When blockages or stoppages occur in sanitary sewers, the potential exists for adverse public and private health impacts, bodily injuries and damage to property resulting from sewage overflow and back-flooding on public and private property. The purpose of this chapter is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents of the city of La Cañada Flintridge and to minimize the possibility of damage to property or injury to persons by requiring the proper installation and maintenance of backwater prevention devices pursuant to the directives and standards of the city.
(Ord. 501 § 2, 2021)
In this chapter, the term "backflow prevention device" includes, but is not limited to, backwater overflow devices and backwater check valves, pressure relief devices and shutoff systems, and any other devices for the purpose of preventing or minimizing the possibility that raw sewage will back up into any structure, or for any similar purpose. All backflow prevention devices shall be maintained and repaired by the property owner to provide for their uninterrupted function for the purpose for which they were designed.
A backflow prevention device shall be required when any of the following conditions exist:
1. 
California Uniform Plumbing Code Section 710.1 provides that a backflow prevention device is required where "a fixture is installed on a floor level that is lower than the next upstream manhole cover of the public or private sewer" and "fixtures on floor levels above such elevation shall not discharge through the backwater valve."
2. 
A backflow prevention device will also be required based upon specific site conditions that the purpose of this section will best be served by the installation of such a device.
3. 
When property has been damaged by the blockage of the city's public sewer or a private lateral.
The installation of a backflow prevention device shall be at the sole cost and expense of the property owner, and maintenance of the device shall be the sole obligation of the owner or the owner's successor in interest. The city shall be under no obligation to ascertain that the backflow prevention device continues in operating condition.
(Ord. 501 § 2, 2021)
All backflow prevention devices shall be maintained by the property owner to provide for their continuing function as designed. All backflow prevention devices shall be accessible continuously and shall be free from any obstructions, including, but not limited to, rocks, soil, vegetation, debris, grass, trees, bushes, plants, landscaping, concrete, asphalt or other ground coverings or any other materials or substances that may impair the proper function of or unobstructed accessibility to the devices.
(Ord. 501 § 2, 2021)
All backflow prevention devices shall be installed at an elevation that protects the property upon which it is installed and other property in its vicinity from damage. The property owner shall either confirm that the device is properly installed and placed at the proper elevation or obtain competent assistance from a duly licensed plumber or contractor to confirm its proper elevation. If any subsequent modification of the property results in the backflow prevention device being at an improper elevation, the property owner shall adjust the device to the proper elevation. The property owner shall be responsible for any damage to property or injury to person that is sustained as a result of the improper installation or location of a backflow prevention device.
(Ord. 501 § 2, 2021)
Any property owner whose property has no backflow prevention device as required by this chapter or other law or regulation, or which has a defective or improperly installed device, or which has a device that does not comply in all respects with the requirements of this chapter, shall be responsible for all damage that results from the lack of such a device, or the failure of the defective or improperly installed or noncompliant device to prevent or minimize such damage. The agency will not be liable for damage resulting from sewer overflows when a backflow prevention device has not been installed or maintained as required by this chapter.
(Ord. 501 § 2, 2021)