Council to step up outreach on backflow prevention; enforcement options discussed

Town staff updated the council on efforts to bring properties into compliance with state cross-connection-control rules for backflow-prevention devices and described possible enforcement options if owners do not respond.

Bart said he has been sending surveys and reminders to property owners asking whether they have backflow-prevention assemblies and whether those devices have been inspected. He said nonresponse is the main reason some accounts remain unresolved and that the town has not seen the same response rate as other municipalities. Bart said he has used email for outreach and plans to send certified letters and make phone calls to nonresponding properties.

Staff discussed enforcement measures used by larger cities as examples. Bart cited Provo's cross-connection policy and described enforcement steps: notice and warning, required installation or repairs, and discontinuation of water service if an approved assembly is not installed. He also said municipalities can impose fines, and that a municipal ordinance violation could carry penalties up to a class C misdemeanor level, although he emphasized the town's approach is to seek compliance rather than immediate punishment.

Councilmembers asked about reasons for noncompliance; Bart said many residents simply do not respond to emails or say they cannot schedule inspections. He said the state contact told town staff that Utah expects municipalities to enforce cross-connection compliance locally and that the state's role is limited to oversight. Bart said next steps will include escalation of outreach and preparing stronger notice language, with the possibility of discontinuing water service or levying fines only after additional notice and legal review.