Backflow Prevention Program

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Consultation has concluded. Please visit www.oxfordcounty.ca/backflow for more information about Oxford County's Backflow Prevention Program.



UPDATE: June 20, 2023

On June 14, 2023, Oxford County Council endorsed Oxford County By-law No. 6544-2023 Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection Control to further safeguard the municipal drinking water system by preventing contamination from non-drinking water sources. Watch for details about the implementation at www.oxfordcounty.ca/water-wastewater.



UPDATE: April 15, 2023

Public consultation on Oxford County’s proposed Backflow Prevention By-Law has concluded. A report will be presented to County Council on June 14 at 9:30 p.m. You can view the agenda when it becomes available at www.oxfordcounty.ca/council. County Council meetings are broadcast live at www.oxfordcounty.ca/livestream.



March 1, 2023

What's new?

Public consultation for the Backflow Prevention Program is almost halfway complete. Click below to watch a recording of the presentation. 


Click the image below to view the slide deck.



January 2023

Learn more about how Oxford County is ensuring all residents have access to clean, safe drinking water.


What's happening?

Oxford County is seeking feedback on a proposed Backflow Prevention Program (BPP). The BPP will further protect the municipal drinking water system by preventing contamination from non-drinking water sources. Backflow events (as described below) can significantly impact residents, businesses, and the environment by impacting water quality, posing a health risk to consumers, and causing service interruptions. Implementing a BPP will further strengthen the multi-barrier approach the County uses to protect our municipal drinking water.


2023 Public Consultation Centres 

Municipality

Location

Date

Time

City of Woodstock

Oxford County Administration Building - Council Chambers
21 Reeve Street, Woodstock		Tuesday, January 312:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Township of East Zorra-Tavistock

Tavistock Memorial Hall
3 Adam Street, Tavistock		Tuesday, February 72:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Township of South-West Oxford

Foldens Community Hall
374091 Foldens Line, Foldens		Thursday, February 162:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Ingersoll

Ingersoll City Hall
130 Oxford Street, 2nd Floor, Ingersoll		Wednesday, March 82:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Township of Norwich

Norwich Council Chambers
285767 Airport Road, Norwich		Tuesday, February 282:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Township of Blandford-Blenheim

Plattsville Lions Hall
68 Mill Street East, Plattsville		Tuesday, March 72:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Tillsonburg

Marwood Lounge
45 Hardy Avenue, Tillsonburg		Tuesday, March 142:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Township of Zorra

Thamesford Library
165 Dundas Street, Thamesford		Thursday, March 232:00 - 4:00 p.m.



What is backflow?

Backflow is a reversal of the normal flow of water. It occurs under "back pressure" or "back siphonage" conditions, which push or pull water from inside a private-service connection into the municipal drinking water system (watermain).

Risk is present when backflow occurs at a cross-connection. These events can impact the water quality in the distribution system and neighbouring properties if the water “backflows” through a cross connection. A cross connection is any connection between the municipal drinking water system and any source of contamination. Hazards are identified during a cross-connection survey completed by a qualified person using the CSA B64 classification system.


What is a backflow prevention device (BPD)?

Backflow Prevention Device isolates the water supply of private services in order to prevent the reversal of the water flow.

While the Ontario Building Code (OBC) may require properties to install a BPD, a formalized program will further guide:

  • Which properties will require a BPD
  • What types of BPD devices are acceptable
  • Testing and inspection frequency for BPD devices
  • BPD inspection requirements for qualified inspectors
  • Non-compliance infractions


How will I be impacted?

The proposed Backflow Prevention By-law will apply to higher-risk industrial, commercial, and institutional properties, as well as select multi-residential properties, based on their hazard classification under the CSA B64 series standards.

