HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-27-94Date: Monday, March 7, 1994
Subject: BACKFLOW PREVENTION AND CROSS — CONNECTION CONTROL PROGRAM
Recommendations,
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and
Administration Committee recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report PD -27 -94 be received;
2. THAT Council approve implementation of a Backflow Prevention
and Cross - Connection Control Program as contained in Report
PD- 27 -94.
1. BACKGROUND:
1.1 Staff from the Region of Durham Works Department and
Plumbing Inspectors from the Area municipalities have had a
number of regular meetings regarding backflow prevention and
cross - connections.
1.2 It was agreed that a program of re- inspection of existing
buildings for cross - connection and re- testing backflow
prevention devices should be implemented to ensure harmful
contaminates can not enter the potable water system.
1.3 In order for such a program to be successful it was also
agreed the Region and Area Municipalities must work together
to enforce the Region's Water System By -law and the Building
Code regarding plumbing.
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2.1 A cross - connection is any temporary, permanent or potential
connection that may allow a backflow of contaminates into
the drinking water system. The contaminate enters the
potable water system when the pressure of the polluted
source exceeds the pressure of the potable source ... thus
resulting in backflow or back siphonage.
2.2 An example of a cross - connection is a soft drink vending
machine connected to the potable water supply line that
mixes and dispenses the drink. If carbonated water which is
used in the process is allowed to come in contact with
copper piping the result could be copper sulphate poisoning.
2.3 Cross - connections are an ever increasing possibility as the
nature and use of industrial, commercial and institutional
buildings changes, thereby increasing a risk to the
community of contaminated potable water. The problem is an
ongoing one, because piping systems are continually being
installed, altered or changed without benefit of a permit
and inspection.
2.4 Part 7 "Plumbing" of the Ontario Building Code recognizes
the potential hazard and requires that "... backflow
prevention devices to protect a potable water system from
contamination shall be selected, installed and field
tested...".
2.5 Further the Region of Durham's Water System By -law provides
for the safeguard of the system by requiring for the
installation, inspection and approval of backflow preventers
under Part V Water Service Connection.
Section 20(f) "The Commissioner of Works may refuse a Water Service
Connection application where in his opinion, the
Regional Water Supply System may be adversely affected
or where, in his opinion, there is insufficient water
supply available."
REPORT NO.: PD -27 -94
PAGE 3
Section 26 "Backflow preventers shall be installed by and at the
expense of the Consumer where deemed necessary by a
plumbing inspector of an Area Municipality or the
Commissioner of Works and such Backflow preventers must
be approved by a plumbing inspector of the Area
Municipality in which they are installed ".
2.6 Because of jurisdictional rights, the Region must rely on
the area municipalities to carry out the necessary
inspections on private property. Regional support of the
program is recognized again through the By -law.
Section 26(b) "The Commissioner of Works may turn off the supply of
water to any building or premises in which any leaky or
defective Private Water Service Pipe, tap or fixture or
any cross - connection with any private water supply,
drain or sewer exists and shall require that the pipe
or fixtures be repaired or replaced in such manner as
he may approve, or that the cross - connection be
eliminated before the water is turned on again ".
2.7 Control of cross connections is possible only through
education, regular inspections, testing and maintenance. An
effective Backflow Prevention and Cross - Connection Program
would be carried out in 2 parts: PART I /DETECTION, PART II/
MAINTENANCE.
3. DETECTION
3.1 The first part of the program will require listing the
higher risk buildings (industrial, commercial, institutional
and multi family residential) then prioritize the degree of
hazard they present. It is estimated it would take the
plumbing inspector approximately 2 days per week the first
year to carry inspections of these facilities and identify
those areas /cross- connections where backflow devices must
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REPORT NO.: PD -27 -94 PAGE 4
be installed. These would be the initial buildings
inspected for cross - connections and would be followed by the
less hazardous installations.
3.2 A portion of the inspector's time will be spent informing
the owner, plant manager or maintenance staff of the
potential dangers of cross - connections and the importance of
backflow prevention and the maintenance of these types of
devices.
4. MAINTENANCE
4.1 Part II of the program involves record keeping to ensure re-
testing and /or certification of the backflow device is
ongoing. This will require about one (1) day per week of
staff time. There are no other direct financial
implications in either staff or equipment requirements.
4.2 The benefits of such ,a control program are obvious. The
municipality, in conjunction with the Region of Durham, will
be fulfilling its obligation of ensuring the safety of the
water system for human consumption, while at the same time
identifying and correcting those situations that may lead to
contamination of the potable water supply.
5. EXISTING PROGRAMS
5.1 Within the Region of Durham, the City of Oshawa and Towns of
Whitby and Ajax have programs in place. The other area
municipalities if not already established, will have a
program starting soon. In addition, a number of other
municipalities such as Scarborough and Cambridge have had
such a program for some time.
REPORT NO.: PD -27 -94
6. CONCLUSION
6.1 The Backflow Prevention and Cross - Connection Control Program
is necessary to ensure potable water is safe for drinking
purpose and therefore respectfully request Council to
endorse the implementation of such a program.
Respectfully submitted,
a� "�'k-L) 'j,
Franklin Wu, M.C.I.P.
Director of Planning & Development
HGW *FW *bb
*Attach
25 February 1994
Recommended for presentation
to the Committee,