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Council updates municipal code to tighten backflow testing, require ANSI‑certified testers
Summary
The Camarillo City Council unanimously approved changes to Chapter 14.04 of the municipal code to bring the city's cross‑connection/backflow program into compliance with new state guidance, including requiring ANSI certification for testers.
City staff recommended and the Camarillo City Council approved an ordinance amending Chapter 14.04 of the Camarillo Municipal Code to update the city's cross‑connection control (backflow prevention) requirements and to comply with changes in the State Water Resources Control Board policy handbook.
A staff presenter (identified in the transcript as Mr. Klotzell) told the council that the council must update local code language so the city can submit a formal cross‑connection control plan to the State by the end of the month. The changes incorporated into the draft ordinance include requiring the city to designate a program coordinator — the Public Works Director or a designee (the staff presentation identified the Assistant Water Superintendent as the designee) — and to verify that all testers working in the city's water service area hold ANSI certification. The ordinance also requires the city to track and report annual compliance for all backflow preventer assemblies connected to the system; staff noted Camarillo tracks nearly 3,000 such assemblies.
Klotzell described the purpose of backflow preventers: to stop water from flowing from a customer system back into the city's potable supply under low‑pressure or other conditions. He said the devices are commonly required at irrigation meters and on commercial, industrial and institutional connections; residential systems typically do not require separate devices unless there is a dedicated landscape meter or separate landscape system.
Councilmembers asked for clarifications about where assemblies are most commonly located and about the current certification status of local testers. Councilmember Martinez Bravo asked what percentage of testers were ANSI certified; staff replied that roughly 80% of testers who had prior certification are now ANSI certified and that the percentage was growing.
The council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance. The roll call recorded in the transcript shows "yes" votes from Councilmember Martinez Bravo, Councilmember Santangelo, Councilmember Tremblay, Vice Mayor Tennyson and Mayor Kildee.
