool drink, keep a jug or pitcherful cooling in the refrigerator. If you detect and dislike the taste of chlorine in your water, which is used by many communities for disinfection, an uncovered jug or pitcher will allow chlorine molecules to escape into the air, thus improving the taste.
Check every facet in the house for leaks. A single dripping faucet can waste far more water in a single day than one person needs for drinking in an entire week. Don’t wait to fix a drip. Do it now!
If you like to rinse off vegetables and fruits, stopper the sink instead of using running water. Stopper the sink when you wash dishes by hand, too; and when you’re finished, turn on the garbage disposal as you pull the plug.
Here’s a two-for-one idea if you have a fish tank in the house. When you clean the tank, use the dirty water on your houseplants. It’s rich in nitrogen and phosphorous, which gives you a nice fertilizer while you use the same water twice.
Check the water taps in your home to see of they all have aerators or spray taps. An aerator mixes air with the water, which not only cuts the flow but reduces splashing. The spray tap is similar, but also can swing from side to side like a tiny showerhead.
Select the appropriate water level for the size of your load of laundry. Most washers now offer preset water levels for small, medium, and large loads. Use full loads whenever possible.
Do you wash your car at home? Please don’t let the hose run. Instead, wet the car thoroughly, then turn off the hose while you swab the car with soapy water from a bucket. Use the hose again for a final rinse. A trigger nozzle is best because it turns off automatically.
Sweep outside with a broom, not the hose. Yes, it’s lots more fun using water, but just five minutes of hosing will waste, unnecessarily, some 25 gallons of water. Sweeping the sidewalk and driveway will get them clean enough.
What if there’s a catastrophe? What if a water pipe bursts in your home? Do you know where the master shutoff valve is located? You could experience terrible flooding and property damage, not to mention immense water waste, if you don’t locate the valve and mark it for quick identification. Be sure to show everyone in the family where it is.
When you walk on your lawn, do you leave footprints behind? That’s a sign the grass needs water. It’s too dry to spring back when you walk on it. Another sign is grass that turns a dull grey-green color. Give that off color grass a good drink.
Don’t sprinkle grass lightly, deep-soak it. Light watering can’t get water down deep in the soil. The grass develops shallower roots and is both less drought-resistant and more prone to winterkill.
If you have an automatic sprinkler system, check the heads periodically. Be sure they haven’t shifted direction to spray water on the side of the house, driveway, or sidewalk instead of the lawn.
Do your lawn sprinkling early in the morning, between 4 and 6 a.m., when water demand is low. After about 10 a.m., both heat and evaporation go up, robbing the lawn of moisture. Sprinkling at night is fine for dry climates, but in humid climates the relatively cool, moist conditions can create an ideal environment for lawn diseases to develop.
Don’t water your lawn too much. An automatic system can be preset, but a sprinkler on the end of a hose needs your personal attention. Buy timer attachments that hook on between the faucet and hose, or set a kitchen timer to ring in 15 or 20 minutes to remind you to move the sprinkler to a new area.
Not all soil is the same. If your grass grows on mostly clay soil, between ¼ and ½ inch of water per hour can be absorbed before it starts running off wastefully. If you have sandy soil, you’ll need to water more often and for shorter periods of time.
Grassy areas on sunny southern sides of buildings or on slopes and areas near sidewalks and driveways need to be watered more often. Shady areas and northern exposures need water less frequently.
Lawn and garden areas near sidewalks, driveways, and patios tend to dry out faster than the rest of the yard. To water more effectively, push a root feeder or water aerator into the soil about a foot from the concrete. Push it in about six inches. When the grass raises up like a bubble, pull out the probe and repeat the operation a foot or so farther along the grass edge.
Use root feeder or water-aerator probes around trees and bushes. Even for the biggest trees, you need go no deeper than 18 inches, while 8 to 12 inches is plenty deep for smaller trees and shrubs. The probes get water precisely where it’s needed and simultaneously create lots of little holes that provide aeration benefits.
Delay regular lawn watering during the first cool weeks of spring. This encourages deeper rooting and makes your lawn healthier for the rest of the summer. It also delays the first time you have to mow the grass.
How to apply water to your lawn can be just as important as the amount of water you use. If your lawn thrives on 45 minutes of water every two or three days, it will not remain as healthy if you water 15 or 20 minutes every day.
Adjust lawn watering to the weather. Following a heavy rain, for instance, skip your regular watering day until the grass needs it again. Teach the family how to turn off an automatic sprinkler system in case a storm comes up during the sprinkler cycle.
More water is dispensed faster with a larger diameter hose. Sprinklers that throw large drops in a flat pattern are much more effective than those with fine, high sprays, which can be blown about and evaporate quickly.
For any small area of grass, water by hand to avoid waste. On steep slopes, try a soaker hose to help prevent wasteful runoff.
Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. The grass blades grow longer and shade one another, as well as the ground, helping to fight off heat and hold moisture longer.
Mow the lawn often, at least once a week. Try to cut no more than one third of the grass blade, removing about one half to three quarters of an inch at a time. If you mow the grass shorter than this, excessive shock occurs that causes grass to turn yellow despite your best sprinkling efforts.
Minimize grass areas in your yard, because less grass means less water demand. Survey the lawn and consider whether it might make sense to remove grass from areas that aren’t used much. Replace it with low-water use landscaping.
Try the concept of Xeriscape (pronounced zer-i-scape), which means “landscaping for water conservation.” The idea is to use plants that require less water. You also can decorate creatively with interesting objects that need no water at all, such as rocks, bricks, benches, gravel, and deck areas.
Mulch planting areas. Mulch covers open areas with tasteful good looks, helps keep the ground from overheating, holds moisture that otherwise would evaporate, and discourages weeds.
Unless you’re lucky enough to have super soil, be sure to add compost, well-aged manure, or other organic material when preparing the ground for a new lawn. Add at least three cubic yards per 1,000 square feet and till to a depth of six inches.
Consider installing drip irrigation for individual bushes, trees, flowers and garden areas. Drip systems are designed to get water slowly and directly to the roots of plants where they need it most. They deliver water in terms of quarts or gallons per hour instead of per minute.
If you have a swimming pool, get a cover for it. Evaporation can make hundreds, even thousands, of gallons of water disappear. An average-size pool with average sun and wind exposure loses approximately 1,000 gallons of water per month, enough to keep a family of four in drinking water for nearly over a year and a half. A pool cover cuts the loss by 90%.
Water is a precious commodity and there is a limited supply in most communities. Remember to use only the amount you actually need. Encourage your family to keep looking for new ways to conserve water in and around your home.
LP Gas piping and repairs, natural gas piping and repairs, appliance repairs, boilers, water heaters, tankless water heaters, pool heaters, pool pumps, gas generators, medical gas piping, nitrogen gas piping, oxygen gas piping, med gas piping, manometer test, annual gas testing and inspections, splash guards, plumbing, free estimates, licensed and insured.
New construction, alterations, repairs, commercial, industrial, residential, medical, and hospitals…..all work is very welcome and appreciated.
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How do I know if I have a broken water line or slab leak?
Leaks are often indicated by high water bills or a faint hissing sound. A professional plumber should tend
to leaks immediately as damage can occur rapidly.
How do I know if my toilet is leaking?
If you suspect the toilet is leaking, put a drop of food color in the tank. If you see the color in the bowl,
there is a leak. Toilets consume more than 40% of total water usage when working properly – so it is
important (and cost saving) to ensure they are not wasting water.
There is a whistling sound coming from my toilet? What could it be?
Mostly likely, the flapper and fill valve need to be replaced.
My toilet keeps running and the water won’t shut off. What do I do?
This typically indicates a bad fill valve that needs to be replaced.
What causes low water pressure?
A leak or old galvanized piping can cause low water pressure. It might be time to repipe your house.
I only briefly have hot water. Do I need a new hot water heater?
Not necessarily. There are two heating elements in a heater, most likely one is burned out and will need
replacing.
I have scalding hot water. What do I do?
Scalding hot water can be an indication that the hot water heater thermostat has gone bad. This problem
will continue until the thermostat is replaced.
I have a strange odor in my home, what could it be?
It could be sewer gas. First, run water in any sinks that have not been run lately. If the water in the “U”
part of the pipe (p-trap) dries up, air will come in from the sewer creating a foul smell. Sewer gas can
escape through an unsealed toilet if the wax seal has broken. In this case, the toilet would need to be
pulled and reset. You may also try cleaning your garbage disposer by running anti-bacterial soap, ice
cubes, or lemon peels in it.
My Garbage disposer has stopped, what can I do?
There is usually a small red button on the side of the unit underneath the sink. Try pressing the button
for 2-5 seconds, then release. Run water and try to turn on the unit again as that may reset it.
How can I remove mineral deposits from by shower head and faucets?
Northeast Florida has a great deal of lime in the water. This will calcify on metal fixtures. Mix equal parts
vinegar and water in a baggie and use a rubber band to affix the baggie to the fixture. Let sit until the
calcification has loosened.
Is a drippy faucet worth fixing?
Drippy faucets can waste up to 150 gallons of water per month.
We service the following areas of northeast Florida: Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fernandina, Amelia Island, Callahan, Yulee, Hillard, Macclenny, St George, St Marys, Kingsland, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Penny Farms, St Augustine, Hastings, Palatka, Keystone Heights, Starke, Lake City, Waldo, Baldwin, St Augustine Beach, Crescent Beach, Palm Coast, Daytona, Holly Hill, Titusville, Daytona Shores, Ormond Beach, Bunnell, Deland, Orange City, Port Orange, Orlando, New Smyrna Beach, Sanford, Palm Valley, Fruitcove, Mandarin, Lawtey, St. Augustine Beach, Switzerland, Vilano Beach, Marineland, Flagler Beach, Beverly Beach, Sanderson, and Glen St. Mary.
STATE CERTIFIED CONTRACTOR LICENSE NUMBER CFCO56659
As the largest city in land area in the contiguous United States, Jacksonville is divided both formally and informally into a few large sections. Though most residents divide the city into Northside, Southside, Westside, and—increasingly over the past decade, Arlington—Jacksonville’s official website divides the city into six major sections:[1]
Sections of Jacksonville
Greater Arlington, more commonly known to Jacksonville citizens simply as Arlington, is situated east and south of the St. Johns River and north of Beach Blvd.
North Jacksonville is officially designated by the city website as everything north of the St. Johns & Trout Rivers and east of US 1. Much of this area is known by Jacksonville residents as the Northside, though much of what is called “Northside” does not fall within these boundaries, and much of what falls within these boundaries has not been traditionally known as “Northside”.
Northwest Jacksonville is located north of Interstate 10, south of the Trout River and surrounds the downtown section. The parts of this area between US Highway 1 and the Trout and St. John’s River is usually considered part of either the “Northside” or, alternately, Downtown. Much of this section is actually rural land, not easily classified as part of any section.
Southeast Jacksonville, almost universally known as Southside, refers to everything east of the St. Johns River and south of Beach Blvd.
Southwest Jacksonville makes up most of what is known in Jacksonville as the Westside, though parts of Northwest Jacksonville also are considered part of the “Westside”. It consists of everything west of the St. Johns River and south of Interstate 10.
The Urban Core, most of which is commonly known as Downtown, includes the south & north banks of the narrowest part of the St. Johns River east from the Fuller Warren Bridge and extending roughly 4 miles (6.4 km) north and east.
With the rapid growth in the eastern part of Duval County, the Intracoastal/Beaches/Ponte Vedra area is viewed by many as a major section as well, but is not generally included in a Jacksonville list since they lie outside of the Jacksonville city limits. There is also a distinct part of the city known as “Eastside” which those unfamiliar with Jacksonville’s overall geography sometimes mistakenly regard as one of the major divisions of town, rather than the localized neighborhood which it is.
Today, what distinguishes a “section” of Jacksonville from a “neighborhood” is primarily a matter of size and divisibility. However, definitions are imprecise, and sometimes not universally agreed upon.[2]
Each of these sections not only encompasses a large area, but also, each is divided into many neighborhoods. Each of these neighborhoods, in turn, has its own identity.
