At the meeting of the Committee of the Whole on November 3rd, CAO Brian Carre reported of the 1818 town water metres read, 58% of properties have installed backflow regulators as per municipal requirements. One resident in attendance said that he paid $225 to have the valve installed, only to find that it leaks. Carre said it was the first report of a faulty valve and the situation would be investigated. The backflow regulator valves are being installed in order to ensure our municipal drinking water is protected from cross-contamination.
Not all residents are pleased with the program, saying it costs to have a plumber install the regulators. The Department of Public Works has said the valves can be easily supplied by the homeowner, and the municipality will send someone out to inspect it.
At the meeting, local builder Robert Noseworthy reported as of 2012, the Ontario Building Code has mandated that a backflow regulator be installed in all new homes. The Municipality of North Grenville is attempting to bring older homes up to date with the installation of backflow regulator valves.