TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
FROM: Robin Kampmann, City Engineer
SUBJECT:
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Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 1099, an amendment to Chapter 24, Section 24.23 relating to the water system cross-connection control.
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RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
recommendation
Waive the second reading except by title and adopt Ordinance No. 1099 Chapter 24, Section 24.23 of the Red Bluff Municipal Code, relating to the water system cross-connection control.
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SUMMARY:
The Red Bluff Municipal Code Section 24.23 establishes the requirements of the city for the installation of and the use of backflow devices for the public water system. The current code language does not meet the updated requirements of the State Water Resources Control Board relating to cross-connection control and backflow prevention. The Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH), adopted by the Water Board on December 19, 2023, or any subsequent version, replaces previous regulations effective July 1, 2024, and carries the full force and effect of law. This update to the Red Bluff Municipal Code meets the current updated requirements and is established to:
A. Protect the City’s public potable water supply system from contamination or pollution by isolating the water user’s internal systems or private water sources that could backflow into the City’s system;
B. Promote the elimination or control of actual or potential cross-connections between potable and non-potable systems; and
C. Maintain an effective Cross-Connection Control Program to systematically minimize potential risks to the City’s potable water supply
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
At the City Council meeting on June 16, 2026, the City Council introduced the first reading and held a public hearing on the proposed ordinance that would updated Chapter 24, Section 24.23 of the Red Bluff Municipal Code, relating to the water system cross-connection control.
DISCUSSION:
A cross connection is any actual or potential physical connection between the public potable water supply and any source of contamination or pollution. When water pressure fluctuates - due to a water main break, high demand, or firefighting activities - non-potable water can be “back-siphoned” or “back-pressured” into the public water system, potentially contaminating the drinking water supply for the broader community.
The Cross Connection Control Program is a critical public health protection measure. By codifying the program, the City ensures consistent, equitable enforcement across all customer classes - residential, commercial, industrial, and irrigation. Property owners with existing backflow prevention devices are already subject to annual testing requirements; this ordinance formalizes those requirements and provides clearer notice of obligations and consequences for non-compliance.
The proposed ordinance has been drafted to be consistent with and complementary to the requirements of CCR Title 17, California Health and Safety Code Section 116800 et seq., and guidance issued by the SWRCB Division of Drinking Water. The ordinance does not conflict with any existing state law and provides local enforcement mechanisms that supplement state oversight.
CEQA:
The City Council finds that adoption of this Ordinance will not have a significant effect ot he environment and is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. As separate and independent basis, this Ordinance is not a project under CEQA pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3).
CITY FISCAL IMPACT:
None
ATTACHMENTS:
1. None
CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE NO. 1099
AN ORDINANCE OF THE RED BLUFF CITY COUNCIL AMENDING THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES - CHAPTER 24, SECTION 24.23 water system cross-connection control
WHEREAS, the City of Red Bluff ("City") owns, operates, and maintains a public water system that provides potable water to its residents, businesses, and institutions; and
WHEREAS, the health and safety of the public depends upon the delivery of water that is free from contamination, and cross-connections between the public water system and sources of pollution or contamination pose a significant risk to that safety; and
WHEREAS, a "cross-connection" is any actual or potential connection between the public water supply and any source of contamination or pollution through which backflow could occur; and
WHEREAS, the California State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, requires all public water systems to establish and maintain an effective cross-connection control program pursuant to Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations; and
WHEREAS, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook, effective July 1, 2024, and adopted a revised version of that handbook on April 21, 2026, updating requirements applicable to public water systems, including references to accrediting entities and permitting procedures; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to amend the Red Bluff Municipal Code to ensure the City's cross-connection control program remains consistent with current state law, regulations, and the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook; and
WHEREAS, an effective cross-connection control program requires periodic surveys of customer premises, identification of actual or potential cross-connections, installation and maintenance of approved backflow prevention assemblies where hazards are identified, annual testing of backflow prevention assemblies by certified testers, and public education regarding the hazards of cross-connections; and
WHEREAS, failure to maintain an adequate cross-connection control program could result in contamination of the public water supply, endangerment of public health, and potential noncompliance with state and federal safe drinking water requirements; and
WHEREAS, City Code Section 24.23 was amended as shown.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RED BLUFF DOES ORDAIN ON JULY 21, 2026, AS FOLLOWS:
The existing Section 24.23 is amended to read as follows:
Section 24.23 Cross-Connection Control
§24.23-1 Purpose.