Each of these sections is divided into many neighborhoods. Some of these neighborhoods, such as Mandarin and LaVilla, had existed previously as independent towns or villages, prior to consolidation, and have their own histories.
The Sandalwood neighborhood began developing in the spring of 1960, midway between downtown Jacksonville and the beaches, or about 6 miles (9.7 km) from each, was advertised in 1960-61 as “On the Southside – halfway between business and pleasure!” The builder-developer, Pearce-Uible, was located at 3850 Beach Blvd.
The original neighborhood was bordered by the then two-lane Atlantic Boulevard on the north, a mile of palmetto and scrub on the south before reaching Beachwood neighborhood and Beach Boulevard, the western part of the neighborhood was bordered by the less than two-lane dirt road named St. John’s Bluff, and the eastern border of the neighborhood was defined by a storm drainage ditch called the Sandalwood Canal. The original streets are named after mostly South Pacific islands and most of the streets are, from north to south, in alphabetical order. The original street names are Aloha Drive; Batavia Drive; Caledonia Drive; Delago Drive; Eniwetok Drive; Fiji Court; Hawaii Drive East; Hawaii Drive South; Indies Drive North; Indies Drive East; Indies Drive South; Java Drive; Kuralei Drive; Mindanao Drive (The main drag); Sandalwood Boulevard (Original main entrance road); Bahia Drive; Dulawan Drive; and Kusaie Drive.
The were eight original home styles named as follows: Aloha; Bahama; Bikini; Caledonia; Del ray; Java; Polynesian; and Waikiki. Free airplane rides over Sandalwood were offered during the grand opening. The entrance and sales office located on Sandalwood Boulevard boasted a winding, palm lined street, and adjacent play area for the children. Homes were priced from $11,400 to $16,000, with monthly payments as low as $67. The original Sandalwood consisted of approximately 500 homes. The first families purchased homes in May and June 1960. Many of the first families were U.S. Navy families who were stationed at the Mayport base and others were employed by CSX railroad.
In the late 1970s, additional construction began at the southern border by the Sofranko Homes company, nearly doubling the size of the neighborhood. Most of the original early 1960s families have moved away over the years, but a handful of the original families are still left from the early 1960s.
Southeast Jacksonville
Neighborhoods include Arrowhead, Avenues, Bayard, Baymeadows, Baymeadows Center, Beach Haven, Beauclerc, Bowden, Brackridge, Brierwood, Craven, Deercreek, Deerwood, Deerwood Center, Del Rio, Englewood, Goodbys Creek, Greenfield Manor, Greenland, Isle of Palms, Julington Creek, Kilarney Shores, Lakewood, Loretto, Mandarin, Mandarin Station, Miramar, Montclair, Pickwick Park, Pine Forrest, Royal Lakes, San Jose, San Jose Forrest, San Marco, Sans Pareil, Sans Souci, Secret Cove, South Riverside, Southpoint, Southwood, Spring Park, Sunbeam, Tiger Hole and Windy Hill.
Bayard
Bayard has a rich history that antedates its inclusion in the municipality of Jacksonville. For more information, see Bayard.
Baymeadows
Baymeadows is a relatively affluent neighborhood centered around Baymeadows Road. It is situated south of Arlington (specifically, south of J. Turner Butler Boulevard) and east of Mandarin. A center for white-collar employment, it is home to many corporate office parks, upscale apartment complexes and residential developments, two private golf courses, several shopping centers and a large shopping mall. Deerwood and Hampton Glen and East Hampton and Reedy Branch Deercreek
Lakewood
Lakewood, which lies in the area where San Jose Blvd. and University Blvd intersect, is a residential area with houses built in the 1950s. It has several churches, two shopping centers, and a plethora of streets named after major private colleges, such as Clemson, Cornell, Fordham, and Emory.
Loretto
Loretto is a distinct part of the greater Mandarin area, and sits between San Jose Boulevard to the west and Philips Highway to the east. It is bordered to the north by Interstate 295 and to the south by the county line. Loretto was formed by the Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine. In the days of Reconstruction, Loretto sprouted up next to the nuns’ convent, dormitory and school. It is on what became Old St. Augustine Road, the highway between Jacksonville and St. Augustine. According to Wayne Wood’s Jacksonville’s Architectural Heritage, the nuns were sent there to educate both the residents and newly freed slaves. The Catholic Church still owns the property on all four corners of the intersection of St. Augustine Road and Loretto/Greenland Roads. The Loretto area public schools always have been highly regarded; on the FCAT, they’re all rated A, B or C. The average price for homes that become available in Loretto is just under $200K. Many homes are built on some of the largest new construction lots in the area and there are a lot of dead-end streets and cul-de-sacs. Over the length of San Jose Boulevard, residents can find just about every merchant, service or restaurant available in the city. Loretto has a solid, hometown feel, with established neighborhoods, parks and nature areas nearby, making it the proverbial middle America.
Mandarin
Mandarin has a rich history that antedates its inclusion in the municipality of Jacksonville. For more information, see Mandarin.
Once called “a tropical paradise” by author Harriett Beecher Stowe, the quaint area of Mandarin is marked by its history, ancient oak trees draped with Spanish moss, beautiful parks, marinas and more water views than any other area in Jacksonville. In the 1800s, Mandarin was a small farming village that shipped oranges, grapefruit, lemons and other fruits and vegetables to Jacksonville and points north on the steamships that traveled the St. Johns River. In 1864, the Union steamship, the Maple Leaf, hit a Confederate mine and sank just off Mandarin Point.
While Mandarin now is just a small section of the City of Jacksonville, its natural beauty, parks and historic buildings draw visitors from around the world. Just a short drive south of Jacksonville’s city center, the community is bordered by Beauclerc to the north, Julington Creek to the south and St. John’s River to the west.
Remove thatch from turf – a thick thatch layer restricts water movement into the soil.
Increase mowing height of lawns – This increased height allows the plant to develop a deeper root system.
Control all weeds – Weeds exhaust water which may be needed to keep plants alive.
Reduce fertilizer applications – Fertilizer promotes growth and will increase the need for water.
Prune. If water supply is so limited that literal survival of plants is in question, appreciable pruning can be done at the peak of the water shortage.
Soil improvement – The addition of organic matter (peat, compost, well-rotted manure, bark, etc.) to sandy soil will increase its water retention and therefore reduce the frequency of watering.
Mulch – Use 2 inches of mulch on annual bed areas and around trees and shrubs.
STRETCH the number of days or weeks between watering to the longest suitable interval.
Soak deeply.
Cull out poor woody plants – Don’t waste water caring for marginal or undesirable plants.
Use waste water free of harmful compounds (Borax, trisodium phosphate, etc.)
Adjust sprinklers to avoid waste to sidewalks, streets, and gutters.
Keep sprinkler heads clean to assure even distribution of water.
In 1867 the famous author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe bought a cottage here. For the next seventeen winters, she welcomed tourists debarking from the steamers making their way down the St. Johns River and charged them 75 cents each to meet her and admire her surroundings.
Stowe, although best known for her novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin about the cruelty of slavery, also wrote about Florida.
She had promised her Boston publisher another novel, but was so taken with northeast Florida that she produced instead a series of sketches of the land and the people which she submitted in 1872 under the title Palmetto Leaves. Her second book did not outsell her first novel, but did have the effect of drawing rich and fashionable tourists to visit her.
In Palmetto Leaves Stowe describes life in Florida in the latter half of the 19th century; “a tumble-down, wild, panicky kind of life—this general happy-go-luckiness which Florida inculcates.” Her idyllic sketches of picnicking, sailing, and river touring expeditions and simple stories of events and people in this tropical “winter summer” land became the first unsolicited promotional writing to interest northern tourists in Florida.[1]
A small chapel is dedicated to Harriet Beecher Stowe in Mandarin.
Famous Residents
The late Allen Collins from the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd resided some of his last years in Mandarin before he passed. Mandarin was also the location where Allen was involved in a car accident during 1986 that left him paralyzed from the waist down and his girlfriend dead.
20th Century
In 1968, the city of Jacksonville and most of Duval County formed a consolidated municipal unit. As part of this process, Mandarin ceased to exist as a political entity, and became part of the City of Jacksonville.
In 1990, with the rapid growth of Mandarin, a new public high school was opened in the area. Several prominent citizens in Jacksonville urged that the new school be named Harriet Beecher Stowe High School, but the proposal did not receive widespread acceptance, and instead the school was simply named, Mandarin High School.
San Marco is a relatively small and generally upscale neighborhood located south of Downtown and north of Mandarin. Due to large differences in property value, income distribution, and reported crime statistics in a relatively small area, San Marco is diverse. In one block, residences range from low cost, multi-family dwellings to sprawling riverside mansions. It is an area of historical and cultural significance in Jacksonville, and its inhabitants and proprietors identify strongly with their community.
Known as a trendy area, the most identifying feature of San Marco is “the Square,” an artsy shopping, dining, and entertainment district; its galleries, restaurants, and boutiques are overwhelmingly independently owned, operated, and supported which lends to its vogue. Visitors of the Square are likely to see polite intermingling between young professionals, landed gentry, “scenesters,” and “starving artists.”
Common landmarks are its large statue of three lions and the Art Deco styled San Marco Theater.
Sunbeam
Sunbeam is a relatively new neighborhood centered around Sunbeam Road which runs east/west between Philips Highway and San Jose Boulevard. It is situated south of Baymeadows Road, east of Mandarin and north of the Avenues Mall. The area includes the site of the former Sunbeam Sanitary Landfill which opened in 1972. The dump emitted objectionable odors, which discouraged development nearby. The landfill permit expired in 1986, and the facility stopped accepting garbage. After being covered with a 3-foot (0.91 m) deep cap, which prevents the elements from coming in and waste from coming out, the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (FDER) certified it closed on October 21, 1992. [3] With the odor problem resolved, development resumed in the middle 1990’s including subdivisions, apartment complexes, commercial buildings and the Community Hospice of Northeast Florida center. A golf course on and around the original landfill was planned and delayed for several years but construction finally began in late 2007 and projected to open in Fall, 2008. However, the financial meltdown delayed opening. At the end of 2009, the course was substantially complete but work on a clubhouse had not commenced.
Southwest Jacksonville
.[4]..[5]. Neighborhoods include Argyle, Avondale, Cedar Hills, Cedar Hills Estates, Chimney Lakes, Confederate Point, Duclay, Duclay Forest, Fairfax, Herlong, Hillcrest, Hyde Park, Jax Farms, Jacksonville Heights, Lakeshore, Maxville, McGirts Creek, Murray Hill, Normandy Manor, Normandy Village, Oak Hill, Ortega, Ortega Farms, Ortega Forest, Ortega Hills, Otis, Riverside, Rolling Hills, Settlers Landing, Sweetwater, Venetia, Wesconnett, Whitehouse, Yukon and West Jacksonville.
The Westside is home to Paxon School for Advanced Studies, which happens to be one of the top schools in the nation by academics since 2003. The Westside is also home to some of the most culturally diverse schools in Duval County to date.
Argyle
One of the newest and largest neighborhoods on Jacksonville’s Westside, and occupying a large area of former ranchland, Argyle has grown rapidly from its beginnings in the mid-1980s. Straddling the Duval/Clay county line, Argyle was originally accessible only from Blanding Boulevard in Orange Park. However, as it has expanded westward, Argyle is now connected to Jacksonville’s far-Westside by a number of roads, including the Brannan Field-Chaffee Road corridor that links I-10 directly with Middleburg. Argyle remains a popular choice for middle-class families that are recently settling in Jacksonville.
Avondale
Historic Avondale lies along the St. John’s River southwest of the Riverside area, some three to four miles (6 km) upriver from downtown Jacksonville. Avondale is known for its quiet, tree-lined residential streets and hundreds of quaint homes, most dating from the early 1920s during the Great Florida Land Boom. A few Avondale homes pre-date 1900. Most homes in the neighborhood reflect the middle to upper income taste in residential architecture of the 1920s, including numerous Prairie School, Art Deco, Craftsman Style, Classical Revival, and Mediterranean Revival styles. Avondale is characterized by numerous bungalows and spacious, graceful homes. Unlike some other neighborhoods, Avondale never experienced a period of decline during the latter 20th Century, and retains much of its original gentility.
