Title
Consideration of and action on adopting an ordinance for a cross-connection (backflow) control program and revising the Appendix B - Fee Schedule.
Body
Summary: The Public Works Department has partnered with Backflow Solutions, Inc. (BSI) Online for backflow test report submittal. When drinking water piping connects to various plumbing fixtures or water utilizing equipment a cross-connection is created. If improperly protected, contamination can result when a backflow event occurs; allowing contaminates to reverse flow from the fixture/equipment back into the drinking water piping.
Conditions that are likely to create a backflow event are typically common, but unfavorable, hydraulic events that occur within the public or private segments of the water distribution system such as: an owner or worker draining down a house or building to make a plumbing repair; a broken water main or distribution pipe; severe/widespread power outages; fire fighters using large quantities of water to extinguish a fire, or; a water utilizing piece of equipment or process creating pressures greater than those present in water distribution system.
When these unfavorable hydraulic events are occurring, contaminates can be back-siphoned into the drinking water due to negative pressures; or contaminates can back-pressured into the drinking water due to excessive pressure imposed by the water utilizing piece of equipment or process.
Modern plumbing fixtures generally have built-in backflow protection. Therefore around the home and office, for the most part, standard plumbing fixtures do not present a hazardous condition. There are, however, numerous applications within commercial and industrial processes that require additional protection. Therefore, directly connected water piping requires a different method of protection which is the backflow preventer. A backflow preventer is a “one-way” appurtenance (an assembly of check valves or a vacuum breaker), that allows water to flow in one direction without the fear of backflow.
The City is required by the State to maintain a cross-connection or backflow program in which certain commercial entities are required to have backflow preventers installed and tested on an annual basis. These annual test will be submitted online to BSI Online.
Tonight we ask Council to approve a Cross-Connection Ordinance that will enforce this requirement as well as amending the Appendix B - Fee Schedule to include a $35 fee for each commercial backflow prevention assembly device, $40 fee for any business that violates this ordinance as well as a $75 annual registration fee for TCEQ registered backflow testers to show proof they have a current state license and testing equipment in accordance with current TCEQ regulations.
Fiscal/Budgetary Impact: Amend Appendix B - Fee Schedule
Recommended action
Staff recommends approval of this Ordinance and associated fees.