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STRATEGIC OUTCOMES |
ACTION |
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Department: |
☒ Safe & Prosperous |
☐ Motion |
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Utilities |
☐ Active & Appealing |
☐ Resolution |
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☐ Respected & Responsible |
☒ Ordinance - Introduction |
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Division: |
☐ Connected & Engaged |
☐ Ordinance - Adoption |
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Administration |
☐ Unique & Creative |
☐ Public Hearing |
TITLE:
title
Ordinance Creating Title 19, Chapter 196 of the Yuma City Code Relating to Cross-Connection Control, Repealing Conflicting Provisions, and Providing for Related Matters.
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SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION:
Summary Recommendation
Update and adopt drinking water system cross-connection control regulatory provisions by ordinance to strengthen enforceability, meet state and federal expectations, and provide transparency for residents and businesses. (Utilities Department/ Administration) (Jeremy McCall)
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STRATEGIC OUTCOME:
This action furthers the City Council’s strategic outcome of Safe and Prosperous by providing current updates to regulatory requirements for the City drinking water system.
REPORT:
The City of Yuma owns and operates a municipal drinking water system that is vulnerable to backflow, which occurs when water from a customer’s plumbing system reverses direction and flows back into the City’s clean-water supply. Backflow can happen through a cross-connection between the drinking water system and a customer’s plumbing, via mechanisms such as back-siphonage, back-pressure, or a direct connection between non-potable and potable lines, and may introduce pollutants or contaminants into the system, posing a significant public-health risk.
The City established a cross-connection control program in 1992 with the adoption of Resolution No. 2568, Utility Regulation III - Backflow Prevention Regulations. Cross-connection regulations primarily apply to commercial and industrial customers. Residential properties are generally exempt unless they present a specific hazard, such as a secondary water source like a private well, which could endanger the public water supply.
To strengthen enforcement, align with state and federal expectations, and provide long-term certainty for residents and businesses, the City proposes moving these regulatory provisions from a resolution to a municipal ordinance. Codification provides clearer authority and clarity for residents and businesses.
Staff engaged and consulted with key stakeholders during the regulatory revision process including:
• The Approved Backflow Tester Community; and
• The Residential Advisory Board; and
• The Water and Sewer Commission.
The Water and Sewer Commission reviewed and approved the proposed revisions and recommended advancing the ordinance to City Council for consideration during the September 8, 2025, commission meeting.
This action will create a new section in City Code Title 19: Public Works, Chapter 196 - Cross-Connection Control. It is derived from the existing Utility Regulation Article III - Backflow Prevention Regulation and updated to meet current standards, including Arizona Administrative Code R18-4-215 Backflow Prevention.
A redline copy of the changes from the existing Resolution to the new City Code Chapter is attached to this CCR for reference.
FISCAL REQUIREMENTS:
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CITY FUNDS: |
$ 0.00 |
BUDGETED: |
$ 0.00 |
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STATE FUNDS: |
$ 0.00 |
AVAILABLE TO TRANSFER: |
$ 0.00 |
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FEDERAL FUNDS: |
$ 0.00 |
IN CONTINGENCY: |
$ 0.00 |
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OTHER SOURCES: |
$ 0.00 |
FUNDING: ACCOUNT/FUND #/CIP |
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TOTAL |
$ 0.00 |
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FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT:
NONE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS NOT ATTACHED TO THE CITY COUNCIL ACTION FORM THAT ARE ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK:
NONE
IF CITY COUNCIL ACTION INCLUDES A CONTRACT, LEASE OR AGREEMENT, WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ROUTING THE DOCUMENT FOR SIGNATURE AFTER CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL?
☐ Department
☐ City Clerk’s Office
☐ Document to be recorded
☐ Document to be codified
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Acting City Administrator: |
Date: |
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Jennifer Reichelt for John D. Simonton |
10/27/2025 |
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Reviewed by City Attorney: |
Date: |
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Richard W. Files |
10/26/2025 |