Two-lane St. John’s Avenue is the key traffic artery through Avondale, and is the location of the Avondale Shops, a small but vibrant collection of specialty shops, clothing stores, cafes, and upscale restaurants, most of which are located in original 1920s structures.
Cedar Hills lies along the Cedar River (called Cedar Creek by the locals), on the opposite shore from Lake Shore, and stretches from Blanding Boulevard on the east to Lane Avenue to the west. Built in the 1940s, Cedar Hills consists of some 3,000 single-family brick or concrete block homes in seven different residential neighborhoods that are anchored by the Cedar Hills Shopping Center business district. Most of the homes are modest, although many of the homes along the shore of the Cedar River have been greatly expanded, or replaced with much larger homes.
Confederate Point
Built in the 1960s on reclaimed lowlands, technically a small island surrounded by a moat, with one small bridge as access. Confederate Point lies along the Cedar River (called Cedar Creek by the locals), on the opposite shore from Lake Shore. Confederate Point stretches from the Ortega River to the east, to Blanding Boulevard on the West, and is bordered by the Cedar River to the North, and Timaquana Boulevard to the South. The area consists of approximately 300 large, single family homes, and approximately 700 condos and apartments that line the south bank of the Cedar River. All of the single family homes are inland, with the apartments and condos lining the shore of the Cedar River. The area is popular given that it is close to water, and Downtown, yet also exclusive in that there is only one road in or out.
Lake Shore
Built during the time of the first World War, Lake Shore lies on the curving north bank of the Cedar River (called Cedar Creek by the locals), and stretches from Roosevelt Boulevard on the east, to the Cedar River to the West, and is bordered by the Cedar River to the South, and Park Street to the North, and is bisected by Cassat Avenue. Lake Shore consists of approximately 1,000 modest, wood-frame, concrete block or brick homes, with the exception of approximately 80 quite large estates that line the shore of the Cedar River. The neighborhood is anchored by the Roosevelt Plaza on Roosevelt Boulevard, and the Lake Shore business district of stores up and down Cassat Avenue. Lake Shore is centrally located on the Westside, with quick access to Downtown Jacksonville via Roosevelt Boulevard. Given the small size of the existing homes, the current trend is for first time home buyers to renovate and retrofit these well built homes to fit today’s needs. This is a very well maintained pocket of 1940s and 1950s homes. There is a definite trend to renovate and revitalize this quiet, comfortable neighborhood.
Marietta
Marietta is one of the small farming communities that was absorbed during the 1968 consolidation of Jacksonville with Duval County. Though technically a part of the city proper today, much of Marietta still retains its small-town, and even rural “feel”, with some old-style farms and ranches, and most homes occupying lots of 10 acres (40,000 m2) or more, on which they keep horses and cattle, or raise grain and maintain orchards. Marietta is popular with old Southern families, and new families who moved to Jacksonville from mid-western agricultural states. Companies looking for more space have also found Marietta. The area west of Marietta and east of Whitehouse along Beaver Street is now home to the Publix warehouse, Michael’s warehouse and the Winn-Dixie distribution center.
Normandy
Outside of what would eventually become Jacksonville, and originally called “Hogan Settlement”, The Normandy area was settled by Jacksonville’s “Founding Family”, the “Hogan’s” who were the first white settlers in Duval County. The Normandy area is a large swath of forested high-ground that straddles both sides of Normandy Boulevard, and stretches from Cassat Avenue on the East, out to Herlong Airfield on the West, and is bordered by I-10 to the North, and Wilson Road to the South. Though originally populated by the large ranches of many of Duval County’s founding families such as the Hogans, Lindseys, Fourakers, and the Herlongs, the area is now a bedroom community, containing over a dozen large residential neighborhoods such as Normandy, Normandy Village, Rolling Hills, Country Creek, Crystal Springs, Hyde Grove, Hyde Park, etc, with very few apartment complexes or condo developments. These neighborhoods have their own sewer and water plants, and unlike most wood-constructed homes in Jacksonville’s newer neighborhoods, most homes in the Normandy area are constructed of brick, or concrete block. The area is home to some of the city’s best schools, and parks. Unlike other sections of the city, where people tend to move from home to home every 2 or 3 years; homes in the Normandy area are routinely transferred from generation to generation, and it is not unusual for great-grandchildren to live in homes originally built by their great-grandparents.[6].
Ortega
Historic Ortega lies on the St Johns River just south of the historic Riverside area. Ortega is bordered by the St. Johns River on the East, the Cedar River on the North, and the Ortega river on the West, practically making it an “inland island.” The history of the area includes a number of interesting characters: botanist William Bartram; highwayman and cattle rustler Daniel McGirtt; and Don Juan McQueen, who attempted to establish a plantation on his 1791 Ortega land grant, but was forced to leave due to attacks of Georgians and the French. Gangster George “Machine Gun” Kelly and his wife were rumored to be the mysterious couple who abruptly left their rented Grand Avenue home hours before a midnight police raid in 1933. Ortega is home to hundreds of mid-size to large, turn-of-the-century homes and Southern Style mansions. Many of these homes are situated directly on the river, and the nature of the “island” allows ease of access to the waterways for all residents. Along with Avondale and Riverside, Ortega is home to some of the wealthiest of Jacksonville families. It is marked by a distinctly traditional Southern culture complete with one of the South’s most exclusive debutante coiteries. The island is almost exclusively residential, the only exception being a small square in the section known as “Old Ortega” on the northern end where a small collection of restaurants, boutiques, and a pharmacy are found. Ortega, with its giant oaks, waterfront mansions, and series of parks is widely considered one of the most beautiful residential areas of Northeast Florida.
Paxon
Platted in the 1920s and 30’s, the Paxon area is one of the oldest, pre-platted neighborhoods in Jacksonville. Built due to the redistribution of housing after the Great Fire, the Paxon area replaced the many thousands of homes that were destroyed in the Great Fire with thousands of modest, wood-framed homes. The Paxon area was extensively well-planned with its own schools (originally known as Paxon Sr. High School and Paxon Jr. High School, along with a half-dozen small elementary schools). The area straddles Edgewood Avenue South, and stretches from Mcduff Avenue to the East, and I-295 to the West, and is bordered by I-10 to the South, and I-295 to the North. The area originally contained over 40,000 single family homes in over 15 different residential neighborhoods, all anchored by the Edgewood Avenue, and Beaver Street business districts. However, over time, the area declined due to the small average size of the homes, and many of those homes were destroyed, and replaced with warehouses and mixed industry. Despite the new industrialization of the area overall, there are still many thousands of occupied homes in the Paxon area. Paxon Senior High School has been converted into a magnet school—it is now known as Paxon School for Advanced Studies—which has been listed by Forbes Magazine as one of the top three high schools in the United States for the last four years.[citation needed]
Riverside
Whitehouse
The community of Whitehouse was originally founded due to its close proximity to NAS Cecil Field, with most residents being active Navy personnel or civilian employees at the facility. When the federal government closed Cecil Field in 1999, the leaving military workers were replaced by civilian workers at the Cecil Commerce Center. The area east of Whitehouse along Beaver Street is now home to the Publix warehouse, Michael’s warehouse and the Winn-Dixie distribution center, which provide additional employment nearby.
Northwest Jacksonville
A less developed section of Jacksonville, it is primarily commercial/industrial around Interstate 295 and rural residential in most areas. Neighborhoods include: Allendale, Biltmore, Bulls Bay, Carver Manor, Cisco Gardens, College Gardens, Commonwealth, Edgewood, Edgewood Manor, Grand Park, Harborview, Lackawanna, Lake Forrest, Lake Forrest Hills, Lincoln Hills, Magnolia Gardens, Mixon Town, New Town, Osceola Forrest, Panama Park, Picketville, Ribault, Riverview, Robinsons Addition, Royal Terrace, Sherwood Forrest, Tallulah/North Shore, Woodstock, 45th & Chase.
Panama Park
Panama Park was home to two of Jacksonville’s previous mayors, and the founder’s of Duval Spirits, the late J. Baker Bryan and his brother Lon B. Bryan. Oceanway is the home of F. Andy Bryan, Grandson of the late J. Baker Bryan, his great grandson J. Baker Bryan IV, lives in the Orlando area.
North Shore
The North Jacksonville neighborhood of North Shore had Main Street as its eastern border from about 35th Street up to Trout River. Panama Park was the adjoining neighborhood to the east, Norwood to the west and Brentwood to the south. The western border was between Norwood Avenue and Pearl Street, with Elwood Avenue as the western border. North Shore from the 1930s through the 1990s was largely a lower middle income neighborhood that included churches, a school (North Shore Elementary), and some small businesses clustered near Pearl and 54th Streets and at Pearl Street and Tallalah Avenue. The churches included: North Jacksonville Baptist Church, North Shore Methodist Church, North Shore Christian Church and an Episcopal Chapel. Two parks provided playgrounds for its children, including Tallulah Park and another park at the foot of Pearl Street on Trout River. For many years, the latter offered a boat ramp and areas for outdoor cooking and Easter Egg hunts. After graduating from North Shore Elementary School, its young people went on to Kirby-Smith Junior High School (grades 8-9) and Andrew Jackson Senior High School (grades 10-12). The City of Jacksonville built Fire Station Number 15 on the corner of Pearl and 54th Streets in the late 1940s, and it was a frequent hangout for the young people who were hoping that a fire call would provide some excitement as the firemen dashed for their gear and headed out on the ancient old pumper with chain-driven wooden wheels. Boy Scout Troop 222, based at the North Shore Christian Church provided life-changing core values and produced over 50 Eagle Scouts during its many years of service to the community.
Urban core
The central section of Jacksonville has the following neighborhoods: Brentwood, Brooklyn, Downtown, East Jacksonville, Fairfield, Hogans Creek, LaVilla, Longbranch, Midtown, Mid-Westside, Moncrief, Phoenix, Springfield, Southside, Tallyrand and 29th & Chase.
LaVilla
LaVilla has a rich history that antedates its inclusion in the municipality of Jacksonville. For more information, see LaVilla.
Southside
In 1907, the town of South Jacksonville (now the Southside neighborhood) incorporated with a population of some 600. In 1913, 96 South Jacksonville voters approved the issuance of $65,000 in bonds for civic improvements, including a city hall. The building, at 1468 Hendricks Avenue, was completed in 1915 and is one of the few remaining signs that South Jacksonville existed, if only for 25 years. In 1932, the city of Jacksonville annexed the area, and it ceased to exist as a separate government entity.[7]
Springfield
Established in 1869, Springfield has a rich history that antedates its inclusion in the municipality of Jacksonville. For more information, see Springfield.
Nocatee is an approved Development of Regional Impact (DRI) under Section 380.06 of the Florida Statutes[1]. The mixed used development is situated on approximately 13,323 acres (53.92 km2), which 11,332 acres (45.86 km2) are located in northeastern St. Johns County and approximately 1,991 acres (8.06 km2) are located in southeastern Jacksonville, Florida.