Industrial, commercial, institutional and multi-residential customers

  • Contact a certified plumber registered with Oxford County
  • Schedule a cross-connection survey
  • Install and/or register an approved backflow device
  • Complete an annual inspection of the backflow device

Plumbers

  • Take a backflow certification course
  • Contact the County to register as a certified tester
  • Perform cross-connection surveys and annual backflow device inspections
  • Submit inspection forms to Oxford County


Have your say

  1. LEARN MORE about the current legislation, backflow prevention and BPD through the digital information book on this page.
  2. REVIEW THE CURRENT DRAFT BY-LAW in the document section
  3. USE THE FORMS BELOW. At the bottom of this page, you'll find a feedback form and a questionnaire to help you share comments and questions.
  4. ATTEND A PUBLIC CONSULTATION CENTRE (PCC). Public Consultation Centres allow Oxford County residents to discuss the project in person with the project leads. Online information will be available for review before the public consultation centres and for residents unable to attend in-person events. Check the list of dates on the right side of this page.
  5. SUBMIT COMMENTS ONLINE OR BY EMAIL. Enter your comments in the comment form below or email our compliance department at backflow@oxfordcounty.ca
  6. SIGN UP FOR EMAIL UPDATES. Add your name to the study mailing list to receive notices of future consultation opportunities at backflow@oxfordcounty.ca
  7. FOLLOW US! Check this page for project updates. You can also follow Oxford County on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The draft Backflow By-law will be available for public review and comment before it is finalized in 2023.





UPDATE: June 20, 2023

On June 14, 2023, Oxford County Council endorsed Oxford County By-law No. 6544-2023 Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection Control to further safeguard the municipal drinking water system by preventing contamination from non-drinking water sources. Watch for details about the implementation at www.oxfordcounty.ca/water-wastewater.



UPDATE: April 15, 2023

Public consultation on Oxford County’s proposed Backflow Prevention By-Law has concluded. A report will be presented to County Council on June 14 at 9:30 p.m. You can view the agenda when it becomes available at www.oxfordcounty.ca/council. County Council meetings are broadcast live at www.oxfordcounty.ca/livestream.



March 1, 2023

What's new?

Public consultation for the Backflow Prevention Program is almost halfway complete. Click below to watch a recording of the presentation. 


Click the image below to view the slide deck.



January 2023

Learn more about how Oxford County is ensuring all residents have access to clean, safe drinking water.


What's happening?

Oxford County is seeking feedback on a proposed Backflow Prevention Program (BPP). The BPP will further protect the municipal drinking water system by preventing contamination from non-drinking water sources. Backflow events (as described below) can significantly impact residents, businesses, and the environment by impacting water quality, posing a health risk to consumers, and causing service interruptions. Implementing a BPP will further strengthen the multi-barrier approach the County uses to protect our municipal drinking water.


2023 Public Consultation Centres 

Municipality

Location

Date

Time

City of Woodstock

Oxford County Administration Building - Council Chambers
21 Reeve Street, Woodstock		Tuesday, January 312:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Township of East Zorra-Tavistock

Tavistock Memorial Hall
3 Adam Street, Tavistock		Tuesday, February 72:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Township of South-West Oxford

Foldens Community Hall
374091 Foldens Line, Foldens		Thursday, February 162:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Ingersoll

Ingersoll City Hall
130 Oxford Street, 2nd Floor, Ingersoll		Wednesday, March 82:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Township of Norwich

Norwich Council Chambers
285767 Airport Road, Norwich		Tuesday, February 282:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Township of Blandford-Blenheim

Plattsville Lions Hall
68 Mill Street East, Plattsville		Tuesday, March 72:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Tillsonburg

Marwood Lounge
45 Hardy Avenue, Tillsonburg		Tuesday, March 142:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Township of Zorra

Thamesford Library
165 Dundas Street, Thamesford		Thursday, March 232:00 - 4:00 p.m.



What is backflow?

Backflow is a reversal of the normal flow of water. It occurs under "back pressure" or "back siphonage" conditions, which push or pull water from inside a private-service connection into the municipal drinking water system (watermain).

Risk is present when backflow occurs at a cross-connection. These events can impact the water quality in the distribution system and neighbouring properties if the water “backflows” through a cross connection. A cross connection is any connection between the municipal drinking water system and any source of contamination. Hazards are identified during a cross-connection survey completed by a qualified person using the CSA B64 classification system.


