Wolfeboro public works presents proposed cross-connection control rules; board requests clarifications before vote

Steve Randall, director of public works for the town, told the Wolfeboro Board of Selectmen on May 27 that the public works department is proposing a cross-connection control program to protect the municipal drinking water supply by preventing backflow and contamination.

Randall said the draft—drawn from New Hampshire administrative rules (Env-DW 505) and practices used by surrounding municipalities—would require owners to install, maintain and test approved backflow-prevention devices at their expense and would enable the department to terminate service in the event of a serious health threat. "Owners must install, maintain, and have devices tested at their expense," Randall said.

Key provisions discussed included definitions of backflow and backpressure, hazard classifications that determine required devices (air gaps, vacuum breakers, double-check valves, reduced-pressure-zone [RPZ] devices), and inspection schedules: high-hazard devices would be inspected twice a year and low-hazard devices annually. Randall said permits would be required for cross connections (initial permit $75 and renewal $50 every five years). He described inspection and testing fees as $150 for an inspection and $150 for a retest, with after-hours testing priced at $225.

Randall proposed that the town act primarily as record-keeper rather than the primary inspector: many commercial customers and institutions such as hospitals already have third-party inspectors who would certify compliance and submit reports to the town. "We don't want to be the inspector on record for these," Randall said; instead the town would catalog certifications and keep a master list.

Board members pressed on residential impacts, enforcement, and logistics. The director said most residences already have the simple dual-check devices in place and that new construction on the municipal system would require such devices. He agreed to clarify in the draft that installations should be performed by licensed plumbers and to add clearer guidance on where forms and permits will be available online or at the Public Works garage. "I'll make a note to put in that it should be done by a licensed plumber," Randall said in response to board questions.

Randall described an ongoing effort to build a complete inventory of applicable water customers and devices; he said the town has about 2,400 water customers and that roughly 30% are commercial (figures provided during discussion), and that the department aims to complete inventory work this year and to address seasonal line issues within about two years. He noted the town already uses an iWORKS tracking system that will trigger reinspection reminders and help manage renewals.

The board generally supported the approach but asked staff to return with a revised draft incorporating the requested clarifications (licensed-plumber language, permit pickup information and other redlines). The chair asked Randall to bring the updated document back to the board at the next meeting and suggested scheduling follow-up work sessions on water, sewer and roads to continue discussion.

Why it matters: the program would standardize how Wolfeboro documents and enforces protections against contamination of the public water supply, shift inspection and testing costs to device owners, and set a formal schedule and record-keeping mechanism for municipal compliance with state rules.

Next step: staff will revise the draft to incorporate the board’s requested clarifications and return to the select board for further review; the board indicated it will consider the rules again at a subsequent meeting.