Council approves public hearing to update cross-connection control plan and enforcement options

Staff briefed the council July 28 on changes to the cross-connection control program required by the Virginia Department of Health to protect the public water supply from backflow. The proposed updates to Chapter 82 will align the town's plan with VDH templates, require annual testing and on-site assessments for higher-risk properties and allow town staff to levy administrative daily fines rather than immediately pursuing criminal charges or service disconnection.

Andrea Broshkovich said the town currently tracks roughly 300 backflow-prevention devices and that enforcing the updated program will require staffing or contracted inspection capacity; council members raised concerns about staff time and consistent enforcement. The council directed staff to advertise and schedule a public hearing to adopt the updated plan and revisions to the master tax and fee schedule.