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Albany council adopts ordinance clarifying backflow prevention for properties with wells
Summary
The Albany City Council adopted an amendment to Albany Municipal Code Title 11.01 clarifying backflow prevention requirements when a property served by city water also has an auxiliary water supply such as a well.
Albany City Council adopted an ordinance on Aug. 27 amending municipal code language about backflow prevention to clarify how the city treats auxiliary water supplies on properties served by city water.
The change, contained in an amendment to Albany Municipal Code Title 11.01, Section 11.01.0.225, clarifies that properties served by city water with an auxiliary water supply (most commonly a well) must have a backflow prevention device. Scott Larocque, water superintendent, told the council the amendment formalizes the department's long-standing practice and arose after an earlier challenge to that interpretation.
The ordinance was read in title only by the city attorney and then adopted by vote. Council members who participated in the roll call at the start of the meeting were present for the vote: Mayor Johnson; Councilor Thompson; Councilor McLeod; Councilor Smith; and Councilor McGee. Councilors Van Bridal and Newton were recorded as excused earlier in the meeting.
Larocque said the city has required a backflow device for properties with wells that are also served by city water for decades and that the amendment simply clarifies the municipal code to match the city’s operational practice. "The point of that is it's the best management practice for providing the best level protection for the drinking water system," he said.
Council discussion focused on public health and safety and on making the operational standard explicit in code. The city attorney read the ordinance title before the council voted to adopt.
The ordinance takes effect as provided by law; the city did not specify an ordinance number or an explicit effective date in the meeting record.
Votes at a glance: - Ordinance amending AMC Title 11.01 (backflow prevention): motion to adopt moved by Councilor McLeod, seconded by Councilor McGee; outcome: adopted. - Consent agenda (with item B2 pulled for correction): motion to approve the remainder of the consent agenda was moved and seconded; outcome: approved.
For more detail: Water Superintendent Scott Larocque presented the item and answered council questions during the Aug. 27 meeting.
