COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Michelle Ruiz, Interim Director of Utilities
DATE: June 16, 2026
SUBJECT: Continue from the May 5, 2026, City Council meeting: Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Chapters 8 -10A (Cross-Connections) and 8-
1.07 (Appeals) of Title 8 of the Santa Maria Municipal Code
Description:
The City Council will consider introducing an Ordinance amending Chapters 8-10A (Cross- Connections) and Chapter 8-1.07 (Appeals) of Title 8 of the Santa Maria Municipal Code.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Waive first reading and introduce an Ordinance amending Chapter 8-10A and Chapter 8-1 of Title 8 of the Santa Maria Municipal Code concerning Cross -Connections and Applications for Public Service, necessary to implement the City’s Cross-Connection Control Plan and maintain compliance with State drinking water requirements; and
2. Set said Ordinance for adoption at the next regular City Council Meeting.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
The proposed Ordinance was previously presented to the City Council on May 5, 2026, and is being returned on June 16, 2026, for action.
SUMMARY:
The City of Santa Maria (City) has maintained a State-required Cross-Connection Control Program for many years to protect the public drinking water system from contamination caused by backflow through unprotected cross -connections. Recent changes to State drinking water regulations require the City to expand certain program activities, adopt an updated Cross-Connection Control Plan (Plan), and update the Santa Maria Municipal Code to ensure the City has the legal authority to implement the Plan, which identifies the activities necessary to protect the water system.
The proposed Ordinance updates the Municipal Code to provide the local legal authority needed to carry out and enforce those requirements. The proposed Ordinance does not 2 create a new program ; it ensures the Municipal Code provides the legal framework necessary to implement and enforce the State-required Plan.
BACKGROUND:
The City's potab le water system is critical public infrastructure serving residents, businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, and other community services. Because the system operates as an interconnected network, contamination introduced through a single unprotected cross-connection can affect multiple areas of the water system.
Cross-connections are actual or potential connections between potable water and non - potable sources. Changes in water pressure can cause backflow, allowing contaminants such as chemicals, bacteria, and pathogens to enter the drinking water supply. Backflow prevention devices serve as one-way barriers that help prevent contamination and protect public health.
Although the City has not experienced a known major backflow contamination event, such incidents can require public notification, water service disruptions, emergency response actions, and significant and costly cleanup and remediation efforts. These events can also affect sensitive users and critical facilities such as schools, healthcare facilities, and businesses, resulting in operational and customer impacts . Maintaining a robust Cross - Connection Control Program is therefore essential to protecting publ ic health and ensuring the continued reliability of the City's water system.
The City's existing Cross -Connection Control Program has successfully protected the public water system for many years. The City currently administers and monitors compliance for approximately 3,630 backflow prevention devices serving commercial, industrial, irrigation, multi-family residential, and certain residential service connections.
The City is required to expand certain activities to comply with updated State standards to determine whether additional backflow protection may be necessary , as further described in the Plan.
DISCUSSION:
In December 2023, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted the Cross - Connection Control Policy Handbook (Handbook), effective July 1, 2024, replacing the previous Title 17 cross-connection control requirements. The updated regulations require public water systems to:
Maintain an approved Cross-Connection Control Plan;
Adopt and enforce local ordinance authority;
Conduct additional hazard assessments;
Implement additional inspection and testing requirements; and Continue ongoing program administration and compliance oversight.
Following adoption of the Handbook, the State issued additional implementation guidance throughout 2024 and 2025. During this process, the City worked closely with State 3 regulators to refine new implementation requirements related to fire protection system s and residential fire sprinkler configurations , while ensuring continued protection of the public water system.
The City's Plan was approved by the Division of Drinking Water (DDW) in January 2026.
The State Water Resources Control Board adopted the revised Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook effective April 21, 2026.
The approved Plan is a State-required document that the City must implement. The Plan defines the activities the City is required to perform to protect the public water system.
The Ordinance provides the legal authority within the Municipal Code to carry out and enforce the Plan requirements.
Specifically, the proposed Ordinance:
Replaces outdated references to repealed State regulations; Establishes the necessary authority to implement and enforce the approved Plan; Clarifies inspection, testing, and corrective action requirements; Improves administrative and enforcement procedures; and Supports ongoing regulatory compliance.
