Council approves first reading of updated backflow prevention ordinance to align with state rules

On first reading the Town Council approved Ordinance 13‑25 on July 15 to update Chapter 20 of the Town Code governing cross‑connection control and backflow prevention. Amanda Barnes, Amanda Barnes, Director of Utilities, told the council the ordinance modernizes the town’s code to align with a 2014 Florida Administrative Code update and clarifies owner responsibilities for installation, testing, maintenance and repairs of backflow prevention devices.

Barnes said the town serves roughly 31,300 service connections and that updated rules will require the town to provide a 90‑, 60‑ and 30‑day notice calendar before device recertification deadlines to help property owners meet reporting requirements. Under the revised enforcement approach staff said it will give notices and, if compliance is not achieved, has the authority to disconnect water service where a backflow device presents an unresolved risk to the public water supply.

Council members asked how many devices fail inspections and whether data could be presented; members also raised concerns about buried double‑check valve assemblies that are more prone to failure because boxes fill with sediment. Barnes and council members agreed staff will provide additional information, including historic test‑failure rates and a dashboard showing where failures cluster, and will coordinate an outreach plan to homeowners and homeowners associations. The ordinance passed on first reading; the town attorney read the short title and council voted to approve first reading. A second reading is required before final adoption.