NZ Boundary Code of Practice History S 1961

NZ Boundary Code of Practice

History S 1961 Drinking Water Regulations covered Backflow but was loose. S “At the discretion of the Engineer” S 2013 Replacement Legislation. S Boundary Protection for Drinking Water Supplies

1991 NZ Building Act Internal Affairs S Backflow Section G 12. S Internal Protection Only. S References AS 3500 & AS 2845 S Philosophy “If internal protection at potential source of contamination no Boundary protection required”

Proactive backflow prevention S Water Suppliers used 1961 Regulations with Installations from 1961 onwards. S Legal action between large Councils and organisations like Ports of Auckland /Hospitals were all sorted on the Court steps. S Water Managers frustrated. S Together with NZW Backflow Group approached MOH 1990

Ministry Of Health S Had concerns for some time of NZ Water Quality and Safety. S MOH required plans for Water: 1. Catchment. 2. Treatment. 3. Distribution. 4. Backflow.

Backflow Group MOH S New Legislation. Legal Jargon “Managing the Risk” S Water Managers funded COP to guide Water Suppliers implementing bylaws S 2003 1 st Code. S 2013 revised with more detail. S ONLINE VIEWING S Safety Plans NZ MOH. S Water NZ – Publications-Backflow Code of Practise

CODE OF PRACTISE Part 1 S Guide lines for Water Suppliers. S Risk Assessment S Ownership. S Device Register S Backflow Prevention Programme S Policy Statement & Bylaw

CODE OF PRACTICE Part 2 S Code of Practice for Boundary Backflow Protection. S Boundary Backflow Installations S Additional Installation S Requirements for Fire Systems S Testing Requirements S Responsible for Payment S Specific Customer S Responsibilities S Building Act Responsibilities S Removal of a Boundary Device

NEXT STEPS S Safety Plans administered by MOH through Water Assessors employed by Local District Health Boards. S Points scored effect Water Rating for Water Suppliers. S Assessors check: 1. Catchment 2. Storage 3. Treatment 4. Distribution 5. Backflow

WATER ASSESSORS S Enforcement S MOH have published list of all assessors listing names and which DHB they work for. S Committee has compiled this list adding contact details for committee members to share responsibility to contact & offer to make their job easier by List of questions to ask S What to watch out for S Training etc.

INTERNAL PROTECTION S Leaky homes caused tighter regulations & awareness of responsibilities. S Swing to consultants for larger builds which include backflow rather than plumbers design and build. S Local Body Inspectors multi skilled S Ex builders inspecting plumbing S Ex plumbers inspecting buildings S Backflow writing Accepted Industry Survey Course funded by Water Managers Group

CONTROVERSAL SUBJECTS 1 S Why and how did Australia allow the change to testing methods ? S NZ Backflow Group rejected changes & now list an Industry Acceptable Method of testing in G 12

CONTROVERSAL SUBJECTS 2 S Why and how did Australia allow a change of S/S material that only one manufacture could supply giving that company a monopoly ? S NZ Backflow Group accepted relative ASSE standards in the COP.

Outcome