REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 5, 2026
FROM
JANKI PATEL, Acting Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT
Title
San Bernardino County Code Section Relating to Certification of Backflow Prevention Device Testers Repeal
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Consider proposed ordinance repealing Title 3, Division 3, Chapter 6, Article 4 of the San Bernardino County Code, relating to certification of backflow prevention device testers.
2. Make alterations, if necessary, to proposed ordinance.
3. Approve introduction of proposed ordinance.
• An ordinance of San Bernardino County, State of California, to repeal Title 3, Division 3, Chapter 6, Article 4 of the San Bernardino County Code, relating to certification of backflow prevention device testers.
4. SCHEDULE ORDINANCE FOR FINAL ADOPTION ON TUESDAY, May 19, 2026 on the Consent Calendar.
(Presenter: Janki Patel, Acting Director, 387-9146)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Improve County Government Operations.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost) as it is non-financial in nature.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
San Bernardino County requires domestic water systems within its jurisdiction to be protected from contamination or pollution resulting from inadequate or malfunctioning backflow prevention devices. In addition, State-regulated water purveyors are required to monitor and maintain backflow prevention devices in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 17.
On August 24, 1992 (Item No. 54), the Board of Supervisors adopted Title 3, Division 3, Chapter 6, Article 4 of the San Bernardino County Code to establish a local certification program for backflow prevention assembly testers (BPATs). The ordinance was intended to ensure tester competency through written and hands-on evaluation and to provide local oversight of testing activities.
On July 1, 2024, the State implemented a standardized Cross-Connection Control Policy requiring BPAT certification through organizations accredited by the American National Standards Institute or the ANSI National Accreditation Board, effective July 1, 2026. As the County’s certification program does not hold these accreditations, locally issued certifications will not be recognized under the State framework.
As a result, maintaining the existing ordinance may create duplicative or unnecessary requirements for qualified BPATs seeking to operate within the County. The proposed repeal of Title 3, Division 3, Chapter 6, Article 4 would align County Code with current State standards and allow reliance on State-recognized certification programs while maintaining protection of public health.
Repeal of this ordinance does not affect the enforcement of applicable State cross-connection control requirements.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on April 15, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Iliana Rodriguez, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on April 15, 2026.