HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 1750, Amendments to Chapter 13.12, Control of Backflow Protection and Cross-Connections1
Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Debbie Arkell, Director of Public Services
Chuck Winn, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: Amendments to Chapter 13.12, Control of Backflow Protection and
Cross-Connections via Ordinance No. 1750. This project was continued
from the March 2, 2009 meeting to this date, with the direction for Staff to
bring additional information/answers to questions and concerns raised to
this meeting.
MEETING DATE: May 11, 2009
RECOMMENDATION: In light of the expenses full implementation of the proposed
installation and testing program could cause business owners/residents in this time of economic
downturn, Staff’s recommendation is to re-open the item and then table the item indefinitely. The
project will be brought back to the Commission at a future date.
Backflow protection devices have been required by Municipal Code in new and remodel
construction since at least 1999. Staff will continue to: require the installation of backflow
protection devices via site plan and/or building permit approval; inventory which structures have
or do not have proper devices; continue to work with existing building owners who have a desire
to install these devices; and provide education on the importance of backflow protection devices
and the inspection/testing thereof.
BACKGROUND: On March 2, 2009, Staff presented Ordinance No. 1750 to amend Section
13.12.322, Protective Devices, and add Chapter 13.14, Control of Backflow and Cross-
Connections, of the Bozeman Municipal Code.
The Municipal Code and the Uniform Plumbing Code (which is adopted by the City) require the
installation of backflow protection devices as well as the testing of installed devices. The
proposed Ordinance changes were an effort to formalize both the types of devices allowed and
the maintenance and testing of the devices.
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During the March 2 discussion, the Commission asked staff to:
Ø Separate the installation and testing components and provide information regarding:
· the costs of the city contracting to have these services done
§ can we get a price break by negotiating the cost of installations and/or
testing – i.e. buy a set number of installations and/or tests a head of time
to get a break on volume purchasing;
· the costs of in-house installation and/or testing
§ how much current staff time could be devoted to an installation and/or
testing program
§ how many units could be installed and/or tested annually
§ what are the impacts if an assembly fails a city test inspection and what
steps would be taken for the repair
· the costs of leaving the securing of these services to the customer;
· determine a more accurate cost for the different types of units, including all costs
– the unit, the thermal expansion air tank, installation, testing:
§ commercial/industrial
§ single family residence
§ multi-family residence
§ landscape irrigation
Ø Determine the feasibility of saving money by buying the devices in bulk;
Ø Better explain how we will identify the structures that don’t have protective devices,
identify what triggers the need to install the device, and how we will prioritize the factors
to determine which structures need the devices first;
Ø Focus on commercial/industrial rather than single family residential;
Ø Determine if installing protection devices in the mains, rather than on services, is
feasible;
Ø Report whether a once per year test is necessary or whether once every two or three years
would be adequate;
Ø Research how a no- or low-interest one-year loan with monthly payments could be
developed;
Ø Research how a cost-share program might work;
Ø Explain the type of education we are proposing and at what cost, with a focus on older
residential neighborhoods to give residents a chance to do the work themselves; and
Ø Consider allowing more than a 100 day time period for the installation and testing (3-6
months suggested)
This information has been obtained, but formatting the information into a final presentation is
still in the works. While the information can be provided to the Commission at this meeting, we
will be better prepared at a future date to present the information in a concise and consolidated
manner.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Commission.
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Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: John M. Alston, Water Superintendent
Chris Kukulski, City Manager
SUBJECT: Ordinance No. 1750 Revising Section 13.12.322 Protective Devices, and
Adding Chapter 13.14, Control of Backflow and Cross-Connections of the
Bozeman Municipal Code
MEETING DATE: March 2, 2009
RECOMMENDATION: Provisionally adopt Ordinance No. 1750 revising Section 13.12.322,
Protective Devices, and adding Chapter 13.14, Control of Backflow and Cross-Connections of
the Bozeman Municipal Code.
BACKGROUND: In FY08 the Commission approved a position in the water operations
division to hire a backflow protection specialist. Part of that person’s duties was to research and
propose a backflow protection ordinance for the city that expands on Section 13.12.322 of the
BMC that requires backflow protection to be installed as a condition of continued water service.
Section 13.12.322 was adopted in 1999. The need of the testing program and ordinance was
identified in the 2005 Water Facility Plan.
The Bozeman Water Department has been requiring Backflow protection on new water services
since 1992. Some of these assemblies require yearly testing and were not required to be tested by
the Department until the hiring of the Backflow Specialist.
On February 20, 2008, the City’s Design Standards and Specifications Policy was amended to
require backflow protection to be installed on each fire and domestic service line as required by
the Water Superintendant.
The intent of Ordinance No. 1750 is to protect the City’s water supply system from the
possibility of contamination or pollution by isolating within the customer’s internal distribution
systems or the customer’s private water systems contaminants or pollutants which could
backflow into the city water system. It will also promote the elimination or control of existing
cross-connections between potable water systems and non-potable water systems, plumbing
fixtures and industrial pipe systems and provide for the maintenance of a continuing Program of
Cross-Connection Control which will systematically and effectively prevent the contamination or
pollution of all potable water systems.
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ALTERNATIVES: As recommended by the Commission.
FISCAL EFFECTS: There will be minimal office expenses associated with mailing letters
notifying property owners of the need to test existing backflow prevention assemblies/devices.
Attachments: Ordinance No. 1750
Report compiled on February 25, 2009
Cc: Debbie Arkell, Director of Public Services
Richard Hixson, City Engineer
Dewey Sorensen, Backflow Protection Specialist
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