What is a backflow prevention device (BPD)?

Backflow Prevention Device isolates the water supply of private services in order to prevent the reversal of the water flow.

While the Ontario Building Code (OBC) may require properties to install a BPD, a formalized program will further guide:

  • Which properties will require a BPD
  • What types of BPD devices are acceptable
  • Testing and inspection frequency for BPD devices
  • BPD inspection requirements for qualified inspectors
  • Non-compliance infractions


How will I be impacted?

The proposed Backflow Prevention By-law will apply to higher-risk industrial, commercial, and institutional properties, as well as select multi-residential properties, based on their hazard classification under the CSA B64 series standards.

Industrial, commercial, institutional and multi-residential customers

  • Contact a certified plumber registered with Oxford County
  • Schedule a cross-connection survey
  • Install and/or register an approved backflow device
  • Complete an annual inspection of the backflow device

Plumbers

  • Take a backflow certification course
  • Contact the County to register as a certified tester
  • Perform cross-connection surveys and annual backflow device inspections
  • Submit inspection forms to Oxford County


Have your say

  1. LEARN MORE about the current legislation, backflow prevention and BPD through the digital information book on this page.
  2. REVIEW THE CURRENT DRAFT BY-LAW in the document section
  3. USE THE FORMS BELOW. At the bottom of this page, you'll find a feedback form and a questionnaire to help you share comments and questions.
  4. ATTEND A PUBLIC CONSULTATION CENTRE (PCC). Public Consultation Centres allow Oxford County residents to discuss the project in person with the project leads. Online information will be available for review before the public consultation centres and for residents unable to attend in-person events. Check the list of dates on the right side of this page.
  5. SUBMIT COMMENTS ONLINE OR BY EMAIL. Enter your comments in the comment form below or email our compliance department at backflow@oxfordcounty.ca
  6. SIGN UP FOR EMAIL UPDATES. Add your name to the study mailing list to receive notices of future consultation opportunities at backflow@oxfordcounty.ca
  7. FOLLOW US! Check this page for project updates. You can also follow Oxford County on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The draft Backflow By-law will be available for public review and comment before it is finalized in 2023.



Consultation has concluded. Please visit www.oxfordcounty.ca/backflow for more information about Oxford County's Backflow Prevention Program.

Please use this tool to submit comments and questions about Oxford County's Backflow Prevention Program.

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    I am also curious if there is a type of preferred device that has the coatings or material that will lessen the chances of malfunction in the more aggressive water systems like Ingersoll.

    The outlier asked over 1 year ago

    The type of device required is dependent on the overall hazard classification of the property which is defined by the Canadian Standards Association B64 series standards.

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    Who would be the selected multi-residential and what determines a higher risk industrial or commercial or institutional property -

    The outlier asked over 1 year ago

    Under Ontario Building Code (OBC), new multi-residential units are required to have backflow prevention devices. However, the OBC excludes multi-residential units that are three (3) or fewer floors and do not exceed 600 square meters. The current draft of the By-law defines “multi-residential” as having all dwelling units designed or intended for use as a residence or household in excess of three (3) stories or higher. The proposed By-law would require multi-residential units to have premise isolation devices.

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    Good afternoon My question may be redundant but does this mean that the yearly test done by the city works, which is free, will now have to be completed by our business at a cost if this Program is implemented?

    Greg McPhee asked over 1 year ago

    One of the objectives of the Backflow Prevention Program (BPP) is to ensure that all Oxford County drinking water systems are protected from backflow events under the same By-law with the same method for cost recovery. The County is exploring various financial models for the program. One method being considered is a user-pays model in which businesses or property owners who are required to have backflow devices installed and tested would be responsible for the cost of those services and relieve the program costs from the ratepayer. This cost recovery method is typical of programs run at neighbouring municipalities and would be explored during the implementation and planning once the draft By-law is approved.