The Town of Goderich is committed to protecting public health and maintaining the safety and quality of its drinking water system.
Under Section 19 (Standard of Care) of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Town is legally required to take all reasonable steps to safeguard drinking water, manage potential risks, ensure distribution system security, and comply with regulatory standards.
The Ontario Building Code (Section 7) requires the installation of backflow prevention devices to protect potable water systems. In addition, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) requires municipalities to establish and maintain a formal backflow prevention program.
Together, these requirements ensure that effective measures are in place to prevent contamination and protect the municipal drinking water supply.
Purpose of the Program:
To protect the safety and quality of drinking water, the Town of Goderich requires certain properties to comply with its Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection Control By-Law. This by-law applies to commercial, institutional, industrial, multi-residential properties (as defined by the Ontario Building Code), as well as construction sites.
Property owners are required to install approved backflow prevention devices on water supply lines to isolate their buildings from the municipal water distribution system and prevent contaminants from entering the Town’s drinking water supply.
Program Objectives
The Town’s Backflow Prevention Program is designed to:
- Identify cross connections where potable water may be at risk of contamination
- Prevent backflow events that could compromise the municipal water system
- Maintain an up-to-date database of properties with backflow prevention devices
Property Owner Requirements
Owners of industrial, commercial, institutional, and multi-residential properties must:
- Complete a Cross Connection Control Survey
A Certified Tester must conduct a survey of the property’s water system to assess contamination risks.
- Survey results must be submitted to the Town within 14 days of completion
- Surveys are required every five (5) years
- Submit Survey Documentation
Completed surveys may be:
- Emailed to backflow@goderich.ca, or
- Delivered in person to the Building Department, Town Hall, 57 West Street, Goderich
- Install Backflow Prevention Devices (if required)
Where a moderate to severe hazard is identified:
- A plumbing permit must be obtained from the Building Department
- A Certified Tester must install approved backflow prevention devices at required locations
- Refer to the By-Law for Applicable Sectors
A complete list of:
- Sectors required to install backflow prevention devices can be found in Schedule A
- Point-of-use cross connections can be found in Schedule B
(Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection Control By-Law)
- Submit Test Reports Annually
- Backflow prevention devices must be tested annually by a Certified Tester
- Test reports must be submitted within 14 days of testing
- Reports may be emailed to backflow@goderich.ca or delivered to the Building Department
Residential Properties
Most residential properties are not affected by this by-law due to limited cross connections and lower risk. However, any property may be subject to the by-law if it is determined to pose a high risk of contamination.
