City of Kitchener Backflow Prevention Program

1. City of KitchenerBackflow Prevention Program A Pro-Active Approach to Protecting the Potable Water Supply in the City of Kitchener

2. Presentation Agenda • Background • Introduction • purpose & definitions • Backflow Prevention Program • problem identification • by-law implementation • timing • Question & Answer

3. Background • Public Health Officials as well as Water Purveyors have long been concerned over potential sources of water contamination.

4. Program Purpose • The City of Kitchener has chosen to take a pro-active approach with respect to protection of the safe, clean drinking water it supplies to its consumers. This has resulted in the establishment of a Cross-Connection Control Program which will supervise the installation of mechanical safeguards in both the public and private water distribution system.

5. Program Purpose • Enact Backflow Prevention Regulations to give the City the authority to implement the program, • Identify any and all cross-connections where potential contamination of potable water may occur, • Maintain a database of qualified backflow device testers and cross-connection auditors, • Maintain a database of water users who have backflow prevention devices.

6. Definitions Owner - any person, firm or corporation having management control over a property to which this bylaw applies and includes the owner registered on the title of the property and any occupant of any building or structure located on such property.

7. Definitions High Hazard - any cross connection involving a substance that, if ingested, could result in serious illness or death. Medium Hazard - any cross connection involving a substance which, if ingested, could cause health problems but unlikely to cause death. Low Hazard - any cross connection involving a substance which could create a nuisance but unlikely to cause serious health problems.

8. Definitions • Backflow - a reversal in the normal direction of flow within a piping system. This can occur in two ways.

9. Definitions • Example of Back Siphon effect

10. Backflow Situations • Common cause of Backflow due to the siphon effect

11. Backflow Situations

12. Definitions • Example of “Back pressure”

13. Definitions • Backpressure-process piping pressure may overcome the incoming city pressure

16. Many of these situations, which may seem innocent enough, have the potential to create disaster in the potable water supply

17. Program Initiatives • Require that the building owner/property manager provide a professional audit of the entire potable water supply and distribution system for their building(s) and prepare an audit report listing any and all cross-connections.

18. Program Timing • the implementation schedule is to be determined by the severity of the potentials for contamination • protection of existing supply lines will be phased in from high hazard to low hazard

19. Selection of Backflow Prevention Devices Installation of Backflow Prevention Devices Testing of Devices Inspections Date of Compliance Cross-Connection Prohibited Persons Permitted to Carry Out Work Backflow Prevention Regulations

20. Public Involvement • This initiative is still fairly new from an enforcement perspective and the Kitchener Building Division is open to suggestions regarding the implementation of this program • Questions,comments can be directed to Marc Hilker; Backflow Prevention Officer for Kitchener Utilities at 741-2840 or marc.hilker@kitchener.ca

21. Question & Answer Session

22. Acknowledgements AWWA The Birks Company Conbraco Watts Zurn Wilkins CSA Cameron Instruments University of Southern California Kitchener Utilities Thank you for attending