Hanover adopts backflow prevention bylaw after staff outline program affecting ~75 properties

Council on June 1 approved a new backflow prevention bylaw and received a staff report describing a town program to reduce the risk of contaminants entering the municipal drinking-water distribution system.

Andrew Wilkin, director of development and infrastructure, told council that the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has urged municipalities to implement backflow-prevention programs and that existing building and plumbing codes leave gaps for older or existing properties. He said the program would require affected properties to register with an administrator, submit test reports and ensure testers are qualified; staff have identified about 75 properties that would likely qualify.

Wilkin said the town had engaged an external service provider to administer device-reporting and testing oversight, and that the municipality—stimated an operating cost of approximately $1,595 per year and a first-year implementation fee of $595; staff expect the program to be cost‑recoverable through user fees added in the 2027 rates and charges bylaw.

Council heard questions about whether some properties already have devices and about phasing and notification; Wilkin said many do have devices but the program would address missing reports or noncompliant cases and that staff would provide notice and a timeline once rates and fees are set. The bylaw (cited in the agenda as Bylaw 3404-26) was introduced and carried.

The bylaw adoption is procedural but creates a regulatory framework that will be implemented through administrative fees and an external administrator; council directed staff to add fees in the 2027 rates and charges bylaw.