This letter is to communicate my support of Delegate Loupassi’s request that the State Board of Health reconsider its regulations overseeing Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention in Waterworks. Over the past few months, I have had constituents approach me regarding their concern for what they view as an unnecessary and costly burden. In Chesterfield County alone, around 14,000 homeowners have irrigation systems installed on their property. At the tune of $50 per inspection, per year, the total cost is $700,000; a figure that greatly exceeds the total figure paid for any “incident related” cleanup in the state, in the last several decades. The regulation exists to monitor what is in reality a very low-risk possibility. In fact, I would go so far as to say it is almost a non-risk, as so many factors would need to coincide at the exact same time on a residential property in order for a backflow issue to arise. I am aware there are jurisdictions which actually enforce backflow prevention inspection requirements for commercial properties, but I am currently aware of only one that enforces the inspection for residential homes. With this in mind, I respectfully request that the proposed amendment be seriously considered. Sincerely, Stephen H. Martin
