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Guadalupe council introduces backflow prevention ordinance; second reading set for May 13
Summary
The Guadalupe City Council voted unanimously to introduce an ordinance requiring installation, maintenance and testing of backflow prevention assemblies and prohibiting cross connections. The move aligns the city with a state water board policy and begins a formal review process ahead of a July state deadline.
The Guadalupe City Council on an April 2025 meeting introduced an ordinance that would require installation, maintenance and testing of backflow prevention assemblies and prohibit cross connections between potable and nonpotable water supplies. Councilmembers voted to set the ordinance for a second reading and adoption at the council’s May 13 meeting.
City staff member Bill, who presented the item, said the change is driven by a state requirement. “On 12/19/2023, the state, water board adopted the cross connection control policy handbook, and that was effective on 07/01/2024,” Bill said. He told the council the handbook requires public water systems such as Guadalupe’s to submit a cross-connection control plan for the State Water Resources Control Board’s review no later than July 1 of this year.
Bill described a cross connection as “an interconnection between a potable water supply and a non potable source” that can cause pollution or health problems. He told the council the ordinance text was adapted from the City of Santa Maria’s ordinance and updated to conform to the state handbook.
The motion the council approved (motion to give first reading and introduce Ordinance No. 2025-523 and continue the hearing to May 13, 2025) was moved and seconded on the record; the council responded with unanimous “ayes” when the vote was called.
The ordinance introduction starts a formal process required by state guidance; staff said technical questions should be directed to City engineer and the consultant retained for the project. The council did not adopt the ordinance at the meeting; a second reading and formal adoption is scheduled for May 13.
Votes at a glance - Motion to introduce Ordinance No. 2025-523 (first reading) and continue to May 13, 2025 for second reading — Motion moved and seconded; council vote: unanimous “aye.”
Why it matters: Backflow assemblies and cross-connection controls protect drinking water from contamination when nonpotable systems (for example, fire suppression systems or irrigation) are connected to potable supplies. The state handbook sets a compliance timetable for public water systems; the city’s ordinance would create local enforcement and monitoring requirements to meet that timetable.
What’s next: Staff will return the ordinance on May 13 for a second reading and potential adoption; technical implementation details and any fees or inspection schedules would be set by the ordinance text and implementing regulations once the council adopts the measure.