Atlanta Beach, Atlantic Beach, Baldwin, Bryceville, Callahan, Cecil Field, Dinsmore, Doctors Lake, Fernandina Beach, Fl, Green Cove Springs, Hillard, Homeside Lending Inc, Jacksonvile Florid, Jacksonvile Lorida, Jacksonville Beach, Jacksonville N A S, Jacksonville Naval Air Stati, Jacksonville Naval Hospital, Jaksonville Floride, Jax, Jax Bch, Jax Naval Air, Jax Naval Hos, Lake Butler, Lawtey, Macclenny, Maxville, Mayport, Mayport Nav S, Mayport Nav Sta, Mayport Naval Housing, Mayport Naval Sta, Mayport Naval Station, Maypt Nav Hou, Middleburg, Mill Cove, Nas Jacksonvle, Nas Jax, Nassaw Fl, Or Some Other Town Near Jacksonville, Orange Park, Ponte Vedra, Ponte Verde Beach, Raiford, Sanderson, St. Augustine, St. George, St. Mary’s, Starke, Yulee, 32099, 32201, 32202, 32203, 32204, 32205, 32206, 32207, 32208, 32209, 32210, 32211, 32212, 32214, 32215, 32216, 32217, 32218, 32219, 32220, 32221, 32222, 32223, 32224, 32225, 32226, 32227, 32228, 32229, 32230, 32231, 32232, 32234, 32235, 32236, 32237, 32238, 32239, 32241, 32244, 32245, 32246, 32247, 32254, 32255, 32256, 32257, 32258, 32260, 32267, 32277, 32290
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County- Polk County- Putnam County- Putnam County- Holmes County- Volusia County- Volusia County- Pasco County- Gulf County- St. Lucie County- Charlotte County- Gadsden County- Union County- Marion County- Pinellas County- Pinellas County- Palm Beach County- Brevard County- Palm Beach County- Pinellas County- Pasco County- Seminole County- Lee County- Sarasota County- Brevard County- Broward County- Indian River County- Highlands County- Pinellas County- Martin County- Okaloosa County- Jackson County- Wakulla County- Palm Beach County- Volusia County- Miami-Dade County- Palm Beach County- Pinellas County- Broward County- Bay County- St. Johns County- St. Johns Beach- Osceola County- Pasco County- St. Lucie County- Wakulla County- Pinellas County- Pinellas County- Bradford County- Martin County- Miami-Dade County- Broward County- Miami-Dade County- Miami-Dade County- Leon County- Broward County- Hillsborough County- Pinellas County- Lake County- Hillsborough County- Palm Beach County- 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Florida City County List
Alachua Alford Altamonte Springs Altha Anna Maria Apalachicola Apopka
Arcadia
Archer
Astatula
Atlantic Beach
Atlantis
Auburndale
Aventura
Avon Park
Baldwin
Bal Harbour
Bartow
Bascom
Bay Harbor Islands
Bay Lake
Bell
Belleair
Belleair Beach
Belleiar Bluffs
Belleair Shore
Belle Glade
Belle Isle
Belleview
Beverly Beach
Biscayne Park
Blounstown
Boca Raton
Bonifay
Bonita Springs
Bowling Green
Boynton Beach
Bradenton
Bradenton Beach
Brandon
Branford
Briny Breezes
Bristol
Bronson
Brooker
Brooksville
Bunnell –
Bushnell
Callahan
Callaway
Campbellton
Cape Canaveral
Cape Coral
Carrabelle
Caryville
Casselberry
Cedar Grove
Cedar Key
Center Hill
Century
Chattahoochee
Chiefland
Chipley
Cinco Bayou
Clearwater
Clemont
Clewiston
Cloud Lake
Cocoa
Cocoa Beach
Coconut Creek
Coconut Grove
Coleman
Cooper City
Coral Gables
Coral Springs
Cottondale
Crescent City
Crestview
Cross City
Crystal River
Dade City
Dania Beach
Davenport
Davie
Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach Shores
DeBary
Deerfield Beach
DeFuniak Springs
DeLand
Delray Beach
Deltona
Destin
Dundee
Dunedin
Dunnellon
Eagle Lake
Eatonville
Ebro –
Edgewater
Edgewood
El Portal
Eustis
Everglades City
Fanning Springs
Fellenfere
Fernandina Beach
Flagler Beach
Florida City
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Meade
Fort Myers
Fort Myers Beach
Fort Pierce
Fort Walton Beach
Fort White
Freeport
Frostproof
Fruitland Park
Gainesville
Glen Ridge
Glen St. Mary
Golden Beach
Golf
Graceville
Grand Ridge
Greenacres
Green Cove Springs
Greensboro
Greenville
Greenwood
Gretna
Groveland
Gulf Breeze
Gulfport
Gulf Stream
Haines City
Hallandale Beach
Hampton
Hastings
Havana
Haverhill
Hawthorne
Hialeah
Hialeah Gardens
High Springs
Highland Beach
Highland Park
Hillcrest Heights
Hillsboro Beach
Holly Hill
Hollywood
Holmes Beach
Homestead
Horseshoe Beach
Howey-in-the-Hills
Hypoluxo
Indialantic
Indian Creek
Indian Harbour Beach
Indian River Shores
Indian Rocks Beach
Indian Shores
Inglis
Interlachen
Inverness
Islandia
Jacob City
Jacksonville
Jacksonville Beach
Jasper
Jay
Jennings
Juno Beach
Jupiter
Jupiter Inlet Colony
Jupiter Island
Kenneth City
Key Biscayne
Key Colony Beach
Key West
Keystone Heights
Kissimmee
La Crosse
Lady Lake –
Lake Alfred
Lake Buena Vista
Lake Butler
Lake City
Lake Clarke Shores
Lake Hamilton
Lake Helen
Lake Mary
Lake Park
Lake Placid
Lake Wales
Lake Worth
Lakeland
Lantana
Largo
Lauderdale Lakes
Lauderdale by the Sea
Lauderhill
Laurel Hill
Lawtey
Layton
Lazy Lake
Lee
Leesburg
Lighthouse Point
Live Oak
Longboat Key
Longwood
Lutz
Lynn Haven
Macclenny
Madeira Beach
Madison
Maitland
Malabar
Malone
Manalapan
Mangonia Park
Marathon
Marco Island
Margate
Marianna
Mary Esther
Mascotte
Mayo
McIntosh
Medley
Melbourne
Melbourne Beach
Melbourne Village
Mexico Beach
Miami
Miami Beach
Miami Lakes
Miami Shores Village
Miami Springs
Micanopy
Midway
Milton
Minneola
Miramar
Monticello
Montiverde
Moore Haven
Mount Dora
Mulberry
Naples
Neptune Beach
Newberry
New Port Richey
New Smyrna Beach
Niceville
Noma
North Bay Village
North Lauderdale
North Miami
North Miami Beach
North Palm Beach
North Port
North Redington Beach
Oak Hill
Oakland
Oakland Park
Ocala
Ocean Breeze Park
Ocean Ridge
Ocoee
Okeechobee
Oldsmar
Opa-Locka
Orange City
Orange Park
Orchid
Orlando
Ormond Beach
Otter Creek
Oviedo
Pahokee
Palatka
Palm Bay
Palm Beach
Palm Beach Gardens
Palm Beach Shores
Palm Coast
Palm Harbor –
Palm Shores
Palm Springs
Palmetto
Panama City
Panama City Beach
Parker
Parkland
Paxton
Pembroke Park
Pembroke Pines
Penney Farms
Pensacola
Perry
Pierson
Pinecrest
Pinellas Park
Plantation
Plant City
Polk City
Pomona Park
Pompano Beach
Ponce De Leon
Ponce Inlet
Port Orange
Port Richey
Port St. Joe
Port St. Lucie
Punta Gorda
Quincy
Raiford
Reddick
Redington Beach
Redington Shores
Riviera Beach
Rockledge
Royal Palm Beach
Safety Harbor
San Antonio
Sanford
Sanibel
Sarasota
Satellite Beach
Sea Ranch Lakes
Sebastian
Sebring
Seminole
Sewall’s Point
Shalimar
Sneads
Sopchoppy
South Bay
South Daytona
South Miami
South Palm Beach
South Pasadena
Southwest Ranches
Springfield
St. Augustine
St. Augustine Beach
St. Cloud
St. Leo
St. Lucie Village
St. Marks
St. Pete Beach
St. Petersburg
Starke
Stuart
Sunny Isles Beach
Sunrise
Surfside
Sweetwater
Tallahassee
Tamarac
Tampa
Tarpon Springs
Tavares
Temple Terrace
Tequesta
Titusville
Treasure Island
Trenton
Umatilla
Valparaiso
Venice
Vernon
Vero Beach
Virginia Gardens
Waldo
Wauchula
Wausau
Webster
Weeki Wachee
Welaka
Wellington
West Melbourne
West Miami
West Palm Beach
Weston
Westville
Wewahitchka
White Springs
Wildwood
Williston
Wilton Manors
Windemere
Winter Garden
Winter Haven
Winter Park
Winter Springs
Worthington Springs
Yankeetown
Zephyrhills
201.1 Scope. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this code and standard, have the meanings indicated in this chapter.
201.2 Interchangeability. Words used in the present tense include the future; words in the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural, the singular.
201.3 Terms defined in other codes. Where terms are not defined in this code and are defined in the Florida Building Code, Building, Chapter 27 of the Florida Building Code, Building, Florida Fire Prevention Code, Florida Building Code, Mechanical or Florida Building Code, Plumbing, such terms shall have meanings ascribed to them as in those codes.
201.4 Terms not defined. Where terms are not defined through the methods authorized by this section, such terms shall have the meanings as defined in Webster’sThird New International Dictionary of the English Language Unabridged.
ACCESS (TO). That which enables a device, appliance or equipment to be reached by ready access or by a means that first requires the removal or movement of a panel, door or similar obstruction (see also “Ready access”).
AIR CONDITIONER, GAS-FIRED. A gas-burning, automatically operated appliance for supplying cooled and/or dehumidified air or chilled liquid.
AIR CONDITIONING. The treatment of air so as to control simultaneously the temperature, humidity, cleanness and distribution of the air to meet the requirements of a conditioned space.
AIR, EXHAUST. Air being removed from any space or piece of equipment and conveyed directly to the atmosphere by means of openings or ducts.
AIR-HANDLING UNIT. A blower or fan used for the purpose of distributing supply air to a room, space or area.
AIR, MAKEUP. Air that is provided to replace air being exhausted.
ALTERATION. A change in a system that involves an extension, addition or change to the arrangement, type or purpose of the original installation.
ANODELESS RISER. A transition assembly in which plastic piping is installed and terminated above ground outside of a building.
APPLIANCE (EQUIPMENT). Any apparatus or equipment that utilizes gas as a fuel or raw material to produce light, heat, power, refrigeration or air conditioning.
APPLIANCE, FAN-ASSISTED COMBUSTION. An appliance equipped with an integral mechanical means to either draw or force products of combustion through the combustion chamber or heat exchanger.
APPLIANCE, AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED. Appliances equipped with an automatic burner ignition and safety shutoff device and other automatic devices which accomplish complete turn-on and shutoff of the gas to the main burner or burners, and graduate the gas supply to the burner or burners, but do not affect complete shutoff of the gas.
APPLIANCE TYPE.
Low-heat appliance (residential appliance). Any appliance in which the products of combustion at the point of entrance to the flue under normal operating conditions have a temperature of 1,000°F (538°C) or less.
Medium-heat appliance. Any appliance in which the products of combustion at the point of entrance to the flue under normal operating conditions have a temperature of more than 1,000°F (538°C), but not greater than 2,000°F (1093°C).
APPLIANCE, UNVENTED. An appliance designed or installed in such a manner that the products of combustion are not conveyed by a vent or chimney directly to the outside atmosphere.
APPLIANCE, VENTED. An appliance designed and installed in such a manner that all of the products of combustion are conveyed directly from the appliance to the outside atmosphere through an approved chimney or vent system.
APPROVED. Acceptable to the code official or other authority having jurisdiction.
APPROVED AGENCY. An established and recognized agency that is approved by the code official and regularly engaged in conducting tests or furnishing inspection services.
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE. The pressure of the weight of air and water vapor on the surface of the earth, approximately 14.7 pounds per square inch (psi) (101 kPa absolute) at sea level.
AUTOMATIC IGNITION. Ignition of gas at the burner(s) when the gas controlling device is turned on, including reignition if the flames on the burner(s) have been extinguished by means other than by the closing of the gas controlling device.
BAFFLE. An object placed in an appliance to change the direction of or retard the flow of air, air-gas mixtures or flue gases.
BAROMETRIC DRAFT REGULATOR. A balanced damper device attached to a chimney, vent connector, breeching or flue gas manifold to protect combustion equipment by controlling chimney draft. A double-acting barometric draft regulator is one whose balancing damper is free to move in either direction to protect combustion equipment from both excessive draft and backdraft.
BOILER, LOW-PRESSURE. A self-contained appliance for supplying steam or hot water.
Hot water heating boiler. A boiler in which no steam is generated, from which hot water is circulated for heating purposes and then returned to the boiler, and that operates at water pressures not exceeding 160 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) (1100 kPa gauge) and at water temperatures not exceeding 250°F (121°C) at or near the boiler outlet.
