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

Background Employed in the water industry for 45 years Worked for many plumbing businesses as well as my own At Western Water and it’s predecessor Water Authorities for over 29 years Several Water Authority 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 Sunbury Bacchus 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 filtration plants 7 recycled water treatment plants 1 Class A recycled water plant and scheme 2 x Class B recycled water schemes 4 x Class C recycled water schemes Western Water has 6 water corporations on our boundaries Introduction

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

Backflow What 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 Incidents HUNDREDS 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

Water 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

Regulations Containment protection is regulated in Victoria through: Water (Estimation and Sewerage) Regulations 2014, Part 2 (11) Individual Water Corporation Policies Individual Water Corporation Guidelines AS/NZS Part 1 water supply

Backflow in Regional Victoria Most 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 charges

In 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 important Fees Backflow in Regional Victoria

Water Corporation appear to have their own risk based assessment approach Backflow 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 No adequately trained staff in backflow Only 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 chosen Reviewed our CRM to find all non –residential properties 420 properties were separated into High, Medium & Low risks The Beginning

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

BP Program in Development We 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 properties We need to consider the learnings from implemented programs at other Water Corporations? Training staff Education our customers and plumbers

The Future is Implementation There 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 Water Victoria (03)