Peekskill seeks vendor support to manage backflow testing notifications and compliance

David Rambo, Peekskill's Water and Sewer Superintendent, described the city's cross-connection control program and the administrative burden of tracking annual backflow-prevention device tests at roughly 475 establishments. He said the devices must be tested annually, that noncompliance can trigger a $500-per-day penalty and eventual water shutoff, and that the city previously used a vendor to maintain an electronic database and handle filings with no cost to the city. Rambo asked council to consider contracting again with a vendor to maintain the database, manage reminders and compile monthly compliance reports for the health department.

Council members asked how the program operated before and whether the city can hold off while staff explores internal options; Rambo said the data exists in-house but consultant/vendor services would automate mailings, scheduling and reporting. He described the proposed service in the meeting packet as tracking compliance and preparing monthly summaries to ease staff workload and ensure timely inspections. Council asked staff to discuss timing and options before formal contracting.