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City engineer outlines EPA compliance steps: backflow testing due June 15, lead-lateral verification by 2027
Summary
The North Ridgeville city engineer told council that backflow prevention devices must be tested and results uploaded by June 15, 2026; the city must confirm roughly 15,000 service laterals by 2027 and has verified about 13,400 as not lead, leaving roughly 1,600 to confirm.
At the March 16 meeting, the city engineer gave a detailed update on municipal obligations under EPA reporting rules and the city's ongoing lead service-lateral verification work.
The engineer said all backflow prevention devices must be tested and approved by a registered plumber, with results uploaded to the city's consultant portal (Backflow Solutions) by June 15. Those devices include residential lawn-sprinkler systems and devices at commercial properties; mailings will be sent to addresses with registered backflow devices.
As part of EPA compliance, the city will also perform on-site investigations of commercial businesses on a five-year cycle; businesses that have not yet had a survey can expect one this year or next. Commercial businesses are also asked to complete and return a cross-connection survey annually to help the city determine the likelihood of potential cross connections between private plumbing and the public water system.
Regarding lead service laterals, the engineer said the city has approximately 15,000 laterals. Contractors who performed meter replacements last year verified many private-side materials, and engineering staff have researched public-side records. To date, approximately 13,400 laterals have been confirmed not to be lead; about 1,600 remain for which the city has not yet verified materials. The engineer said staff may ask property owners to perform a scratch test on private-side lines when other verification methods are unavailable. The city's obligation under EPA guidance is to confirm all 15,000 laterals by 2027.
Council received the report; no ordinance or formal directive on this item was adopted at the meeting.