Hot water supply boiler. A boiler, completely filled with water, which furnishes hot water to be used externally to itself, and that operates at water pressures not exceeding 160 psig (1100 kPa gauge) and at water temperatures not exceeding 250°F (121°C) at or near the boiler outlet.
Steam heating boiler. A boiler in which steam is generated and that operates at a steam pressure not exceeding 15 psig (100 kPa gauge).
BRAZING. A metal-joining process wherein coalescence is produced by the use of a nonferrous filler metal having a melting point above 1,000°F (538°C), but lower than that of the base metal being joined. The filler material is distributed between the closely fitted surfaces of the joint by capillary action.
BROILER. A general term including salamanders, barbecues and other appliances cooking primarily by radiated heat, excepting toasters.
BTU. Abbreviation for British thermal unit, which is the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 pound (454 g) of water 1°F (0.56°C) (1 Btu = 1055 J).
BURNER. A device for the final conveyance of the gas, or a mixture of gas and air, to the combustion zone.
Induced-draft. A burner that depends on draft induced by a fan that is an integral part of the appliance and is located downstream from the burner.
Power. A burner in which gas, air or both are supplied at pressures exceeding, for gas, the line pressure, and for air, atmospheric pressure, with this added pressure being applied at the burner.
CHIMNEY. A primarily vertical structure containing one or more flues, for the purpose of carrying gaseous products of combustion and air from an appliance to the outside atmosphere.
Factory-built chimney. A listed and labeled chimney composed of factory-made components, assembled in the field in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and the conditions of the listing.
Masonry chimney. A field-constructed chimney composed of solid masonry units, bricks, stones or concrete.
Metal chimney. A field-constructed chimney of metal.
CLEARANCE. The minimum distance through air measured between the heat-producing surface of the mechanical appliance, device or equipment and the surface of the combustible material or assembly.
CLOTHES DRYER. An appliance used to dry wet laundry by means of heated air. Dryer classifications are as follows:
Type 1. Factory-built package, multiple production. Primarily used in family living environment. Usually the smallest unit physically and in function output.
Type 2. Factory-built package, multiple production. Used in business with direct intercourse of the function with the public. Not designed for use in individual family living environment.
CODE. These regulations, subsequent amendments thereto or any emergency rule or regulation that the administrative authority having jurisdiction has lawfully adopted.
CODE OFFICIAL. The officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this code, or a duly authorized representative.
COMBUSTION. In the context of this code, refers to the rapid oxidation of fuel accompanied by the production of heat or heat and light.
COMBUSTION AIR. Air necessary for complete combustion of a fuel, including theoretical air and excess air.
COMBUSTION CHAMBER. The portion of an appliance within which combustion occurs.
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS. Constituents resulting from the combustion of a fuel with the oxygen of the air, including inert gases, but excluding excess air.
CONCEALED LOCATION. A location that cannot be accessed without damaging permanent parts of the building structure or finish surface. Spaces above, below or behind readily removable panels or doors shall not be considered as concealed.
CONCEALED PIPING. Piping that is located in a concealed location (see “Concealed location”).
CONDENSATE. The liquid that condenses from a gas (including flue gas) caused by a reduction in temperature or increase in pressure.
CONNECTOR, APPLIANCE (Fuel). Rigid metallic pipe and fittings, semirigid metallic tubing and fittings or a listed and labeled device that connects an appliance to the gas piping system.
CONNECTOR, CHIMNEY OR VENT. The pipe that connects an appliance to a chimney or vent.
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS. All of the written, graphic and pictorial documents prepared or assembled for describing the design, location and physical characteristics of the elements of the project necessary for obtaining a mechanical permit.
CONTROL. A manual or automatic device designed to regulate the gas, air, water or electrical supply to, or operation of, a mechanical system.
CONVERSION BURNER. A unit consisting of a burner and its controls for installation in an appliance originally utilizing another fuel.
COUNTER APPLIANCES. Appliances such as coffee brewers and coffee urns and any appurtenant water-heating equipment, food and dish warmers, hot plates, griddles, waffle bakers and other appliances designed for installation on or in a counter.
CUBIC FOOT. The amount of gas that occupies 1 cubic foot (0.02832 m3) when at a temperature of 60°F (16°C), saturated with water vapor and under a pressure equivalent to that of 30 inches of mercury (101 kPa).
DAMPER. A manually or automatically controlled device to regulate draft or the rate of flow of air or combustion gases.
DECORATIVE APPLIANCE, VENTED. A vented appliance wherein the primary function lies in the aesthetic effect of the flames.
DECORATIVE APPLIANCES FOR INSTALLATION IN VENTED FIREPLACES. A vented appliance designed for installation within the fire chamber of a vented fireplace, wherein the primary function lies in the aesthetic effect of the flames.
DEMAND. The maximum amount of gas input required per unit of time, usually expressed in cubic feet per hour, or Btu/h (1 Btu/h = 0.2931 W).
DESIGN FLOOD ELEVATION. Reserved.
DILUTION AIR. Air that is introduced into a draft hood and is mixed with the flue gases.
DIRECT-VENT APPLIANCES. Appliances that are constructed and installed so that all air for combustion is derived directly from the outside atmosphere and all flue gases are discharged directly to the outside atmosphere.
DRAFT. The pressure difference existing between the equipment or any component part and the atmosphere, that causes a continuous flow of air and products of combustion through the gas passages of the appliance to the atmosphere.
Mechanical or induced draft. The pressure difference created by the action of a fan, blower or ejector, that is located between the appliance and the chimney or vent termination.
Natural draft. The pressure difference created by a vent or chimney because of its height, and the temperature difference between the flue gases and the atmosphere.
DRAFT HOOD. A nonadjustable device built into an appliance, or made as part of the vent connector from an appliance, that is designed to (1) provide for ready escape of the flue gases from the appliance in the event of no draft, backdraft or stoppage beyond the draft hood, (2) prevent a backdraft from entering the appliance, and (3) neutralize the effect of stack action of the chimney or gas vent upon operation of the appliance.
DRAFT REGULATOR. A device that functions to maintain a desired draft in the appliance by automatically reducing the draft to the desired value.
DRIP. The container placed at a low point in a system of piping to collect condensate and from which the condensate is removable.
DRY GAS. A gas having a moisture and hydrocarbon dew point below any normal temperature to which the gas piping is exposed.
DUCT FURNACE. A warm-air furnace normally installed in an air distribution duct to supply warm air for heating. This definition shall apply only to a warm-air heating appliance that depends for air circulation on a blower not furnished as part of the furnace.
DUCT SYSTEM. A continuous passageway for the transmission of air that, in addition to ducts, includes duct fittings, dampers, plenums, fans and accessory air-handling equipment.
DWELLING UNIT. A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
EQUIPMENT. See “Appliance.”
FIREPLACE. A fire chamber and hearth constructed of noncombustible material for use with solid fuels and provided with a chimney.
Masonry fireplace. A hearth and fire chamber of solid masonry units such as bricks, stones, listed masonry units or reinforced concrete, provided with a suitable chimney.
Factory-built fireplace. A fireplace composed of listed factory-built components assembled in accordance with the terms of listing to form the completed fireplace.
FIRING VALVE. A valve of the plug and barrel type designed for use with gas, and equipped with a lever handle for manual operation and a dial to indicate the percentage of opening.
FLAME SAFEGUARD. A device that will automatically shut off the fuel supply to a main burner or group of burners when the means of ignition of such burners becomes inoperative, and when flame failure occurs on the burner or group of burners.
FLOOD HAZARD AREA. Reserved.
FLOOR FURNACE. A completely self-contained furnace suspended from the floor of the space being heated, taking air for combustion from outside such space and with means for observing flames and lighting the appliance from such space.
Gravity type. A floor furnace depending primarily upon circulation of air by gravity. This classification shall also include floor furnaces equipped with booster-type fans which do not materially restrict free circulation of air by gravity flow when such fans are not in operation.
Fan type. A floor furnace equipped with a fan which provides the primary means for circulating air.
FLUE, APPLIANCE. The passage(s) within an appliance through which combustion products pass from the combustion chamber of the appliance to the draft hood inlet opening on an appliance equipped with a draft hood or to the outlet of the appliance on an appliance not equipped with a draft hood.
FLUE COLLAR. That portion of an appliance designed for the attachment of a draft hood, vent connector or venting system.
FLUE GASES. Products of combustion plus excess air in appliance flues or heat exchangers.
FLUE LINER (LINING). A system or material used to form the inside surface of a flue in a chimney or vent, for the purpose of protecting the surrounding structure from the effects of combustion products and for conveying combustion products without leakage to the atmosphere.
FUEL GAS. A natural gas, manufactured gas, liquefied petroleum gas or mixtures of these gases.
FUEL GAS UTILIZATION EQUIPMENT. See “Appliance.”
FURNACE. A completely self-contained heating unit that is designed to supply heated air to spaces remote from or adjacent to the appliance location.
FURNACE, CENTRAL. A self-contained appliance for heating air by transfer of heat of combustion through metal to the air, and designed to supply heated air through ducts to spaces remote from or adjacent to the appliance location.
Downflow furnace. A furnace designed with airflow discharge vertically downward at or near the bottom of the furnace.
Forced air furnace with cooling unit. A single-package unit, consisting of a gas-fired forced-air furnace of one of the types listed below combined with an electrically or fuel gas-powered summer air-conditioning system, contained in a common casing.
Forced-air type. A central furnace equipped with a fan or blower which provides the primary means for circulation of air.
Gravity furnace with booster fan. A furnace equipped with a booster fan that does not materially restrict free circulation of air by gravity flow when the fan is not in operation.
Gravity type. A central furnace depending primarily on circulation of air by gravity.
Horizontal forced-air type. A furnace with airflow through the appliance essentially in a horizontal path.
Multiple-position furnace. A furnace designed so that it can be installed with the airflow discharge in the upflow, horizontal or downflow direction.
Upflow furnace. A furnace designed with airflow discharge vertically upward at or near the top of the furnace. This classification includes “highboy” furnaces with the blower mounted below the heating element and “lowboy” furnaces with the blower mounted beside the heating element.
FURNACE, ENCLOSED. A specific heating, or heating and ventilating, furnace incorporating an integral total enclosure and using only outside air for combustion.
FURNACE PLENUM. An air compartment or chamber to which one or more ducts are connected and which forms part of an air distribution system.
GAS CONVENIENCE OUTLET. A permanently mounted, manually operated device that provides the means for connecting an appliance to, and disconnecting an appliance from, the supply piping. The device includes an integral, manually operated valve with a nondisplaceable valve member and is designed so that disconnection of an appliance only occurs when the manually operated valve is in the closed position.
GAS PIPING. An installation of pipe, valves or fittings installed on a premises or in a building and utilized to convey fuel gas.
GAS UTILIZATION EQUIPMENT. An appliance that utilizes gas as a fuel or raw material or both.
HAZARDOUS LOCATION. Any location considered to be a fire hazard for flammable vapors, dust, combustible fibers or other highly combustible substances. The location is not necessarily categorized in the building code as a high-hazard group classification.
IGNITION PILOT. A pilot that operates during the lighting cycle and discontinues during main burner operation.
IGNITION SOURCE. A flame, spark or hot surface capable of igniting flammable vapors or fumes. Such sources include appliance burners, burner ignitors, and electrical switching devices.
INCINERATOR. An appliance used to reduce combustible refuse material to ashes and which is manufactured, sold and installed as a complete unit.
INDUSTRIAL AIR HEATERS, DIRECT-FIRED NONRECIRCULATING. A heater in which all the products of combustion generated by the burners are released into the air stream being heated. The purpose of the heater is to offset building heat loss by heating only outdoor air.
INDUSTRIAL AIR HEATERS, DIRECT-FIRED RECIRCULATING. A heater in which all the products of combustion generated by the burners are released into the air stream being heated. The purpose of the heater is to offset building heat loss by heating outdoor air, and, if applicable, indoor air.
INFRARED RADIANT HEATER. A heater that directs a substantial amount of its energy output in the form of infrared radiant energy into the area to be heated. Such heaters are of either the vented or unvented type.
