The City of Yakima (City) Municipal Code 7.68.070, Cross-Connection Control, provides requirements for backflow prevention assembly inspection and testing for the water system in the City. The purpose of a cross-connection control system is to protect the public water system from contamination via cross-connections. Subsection (F)(1) amends the procedure for backflow prevention testing and inspections. Currently, after the City sends a property owner notice of the required testing, the City provides assembly description information (manufacturer, model, serial number, hazard number, size and device location), and a list of certified backflow assembly testers. This amendment to the ordinance aligns current practices with the municipal code and the requirements in Washington Administrative Code 246-290 (Public Water Supplies).
Subsection (G) removes the minimum amount of hazard assessments and survey audits performed by the City. Some customers were confused by the “bi-annual” hazard assessment language and refused inspections, when the City is required to perform inspections after any plumbing modification.
This proposed ordinance also removes some of the consequences of failing to comply with the requirements of this Chapter. Subsections (I)(2) and (J) clarify that the City does not repair or charge fees for noncompliant conditions – the City would only terminate water service until the noncompliance is satisfactorily corrected. |