Everyone has a responsibility to control cross connections and prevent backflows.

City of Markham Responsibilities

The City must:

• Administer the Backflow Prevention Program and maintain a program database.
• Ensure property owners meet the Backflow Prevention Program requirements.
• Monitor By-law compliance and enforce the By-law on non-compliant property owners.
• Manage Qualified Persons’ registration and post a list of registered Qualified Persons on the website for customers to reference
• Provide assistance and information to property owners to ensure By-law compliance.

Property Owner Responsibilities

The property owners covered by the By-law are required to retain a Qualified Person (PDF) registered with the City at their own expense to complete the following activities:

• Cross Connection Control Survey (PDF): carry out an assessment of all plumbing for cross connection control and backflow prevention once every five (5) years or when there is a change of property use.
  
• Testing and Inspection of Backflow Preventers (PDF): perform a test and inspection on all backflow preventers upon installation and each year afterwards.
  
• Device Upgrade Implementation (PDF): fix all backflow prevention deficiencies found by the survey. These fixes could include:
  • installation of new backflow preventers
    
  • replace or relocate existing backflow preventers
    
  • repair of malfunctioned backflow preventers

Property owners must complete an Information Request Form (PDF) upon the City's request.

Property owners should check the registered Qualified Person's insurance coverage and working references. The property owner should also discuss costs before proceeding with any work.

Property owners should log into their backflow prevention account at the "Backflow Prevention Program Online Services" section (see below) regularly. Make sure that there are no incomplete backflow prevention items.

Qualified Person’s Responsibilities

Qualified Persons must register with the City before doing any backflow prevention work in Markham. Qualified Persons must:

• Provide Markham with all qualifications as set out in the by-law upon registration.
  
• Keep all qualifications up to date and submit their renewals to Markham
  
• Carry backflow prevention work by following Markham's requirements.
  
• Be responsible for accuracy and any liability arising as a result of an incomplete Survey or incorrect Testing.
  
• Submit all reports under the Program to the City upon the completion of their backflow prevention work and make all submissions through the “Online Services Website” section (see below).