Group Rate for Backflow Testing

Post date: Jul 21, 2017 2:10:59 AM

State-mandated backflow testing 2017

To all Troy Estates Homeowners Association (TEHA) members:

Michigan law mandates that that residents have a certified professional check sprinkler, back-up water-powered sump pumps, and boiler backflow devices EVERY 3 YEARS. See BACKGROUND statement at end of flyer. This sub underwent testing for backflow sprinkler devices only in 2014 but now the State has added the 2nd sump pumps and boilers. For 2017, TEHA has secured a group rate of $60 per home for this testing with CREGGER MECHANICAL SYSTEMS out of Ferndale. The technician will also fill in the paperwork for the City of Troy and provide each homeowner with a duplicate. If you received a notice for this testing from the City, hold on to the paperwork. We hope to start this service Aug. 1.

HERE’S WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO:

• Call Cregger Mechanical Systems at 248-543-8887 and ask for HOLLY

• Give Holly your name, address, cell/home phone number, and email address. Holly will confirm that you are on the list sent by TEHA.

• Be sure to call as soon as you get this flyer and save any paperwork mailed to you by the City of Troy as the technician will need it. If you have misplaced your paperwork, tell Holly and Cregger will fill out a master form for you.

• Testing will primarily occur on backflow devices on sprinkling systems. VERY FEW folks will have a boiler furnace (NOT a hot water heater!) or a 2nd water-powered sump pump (NOT the battery-powered kind of sump pump) but if a homeowner does have one or both of these other 2 devices, the charge will be $60 for each device.

• If you have questions, you have 2 options: ask Holly at Cregger OR call the City of Troy to speak with Kaitlin or Matt, the City’s backflow testing experts, at 248-619-7266

• When testing begins August 1st, the technician will test approx.. 25 homes/day. TEHA or Cregger will email the streets being tested a day or 2 ahead of time so homewoners can provide payment.

• Payment ($60, payable to CREGGER MECHANICAL SYSTEMS) will be via a check/money order/certified check taped to the front door (along w/ paperwork). Homeowners DO NOT need to be home for SPRINKLER backflow testing.

• If a REPAIR needs to be made to allow the backflow to “pass,” the technician will make the repair (if it is not too extensive) and notify the homeowner. Once the repair cost has been paid, Cregger will submit the paperwork to the City.

• This group rate is available only for dues-paying residents. If you wish to pay 2017 dues, send a $40 check to TEHA at 1864 Pelican Ct. and TEHA will up-date the list at Cregger so the group rate can be obtained. Note that dues afford many perks to residents and the funds to maintain our 2 entranceway islands which INCREASE our property values! It also allows TEHA to access email addresses so folks can be informed of up-coming events, special pricing, emergencies, etc. Only about 10% of our dues goes toward social programs.

• If you choose to hire an independent contractor, know that prices range from $95 to $150. In addition, the technician must be certified to do backflow checking. Not every plumber is certified.

We must do this testing every 3 years so it makes sense to secure a group rate. We used Cregger Mechanical Systems 3 years ago in 2014 and testing went very smoothly. Of course, citizens have no idea what the State will mandate in the future, but TEHA is committed to getting professional help at the lowest rate possible!

Carol Kohut, president, Troy Estates Homeowners Association

ckohut04@gmail.com or text at 248-310-4855

BACKGROUND:

The program this mandate emanates from is the Cross Connection Control, a program created to prevent contamination or pollution of drinking water in Michigan. The following is a statement from the City of Troy:

“Due to a recent mandate from the State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the City of Troy is now required to enforce mandatory backflow assembly testing for all assemblies located in the City of Troy. This includes assemblies on residential property as well as commercial property. Most of the testing on residential property will be for Pressure Vacuum Breaker assemblies connected to lawn irrigation systems, as well as systems connected to Boilers or Water Powered Backup Sump Pumps.”