McAllen utility staff outline expanded backflow prevention notice, testing and enforcement measures

Mark Vega, general manager of McAllen Public Utilities (MPU), told the McAllen City Commission at a Feb. 24 workshop that MPU has revised its backflow prevention policy to increase customer notice and to ensure yearly testing required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

The changes include a 90-day initial notice, followed by 60-day and 30-day reminders; a list of licensed testers provided with the notice; a standing subcontractor who can be dispatched to test devices when account holders do not respond; and the possibility of interrupting water service for devices found noncompliant if the owner does not repair or replace them. "This is for information only," Vega said, adding the goal is to educate commissioners so they can answer constituent questions.

The revisions respond to recurring backflow incidents across Texas that have led to boil-water notices and other contamination events, Vega said. He cited MPU deployments to aid other cities including Laredo, San…