Backflow Prevention Program Backflow Prevention By-law PCC “A cooperative approach to further protection of our drinking water system” Scott Alexander (He/Him) By-Law Compliance Officer, Backflow Prevention County of Oxford T:519-539-9800 ext. 3103 slalexander@oxfordcounty.ca
Overview • What is Backflow and Cross Connection • Causes of Backflow Events • Protecting Drinking Water Supply ► Regulations and Responsibilities ► Case Study: Cost of a Backflow Event • Oxford County Backflow Prevention Program (BPP) ► Draft Backflow Prevention By-law ► Cross Connection Control Inspections ► Backflow Device Testing
What is Backflow and Cross Connection • Under normal operating conditions water flows from the distribution system to private premises • Backflow =the reversal of the normal direction of water flow • Cross Connection =any actual, or potential, connection between the municipal drinking water supply and any source of contamination where backflow can occur
What Causes a Backflow Event Source: https://www.evart.org/city_services/ccri.php
Case Study: Cost of a backflow event • Backflow incident from car wash station (Stratford, Ontario, March 2005): ► Car wash cleaning agent entered into the municipal drinking water system causing drinking water contamination. ► Approximately 30,000 people were affected and 19 sought medical attention ► Duration: 3 - 7 days without water ► Cost to Business: The owners of the car wash were ultimately fined $75,000 by the MECP. ► Cost to Tax Payers: This water emergency cost the City approximately $100,000 in staff overtime alone.
It Can Happen Anywhere
Regulations and Responsibilities • Safe Drinking Water Act (2002): exercise diligence and care in all decisions related to the DWS ► s.20 (1) legal responsibility of the owner/operator to protect water system from contamination • Walkerton Inquiry ► Chapter 7 “water providers should have active programs… to detect and deter cross-contamination” • Ontario Building Code ► Premises Isolation for High Hazard Properties ► No requirement for annual inspection or testing of BPD • Canadian Standards Association ► B64 Series
How are Cross Connections Classified • Hazard classifications for cross connections are defined by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Minor • Only aesthetic • No health risk Moderate • Beyond aesthetics • Low probability of becoming severe • Unlikely health risk Severe • Chemical or substance additives • Potential health risk
Protecting the Drinking Water System • Backflow Prevention Device (BPD) =isolates the drinking water systemto prevent backflow ► Think of a BPD device like a “one way street” • They keep contaminants from flowing back into the drinking water system
Protecting the Drinking Water System Source / Fixture Area / Zone Premise
Multi-barrier Approach 1. Source/Fixture Iotation 2. Area/Zone Isolation 3. Premise Isolation Oxford County Water Supply
Oxford County Backflow Bylaw • Oxford County drafted a By-law to regulate backflow prevention and protect the Oxford County drinking water systems from contamination ► By-laws from 14 other Municipalities were researched to create this draft • The By-law will improve protection to the municipal drinking water system. ► What properties will be required to be part of the BPP ► Type of BPDs that are acceptable ► The frequency BPDs must be tested and inspected ► That BPD inspections are performed by qualified persons ► That the County receives the results of all BPP test reports
Bylaw Implementation Who will be impacted • Businesses and commercial properties of moderate to sever hazard rating • Multi-residential properties over three stories • Hazard ratings will be determined during the cross connection survey
Funding the Backflow Prevention Program • User-pay model ► Most common model used in Ontario municipalities ► This puts the expense of the program on those who will be utilizing it • Budget Neutral ► The intent is only for cost recovery to offset the expenses of the program ► User fees (property owner) for different elements of the program will recover costs
Typical User Fees in BPPs Typical fees for a backflow prevention programs include: • Test Tag Fees • Cross Connection Inspection and Report Submission Fees • Backflow Testing and Report Submission Fees • Backflow Prevention Device Tester Registration Fees
Enforcement / Penalties • Fines pursuant to Provincial Offences Act • Prior to issuing a fine the County may: ► Order owner to cease contravening activity. Shut off water to property. Perform the work and charge costs back to owner ► Charge owner for turning water ON/OFF • Fines ► On a first offence, up to $50,000 ► Each subsequent offence up to $100,000 ► Each day any provision of the By-Law is contravened is considered a separate offence, finable up to $10,000 per day, every day in contravention.
What’s Next For Property Owners/Businesses: 1. Hire an approved testing company. 2. Have the company complete and submit the cross connection inspection and survey to the County. 3. Install approved BPD. 4. Once the device has been installed, submit a BPP Test Report to the County
Next Steps Towards Implementation
We Want to Hear from You Thank you for attending! Material will be posted towww.oxfordcounty.ca/backflow Our Project team is available to answer any questions. www.oxfordcounty.ca/backflow
Cross Connection Inspections START
Backflow Testing Process START
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