Backlash doesn't change city's backflow preventer policy

Despite pushback from businesses who think the city’s regulations are too strict, the City Commission stood behind a system it believes is protecting Sarasota’s water supply.

By David Conway
| 6:00 a.m. November 19, 2015

Sarasota resident Devin Rutkowski led a campaign against the city's backflow preventer policy, but officials were unswayed by his objections.

Sarasota
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A campaign to get the city to reconsider a water safety policy failed to affect any change, for the City Commission declined to revise its regulations regarding backflow preventers Monday.

The city currently requires all nonresidential property owners to install the devices, designed to prevent foreign substances from entering the public water supply.

Devin Rutkowski, the owner of several residential Sarasota properties, argued the backflow preventers were cluttering Main Street, St. Armands Circle and other retail areas. He said these districts don’t pose a threat to the water supply, pointing to state regulations that only require the devices for particularly hazardous businesses.

Organizations such as the Downtown Improvement District shared Rutkowski’s concerns, asking the city to reconsider its position. The commission was unmoved, voting unanimously to keep the policy.

Pineapple Park decision delayed

A large crowd showed up to Monday’s commission meeting to share their thoughts on the sale of land near Pineapple Park — and nearly didn’t get the chance to speak.

That’s because a majority of the board wanted to wait to weigh in on the potential sale of city-owned property next to the Northern Trust parking garage along Lemon Avenue. Commercial real estate firm Hembree and Associates is negotiating to purchase the land for a two-story project, but residents have sought to preserve the property for use as parkland instead.

City Attorney Robert Fournier warned against making any decision as negotiations continue. Although the city eventually allowed the public to comment on the issue, the commission ultimately voted to revisit the conversation in February.

Mitt Tidwell, the city’s utilities director, said the city believes even seemingly low-risk businesses should have the devices.

“Think about a bookstore — you’re just going to think in their day-to-day activity of selling books, there’s not going to be much need for a backflow preventer,” Tidwell said. “But then if you think back to their mop bucket and garden hose when they’re cleaning the floor, they can create an illegal cross-connection.”

Although Mayor Willie Shaw acknowledged the city’s policy is more stringent than state law requires, he said he would rather err on the side of being overly cautious.

“It’s better to have an ounce of a prevention rather than have a pound of cure,” Shaw said. “I would go along with what we’re doing.”