A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to prohibit public water systems from requiring installation of backflow preventers not otherwise required by state or federal law, except in certain circumstances.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 10 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 130A‑330.  Local authority to require backflow preventers.
(a)	No public water system owned or operated by a local government unit, as that term is defined in G.S. 159G‑20(13), shall require a customer to install a backflow preventer not otherwise required by State or federal law, except where the degree of hazard from the customer's connection is determined to be severe by the system or the Department.
(b)	The limitation established in subsection (a) of this section shall not be construed to prohibit requirements for installation of backflow preventers pursuant to the State Plumbing Code due to retrofit or upfit/fit‑up to the customer's plumbing, or facility addition on the customer's property.
(c)	For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)	"Backflow preventer" means an assembly, device, or method that prohibits the backflow of water into potable water supply systems.
(2)	"Severe hazard" means an actual or potential threat of contamination that presents an imminent danger to the public health with consequence of serious illness or death."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law and applies to requirements for installation of backflow preventers made by a water public supply on or after that date.