The purpose of this Chapter is to comply with the requirements of the State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) relating to cross-connection control and backflow prevention. The Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH), adopted by the Water Board on December 19, 2023, or any subsequent version, replaces previous regulations effective July 1, 2024, and carries the full force and effect of law. This Chapter is established to:
(A) Protect the City’s public potable water supply system from contamination or pollution by isolating the water user’s internal systems or private water sources that could backflow into the City’s system;
(B) Promote the elimination or control of actual or potential cross-connections between potable and non-potable systems; and
(C) Maintain an effective Cross-Connection Control Program to systematically minimize potential risks to the City’s potable water supply.
§24.23-2 Application.
(A) The provisions of the CCCPH and all referenced California Health and Safety Code sections, as amended, are adopted by reference.
(B) The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program shall be accomplished primarily through premises containment. However, the City may, on a case-by-case basis, accept backflow prevention assemblies installed within internal plumbing systems in lieu of premises containment.
(C) The City shall not be responsible for identifying or abating all cross-connections within private property.
§24.23-3 Definitions.
In addition to the definitions outlined in the CCCPH, the following terms are defined for the purpose of this chapter:
Air Gap Separation (AG): The term "Air Gap Separation" shall mean a backflow method meeting the requirements of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) A112.1.2-2012(R2017), consisting of a physical vertical separation of at least two (2) times the effective pipe diameter between the free-flowing discharge and of a potable water supply pipeline and the flood level of an open or non-pressurized receiving vessel, and in no case less than one (1) inch.
Approved Water Supply: The term “Approved Water Supply” shall mean a water source that has been approved by the State Water Board for domestic use in a public water system and designated as such in a domestic water supply permit issued pursuant to section 116525 of the CHSC.
Approved Backflow Prevention Assembly: The term “Approved Backflow Prevention Assembly” shall mean a backflow prevention assembly that is listed by at least one of the following: Standards found in Chapter 10 of the Manual of Cross-Connection Control, Tenth Edition, published by the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research.
Standards of American Society of Sanitary Engineers International (ASSE) current as of 2022 that include ASSE 1015-2021 for the DC, ASSE 1048-2021 for the DCDA & DCDA-II, ASSE 1013-2021 for the RP, and ASSE 1047-2021 for the RPDA & RPDA-II, and must have the 1YT mark signifying twelve (12) months of field testing has been successfully completed.
Auxiliary Water Supply: The term “Auxiliary Water Supply” shall mean a source of water, other than an approved water supply, that is either in use, equipped, or can be equipped, to be used as a water supply, and is located on the premises of, or available to, a water user. Examples of auxiliary water supplies include, but are not limited to private wells, storage tanks, and bodies of water (lakes, rivers, streams, ocean).
Backflow: The term "Backflow" shall mean the undesirable or unintended reversal of flow of water and/or other liquids, gases, or other substances into a public water systems distribution system or approved water supply.
Backpressure: The term "Backpressure" shall mean a hydraulic condition characterized by the elevation of water pressure within premise piping that has the potential to cause a reversal of the normal direction of water flow.
Backsiphonage: The term "Backsiphonage" shall mean a hydraulic condition characterized by negative or sub-atmospheric pressure in the potable water supply system that has the potential to cause a reversal of the normal direction of water flow.
Backflow Prevention Assembly: The term “Backflow Prevention Assembly” shall mean a mechanical assembly designed and constructed to prevent backflow, such as that while in-line it can be maintained and its ability to prevent backflow, as designed, can be field-tested, inspected and evaluated. The types of approved backflow prevention assemblies include:
Double Check Valve Backflow Prevention Assembly (DC): The term DC shall mean an assembly consisting of two independently-acting internally-loaded check valves, with tightly closing shut-off valves located at each end of the assembly (upstream and downstream of the two check valves) and fitted with test cocks that enable accurate field testing of the assembly. This type of assembly may only be used to isolate low hazard cross connections.
