Report Prepared by: Johnnie Baptista, Public Works Manager - Water
Title
SUBJECT: Introduction of Ordinance to Amend Section 15.32.080, “State Connection Regulations - Backflow Protection Apparatus (BPA)” of the Merced Municipal Code to Reflect the State of California Water Board’s Regulatory Replacement of Title 17 with the Cross Connection Control Policy Handbook
REPORT IN BRIEF
Introduction of Ordinance to amend Section 15.32.080, “State Connection Regulations - Backflow Protection Apparatus (BPA),” to comply with new regulations that require all water suppliers to follow the most recent version of the State of California Water Board’s Cross Connection Control Policy Handbook, the regulatory document used to create the City of Merced Water Division’s Cross Connection Control Plan.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion introducing Ordinance 2586, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, amending Section 15.32.080, “State Connection Regulations - Backflow Control Devices,” of the Merced Municipal Code.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the amendment of the ordinance as recommended by staff; or,
2. Deny amendment; or,
3. Refer to staff with specific direction; or,
4. Continue action to a future City Council meeting, specify date
AUTHORITY
Article II, Section 200 of the Charter of the City of Merced, Environmental Protection Agency, Safe Drinking Water Act, AB 1671, State Water Board.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2025-2026 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
The State Water Board under the authority of Safe Drinking Water Act and various Assembly Bills has replaced the California Code of Regulations “Title 17” with the “Cross Connection Control Policy Handbook” (CCCPH). The objective of the CCCPH is to protect public health through the establishment of standards intended to ensure public water systems’ potable water supplies will not be impacted by backflow of non-potable liquids or other substances. The CCCPH mandates that the Public Water System complies with the requirements, including having a defined authority to enforce the regulations and actions detailed in the CCCPH, including taking corrective actions on non-compliant customer connections.
As directed in the CCCPH the City of Merced Cross Connection Control Plan was developed and submitted to the State Water Board for review and approval per the CCCPH. The Plan was subsequently approved on July 8, 2025, and is under the purview by the City Water full-time staff, State certified, Cross Connection Control Specialist. See attached Cross Connection Control Plan.
The CCCPH specifies in significant detail the State’s expectations concerning the development and enforcement of a Cross Connection Control Plan. The requested Municipal Code title and language changes are for CCCPH regulatory compliance and are necessary for the Cross Connection Control Specialist to carry out the City of Merced Cross Connection Control Plan.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds is needed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Municipal Code 15.32.080 Red-Lined Version
2. Ordinance to Amend Municipal Code 15.32.080
3. City of Merced CCC Plan 2025 Accepted by State