City seeks to modernize cross‑connection and backflow rules; effective date proposed for March

Stephen Gay, water utilities and street operations general manager, told council the city's cross‑connection control program — established in 1997 — needs updates to reflect modern hazards and enforceability. The proposed ordinance would clarify installation standards, remove non‑testable atmospheric vacuum breakers from irrigation use, refine hydrant‑meter rules, and authorize fees and clearer service‑suspension procedures for noncompliance.

Gay emphasized the ordinance applies to commercial and industrial connections and would not impose new requirements on typical residential services. "Backflow is essentially when the water, the potable water, flows from the customer's service into our drinking water system," Gay said, describing why mechanical backflow devices and inspection authority are necessary to protect public health.

Staff said the change will make enforcement clearer and that amending inspection, access and emergency shutoff provisions will help staff identify and stop contamination events. Gay also told council that the city’s planned AMI meter rollout in the coming months should improve detection of reversal events and provide better data on how often backflow incidents occur.

Council asked clarifying questions about testing costs (roughly $2,000–$4,000 per assembly for some devices) and triggers that would require retrofitting existing nonresidential systems; staff said existing installations need not be replaced unless the site undergoes a significant retrofit that triggers the new standards. Staff will publish notices in the Denton Record‑Chronicle and seek council action next month.