City of Santa Maria
Cross-Connection Control Plan
May 2026
St of CA Adopted the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook Established requirements for local Cross-Connection Control Programs Repealed sections of State Code regarding cross-connections Required revisions to the City’s Municipal Code and preparation of a Cross-Connection Control Plan Background
State Required Components of a Cross-Connection Control Program Legal authority to implement program
Revisions to Title 8 of SMMC
Designated program coordinator
Regulatory Compliance Specialist position
State Approved Cross-Connection Control Plan
Prepared and accepted by the State
What is a Cross-Connection?
Cross-Connection: A connection between potable and non‑potable water systems Examples: irrigation, fire sprinklers, industrial processes Creates pathways for contaminants to enter drinking water Backflow: Reverse flow of water due to pressure changes Can introduce contaminants into potable water
Cross-Connection Control Plan
Prevent and discover cross-connections
Protect drinking water (potable) system from backflow
Cross-Connection Control Plan
Cross-Connection
Potential for backflow of non-potable water into potable water
Cross-Connection Control Plan
Control
Enabling Local Ordinances
Enforcement
Testing Standards
Backflow Protection Assembly Standards
Cross-Connection
Potential for backflow of non-potable water into potable water
Cross-Connection Control Plan
Plan
Hazard Assessments
Testing Records
Noticing
Public Outreach
Incident Response
Cross-Connection
Potential for backflow of non-potable water into potable water Control
Enabling Local Ordinances
Enforcement
Testing Standards
Backflow Protection Assembly Standards
Cross-Connection Control Plan
Plan
Hazard Assessments
Testing Records
Noticing
Public Outreach
Incident Response
Protects Public Health
Cross-Connection
Potential for backflow of non-potable water into potable water Control
Enabling Local Ordinances
Enforcement
Testing Standards
Backflow Protection Assembly Standards
Santa Maria Municipal Code Revisions
Amends Chapter 8-10A to Authorize the Director of Utilities to:
Develop and update the City’s Cross-Connection Control Plan Implement and enforce the Plan
Protect the City’s potable water supply through appropriate cross-connection control measures Ensure compliance with State Handbook requirements
Approach to Cross-Connection Control
Mitigating Community Impacts
Hazard assessments spread over multiple years
Updating engineering standards to reduce future costs
Especially for single-family homes with fire sprinkler systems Public outreach supports customer awareness
Impacts to Single Family Homes
Approx. 1,500 homes with fire sprinklers may require backflow devices Compliance deadline: July 1, 2034
New standards reduce need for future backflow assemblies
Implementation & Next Steps
2nd Ordinance Reading and Adoption
City Council adoption finalizes State compliance
Initiate hazard assessments
Continue record keeping, inspections, and notifications
Questions?