Updated rules and policies from 2020/2021
In August 2020, the Water Quality Control Commission (commission) updated the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations (Regulation 11). While there were a few minor changes to several rules, the commission made more significant changes to the Storage Tank Rule (Section 11.28) and to the Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control Rule (Section 11.39). Subsequently in early 2021, the department updated several policies related to Backflow Prevention and Storage Tanks. These policies included:
Policy 7: Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection Control Policy
Policy 10: Sanitary Defect Policy (section about storage tanks only)
Policy 12: Storage Tank Rule Alternative Inspection Schedule Policy
Policy 15: Storage Tank Rule Inspection Methods Qualified Personnel Policy
As part of the process used to update the above policies, the department solicited feedback on the draft policies in February 2021 before issuing the final policies in April 2021. Please get acquainted with the updated policies. The department’s responses to the feedback we received on the draft policies are located here.
Plan to update guidance in accordance with updated rules from August 2020
During the stakeholder work for the August 2020 rulemaking, the department heard from stakeholders that additional work on guidance documents, such as the annual backflow report template and the periodic tank inspection checklist is needed.
As the next step in these updates, the department is taking a two phased approach to updating guidance documents. Phase 1 includes updates to templates and guidance for the Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection Control Rule (BPCCC), especially the annual report template. The majority of field-identified violations we cite are related to BPCCC reporting. Phase 2 will then focus on Storage Tank Rule inspection guidance and checklists. A tentative schedule for these documents are as follows:
Phase 1: BPCCC guidance and report template updates - May through August, 2021
Phase 2: Storage tank guidance and inspection checklists - September through December, 2021
For more information, to read draft material, or comment; please go to: The Regulation 11 Updates website.
