REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
VIA: Chau Vu, Director of Public Works
PREPARED BY: Chris Davis, Senior Management Analyst
Subject:
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Adopt Ordinance No. 4347, amending Section 14.16.190 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code relating to Protecting Cross Connections - Approved for Introduction March 3, 2026, by a vote of 6-0-1 (Burns-Absent)
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Statement of Issue:
The California State Water Resources Control Board adopted standards for backflow protection and cross-connection control through the Cross Connection Control Policy Handbook Standards and Principles for California’s Public Water Systems (CCCPH), which became effective on July 1, 2024. All California public water systems must comply with the CCCPH, and this ordinance is necessary to bring the Huntington Beach Municipal Code (HBMC) into conformity with applicable state regulatory requirements.
Financial Impact:
No financial impacts as these activities are already performed by the City’s Water Quality Section.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Adopt Ordinance No. 4347, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Amending Section 14.16.190 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code relating to Protecting Cross Connections.”
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommend action and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
Protecting the City’s Drinking Water Supply
The City of Huntington Beach provides drinking water that meets all State and Federal standards. One important safeguard is preventing “backflow,” which occurs when contaminated water from private plumbing systems flows backward into the public drinking water system.
Backflow prevention devices stop this from happening and are already required on many water services throughout the city. These devices must be installed, tested annually, and maintained to protect public health.
The State’s updated Cross Connection Control Policy Handbook requires Public Water Systems to formalize their existing programs into a written management plan and update regulations accordingly.
What This Plan Does
The City’s Cross Connection Control Management Plan formalizes and strengthens existing practices by:
• Maintaining an inventory of over 53,000 water connections
• Evaluating properties to identify potential contamination risks
• Requiring installation and annual testing of backflow prevention devices where needed
• Ensuring only State-certified testers perform backflow testing
• Establishing clear authority for inspections, enforcement, and compliance
• Providing procedures for responding quickly to potential contamination incidents
This plan does not create entirely new programs-it formalizes and standardizes what the City has already been doing to protect water quality (new process would be reviewing commercial facilities or at change of tenant).
Hazard Assessments and Implementation Timeline
The City will evaluate water connections over time to ensure proper protection. This will occur in phases:
• Phase 1 - Existing Backflow Devices:
Review approximately 6,996 existing protected connections (estimated 15 years)
• Phase 2 - Commercial and Industrial Properties:
Evaluate approximately 1,441 commercial and industrial properties lacking backflow protection (estimated 3 years after Phase 1)
• Phase 3 - Residential Properties:
Evaluate approximately 47,210 residential properties (estimated 20 years)
Most residential properties are expected to be low or no hazard and will not require new devices.
Many residential reviews will be conducted using office-based tools such as aerial imagery, billing data, and mapping systems rather than in-person inspections.
Additional reviews may occur when:
• Commercial properties change tenants
• New water connections are installed
• Property use changes
• A potential risk is identified
Note- Estimated timelines were developed in coordination with 23 Public Water Systems in Orange County, in a regional approach.
Impacts on Residents and Businesses
For most residents:
• No changes are expected
• No new requirements in most cases
• Monitoring often occurs remotely using existing data systems
For commercial and industrial customers:
• Some properties may need to install or upgrade backflow prevention devices if risks are identified
• Existing annual testing requirements remain unchanged
For properties with backflow devices already installed:
• Annual testing requirements remain the same
• Failed devices must be repaired or replaced promptly
Fire Protection Systems
The plan maintains current safety requirements for fire protection systems:
• High-hazard fire systems will continue requiring appropriate backflow protection
• Older systems will be given reasonable timelines to comply with updated standards
Incident Response and Public Safety
If a potential backflow contamination incident occurs, the City will:
• Conduct water quality testing and system monitoring
• Notify the State Water Resources Control Board within 24 hours if needed
• Notify affected residents if a health risk is confirmed
These procedures ensure rapid response to protect public health.
Compliance with State Law
The State requires public water systems to:
• Adopt a Cross Connection Control Management Plan
• Update local ordinances to support enforcement
• Submit plans for State review and approval
The City submitted its Plan prior to the State’s deadline and is now completing the required legislative adoption.
Approval of the Ordinance and Resolution ensures:
• Full compliance with State drinking water regulations
• Continued protection of the City’s drinking water supply
• Formal authority for inspections and enforcement
• Reduced risk of contamination events
Environmental Status:
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Ordinance No. 4347
2. Resolution No. 2026-05
3. 2025 Cross Connection Control Management Handbook
4. PowerPoint Presentation