Oxford County is seeking feedback on a proposed Backflow Prevention Program (BPP). The BPP will further protect the municipal drinking water from potential contamination (backflow event) by private side businesses and properties that are connected to the water distribution system. Backflow events can significantly impact residents, businesses, water quality and pose a health risk to consumers. Implementing a BPP will further strengthen the multi-barrier approach the County uses to protect its municipal drinking water system.

Why do we need backflow prevention?

Under normal operating conditions water flows from the municipal drinking water system into businesses and homes through private service connections. Backflow can occur when changes in pressure cause water to reverse this normal direction of flow-- pushing or pulling water from within a private-service back into the municipal drinking water system.

A cross connection is any connection between the municipal drinking water system and a source of contamination. Water that backflows through a cross connection poses a hazard to the municipal drinking water system. This risk is mitigated through the installation of a backflow prevention device (BPD), which isolates the water supply of private services to prevent the reversal of flow.

About the Backflow Prevention Program

While the Ontario Building Code may require some properties to install a backflow prevention device (BPD) at the time of construction, the OBC has limitations that may exclude some properties that pose a risk to the municipal drinking water system. A formalized BPP will address these concerns and further guide:

• Which properties will require a BPD
• Types of acceptable BPD
• Testing and inspection frequency of BPD
• Qualifications for inspectors of BPD
• Requirements to submit test reports to the County
• Non-compliance infractions

Oxford County is taking a proactive approach to safeguard its municipal drinking water systems. The proposed by-law will apply to select industrial, commercial, and institutional properties, as well as select multi-residential properties, based on their moderate or high risk hazard classification under the CSA B64 series standard.

We want to hear from you

Public and technical agency consultation will be fundamental in developing the BPP, and members of the public are invited and encouraged to comment on the project at any time during the Study.

A copy of the proposed Backflow Prevention By-law is available at www.oxfordcounty.ca/backflow.

The Project Team is hosting in person Public Consultation Centres (PCCs) in each area municipality between January 31 and March 23, 2023. PCCs will be advertised through local media, social media, and Speak Up, Oxford! at www.oxfordcounty.ca/backflow prior to the event.

The comment period for the Backflow Prevention Program PCC closes on Thursday April 6, 2023.

Contacts for information

Scott Alexander
By-law Compliance Officer, Backflow Prevention
Oxford County
519-539-9800 ext. 3103 | Toll-free 1-800-755-0394
slalexander@oxfordcounty.ca

Don Ford, BA, CMM III, C.Tech.
Manager of Water & Wastewater Services
Oxford County 519-539-9800 ext. 3191 |Toll-free 1-800-755-0394
dford@oxfordcounty.ca

Information will be collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.