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UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING <br />TO:FROM: <br />ERMU CommissionJennie Nelson – Customer Service Manager <br />MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: <br />October 12, 2021 4.2 <br />SUBJECT: <br />Backflow Prevention Program Update <br />ACTION REQUESTED: <br />None <br />BACKGROUND: <br />During a joint City of Elk River/Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) meeting in November 2019, <br />the City designated administrative authority, including related code enforcement, fora <br />backflow prevention program to ERMU. Minnesota Plumbing Code requires all testable <br />backflow prevention devices to be tested annually. Commercial testing needs to be done by a <br />licensed plumber with a testing certification, but ERMU staff recommended creating a <br />residential device testing program, at no extra charge to the resident, with the safety of our <br />water system as the number one priority. Two water department staff went through a Pressure <br />Vacuum Breaker testing certification class in April 2021 and received their certifications. <br /> <br />DISCUSSION: <br />Our first residential testing season is wrapping up as residents are beginning to winterize their <br />irrigation systems. The notices, scheduling of appointments, and testing processes went very <br />well. Staff received positive feedback from customers regarding the free residential testing and <br />it is certainly recognized what a value this program is to the community. <br /> <br />ERMU’s Water Department Rules already have a section related to backflow prevention, but <br />many updates needed to be made to reflect current procedures as well as a reference to our <br />third-party records management company, HydroCorp. Additionally, a penalty fee has been <br />created for customers that are in non-compliance with our backflow prevention program. This <br />penalty will be added to the 2022 ERMU fee schedule. <br /> <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br /> ERMU Policy - W.1 - Water Department Rules – Backflow Preventers Section <br /> <br />______________________________________________________________________________ <br />Page 1 of 1 <br />50 <br />