“ Overcoming the C - PowerPoint Presentation

“Overcoming the Challenges”BPAA Inc. National Conference Qld Trevor Hayes July/August 2015

BackgroundEmployed in the water industry for 45 years Worked for many plumbing businesses as well as my ownAt Western Water and it’s predecessor Water Authorities for over 29 years Several Water A uthority amalgamations and internal restructures Worked as a plumbing inspector, designer, property connections, trade waste, recycled water & currently head up our Property Services Team

Western Water provides water, recycled water and sewerage services to: More than 61,300 properties A population of 163,300 A region of 3,000 square kilometres The region includes large urban centres of Melton and SunburyBacchus Marsh, Gisborne, Lancefield, Macedon, Mount Macedon, Riddells Creek, Romsey and Woodend Western Water’s service area is one of the fastest growing regions in Victoria, with population increases between 3-4% Introduction

We operate and maintain: 7 water f iltration plants 7 r ecycled water treatment plants1 Class A recycled water plant and scheme2 x Class B recycled water schemes4 x Class C recycled water schemes Western Water has 6 water corporations on our boundariesIntroduction

“Overcoming the Challenges” “Diversity of interpretations around Australia”

BackflowWhat is backflow? When does contamination occur? What is cross-connection?What happens when a cross connection occurs?

Backflow Incidents“ Yellow gushy stuff” coming out of some taps in Maryland turns out to be a powerful and highly toxic herbicide from an agricultural facility. Propane gas flowing into a Connecticut water main came from a storage tank which causes a washing machine to explode. “Rusty” water coming out of a Michigan hospital’s drinking fountain turns out to be blood from a nearby autopsy room.

Backflow IncidentsHUNDREDS of western Sydney residents have became ill after drinking recycled water. Recycled water was mistakenly pumped through drinking water pipes. 82 homes in four streets in Glenwood were cross-connected, allegedly after a plumbing mistake in a house under construction. ...it was believed a plumber had accidentally crossed the pipes while he connected them.

Backflow in Regional Victoria

Backflow in Regional VictoriaWater Corporations in Regional Victoria ● Barwon ● Central Highlands ● Coliban ● East Gippsland ●Gippsland ● Goulburn Valley ● Goulburn-Murray (W) ● Grampians Wimmera Mallee (W) ● Lower Murray ● North East ● South Gippsland ● Southern Rural (W) ● Wannon ● Western ●Westernport

RegulationsContainment protection is regulated in Victoria through:Water (Estimation and Sewerage) Regulations 2014, Part 2 (11)Individual Water Corporation PoliciesIndividual Water Corporation GuidelinesAS/NZS 3500 2003 Part 1 water supply

Backflow in Regional VictoriaMost Water Corporations are doing something about backflow including:Policies or guidelines Separate application for installation Ongoing agreements for the management & maintenance Programs to retro fit devices to existing properties. Fees and c harges

In 2010-2011 a working group was established in Victoria with representatives from a number of the Water Corporations to workshop a common set of Guidelines across Victoria.In June 2011 the “Backflow Prevention Containment Guidelines” were established

Regional Water Corporations think that it is important to have Guidelines in order to protect their water quality.50% with no Agreements A retro fit or backlog program.Applications are importantFees Backflow in Regional Victoria

Backflow in Regional Victoria Water Corporation appear to have their own risk based assessment approachBackflow incidents are thought to generally occur in industrial type buildings A significant proportion of incidents in Australia involves domestic type plumbing A need for education and enforcement of existing regulations

Overcoming the Challenges

Overcoming the challenges The Past N o adequately trained staff in backflow O nly a handful of Commercial, Industrial or irrigation type connections Rural setting with rural attitudes

The Past 20 years ago Backflow Prevention Devices were being fitted Larger customers and councils began to install and test their devices Plumbers tested the devices and sent in test certificates No further action

The Beginning A new start The beginnings of a BP program Accessed all of our filing systems to find any test certificates, we found 266 Our current Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system did not allow for a BP program

We reviewed how other Regional Water Corporations dealt with BP An installation & enforcement software program from a neighbouring Water Corporation was chosenReviewed our CRM to find all non –residential properties420 properties were separated into High, Medium & Low risksThe Beginning

Considerations to Develop a BP Program Implications & considerations for business changes Costs Rural properties & farmers Internal budgets & resourcingJustification to business

BP Program in DevelopmentWe now have a list of potential properties and photographs to review

The Future is Implementation Western Water is now in the process of developing and implementing a backflow prevention program for all new and existing propertiesWe need to consider the learnings from implemented programs at other Water Corporations?Training staffEducation our customers and plumbers

The Future is ImplementationThere is no future in not doing anything If a property has no backflow prevention device at the boundary It can result in a direct threat to the community’s health

Trevor Hayes Western WaterVictoria (03) 9218 5400 0408 574 360