Water quality is a matter of mutual concern and benefit. With this in mind the Kelowna Joint Water Committee recognized the need to develop and implement a comprehensive Cross Connection Control Program in order to protect the quality of the water being distributed throughout the City of Kelowna.

In Feb. 1998 City Council passed Bylaw 8147 Sec. 30. This bylaw along with British Columbia Plumbing Code 7.6.2 forms the support for our program. In June 1998 a full time Cross Connection Control Program Coordinator was hired to develop and implement a program focused on all Industrial, Commercial, Institutional, and Agricultural water customers in our city. These customers are assessed as to the level of risk they represent to our distribution system and are prioritized accordingly, form highest to lowest. Using Water Regulation Bylaws as support, a survey of the property is conducted and requirements are made for correcting potentially hazardous cross connections. Eliminating the cross connection, installation of a backflow prevention assembly (testable) or a backflow prevention device (non-testable) are the methods used to control potentially hazardous cross connections. A working relationship with the City Inspections Dept. ensures adequate protection is installed in buildings being newly constructed or renovated within city boundaries. All installed assemblies are subject to an annual inspection and testing program that is administered by the CCC Coordinator with the support of the KJWC members.

Backflow Prevention Monitoring Software is used to track all testable assemblies in the city. All pertinent data including: serial number, ownership, location, maintenance history, and hazard, are entered on the database.

Program Scope
The Kelowna Joint Water Committee Cross Connection Control program applies to all water customers within the city. Although the program applies to all customers, the focus of our efforts is on Industrial, Commercial, Institutional, and Agricultural customers.

Regulatory Support
All actual or potential cross connections in newly constructed and renovated properties requiring Building Permit Applications are addressed through provisions in Part 7 B.C. Building Code, Plumbing Services. The City of Kelowna Building Inspections Dept. is responsible for ensuring code compliance throughout the city. Actual or potential cross connections present in existing properties are identified through a property survey process supported by the KJWC Water Purveyor, Water Regulation Bylaws.

Activity
Building Department staff are responsible for the enforcement of cross connection control provisions of the Building Code. The Cross Connection Control Program Coordinator is responsible for applying cross connection control provisions of the Water Regulation Bylaws to all water customers.

Progress
To date 1200 facilities in Kelowna have backflow preventers installed in them. As part of the annual testing requirement, the KJWC backflow preventer registry is currently tracking 2500 backflow preventers. We have recorded data from 10,050 backflow preventer annual test reports since 1998.

Under Provision of City of Kelowna BL8147 Sec. 30

1. Backflow preventers are subject to mandatory annual testing and inspection.
2. When a backflow preventer is installed the initial test results are recorded on a database.
3. Annual test results are due 12 months from the date of installation.
4. If test reports are not received 12 months from date of installation, a 1st reminder letter requesting test results within 30 days will be issued. (sample copy enclosed)
5. If test reports are not received within 30 days, a 2nd reminder letter will be issued. The 2nd letter requests test results in 30 days. This letter includes the statement that non-compliance may result in termination of water service. (sample copy enclosed)
6. If no response is received within 30 days, a 7-day disconnection notice will be issued. (sample copy enclosed) A copy of this notice will be directed to Licensing & Bylaw Enforcement Supervisor, Al Dixon for hand delivery to affected customers. A list of notified customers will be supplied to Lynn Walter, Revenue Manager; Don Degen, Water Manager; and Mike Murrell, Utility Network Supervisor.
7. If the disconnection notice is not successful in motivating the customer to comply, the Revenue Manager will execute the service termination in accordance with existing procedures.
8. All bylaw requirements must be met, and all applicable service charges must be paid prior to the service being restored.
9. All Cross Connection Control, or Backflow Preventer related questions or concerns should be directed to me; Cameron Moody, Cross Connection Control Coordinator at 469-8889

Click here to view a list of certified testers.