Backflow Prevention is a Health regulation and protects users from backflow contamination.

  1. No person shall connect, cause to be connected, or allow to remain connected any piping, fixture, fitting, container, appliance, or cross-connection that could cause or allow the potable water, the service, or a private water system to become contaminated, degraded, or polluted in any way and under any condition, including but not limited to backflow caused by backpressure or backsiphonage as a result of the disruption of the water supply from the water system, unless an approved backflow prevention assembly has been installed and tested in accordance with this Bylaw (10480).
  2. Where the District determines that there exists a connection or cross-connection prohibited by the bylaw, the District or Plumbing Inspector may give written notice to the consumer to correct the connection or cross-connection at the expense of the consumer within the time specified in the notice.
  3. A consumer to whom notice has been given under this section shall correct the connection or cross-connection by installing an approved backflow prevention assembly in accordance with the latest CSA manual for the selection, installation, maintenance, and field testing of backflow prevention assemblies.
  4. Every consumer shall, upon the installation of an approved backflow prevention assembly and annually thereafter, or more often as required by the District, arrange for the inspection and testing of the assembly by a certified Cross Connection Control Tester. The results of all inspections and testing, including the date of installation and type, model and size of the backflow prevention assembly, shall be submitted to the District within 30 days of such inspection and testing.
  5. A new service connection shall not be turned on at the curb-stop until the consumer’s water service has been inspected by the Plumbing Inspector to the satisfaction of the District for connections and cross-connections prohibited by this Bylaw (10480). This shall not prohibit the use of a water service for construction purposes for a limited time, provided the District is satisfied that adequate provision is made to prevent backflow into the Rutland waterworks system.
  6. All consumers shall permit the District staff or a City of Kelowna Plumbing Inspector to enter their premises at all reasonable times in order to carry out inspections and surveys of the premises to determine compliance with this Bylaw (10480).
  7. Where the District determines that a connection or cross-connection prohibited by this bylaw places a consumer or any other person at immediate risk, or if the consumer fails to correct the connection or cross-connection as required by this Bylaw (10480), the Trustees may order the disconnection of the supply of water without notice until such time the connection or cross-connection is corrected, and the person pays to the District the applicable turn-on fee.
  8. Any person who disobeys or fails to comply with any provision of this Bylaw (10480) shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2000.00), or to imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both. If the offence is of a continuing nature, the person shall be liable to a fine not exceeding FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00) for each day the offence is continued.