Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Water topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves HydroCorp contract to expand cross-connection/backflow program to residences
Summary
The council approved a two-year professional services agreement with HydroCorp to add residential cross-connection control and backflow prevention services, a program the city said the State of Michigan now requires for homes; the contract is not to exceed $113,000 annually.
The Westland City Council approved a two-year professional services agreement with HydroCorp to add residential cross-connection control inspections and backflow prevention services.
Councilwoman Rakowski moved the contract; Councilman Wishart supported the motion. Director Smith explained the contract’s purpose and legal driver: “we've been doing this program for a number of years for the commercial side. However, through the state of Michigan, it's now a requirement for the residential, houses.”
Jim Clevenger of HydroCorp attended to answer technical questions. “A cross connection ... is an actual or potential connection between the safe drinking water supply and a source of contamination or pollution,” Clevenger said, describing examples ranging from industrial process connections to a hose in a mop sink. He added that the program’s work includes verifying that appropriate backflow-prevention devices are installed and tested.
The contract term is two years and the agreement as presented sets an annual not-to-exceed amount of $113,000. The council asked procedural questions about who would attend future hearings and confirmed that the vote passed after no dissent was recorded in the meeting record.
Councilmembers thanked staff for the explanation; one member said the “third-grade version” provided by staff made the subject clear.
The agreement expands an existing commercial program to include residential inspections and device testing to comply with state requirements. The action authorizes staff to finalize the HydroCorp agreement under the terms discussed.
