Lakemore council accepts BSI contract to manage backflow records after resident questions compliance

The Village of Lakemore council on Oct. 20 accepted a proposal from BSI Online Backflow Solutions to manage the village’s backflow-recordkeeping and initial survey work, a step officials said is intended to ensure compliance with federal and state backflow-prevention rules.

The resolution adopting the contract (No. 7504-2025) lists an initial fee of $500 and an annual fee of $1,995. Council approved the measure by unanimous roll call.

Public comment and staff response preceded the vote. Resident Mister Yergin asked how backflow could affect the municipal drinking-water system and referenced his experience with devices used in his prior township. In response, a staff member and council discussion explained that federal rules and local ordinance requirements motivate the village program. In the transcript, Mr. Yergin said, "It's still an EPA regulation because they found that it's possible if somebody has, their water hose hooked directly to their pool all the time or hot tub ... it can allow for dirty water to back flow back into the system." The council record reflects that while mains are pressurized and an event that contaminates the distribution mains is unlikely, the regulation and local ordinance require safeguards and documentation to reduce risk.

Council and staff explained the village has already sent an initial survey to customers to identify potential backflow risks and will send the survey again in coordination with BSI. Officials said commercial properties are treated more conservatively: the village ordinance requires commercial properties to have backflow prevention devices because a business’s use can change over time.

During the public exchange, staff described variations in backflow devices depending on connections (for example, irrigation systems, pools, suppression systems) and noted that BSI will assist the village in maintaining records and pursuing necessary tests and certifications. The resolution authorizes the mayor to accept BSI’s proposal and for the fiscal officer to make payments as required.

Why this matters: Backflow prevention and accurate recordkeeping are part of normal utility operations and are intended to protect the public water supply from cross-connections that could introduce contaminants. The council’s action formalizes a vendor relationship to centralize recordkeeping and help ensure the village meets regulatory obligations.

What happens next: Staff indicated the village will reissue the customer survey with BSI and begin coordinating record transfers and any tests or device installations required by the ordinance. Council recorded the contract adoption as an immediate action; no schedule for site inspections or device installations was specified in the resolution text.

Ending: The matter was adopted as Resolution 7504-2025 and will be implemented by Public Services in coordination with the contracted vendor.