Champlain passes bylaw on backflow prevention devices

Owners of several commercial buildings in Champlain Township are now required, by law, to install backflow prevention devices.

The township says the bylaw, which council approved on Wednesday, December 14, will ensure the public water supply is not compromised.

"For a few years, the Ministry of the Environment, in our yearly water inspection reports, has been recommending we implement a bylaw," stated chief administrative officer Jean Thériault. "The MOE has not made this a requirement yet, but it would be in the best interest of our residents to approve the bylaws and protect our water supply."

According to the bylaw, all commercial buildings in "severe" need of the devices - determined as per an inspection by the chief building official - would be required to install one within 60 days of the inspection. A building posing a "moderate to minor" risk would have 90 days. The criteria for determining risk depend on the type of facility as well as the types of cross-connections in the building.

Champlain's chief building official, Jacques Gauthier, issued a report identifying seven buildings in the township that would be required to install a backflow prevention device as per the Ontario Building Code and the new bylaw. Four are in Vankleek Hill and three are in L'Orignal.

However, Gauthier indicated he is "not an expert in identifying old models" of such devices and therefore he could not identify buildings that were in need of upgrades. "The chief building official is also not qualified to determined when reduced pressure valves are required and, for your information, my survey did not include which establishments performed testing on their backflow preventers."

He suggested hiring a professional engineer or Ontario Clean Water Agency employee to verify the condition of all units in the township, whether the proper type of device was installed as per the Building Code, and for testing.

The cost of such devices and their installation varies from several hundreds to several thousands of dollars. Building owners are also required to pay a $240 administrative fee to the township, which includes a review of the system, a test report and the inspection of up to three backflow prevention devices.

The program would not cost the township, and therefore not the taxpayers, as the above fees would cover the cost of providing it.