To protect the municipal water supply from backflow contamination, Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has developed a comprehensive Backflow Prevention Program. The possibility of backflow of contaminated water from hazardous sites into the municipal water supply is a serious hazard that exists in municipal water supply systems. The PUC analyzes various hazards to the safety of the water supply and ensures barriers are in place to control or eliminate those hazards is a priority.
The Backflow Prevention Program focuses on the isolation of private water systems from the CK PUC water distribution system with the installation of a suitable Backflow Prevention Device located on the property owner's water service.
The Backflow Prevention Bylaw, passed by Chatham-Kent Council in 2015, impacts all industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) properties, as well as multi-residential buildings and structures four (4) stories or higher.
All notified property owners are required to have a Cross Connection Survey completed. All surveys, installation and testing to be done under the program must be carried out by an approved contractor who is listed on the Approved Contractors list. All completed surveys and test forms should be submitted to Chatham-Kent PUC, 325 Grand Avenue East, Chatham, ON N7L 1W9 or emailed to backflow@chatham-kent.ca.
Compliance dates for the installation of backflow prevention devices will be based on the hazard of the property. All backflow prevention devices require an initial test upon installation and annually thereafter.
If you are wondering what steps are required to comply or to find out more about Backflow Prevention, contact: Matt Sonnveled, Backflow Prevention/Compliance Coordinator at 226-312-2023 ext. 4330.
Backflow Prevention Fees & Charges
Contractors Registration: $200 annually
Preventer Permit Application: $250 / device
Device Tag Report: $50 / test report
Cross Connection Survey: $150 / cross connection survey
Device Test Tag: $5 (good for 5 years)
Contractors fees for performing Cross Connection Surveys and Device Testing services are charged by the contractor to the property owner.
Chatham-Kent PUC administrative fees listed above can be paid by:
- Direct Invoice
- Phone: 226-312-2025 x 4311 or 3028
- Paid in person at PUC Administration Office: 325 Grand Ave. E, Chatham
