Council committee advances ordinance to require backflow preventers, inspections to protect Detroit drinking water

A Detroit City Council committee advanced an ordinance to define and prohibit cross connections and require installation and testing of backflow prevention devices in the city’s water system, sending the measure to the council’s new-business calendar with a recommendation to approve.

The proposal, presented by Detroit Water and Sewerage Department staff during a 10:30 a.m. public hearing, is intended to bring the city into compliance with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and the department’s administrative consent agreement. Nikia Branch Benson of DWSD said the new language would list examples and require protective devices and testing: “So what we’re looking to do with the new ordinance is to list examples of cross connection in addition to defining it. We want to require the installation and testing of backflow prevention devices, and then we want to provide, a remedy in the event that people do not comply with the ordinance.”

Why it matters: cross connections — places where potable water could mix with nonpotable sources such as irrigation systems, pools or chemically treated boilers — can cause backflow that contaminates a public drinking-water system. DWSD staff showed a short video demonstration of common household cross-connection risks and described how simple devices and inspection can reduce that risk.

Key facts from the hearing

- Definition and examples: The ordinance would add a clear definition of “cross connection” and enumerate common residential and commercial examples (irrigation systems, hose connections to chemical sprayers, swimming pools, boilers and heat exchangers).

- Device cost and provision: DWSD said backflow preventer devices typically cost between $35 and $600. The department told the committee it expects to provide the simple devices for most residential connections at no cost to residents.

- Inspection cadence: Anil Gosine, DWSD chief planning officer, said the department plans to ramp up residential inspections “based on Eagle's requirements within a 1 to 10 year cycle.” He added the program is not currently inspecting residential properties and the 1-to-10-year cycle means many properties may be inspected only once per decade under the initial schedule.

- Implementation timeline and rollout: DWSD said it plans an initial multi‑year rollout (staff described planning an initial 5‑year period for distribution and installation of devices) with the goal of starting increased inspections in July. The department also described a public outreach campaign — flyers, videos and targeted neighborhood engagement — to notify residents ahead of inspections.

- Enforcement: DWSD said enforcement would emphasize assistance and outreach, not immediate shutoffs. Staff described service interruption as an “ultimate remedy” reserved for properties that do not respond after repeated outreach and remediation attempts; the department said enforcement timelines will vary by assessed hazard and could run from months to years depending on the case.

Public questions and DWSD responses

Residents asked about affordability, appeal and dispute procedures, whether Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) would cover costs, and whether rain barrels are permitted. DWSD responded that the city…