The City of Manhattan Beach is committed to providing clean, safe drinking water to its residents and businesses. Our Cross-Connection Control program is a critical aspect of this commitment.  

In response to recent changes in regulations governing cross-connection control in public water systems, the City of Manhattan Beach must change the requirements for residential fire sprinkler system backflow prevention. Effective immediately, all NEW CONSTRUCTION OR BUILDING RETROFIT residential fire sprinkler systems that do not meet the following criteria will require installing a lead-free reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly at the water meter.

1. Systems are constructed with NSF 61 listed components.
2. Systems do not have any chemical additives, such as corrosion inhibitors, antifreeze, or wetting agents (foam).
3. Systems are installed in a configuration that passively purges fire sprinkler lines to prevent water stagnation.

What is Backflow?
Backflow is the unwanted reversal of water flow, which can contaminate a public water system. This issue arises when water, liquids, gases, or other substances flow backward into the water supply, potentially impairing its quality or posing health risks.

What is a Cross-Connection?
A cross-connection is any link or arrangement between the public water system and a non-approved source, such as other liquids or gases. This can occur within your premises or through any system connected to the public water supply.

Why is it Important?
Both backflow and cross-connections can compromise the safety of your water supply, leading to potential health hazards or aesthetic issues.

Working Together
We understand that navigating new regulations can be challenging. Our goal is to ensure a smooth and successful transition for everyone. By working together, the City of Manhattan Beach and our business community can continue to keep our drinking water safe and reliable.

The City is committed to supporting our business community throughout this transition.

The City will provide detailed ordinance information:

CHANGES IN STATE LAW
The Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook replaced related drinking water regulations on July 1, 2024.
Purpose: Enhanced focus on a safe drinking water supply through cross-connection control.  
Responsibility: The City of Manhattan Beach must establish an ordinance that reflects these requirements.

THE NEW ORDINANCE AND COMPLIANCE
The ordinance will provide a clear framework for cross-connection control, benefiting the community by further strengthening the safety of our drinking water.

How do the new State regulations impact me?
All customers must have their premises evaluated by the City every few years. The City will establish the frequency of these inspections, which will be reviewed and approved by the State. Commercial, industrial, and residential customers with unprotected cross-connections will be required to install a backflow prevention assembly at the point of water service.

What are examples of typical conditions that could require residential customers to install backflow prevention assembly?
Some conditions include but are not limited to, a closed-loop fire sprinkler system, a swimming pool or spa, or a landscape irrigation system that does not comply with the plumbing code.

What are examples of typical conditions that could require non-residential service connections to install backflow prevention assembly?
Examples of typical conditions that could require non-residential service connections to install backflow prevention assemblies include, but are not limited to, facilities that handle hazardous materials or use water in industrial processes, facilities that maintain connections to irrigation or fire protection systems, and commercial food establishments.

What are the requirements for passive purge systems?
Passive purge systems will be installed so that any dead-end lines twenty 20 linear feet and longer are connected to a water fixture that is regularly used. These include, but are not limited to, water closets, lavatories, clothes washer supplies, dishwashers, and tub/shower valves. Exterior hose bibs and landscape irrigation systems do not apply; however, they can be included for the overall design efficiency because the required water flow alarm is not activated during a non-fire event.

Systems designed with a pipe loop will require at least two purge points on each floor. These shall be located so that the loop is sufficiently purged. On multi-story construction, the riser to an upper floor can be used as a purge point for the lower floor. Typical designs have multiple purge points on the perimeter distribution loop, with additional purge points on branch lines extending into the building when those branch lines are twenty (20) feet or longer. Based on an in-person hazard assessment by City Staff, a double-check backflow prevention assembly may be acceptable, provided no other un-abated cross-connections are present. This is evaluated case-by-case and should not be interpreted as a blanket waiver.

FISCAL IMPACT

What is the cost of installing a backflow assembly for residential properties?
The cost of installing a backflow prevention assembly is the property owner's responsibility and, in some lease agreements, the tenant's responsibility. The City has developed installation specifications to ensure the assemblies will hold up over time. We advise our customers to obtain estimates from several licensed contractors for the best value. If you wish to obtain estimates for long-range budgeting, contractors can provide these for reduced pressure principle (RP) backflow prevention assemblies that match the size of your domestic and irrigation water meters and un-metered fire services.

After installing backflow prevention assemblies, they must be tested annually and maintained in working order.

COMPLIANCE

How long will I have to comply with the new state law?
Once a customer is informed of the requirement to install a backflow prevention assembly, they will have between 60 and 90 days to comply. The timeframe will vary based on the hazards identified during the staff evaluation and the assembly size. In some circumstances, a much shorter compliance period will be required.

What happens if I do not comply?
The City will work with customers who are making progress toward compliance. Wherever possible, reasonable extensions can be provided.  The City has a statutory obligation to protect the water system from backflow. Compliance with backflow prevention assembly requirements is a condition of continued water service. In extreme circumstances where a customer refuses to comply, water service to their premises may need to be temporarily interrupted until the required backflow prevention assembly is installed.

How will I know if I am in compliance?
Customers will be notified of installing an appropriate backflow to comply with these regulations.

For more information, call our Environmental Compliance Section at (310) 802-5344.