The proposed Ordinance also updates the Municipal Code to delegate appeals of backflow enforcement actions from the City Council to the Director of Utilities, streamlining the administrative process while preserving property owners’ right to appeal.
Implementation of Approved Plan
Once the Ordinance is a dopted, the approved Plan will be implemented to assess potential cross‑ connection hazards. The Ordinance itself does not require installation of backflow prevention devices at any specific property. Any installation, modification, or other corrective meas ure would only be required under the Plan if a site -specific evaluation identifies a confirmed cross-connection hazard.
State implementation requirements are phased over several decades using a risk-based approach that prioritizes higher-risk facilities and service connections:
Non-residential assessments: completion by 2031;
Higher-risk residential assessments: completion by July 1, 2034; and Remaining residential assessments: completion by 2071.
Approximately 1,500 single -family residences constructed since 2011 have been identified for potential evaluation related to residential fire sprinkler configurations.
Inclusion in the assessment schedule does not, by itself, require installation of a backflow prevention device. Any future corrective measures would only be considered following a site-specific evaluation and determination that additional protection is necessary.
If additional protection is determined to be necessary, the City will work with the property owners to meet the Plan requirem ents. Property owners are responsible for installing, 4 maintaining, repairing, testing, and replacing required backflow prevention devices, as mandated by long‑ standing State regulations. While costs vary depending upon device type, service needed, etc., su ch costs are market-based and not set or collected by the City. Property owners can choose any State-certified tester. The City currently maintains a list of nearly 50 active backflow testers , to help responsible parties with maintaining compliance with the State requirements.
City staff will also explore potential federal, state, and local grant opportunities to help offset costs where possible for affected residences. Specific information and guidance will be communicated to the public as part of the City’s outreach efforts.
Public Outreach
Following Council action, staff will implement a comprehensive public outreach program to ensure customers understand the updated State requirements, implementation timeline, and any future assessment processes . Notifications will be provided in English and Spanish and are expected to include informational materials such as utility bill inserts/targeted mailers, website updates, public workshops, and coordination with certified testers.
Any future compliance determin ations will follow established notification and appeal procedures, which include noticing and reinspection prior to enforcement. It remains the City’s intention to educate and outreach responsible parties before pursuing enforcement action.
Alternatives
The City Council may:
1. Direct staff to revise the proposed Ordinance and return at a future meeting. o This alternative is not recommended. The proposed Ordinance was developed in coordination with the City Attorney’s Office to meet specific requirements of the State and provide the authority necessary to implement the City's approved Plan. Delaying adoption would postpone implementation of the updated regulatory framework and could affect the City's ability to demonstrate compliance with State requirements.
2. Decline to adopt the proposed Ordinance.
o This alternative is not recommended. Without the proposed Ordinance, the City would continue relying on existing Municipal Code provisions that were developed under previous State regulations that do not provide the authority necessary to effectively implement the City's approved Cross -Connection Control Plan. This could impair the City's ability to maintain compliance with current State drinking water requirements.
The approved Plan must be implemented under State law. The proposed Ordinance does not create new requirements; it provides the legal authority necessary to implement the Plan in a consistent and enforceable manner within the Municipal Code.
Fiscal Considerations
5 Adoption of the propose d Ordinance has no immediate fiscal impact beyond existing program administration activities.
The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program is funded through the Water Enterprise Fund using existing water rates and applicable user fees, consistent with othe r water regulatory compliance programs. Adoption of the Ordinance does not authorize new funding, rate increases, or additional staffing.
Near-term implementation will be managed within existing Utilities Department resources.
Any future staffing, operati onal, or rate changes associated with implementation of the approved Plan would be pursued through the City's regular budget and rate -setting processes and brought to the City Council for consideration.
Impact on the Community
The proposed Ordinance suppo rts continued protection of the City's drinking water system while enabling compliance with updated State public health requirements. The language builds upon the City's existing Cross -Connection Control Program and does not, by itself, require installation of backflow prevention devices at any specific property.
Within the Plan, t he approved implementation schedule uses a phased, risk -based approach intended to minimize impacts on property owners while maintaining critical, long-term protection of the public water supply.
ATTACHMENT(S)
A. Ordinance
B. State Water Resources Control Board Approval Letter dated 1/8/26 C. Cross Connection Control Plan-April 2026