Council introduces cross-connection control ordinance, approves new backflow-control plan

Solvang on July 14 received the city's revised cross-connection control plan and introduced Ordinance No. 25-03-83 to amend Title 9 of the municipal code governing backflow prevention and testing.

Utility Director Jose Acosta told the council the plan was prepared with consultant Tetra Tech and accepted by the State Water Resources Control Board. The update responds to a December 2023 state cross-connection control policy handbook that required each water agency to submit a local plan by July 1, 2025. Staff said Solvang submitted its plan and the state has accepted it.

Key changes in the revised plan and the proposed ordinance include requiring hazard assessments on a five-year cycle (including a self-verification option), expanded backflow-prevention requirements for particular residential and commercial cross-connections (for example pools and irrigation connections), updated testing and certification standards, and strengthened hearing procedures that could lead to service termination for customers who refuse to comply.

Acosta said the city's existing compliance level is high: staff estimate roughly 95% compliance for required backflow testing and certification; most costs to install and test devices are borne by customers. He said the utility will mail notices for self-verification and follow up with inspections if records or aerial surveillance indicate a possible hazard on a property.

Council members asked how compliance is tracked and about costs and staff time. Staff said the utility billing office maintains a database of certified testers and test submissions, testers must renew certifications annually, and the city has two in-house staff certified to test devices. Staff estimated the additional hazard-assessment workload could require several hundred staff hours, supported in part by the Tetra Tech contract. The council introduced the ordinance for first reading and received the plan; roll call was 5-0.