JOINT, FLANGED. A joint made by bolting together a pair of flanged ends.
JOINT, FLARED. A metal-to-metal compression joint in which a conical spread is made on the end of a tube that is compressed by a flare nut against a mating flare.
JOINT, MECHANICAL. A general form of gas-tight joints obtained by the joining of metal parts through a positive-holding mechanical construction, such as flanged joint, threaded joint, flared joint or compression joint.
JOINT, PLASTIC ADHESIVE. A joint made in thermoset plastic piping by the use of an adhesive substance which forms a continuous bond between the mating surfaces without dissolving either one of them.
JOINT, PLASTIC HEAT FUSION. A joint made in thermoplastic piping by heating the parts sufficiently to permit fusion of the materials when the parts are pressed together.
JOINT, WELDED. A gas-tight joint obtained by the joining of metal parts in molten state.
LABELED. Devices, equipment, appliances or materials to which have been affixed a label, seal, symbol or other identifying mark of a nationally recognized testing laboratory, inspection agency or other organization concerned with product evaluation that maintains periodic inspection of the production of the above-labeled items and by whose label the manufacturer attests to compliance with applicable nationally recognized standards.
LIMIT CONTROL. A device responsive to changes in pressure, temperature or level for turning on, shutting off or throttling the gas supply to an appliance.
LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS or LPG (LP-GAS). Liquefied petroleum gas composed predominately of propane, propylene, butanes or butylenes, or mixtures thereof that is gaseous under normal atmospheric conditions, but is capable of being liquefied under moderate pressure at normal temperatures.
LISTED. Equipment, appliances or materials included in a list published by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, inspection agency or other organization concerned with product evaluation that maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment, appliances or materials, and whose listing states either that the equipment, appliance or material meets nationally recognized standards or has been tested and found suitable for use in a specified manner. The means for identifying listed equipment, appliances or materials may vary for each testing laboratory, inspection agency or other organization concerned with product evaluation, some of which do not recognize equipment, appliances or materials as listed unless they are also labeled. The authority having jurisdiction shall utilize the system employed by the listing organization to identify a listed product.
LIVING SPACE. Space within a dwelling unit utilized for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, bathing, washing and sanitation purposes.
LOG LIGHTER. A manually operated solid fuel ignition appliance for installation in a vented solid fuel-burning fireplace.
LUBRICATED PLUG-TYPE VALVE. A valve of the plug and barrel type provided with means for maintaining a lubricant between the bearing surfaces.
MAIN BURNER. A device or group of devices essentially forming an integral unit for the final conveyance of gas or a mixture of gas and air to the combustion zone, and on which combustion takes place to accomplish the function for which the appliance is designed.
METER. The instrument installed to measure the volume of gas delivered through it.
MODULATING. Modulating or throttling is the action of a control from its maximum to minimum position in either predetermined steps or increments of movement as caused by its actuating medium.
OCCUPANCY. The purpose for which a building, or portion thereof, is utilized or occupied.
OFFSET (VENT). A combination of approved bends that makes two changes in direction bringing one section of the vent out of line but into a line parallel with the other section.
ORIFICE. The opening in a cap, spud or other device whereby the flow of gas is limited and through which the gas is discharged to the burner.
OUTLET. A threaded connection or bolted flange in a pipe system to which a gas-burning appliance is attached.
OXYGEN DEPLETION SAFETY SHUTOFF SYSTEM (ODS). A system designed to act to shut off the gas supply to the main and pilot burners if the oxygen in the surrounding atmosphere is reduced below a predetermined level.
PILOT. A small flame that is utilized to ignite the gas at the main burner or burners.
PIPING. Where used in this code, “piping” refers to either pipe or tubing, or both.
Pipe. A rigid conduit of iron, steel, copper, brass or plastic.
Tubing. Semirigid conduit of copper, aluminum, plastic or steel.
PIPING SYSTEM. All fuel piping, valves and fittings from the outlet of the point of delivery to the outlets of the equipment shutoff valves.
PLASTIC, THERMOPLASTIC. A plastic that is capable of being repeatedly softened by increase of temperature and hardened by decrease of temperature.
POINT OF DELIVERY. For natural gas systems, the point of delivery is the outlet of the service meter assembly or the outlet of the service regulator or service shutoff valve where a meter is not provided. Where a valve is provided at the outlet of the service meter assembly, such valve shall be considered to be downstream of the point of delivery. For undiluted liquefied petroleum gas systems, the point of delivery shall be considered to be the outlet of the first regulator that reduces pressure to 2 psig (13.8 kPag) or less.
PORTABLE FUEL CELL APPLIANCE. A fuel cell generator of electricity, which is not fixed in place. A portable fuel cell appliance utilizes a cord and plug connection to a grid-isolated load and has an integral fuel supply.
PRESSURE DROP. The loss in pressure due to friction or obstruction in pipes, valves, fittings, regulators and burners.
PRESSURE TEST. An operation performed to verify the gas-tight integrity of gas piping following its installation or modification.
PURGE. To free a gas conduit of air or gas, or a mixture of gas and air.
QUICK-DISCONNECT DEVICE. A hand-operated device that provides a means for connecting and disconnecting an appliance or an appliance connector to a gas supply and that is equipped with an automatic means to shut off the gas supply when the device is disconnected.
READY ACCESS (TO). That which enables a device, appliance or equipment to be directly reached, without requiring the removal or movement of any panel, door or similar obstruction (see “Access”).
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL. An individual who is registered or licensed to practice their respective design profession as defined by the statutory requirements of the professional registration laws of the state or jurisdiction in which the project is to be constructed.
REGULATOR. A device for controlling and maintaining a uniform gas supply pressure, either pounds-to-pounds, pounds-to-inches water column or inches-to-inches water column (appliance regulator).
REGULATOR, GAS APPLIANCE. A pressure regulator for controlling pressure to the manifold of equipment. Types of appliance regulators are as follows:
Adjustable.
1. Spring type, limited adjustment. A regulator in which the regulating force acting upon the diaphragm is derived principally from a spring, the loading of which is adjustable over a range of not more than 15 percent of the outlet pressure at the midpoint of the adjustment range.
2. Spring type, standard adjustment. A regulator in which the regulating force acting upon the diaphragm is derived principally from a spring, the loading of which is adjustable. The adjustment means shall be concealed.
Multistage. A regulator for use with a single gas whose adjustment means is capable of being positioned manually or automatically to two or more predetermined outlet pressure settings. Each of these settings shall be adjustable or nonadjustable. The regulator may modulate outlet pressures automatically between its maximum and minimum predetermined outlet pressure settings.
Nonadjustable.
1. Spring type, nonadjustable. A regulator in which the regulating force acting upon the diaphragm is derived principally from a spring, the loading of which is not field adjustable.
2. Weight type. A regulator in which the regulating force acting upon the diaphragm is derived from a weight or combination of weights.
REGULATOR, LINE GAS PRESSURE. A device placed in a gas line between the service pressure regulator and the equipment for controlling, maintaining or reducing the pressure in that portion of the piping system downstream of the device.
REGULATOR, MEDIUM-PRESSURE (MP Regulator). A line pressure regulator that reduces gas pressure from the range of greater than 0.5 psig (3.4 kPa) and less than or equal to 5 psig (34.5 kPa) to a lower pressure.
REGULATOR, PRESSURE. A device placed in a gas line for reducing, controlling and maintaining the pressure in that portion of the piping system downstream of the device.
REGULATOR, SERVICE PRESSURE. A device installed by the serving gas supplier to reduce and limit the service line pressure to delivery pressure.
RELIEF OPENING. The opening provided in a draft hood to permit the ready escape to the atmosphere of the flue products from the draft hood in the event of no draft, back draft, or stoppage beyond the draft hood, and to permit air into the draft hood in the event of a strong chimney updraft.
RELIEF VALVE (DEVICE). A safety valve designed to forestall the development of a dangerous condition by relieving either pressure, temperature or vacuum in the hot water supply system.
RELIEF VALVE, PRESSURE. An automatic valve that opens and closes a relief vent, depending on whether the pressure is above or below a predetermined value.
RELIEF VALVE, TEMPERATURE.
Reseating or self-closing type. An automatic valve that opens and closes a relief vent, depending on whether the temperature is above or below a predetermined value.
Manual reset type. A valve that automatically opens a relief vent at a predetermined temperature and that must be manually returned to the closed position.
RELIEF VALVE, VACUUM. A valve that automatically opens and closes a vent for relieving a vacuum within the hot water supply system, depending on whether the vacuum is above or below a predetermined value.
RISER, GAS. A vertical pipe supplying fuel gas to a meter assembly or a pressure regulator.
ROOM HEATER, UNVENTED. See “Unvented room heater.”
ROOM HEATER, VENTED. A free-standing heating unit used for direct heating of the space in and adjacent to that in which the unit is located (see also “Vented room heater”).
ROOM LARGE IN COMPARISON WITH SIZE OF EQUIPMENT. Rooms having a volume equal to at least 12 times the total volume of a furnace or air-conditioning appliance and at least 16 times the total volume of a boiler. Total volume of the appliance is determined from exterior dimensions and is to include fan compartments and burner vestibules, when used. When the actual ceiling height of a room is greater than 8 feet (2438 mm), the volume of the room is figured on the basis of a ceiling height of 8 feet (2438 mm).
SAFETY SHUTOFF DEVICE. See “Flame safeguard.”
SHAFT. An enclosed space extending through one or more stories of a building, connecting vertical openings in successive floors, or floors and the roof.
SLEEPING UNIT. A room or space in which people sleep, which can also include permanent provisions for living, eating and either sanitation or kitchen facilities, but not both. Such rooms and spaces that are also part of a dwelling unit are not sleeping units.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY. As applied to gas, specific gravity is the ratio of the weight of a given volume to that of the same volume of air, both measured under the same condition.
STATIONARY FUEL CELL POWER PLANT. A self-contained package or factory-matched packages which constitute an automatically operated assembly of integrated systems for generating electrical energy and recoverable thermal energy that is permanently connected and fixed in place.
THERMOSTAT.
Electric switch type. A device that senses changes in temperature and controls electrically, by means of separate components, the flow of gas to the burner(s) to maintain selected temperatures.
Integral gas valve type. An automatic device, actuated by temperature changes, designed to control the gas supply to the burner(s) in order to maintain temperatures between predetermined limits, and in which the thermal actuating element is an integral part of the device.
1. Graduating thermostat. A thermostat in which the motion of the valve is approximately in direct proportion to the effective motion of the thermal element induced by temperature change.
2. Snap-acting thermostat. A thermostat in which the thermostatic valve travels instantly from the closed to the open position, and vice versa.
TRANSITION FITTINGS, PLASTIC TO STEEL. An adapter for joining plastic pipe to steel pipe. The purpose of this fitting is to provide a permanent, pressure-tight connection between two materials which cannot be joined directly one to another.
UNIT HEATER.
High-static pressure type. A self-contained, automatically controlled, vented appliance having integral means for circulation of air against 0.2 inch (15 mm H2O) or greater static pressure. Such appliance is equipped with provisions for attaching an outlet air duct and, where the appliance is for indoor installation remote from the space to be heated, is also equipped with provisions for attaching an inlet air duct.
Low-static pressure type. A self-contained, automatically controlled, vented appliance, intended for installation in the space to be heated without the use of ducts, having integral means for circulation of air. Such units are allowed to be equipped with louvers or face extensions made in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
UNLISTED BOILER. A boiler not listed by a nationally recognized testing agency.
UNVENTED ROOM HEATER. An unvented heating appliance designed for stationary installation and utilized to provide comfort heating. Such appliances provide radiant heat or convection heat by gravity or fan circulation directly from the heater and do not utilize ducts.
UTILITY GASES. Natural gas, manufactured gas, liquefied petroleum gas-air mixture or mixtures of any of these gases.
VALVE. A device used in piping to control the gas supply to any section of a system of piping or to an appliance.
Automatic. An automatic or semiautomatic device consisting essentially of a valve and operator that control the gas supply to the burner(s) during operation of an appliance. The operator shall be actuated by application of gas pressure on a flexible diaphragm, by electrical means, by mechanical means, or by other approved means.
