I. RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council waive the second reading and approve Ordinance No. 873, which amends Chapter 4A of the Coalinga Municipal Code to update and clarify provisions related to cross-connection control and backflow prevention.
II. BACKGROUND:
The City of Coalinga is committed to protecting its potable water system from contamination and pollution resulting from backflow incidents. The current Chapter 4A, adopted under Ordinance No. 830, sets forth the City's policies and requirements for cross-connection control and backflow prevention.
As part of the City’s continued efforts to strengthen water quality protections and ensure compliance with state regulations, updates have been made to the ordinance language to reflect best practices in notification, enforcement, and recordkeeping related to backflow devices and their testing.
III. DISCUSSION:
The proposed ordinance includes, but is not limited to, the following key updates:
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Clarifies the responsibilities of the City, its contractor (Backflow Solutions, Inc.), and customers regarding the installation, inspection, testing, and certification of backflow prevention assemblies.
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Establishes a more defined notification process for annual backflow testing and noncompliance enforcement, including timelines and consequences for failure to comply.
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Authorizes the City to offer installation, testing, or repair services on a fee basis if the customer does not address deficiencies.
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Provides for immediate water service termination in the event of a serious risk to public health and outlines the conditions for service restoration.
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Aligns definitions, device standards, and hazard assessments with industry and regulatory standards.
IV. ALTERNATIVES:
- Do not waive the second reading or approve Ordinance #873.
V. FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with waiving the second reading of this ordinance. Costs associated with enforcement and program administration are recoverable through fees, as authorized under Section 6-4A.10. | | |