TCEQ backflow recertification draws citizen concern; city, plumber offer stepped pricing

Residents raised concerns at the Pecos City Council meeting Aug. 28 about new backflow-prevention and recertification notices tied to yard/irrigation meters. City staff and the public-works director said the requirement originates with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and is intended to protect the municipal water supply from contamination.

Kelvin Ridgeley, director of public works, told council the TCEQ sets the testing requirements. He said Baltimore Plumbing has agreed to reduce its inspection fee from $1.65 to $1.25 to help customers. Ridgeley explained that residential yard meters typically require testing every two years, while commercial backflow devices are tested annually; a TCEQ representative suggested annual testing is safest in light of risk to treated water.

Staff said the city currently has about 140 yard meters that will fall under the testing requirement and that the city—s fee for its administrative portion is roughly $200. Ridgeley and other staff emphasized that the testing requirement applies to the backflow device linked to irrigation meters, not the main household drinking-water meter, and that it exists to prevent irrigation-chemical or other contamination from backflowing into treated potable water.

Council members asked staff to continue public outreach and to keep working with local plumbers to reduce costs and ensure residents can complete the testing process. Ridgeley said the city does not set the plumber—s private inspection fee but will coordinate outreach and share a list of licensed testers.