Double Check Detector Backflow Prevention Assembly (DCDA): The term DCDA shall mean a double check valve backflow prevention assembly that includes a bypass with a water meter and double check backflow prevention assembly, with the bypass water meter accurately registering flow rates up to two gallons per minute and visually showing a registration for all rates of flow. This type of assembly may only be used to isolate low hazard cross connections.
Double Check Detector Backflow Prevention Assembly- Type II (DCDA-II): The term DCDA-II shall mean a double check valve backflow prevention assembly that includes a bypass around the second check, with the bypass having a single check valve and a water meter accurately registering flow rates up to two gallons per minute and visually showing a registration for all rates of flow. This type of assembly may only be used to isolate low hazard cross connections.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker Backsiphonage Prevention Assembly (PVB): The term PVB shall mean an assembly with an independently-acting internally-loaded check valve and independently-acting loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check valve; with test cocks and tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly that enable accurate field testing of the assembly. This type of assembly may only be used for protection from backsiphonage, and is not to be used to protect from backpressure. PVBs may only be used as premises containment on roadway right of way irrigation systems not subject to backpressure.
Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assembly (RP): The term "RP" shall mean an assembly with two independently acting, internally-loaded check valves, with a hydraulically operating mechanically independent differential-pressure relief valve located between the check valves and below the upstream check valve. The assembly shall have shut-off valves located upstream and downstream of the two check-valves, and test cocks to enable accurate field testing of the assembly.
Reduced Pressure Principle Detector Backflow Prevention Assembly (RPDA): the term RPDA shall mean a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly that includes a bypass with a water meter and reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly, with the bypasses water meter accurately registering flow rates up to two gallons per minute and visually showing a registration for all rates of flow.
Reduced Pressure Principle Detector Backflow Prevention Assembly - Type II (RPDA-II): The term RPDA-II shall mean a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly that includes a bypass around the second check, with the bypass having a single check valve and a water meter accurately registering flow rates up to two gallons per minute and visually showing a registration for all rates of flow.
Spill-Resistant Pressure Vacuum Breaker Backsiphonage Prevention Assembly (SVB): The term SVB shall mean an assembly with an independently-acting internally-loaded check valve and an independently-acting loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check valve; with shut off valves at each and at least a test cock and bleed/vent port, to enable accurate field testing of the assembly. This type of assembly may only be used for protection from backsiphonage and is not to be used to protect from back pressure.
Cross Connection: The term “Cross Connection” shall mean any actual or potential connection or structural arrangement between a public water system, including a piping system connected to the public water system and located on the premises of a water user or available to the water user, and any source or distribution system containing liquid, gas, or other substances not from an approved water supply.
High Hazard Cross Connection: The term “High Hazard Cross-Connection” shall mean a cross connection that poses a threat to the potability or safety of the public water supply. Materials entering the public water supply through a high hazard cross connection are contaminants (health hazards).
Low Hazard Cross-Connection: the term “Low Hazard Cross Connection” shall mean a cross connection that has been found to not pose a threat to the potability or safety of the public water supply, but may adversely affect the aesthetic quality of the potable water supply. Materials entering the public water supply through a low hazard cross-connection are pollutants (non-health hazards).
Potential: The term “Potential” shall mean having or showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future.
Premises Containment: The term “Premises Containment” shall mean protection of a public water systems distribution system from backflow from a user’s premises through the installation of one or more air gaps or backflow prevention assemblies, installed as close as practical to the user service connection, in a manner that isolates the water users water supply from the public water systems distribution system.
Service Connection: The term "Service Connection" shall mean the downstream end of the water meter, or the point in a water system where the approved water supply can be protected from backflow using an air gap or backflow prevention assembly. This is the point of delivery to the Water User's water system where the City loses jurisdiction and sanitary control of the water.
User Supervisor: The term “User Supervisor” shall mean a person designated by a Water User to oversee a water use site and who is responsible for preventing cross connections.
