Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: June 11, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: Dave Klotzle, Public Works Director
Subject: Proposed Ordinance Amendment to Camarillo Municipal Code Chapter 14.04 – Water System Pollution Control
BACKGROUND
In 1994, the City of Camarillo adopted Ordinance No. 809, establishing Chapter 14.04 of the Camarillo Municipal Code (CMC), titled "Water System Pollution Control." The purpose of the ordinance is to protect the City's public water system from contamination and pollution through the regulation of cross-connections. Regulations require the prevention of backflow from customer systems into the potable water supply, supporting public health and water quality objectives.
Since the adoption of Ordinance No. 809, regulatory standards for cross-connection control have evolved. In December 2023, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH), which establishes updated statewide requirements for the administration of cross-connection control programs. The CCCPH requires public water systems to update their programs to meet uniform standards for hazard assessment, testing, maintenance, enforcement, and reporting.
City staff reviewed the CCCPH, which requires updates to CMC Chapter 14.04. As a result, staff identified necessary CMC amendments to align the City’s Cross-Connection Control Program with the new CCCPH requirements and current industry best practices.
DISCUSSION
Staff prepared CMC amendments that update the City's Cross-Connection Control Program to reflect current regulatory requirements and terminology. Key changes include clarifying that backflow prevention assembly testers must hold certification from an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited organization recognized by the SWRCB and formally designating a Cross-Connection Program Coordinator responsible for program oversight.
Proposed Ordinance Amendment to CMC Chapter 14.04 Amendment June 11, 2025
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The CMC amendments also propose renaming Chapter 14.04 from "Water System Pollution Control”" to "Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention" to better reflect the updated terminology, responsibilities, and purpose of the regulations.
Adoption of the attached amended ordinance ensures that the City’s program remains compliant with State law, supports the ongoing protection of the public potable water system, and meets the State’s compliance deadline of July 1, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no budget impact as a result of this action.
CEQA DETERMINATIONS
City staff has determined, in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, that the Ordinance is not subject to CEQA review because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the Ordinance amendments may have a significant effect on the environment. The Ordinance is only an update to amend certain sections of CMC Chapter 14.04.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Find the Ordinance Amendment to Camarillo Municipal Code Section 14.04 – Cross- Connection Control and Backflow Prevention exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines; and
2. Introduce an Ordinance Amending and Restating Chapter 14.04 of Title 14 of the Camarillo Municipal Code relating to the Cross-Connection Control and compliance with the State Water Resources Control Board’s Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook.
ATTACHMENTS
1. CMC Chapter 14.04
2. CMC Chapter 14.04 Redline
3. Proposed Ordinance
REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL None