The Division of Drinking Water (DDW) posted a notice that they will hold a Stakeholder workshop in Sacramento on February 20, 2020 (9:00 am to 11:30 am) on the “….development of the Cross Connection Control Policy Handbook….State Water Board staff will present information and answer questions….” Copy of the notice is enclosed (Cross Connection_Stakeholder Workshop_2020-02-20 ). The enclosed notice includes five issues that DDW staff are requesting public input.
The workshop will be webcast.
Background
The current cross connection control and backflow prevention regulations were adopted in 1987 (California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Division 1 Chapter 5, Group 4, Article 1, Sections 7583 – 7604). In October 2017, AB 1671 was signed into law. AB 1671 added sections 116407 and 116555.5 and amended section 116810 of the Health and Safety Code. AB 1671 requires the following:
- By January 1, 2020, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is to adopt updated standards for backflow protection and cross connection control,
- SWRCB to hold two public hearings on proposed standards before adoption,
- The updated standards can be adopted through a “policy handbook” and don’t need to follow Administrative Procedures Act requirements.
The required two public hearings have not yet been scheduled.