Used Water: The term "Used Water" shall mean any water supplied by the City from a public potable water system to a Water User's water system after it has passed through the service connection and is no longer under the City’s control.
Water User: The term “Water User” shall mean any person obtaining water from the public water system.
§24.23-4 Determination.
(A) The City shall ensure hazard assessments and surveys of its service area are conducted to identify Water User premises where actual or potential cross-connections are likely to occur. Such hazard assessments shall evaluate the degree of hazard, and any backflow protection needed.
(1) Hazard assessments must be completed in accordance with the City’s Cross-Connection Control Plan approved by the State Water Resources Control Board.
(2) Water users shall provide reasonable access during normal business hours for inspections. Continued refusal of access shall require installation of an RP or RPDA on all services to the premises.
(B) Not withstanding anything contained herein, the City may require premises that are classified “High-Hazard” in Appendix D of the CCCPH, such as premises with more than one service connection, to install appropriate backflow prevention without a full evaluation.
§24.23-5 Notice.
Upon determining that a cross-connection exists, the City shall provide written notice to the affected water user specifying the required type, location, and quality of backflow prevention assembly. The water user shall install the required protection at their own expense and in accordance with City standards.
§24.23-6 Installation.
(A) The location of any approved backflow prevention assembly installed pursuant to this Section shall be at the Water User's point of connection to the City's water System; within the Water User's premises, or both, as determined by the City’s Cross-Connection Control Specialist.
(B) Where an approved backflow prevention assembly is required to be installed on the Water User's connection to the City's water, it shall be located at or near the property line of the premises or immediately outside the building being served, but, in all cases, at a place deemed acceptable by the City so that it is located before the first branch line leading off the service line.
(C) In all cases, backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in accordance with the applicable City engineering specifications.
(D) Freeze protection must be maintained and shall not utilize hazardous substances such as unencapsulated fiberglass insulation.
(E) Water users permitted to install backflow prevention assemblies in an alternate location within a structure are advised of, and acknowledge, the potential risk of water damage.
§24.23-7 Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance.
(A) All assemblies shall be field tested upon installation, repair, permanent relocation, and at least annually thereafter. The City may determine the necessity for more frequent testing on a case-by-case basis. All costs associated with the inspection, testing, and maintenance of required backflow prevention assemblies shall be borne by the Water User.
(B) The City shall oversee annual testing of all required assemblies by third-party contractors hired by, and at the expense of the customer. Contractors performing the assembly testing are required to be certified in accordance with Article 4 of the CCCPH, and agree to comply with the code of conduct established in the City’s CCC Plan. The City shall provide customers with a resource list of contractors meeting this criteria.
(C) In the event that a backflow prevention assembly fails the required testing, or is otherwise found to not comply with City requirements, the Water User shall cause the necessary repairs or replacements to be completed within the timeframe provided by the City. Following such repairs or replacement, passing test results shall be submitted to the City within five (5) calendar days.
(D) Test results and records of all inspections, replacements, and repairs performed on required backflow prevention assemblies shall be maintained by the Water User and reported to the City in a manner deemed acceptable to the City.
§24.23-8 Enforcement.
(A) The City may discontinue or refuse to supply water and/or sewer service to any premises that is not in strict compliance with the requirements of this Chapter, or if it is found that a required backflow prevention assembly has been removed, bypassed, or otherwise modified, or if unprotected cross-connection otherwise exist on the premises.
(B) The City may also disconnect water and/or sewer service to any premises if the health and safety of any person is immediately threatened by a cross-connection.
(C) The City may refuse to restore such service to the premises until the cross-connection is controlled through the proper installation and testing of an approved backflow prevention assembly.
(D) At its discretion, the City may elect to have backflow prevention assemblies installed, tested, and/or repaired when the customer has failed to comply. All costs, along with an administrative fee will be added to the utility bill for the premise in question.
§24.23-9 Administration.
The Public Works Director shall maintain policies and procedures consistent with this Chapter and shall designate at least one certified Cross-Connection Control Specialist to administer and enforce its provisions.
MOTION:
SECOND:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT OR NOT VOTING:
ATTEST: ___________________________
Mayor’s Signature
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Deputy City Clerk