"The fifth bill before me today is Introductory Number 935-A, sponsored by Council Members Gennaro, Comrie, Fidler, James, Koppell, Nelson, Weprin, Gerson, White, Jackson, Recchia, Vallone, Liu, Sears and Crowley.  Introductory Number 935-A assists in preventing the potential backflow of contaminants from buildings into the public water system.

"The City’s drinking water is the best in the world.  This results from the vision of City engineers in the past and the great work of the Department of Environmental Protection today.  One threat to the water supply with which the Department must contend is the "backflow” of contaminated water out of buildings into the public water supply system.  Without the installation of a backflow prevention device, buildings such as hospitals, labs, and factories can create risks to the water supply system.  The Department is in the middle of a rigorous inspection program to identify sites at which backflow prevention devices are required, but not currently installed.

"Introductory Number 935-A further builds on the Department’s work to mitigate the risk of hazardous backflow by codifying into law requirements on the installation of prevention devices.  Introduction Number 935-A also requires the Department to notify the owner of any building found to potentially require a backflow device and to report to the Council semi-annually on the Department’s work regarding hazardous backflow.

"I would like to thank Acting Commissioner Steven Lawitts and his staff at the Department of Environmental Protection for their work to protect our water.  I would also like to thank the Council for approving this legislation."