Water Back-Flow Prevention

The Torrance City Council has voted unanimously to adopt a program to regulate and inspect back-flow prevention devices that keep private water lines from contaminating the public water supply.

Formerly, the Los Angeles County Health Department held primary responsibility for such inspections but because of changes in the state Health and Safety Code, county health officials notified cities last year the department would relinquish that role.

Under the program, Torrance Municipal Water Department employees annually will inspect businesses that use chemicals that could be drawn into city water mains. They will ensure the firms have properly installed back-flow prevention devices.

There are about 175 such devices in use in Torrance. City water officials said they expect that number to increase substantially as commercial and industrial growth continues.

Charles J. Schaich, a senior administrative analyst for the Water Department, said the city has promoted one employee and added one new inspector under the program.