Automatic gas shutoff. A valve used in conjunction with an automatic gas shutoff device to shut off the gas supply to a water-heating system. It shall be constructed integrally with the gas shutoff device or shall be a separate assembly.
Equipment shutoff. A valve located in the piping system, used to isolate individual equipment for purposes such as service or replacement.
Individual main burner. A valve that controls the gas supply to an individual main burner.
Main burner control. A valve that controls the gas supply to the main burner manifold.
Manual main gas-control. A manually operated valve in the gas line for the purpose of completely turning on or shutting off the gas supply to the appliance, except to pilot or pilots that are provided with independent shutoff.
Manual reset. An automatic shutoff valve installed in the gas supply piping and set to shut off when unsafe conditions occur. The device remains closed until manually reopened.
Service shutoff. A valve, installed by the serving gas supplier between the service meter or source of supply and the customer piping system, to shut off the entire piping system.
VENT. A pipe or other conduit composed of factory-made components, containing a passageway for conveying combustion products and air to the atmosphere, listed and labeled for use with a specific type or class of appliance.
Special gas vent. A vent listed and labeled for use with listed Category II, III and IV appliances.
Type B vent. A vent listed and labeled for use with appliances with draft hoods and other Category I appliances that are listed for use with Type B vents.
Type BW vent. A vent listed and labeled for use with wall furnaces.
Type L vent. A vent listed and labeled for use with appliances that are listed for use with Type L or Type B vents.
VENT CONNECTOR. See “Connector.”
VENT GASES. Products of combustion from appliances plus excess air plus dilution air in the vent connector, gas vent or chimney above the draft hood or draft regulator.
VENT PIPING
Breather. Piping run from a pressure-regulating device to the outdoors, designed to provide a reference to atmospheric pressure. If the device incorporates an integral pressure relief mechanism, a breather vent can also serve as a relief vent.
Relief. Piping run from a pressure-regulating or pressure-limiting device to the outdoors, designed to provide for the safe venting of gas in the event of excessive pressure in the gas piping system.
VENTED APPLIANCE CATEGORIES. Appliances that are categorized for the purpose of vent selection are classified into the following four categories:
Category I. An appliance that operates with a nonpositive vent static pressure and with a vent gas temperature that avoids excessive condensate production in the vent.
Category II. An appliance that operates with a nonpositive vent static pressure and with a vent gas temperature that is capable of causing excessive condensate production in the vent.
Category III. An appliance that operates with a positive vent static pressure and with a vent gas temperature that avoids excessive condensate production in the vent.
Category IV. An appliance that operates with a positive vent static pressure and with a vent gas temperature that is capable of causing excessive condensate production in the vent.
VENTED ROOM HEATER. A vented self-contained, free-standing, nonrecessed appliance for furnishing warm air to the space in which it is installed, directly from the heater without duct connections.
VENTED WALL FURNACE. A self-contained vented appliance complete with grilles or equivalent, designed for incorporation in or permanent attachment to the structure of a building, mobile home or travel trailer, and furnishing heated air circulated by gravity or by a fan directly into the space to be heated through openings in the casing. This definition shall exclude floor furnaces, unit heaters and central furnaces as herein defined.
VENTING SYSTEM. A continuous open passageway from the flue collar or draft hood of an appliance to the outside atmosphere for the purpose of removing flue or vent gases. A venting system is usually composed of a vent or a chimney and vent connector, if used, assembled to form the open passageway.
Mechanical draft venting system. A venting system designed to remove flue or vent gases by mechanical means, that consists of an induced draft portion under nonpositive static pressure or a forced draft portion under positive static pressure.
Forced-draft venting system. A portion of a venting system using a fan or other mechanical means to cause the removal of flue or vent gases under positive static vent pressure.
Induced draft venting system. A portion of a venting system using a fan or other mechanical means to cause the removal of flue or vent gases under nonpositive static vent pressure.
Natural draft venting system. A venting system designed to remove flue or vent gases under nonpositive static vent pressure entirely by natural draft.
WALL HEATER, UNVENTED-TYPE. A room heater of the type designed for insertion in or attachment to a wall or partition. Such heater does not incorporate concealed venting arrangements in its construction and discharges all products of combustion through the front into the room being heated.
WATER HEATER. Any heating appliance or equipment that heats potable water and supplies such water to the potable hot water distribution system.
Aquifer – An underground formation or group of formations in rocks and soils containing enough ground water to supply wells and springs.
Backflow – A reverse flow in water pipes. A difference in water pressures pulls water from sources other than the well into a home’s water system, for example waste water or flood water. Also called back siphonage.
Bacteria – Microscopic living organisms; some are helpful and some are harmful. “Good” bacteria aid in pollution control by consuming and breaking down organic matter and other pollutants in septic systems, sewage, oil spills, and soils. However, “bad” bacteria in soil, water, or air can cause human, animal, and plant health problems.
Confining layer – Layer of rock that keeps the ground water in the aquifer below it under pressure. This pressure creates springs and helps supply water to wells.
Contaminant – Anything found in water (including microorganisms, minerals, chemicals, radionuclides, etc.) which may be harmful to human health.
Cross-connection – Any actual or potential connection between a drinking (potable) water supply and a source of contamination.
Heavy metals – Metallic elements with high atomic weights, such as, mercury chromium cadmium, arsenic, and lead. Even at low levels these metals can damage living things. They do not break down or decompose and tend to build up in plants, animals, and people causing health concerns.
Leaching field – The entire area where many materials (including contaminants) dissolve in rain, snowmelt, or irrigation water and are filtered through the soil.
Microorganisms – Also called microbes. Very tiny life forms such as bacteria, algae, diatoms, parasites, plankton, and fungi. Some can cause disease.
Nitrates – Plant nutrient and fertilizer that enters water supply sources from fertilizers, animal feed lots, manures, sewage, septic systems, industrial wastewaters, sanitary landfills, and garbage dumps.
Protozoa – One-celled animals, usually microscopic, that are larger and more complex than bacteria. May cause disease.
Radon – A colorless, odorless naturally occurring radioactive gas formed by the breakdown or decay of radium or uranium in soil or rocks like granite. Radon is fairly soluble in water, so well water may contain radon.
Radionuclides – Distinct radioactive particles coming from both natural sources and human activities. Can be very long lasting as soil or water pollutants.
Recharge area – The land area through or over which rainwater and other surface water soaks through the earth to replenish an aquifer, lake, stream, river, or marsh. Also called a watershed.
Saturated zone – The underground area below the water table where all open spaces are filled with water. A well placed in this zone will be able to pump ground water.
Unsaturated zone – The area above the ground water level or water table where soil pores are not fully saturated, although some water may be present.
Viruses – Submicroscopic disease-causing organisms that grow only inside living cells.
Watershed – The land area that catches rain or snow and drains it into a local water body (such as a river, stream, lake, marsh, or aquifer) and affects its flow, and the local water level. Also called a recharge area.
Getting Information about your Tap Water
Q: How can I find out if my tap water is safe to drink?
A: Because of water’s different sources and the different ways in which water is treated, the taste and quality of drinking water varies from place to place. Over 90 percent of water systems meet EPA’s standards for tap water quality.
The best source of specific information about your drinking water is your water supplier. Water suppliers that serve the same people year-round are required to send their customers an annual water quality report (sometimes called a consumer confidence report).
Q. How will I know if my water isn’t safe to drink?
A: Your water supplier must notify you by newspaper, mail, radio, TV, or hand-delivery if your water doesn’t meet EPA or state standards or if there is a waterborne disease emergency. The notice will describe any precautions you need to take, such as boiling your water.
Follow the advice of your water supplier if you ever receive such a notice. The most common drinking water emergency is contamination by disease-causing germs. Boiling your water for one minute will kill these germs. You can also use common household bleach or iodine to disinfect your drinking water at home in an emergency, such as a flood.
Q. What’s this new drinking water report that I’ve heard about?
A. Water suppliers must deliver to their customers annual drinking water quality reports (or consumer confidence reports). These reports will tell consumers what contaminants have been detected in their drinking water, how these detection levels compare to drinking water standards, and where their water comes from.
The reports must be provided annually before July 1, and, in most cases, are mailed directly to customers’ homes.
Q. How can I get my water tested?
A: If your home is served by a water system, get a copy of your annual water quality report before you test your water. This report will tell you what contaminants have been found in your drinking water and at what level.
After you’ve read this report, you may wish to test for specific contaminants (such as lead) that can vary from house to house, or any other contaminant you’re concerned about.
EPA does not test individual homes, and cannot recommend specific laboratories to test your drinking water. States certify water testing laboratories.
You may call your state certification officer to get a list of certified laboratories in your state. Depending on how many contaminants you test for, a water test can cost from $15 to hundreds of dollars.
Q. What is a drinking water standard?
A. Under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), EPA sets standards for approximately 90 contaminants in drinking water.For each of these contaminants, EPA sets a legal limit, called a maximum contaminant level, or requires a certain treatment. Water suppliers may not provide water that doesn’t meet these standards.
Q. I don’t like the taste/smell/appearance of my tap water. What’s wrong with it?
A. Even when water meets EPA’s standards, you may still object to its taste, smell, or appearance. EPA sets secondary standards based on these aesthetic characteristics (not health effects) which water systems and states can choose to adopt.
Common complaints about water aesthetics include:
temporary cloudiness (typically caused by air bubbles), or
chlorine taste (which can be improved by letting the water stand exposed to the air).
Q. I’m worried about a specific drinking water contaminant [lead, Cryptosporidium, nitrate, radon, etc.]. What should I know?
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. As long as they occur below EPA’s standards, they don’t pose a significant threat to health, although people with severely compromised immune systems and children may have special needs.
For more information about a specific contaminant, see EPA’s fact sheets on drinking water contaminants, which have more detailed information on every contaminant EPA currently sets standards for and those EPA is considering setting standards for.
Special Health Needs of People With Severely Compromised Immune Systems
Q. What if I have a severely compromised immune system?
A. Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. People with severely compromised immune systems, such as people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, people who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
EPA/Centers for Disease Control guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection from Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants offer more detailed advice.
Q. What should I do if I have my own drinking water well?
A: If you have your own well, you are responsible for making sure that your water is safe to drink. Private wells should be tested annually for nitrate and coliform bacteria to detect contamination problems early. Test more frequently and for other contaminants, such as radon or pesticides, if you suspect a problem. Check with your local health department and local public water systems that use ground water to learn more about well water quality in your area and what contaminants you are more likely to find.
You can help protect your water supply by carefully managing activities near the water source, to find out how visit EPA’s Source Water Protection Web site.
The organization Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Systprovides information to help farmers and rural residents assess pollution risks and develop management plans to meet their unique needs.
Q. What about bottled water?
A: Bottled water is not necessarily safer than your tap water. EPA sets standards for tap water provided by public water systems; the Food and Drug Administration sets bottled water standards based on EPA’s tap water standards.
Some bottled water is treated more than tap water, while some is treated less or not treated at all. Bottled water costs much more than tap water on a per gallon basis. Bottled water is valuable in emergency situations (such as floods and earthquakes), and high quality bottled water may be a desirable option for people with weakened immune systems.
Consumers who choose to purchase bottled water should carefully read its label to understand what they are buying, whether it is a better taste, or a certain method of treatment.
Q. What about home water treatment units?
A: Most people do not need to treat their drinking water at home to make it safe. A home water treatment unit can improve water’s taste, or provide an extra margin of safety for people more vulnerable to the effects of waterborne illness:
Consumers who choose to purchase a home water treatment unit should carefully read its product information to understand what they are buying, whether it is a better taste or a certain method of treatment. Be certain to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for operation and maintenance, especially changing the filter on a regular basis.
EPA neither endorses nor recommends specific home water treatment units. EPA does register units that make germ-killing claims.
Contact David Liem at liem.david@epa.gov or 703-305-1284 in EPA’s Office of Pesticides or visit this Web site http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/ for more information.
No single unit takes out every kind of drinking water contaminant; you must decide which type best meets your needs.
