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Warren moves to inspect homes for cross‑connections; program funded through rate ordinance amendment
Summary
Council approved first reading of an ordinance amendment to implement a state‑mandated cross‑connection inspection program, a five‑year sweeping inspection effort paid by the utility and planned to be performed inhouse to keep costs lower than outsourcing.
Warren City Council held a first reading on an amendment to the fiscal-year 2027 water and sewer rate ordinance to add a cross‑connection inspection program required by the state.
City staff (Mr. CS) explained the program will split the city into five sections and complete inspections on a five‑year cycle (approximately 10,000 inspections per year). The department plans to perform inspections with in‑house personnel to control costs rather than hire expensive third‑party vendors; inspectors will provide hose vacuum breakers to homeowners when needed.
Staff said homeowners will be notified by mail and by signage in blocks ahead of door‑to‑door inspections; the city’s customer service office will schedule appointments and leave door tags when no one is home. The inspection checks for potential connections (hose bibs, boiler systems and sprinklers) that could allow contaminated or nonpotable water to backflow into the potable water system.
On cost: inspectors said the city will absorb inspection personnel costs and supply inexpensive vacuum breakers (about $4–$5 each) rather than install more costly RPZ devices on the meter side; the amendment is intended to allow the utility to recover program costs through rates. Council voted to approve the first reading and asked the department to provide its resident notification template and educational materials.
