HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 04/17/2001 - SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 47, 2001, AMENDING AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 12
DATE: April 17, 2001
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL Jim Hibbard/
FROM: John Nelson
SUBJECT:
Second Reading of Ordinance No.47,2001,Amending the City's Cross-Connection Control Rules
and Regulations.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff and Water Board recommend adoption of the Ordinance on Second Reading.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Ordinance No. 47, 2001, which was unanimously adopted on First Reading on March 20, 2001,
authorizes changes to the City's Cross-Connection Control Rules and Regulations reducing the
required testing interval for backflow preventers on the typical single-family residential lawn
sprinkler system from annually to once every three years.
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 17
March 20, 2001
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: M
STAFF: Jim Hibbard/
John Nelson
SUBJECT:
First Reading of Ordinance No.47,2001,Amending the City's Cross-Connection Control Rules and
Regulations.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff and Water Board recommend adoption of the Ordinance o eading.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
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The Ordinance will reduce the need for future ad staff administer this program.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMA .:
The pr .osed changes to the It . ss Connec 'qti Control Rules and Regulations would reduce
the refi', ired testing interval for ba tip ers on the typical single-family residential lawn
spri�er system from annually to once every three years.
The 's current regulations regre that all backflow preventers be tested annually. For practical
reason:,<:awn sprinkler systems must be tested during the irrigation season. This has become a
gig an aiRdertaking. This, alon with feedback from customers that annual testing is too frequent,
caused _- o invests 41e"'alternatives.
Staff worked wit &'Colorado Department of Health, Water Quality Division for clarification of
the State's regulations regarding testing of the backflow preventers for residential lawn sprinkler
systems. The result was that testing of these specific devices is considered a matter for local
determination under a municipality's Plumbing Code.
Staff believes for the t},pical residential lawn sprinkler system, an adequate level of protection can
be obtained from testing once every three years. This level of testing is manageable with existing
resources and would be more acceptable to customers.
DATE: March 20. 2001 2 ITEM NUMBER: 17
BACKGROUND:
Over six years ago, the City's Water Board recommended. and City Council adopted, a Cross
Connection Control Program (the "Program"). The Program requires installation and testing of
backflow preventers on all connections that pose a hazard to the water distribution system of the
City's Water Utility. These include fire sprinkler lines,boiler makeup lines,carbonated drink supply
lines, lawn sprinkler systems, and others. The main focus of the Program is the commercial-
industrial sector. Under the Program, annual testing is performed by private certified technicians
hired by the customer. The Program has been very successful with over 2,500 aom ercial-industrial
devices currently tested annually.
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Although the main focus of the Program is commercial-industrial connections,backflow preventers
on residential lawn sprinkler systems are not ignored. All new Sys te ust be inspected and tested.
In addition, staff conducts surveys identifying homes with existtn spyr�s stems. A letter is
then sent requesting the customer to call for an inspection and free test o' tfieu kaaelIopreventer.
Systems without proper backflow preventers are required to install the correct asseMly
*d have
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it tested. This process has identified over 5,000 resid6 4 �inkler systems to date firs
indicate about 15,000 residential lawn sprinklers stems are in Fort Collins.
The City's current regulations require that alap v preventeibe tested annually. For practical
reasons,lawn sprinkler systems must be tes ed durinemirrigat�}Qri season. Sending out notices and
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recording test results for the residential sprinkler systirlscuirently in the database has become a
gigantic undertaking. This,along wit eedback from customers that annual testing is too frequent, )
scaused city staff to investigate aktrrt ve
Staff worked with the ColorAdo Department o " ti Water Qualm' ivision for clarification of
the State's regulations regai ing testing of residenUO� a n backflo v preventers for residential lawn
sprinkler systems. The re—�u�,,l��t was that because a tJa!
al residential lawn backflow preventer is
considered an extension oftlie house plumbing, it istumbing Code issue. The 1997 Edition of
the Uniform Pumbing Cacteas amended by the orado Plumbing Board leaves the testing
frequency p to# eN hmini ,t1Y uthority.
Staff b6lieves for the typical reside lawnw. ler system, an adequate level of protection can
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be ol4ained from testing once every three ,:
years. This level of testing is manageable with existing
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resole es and would be more acceptable to customers. Any residential system that presents an
unusual hazard, such as a fertilizer injection system or back up well, will continue to be tested
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annu�, In addition, a test would be required upon the new installation, repair, and replacement
of a baGlcYlow preventer. A11,commercial-industrial devices, including commercial irrigation
systemsvvttild still require anneal testing.
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