For help in picking a unit, contact one of the following independent non-profit organizations:
Both NSF International and Underwriters Laboratories Inc. test and certify home water treatment units. The Water Quality Association classifies units according to the contaminants they remove as well as listing units that have earned their “Gold Seal” approval. Water treatment units certified by these organizations will indicate certification on their packaging or labels.
Q. Where does my drinking water come from?
A. Drinking water can come from either ground water sources (via wells) or surface water sources (such as rivers, lakes, and streams). Nationally, most water systems use a ground water source (80%), but most people (66%) are served by a water system that uses surface water. This is because large metropolitan areas tend to rely on surface water, whereas small and rural areas tend to rely on ground water. In addition, 10-20% of people have their own private well for drinking water. To find the source of your drinking water, check your annual water quality report or call your water supplier. You can get more information about specific watersheds by visiting EPA’s Watershed Information Network. You can also learn more about EPA, state, and other efforts to protect sources of drinking water.
Q. How can I help protect my drinking water?
A: Drinking water protection is a community-wide effort, beginning with protecting the source of your water, and including education, funding, and conservation. Many communities already have established source water protection programs. Call your local water supplier to find out if your community participates. You can also support efforts to improve operation, maintenance, and construction of water treatment processes. States are now engaged in source water assessments, to work with communities to identify local sources of contamination. You can contact your state source water protection program to find out how to get involved in this process, or join a local group in Adopting a Watershed.
Q. How many public water systems are there in the United States?
A. There are almost 170,000 public water systems in the United States. Visit EPA’s page of water system facts and figures for more information.
Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), EPA sets legal limits on the levels of certain contaminants in drinking water. The legal limits reflect both the level that protects human health and the level that water systems can achieve using the best available technology. Besides prescribing these legal limits, EPA rules set water-testing schedules and methods that water systems must follow. The rules also list acceptable techniques for treating contaminated water. SDWA gives individual states the opportunity to set and enforce their own drinking water standards if the standards are at least as strong as EPA’s national standards. Most states and territories directly oversee the water systems within their borders.
Where can I find information about unregulated contaminants?
EPA uses the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring (UCM) program to collect data for contaminants suspected to be present in drinking water, but that do not have health-based standards set under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Every five years EPA reviews the list of contaminants, largely based on the Contaminant Candidate List
HPC has no health effects; it is an analytic method used to measure the variety of bacteria that are common in water. The lower the concentration of bacteria in drinking water, the better maintained the water system is.
HPC measures a range of bacteria that are naturally present in the environment
Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water. It is used to indicate water quality and filtration effectiveness (e.g., whether disease-causing organisms are present). Higher turbidity levels are often associated with higher levels of disease-causing microorganisms such as viruses, parasites and some bacteria. These organisms can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.
Infants and children: Delays in physical or mental development; children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilitiesAdults: Kidney problems; high blood pressure
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits
Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome.
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits
Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrite in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome.
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits
1 Definitions:
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) – The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety and are non-enforceable public health goals.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) – The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology and taking cost into consideration. MCLs are enforceable standards.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG) – The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
Treatment Technique – A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) – The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
2 Units are in milligrams per liter (mg/L) unless otherwise noted. Milligrams per liter are equivalent to parts per million.
3 EPA’s surface water treatment rules require systems using surface water or ground water under the direct influence of surface water to (1) disinfect their water, and (2) filter their water or meet criteria for avoiding filtration so that the following contaminants are controlled at the following levels:
Cryptosporidium: Unfiltered systems are required to include Cryptosporidium in their existing watershed control provisions.
Giardia lamblia: 99.9% removal/inactivation
Viruses: 99.99% removal/inactivation
Legionella: No limit, but EPA believes that if Giardia and viruses are removed/inactivated, according to the treatment techniques in the Surface Water Treatment Rule, Legionella will also be controlled.
Turbidity: For systems that use conventional or direct filtration, at not time can turbidity (cloudiness of water) go higher than 1 nephelolometric turbidity unit NTU), and samples for turbidity must be less than or equal to 0.3 NTU in at least 95 pervent of the samples in any month. Systems that use filtration other than the conventional or direct filtration must follow state limits, which must include turbidity at no time exceeding 5 NTU.
HPC: No more than 500 bacterial colonies per milliliter.
Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment: Surface water systems or (GWUDI) systems serving fewer than 10,000 people must comply with the applicable Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule provisions (e.g. turbidity standards, individual filter monitoring, Cryptosporidium removal requirements, updated watershed control requirements for unfiltered systems).
Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule This rule applies to all surface water systems or ground water systems under the direct influence of surface water. The rule targets additional Cryptosporidium treatment requirements for higher risk systems and includes provisions to reduce risks from uncovered finished water storage facilities and to ensure that the systems maintain microbial protection as they take steps to reduce the formation of disinfection byproducts.
Filter Backwash Recycling; The Filter Backwash Recycling Rule requires systems that recycle to return specific recycle flows through all processes of the system’s existing conventional or direct filtration system or at an alternate location approved by the state.
4 No more than 5.0% samples total coliform-positive in a month. (For water systems that collect fewer than 40 routine samples per month, no more than one sample can be total coliform-positive per month.) Every sample that has total coliform must be analyzed for either fecal coliforms or E. coli if two consecutive TC-positive samples, and one is also positive for E.coli fecal coliforms, system has an acute MCL violation.
5 Fecal coliform and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Disease-causing microbes (pathogens) in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. These pathogens may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems.
6 Although there is no collective MCLG for this contaminant group, there are individual MCLGs for some of the individual contaminants:
Haloacetic acids: dichloroacetic acid (zero); trichloroacetic acid (0.02 mg/L); monochloroacetic acid (0.07 mg/L). Bromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid are regulated with this group but have no MCLGs.
7 Lead and copper are regulated by a Treatment Technique that requires systems to control the corrosiveness of their water. If more than 10% percent of tap water samples exceed the action level, water systems must take additional steps. For copper, the action level is 1.3 mg/L, and for lead it is 0.015 mg/L.
8 Each water system must certify, in writing, to the state (using third-party or manufacturer’s certification) that when it uses acrylamide and epichlorohydrin are used to treat water, the combination (or product) of dose and monomer level does not exceed the levels specified, as follows:
Acrylamide = 0.05% dosed at 1 mg/L (or equivalent)
Epichlorohydrin = 0.01% dosed at 20 mg/L (or equivalent)
National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations (NSDWRs or secondary standards) are non-enforceable guidelines regulating contaminants that may cause cosmetic effects (such as skin or tooth discoloration) or aesthetic effects (such as taste, odor, or color) in drinking water. EPA recommends secondary standards to water systems but does not require systems to comply. However, states may choose to adopt them as enforceable standards.
This list of contaminants which, at the time of publication, are not subject to any proposed or promulgated national primary drinking water regulation (NPDWR), are known or anticipated to occur in public water systems, and may require regulations under SDWA. For more information check out the list, or vist the Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) web site.
A public water system (PWS) is a system for the provision to the public of water for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances, if such system has at least fifteen service connections or regularly serves at least twenty-five individuals.
The public drinking water systems regulated by EPA, and delegated states and tribes, provide drinking water to 90 percent of Americans. These public drinking water systems, which may be publicly- or privately-owned, serve at least 25 people or 15 service connections for at least 60 days per year. Private, individual household wells, are not regulated by EPA. For more information on these wells visit our Private Drinking Water Wells site. Below we have listed some of the activities that EPA, states, and tribes undertake to regulate public water supplies.
Providing safe drinking water is a partnership that involves EPA, the states, tribes, water systems and their operators. To learn more about this important network of public health providers, you can select from this variety of information sources.
EPA is committed to working with its stakeholders, the people for whom safe drinking water is an important aspect of daily and/or professional life. One of the formal means by which EPA works with its stakeholders is the National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC).
The Council, comprising members of the general public, state and local agencies, and private groups concerned with safe drinking water, advises the EPA Administrator on everything that the Agency does relating to drinking water.
NDWAC has working groups that make recommendations to the full Council, which in turn advise EPA on individual regulations, guidances, and policy matters.
These NDWAC working groups consist of approximately 20 members with a variety of viewpoints. All NDWAC working group meetings and full NDWAC meetings are open to the public.
Standard rounding procedures or significant figure use conventionsUnited States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
(4606)
EPA 816-F-99-005
June 1999
www.epa.gov/safewater
Guidance for People with
Severely Weakened Immune Systems
(co-released with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1995)
INTRODUCTION
Cryptosporidium is a parasite commonly found in lakes and rivers, especially when the water is contaminated
with sewage and animal wastes. Cryptosporidium is very resistant to disinfection, and even a well-operated water
treatment system cannot ensure that drinking water will be completely free of this parasite. Current EPA drinking
water standards were not explicitly designed to assure the removal or killing of Cryptosporidium. Many large
water systems already voluntarily take actions for greater control of Cryptosporidium and other microbial
contaminants. By 2001, the water systems serving the majority of the United States population (those relying on a
surface water source, such as a river, and serving more than 10,000 people) must meet a new EPA standard that
strengthens control over microbial contaminants, including Cryptosporidium. EPA continues to conduct research
on microbial contaminants which will be used for determining priorities for the drinking water program,
including setting future standards and reevaluating existing standards.
Cryptosporidium has caused several large waterborne disease outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness, with
symptoms that include diarrhea, nausea, and/or stomach cramps. People with severely weakened immune systems
(that is, severely immunocompromised) are likely to have more severe and more persistent symptoms than
healthy individuals. Moreover, Cryptosporidium has been a contributing cause of death in some immunocompromised
people. Individuals who are severely immunocompromised may include those who are infected
with HIV/AIDS, cancer and transplant patients taking immunosuppressive drugs, and people born with a
weakened immune system.
BACKGROUND
Data are not adequate to determine how most people become infected. For example, we do not know the
importance of drinking water compared to other possible sources of Cryptosporidium, such as exposure to the
feces of infected persons or animals, sex involving contact with feces, eating contaminated food, or accidentally
swallowing contaminated recreational water.
Thus, in the absence of an outbreak, there are insufficient data to determine whether a severely immunocompromised
individual is at a noticeably greater risk than the general public from waterborne Cryptosporidiosis.
Even a low level of Cryptosporidium in water, however, may be of concern for the severely
immunocompromised, because the illness can be life-threatening. The risk of a severely immunocompromised
individual acquiring Cryptosporidiosis from drinking water in the absence of an outbreak is likely to vary from
city to city, depending on the quality of the city’s water source and the quality of water treatment. Current risk
data are not adequate to support a recommendation that severely immunocompromised persons in all U.S. cities
boil or avoid drinking tap water.
In the absence of a recognized outbreak, this guidance has been developed for severely immunocompromised
people who may wish to take extra precautions to minimize their risk of infection from waterborne
Cryptosporidiosis. To be effective, the guidance must be followed consistently for all water used for drinking or
for mixing beverages. During outbreaks of waterborne Cryptosporidiosis, studies have found that people who
used precautions only part of the time were just as likely to become ill as people who did not use them at all.
FURTHER INFORMATION
When an outbreak of waterborne Cryptosporidiosis is recognized and is determined to be on-going, officials of the
public-health department and/or the water utility will normally issue a “boil water” notice to protect both the general
public and the immunocompromised.
Current testing methods cannot determine with certainty whether Cryptosporidium detected in drinking water is alive or
whether it can infect humans. In addition, the current method often requires several days to get results, by which time the
tested water has already been used by the public and is no longer in the community’s water pipes.
Severely immunocompromised people may face a variety of health risks. Depending on their illness and circumstances, a
response by such individuals that focuses too specifically on one health risk may decrease the amount of attention that
should be given to other risks. Health care providers can assist severely immunocompromised persons in weighing these
risks and in applying this guidance.
Water table – The upper level of the saturated zone. This level varies greatly in different parts of the country and also varies seasonally depending on the amount of rain and snowmelt.
Well cap – A tight-fitting, vermin-proof seal designed to prevent contaminants from flowing down inside of the well casing.
Well casing – The tubular lining of a well. Also a steel or plastic pipe installed during construction to prevent collapse of the well hole.
Wellhead – The top of a structure built over a well. Term also used for the source of a well or stream.
