Background/Purpose of Request:
The Brunswick County Public Utilities (BCPU) Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection Control Program utilizes a contractor to inspect customers’ backflow assemblies. Revenue from customers’ payments for inspection fully offset payments to the contractor.
The program reduces the potential for water to flow into the public water system through its connections to customers. Such a flow back into the public water system can potentially include water containing bacteria or harmful substances found in irrigation systems and commercial/industrial sites.
Backflow assemblies on new water services are inspected and tested prior to the water meter being installed. Each year many new backflow assemblies are added to the program with almost 800 added in this calendar year alone. This includes new commercial construction, upgrades to existing commercial properties, and new residential/commercial irrigation systems. Improvements in record-keeping and the discovery of previously undocumented backflow assemblies within the last year have also increased the number of tests that need to be completed this fiscal year.
Once a backflow assembly has been placed into service, the customer/owner is notified every two years that the assembly must be tested, repaired/replaced if necessary, and documentation of the successful test must be submitted to BCPU. The customer/owner can contract directly with a certified tester or can elect to allow BCPU’s contractor to perform the test at a very reasonable cost. Once an inspection is completed by BCPU’s contractor, the inspection fee is added to the customer’s next water bill.
The budget amendment amount requested is needed to cover the anticipated cost for BCPU’s contractor to inspect the backflow assemblies that are due for inspection by the end of this fiscal year.
FY 17-18
$51,690 Expended to Date ($42,260 revenue collected to date)
$43,810 Estimated Remaining Cost
$95,500 Estimated Total (this fiscal year)
$59,250 Budgeted
$36,250 Additional Amount Requested
FY 18-19: $108,250 Estimated Budget Amount |