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Decatur adopts customer-based cross-connection control policy for backflow testing
Summary
Council adopted an updated cross-connection control plan and voted to require customers to secure certified testers to perform backflow tests and submit results, shifting testing costs away from the town and aligning practice with modern standards.
The Decatur City Council adopted an updated cross-connection control plan and approved a customer-based policy for backflow testing, shifting primary testing responsibility and cost to customers.
Jerry (water system staff) explained that Decatur’s prior policy dates to 1974 and that the updated plan reflects current practice used by other municipalities: customers with backflow devices arrange for certified private testers and submit test results to the city, rather than the city performing all testing and incurring the cost. Jerry said testing can take several days and that moving to a customer-based model removes municipal liability and the town’s administrative burden for on-site testing.
Council members discussed trade-offs, including potential customer costs and enforcement steps if a device fails testing. The council voted to adopt the customer-based approach; the motion requires customers to have certified operators test backflow devices, submit paperwork to the city, and address failures according to state law and city notices.
Next steps: the city will finalize the updated cross-connection control plan, notify affected customers of the new requirement, and provide guidance on certified testers and reporting requirements.
