STRONGSVILLE, Ohio - The Cleveland Division of Water is more
vigorously enforcing annual backflow valve inspections for newer homes
that have lawn sprinkling systems, but some Strongsville residents claim
enforcement is unfair.
A relatively new law requires residents
to hire a state-certified plumber to check a home's backflow valve in an
effort to prevent home water supply contamination.
But some
residents living in Strongsville's Pine Lake's Crossing subdivision said
enforcement of the inspections is piecemeal and random.
"Supposedly
85 percent of the residents in this development have sprinkling
systems, but for some reason we're the only ones on this street who have
to do the test," said resident Rob Williams.
Williams told
NewsChannel5 his home and 10 other have been required to hire a plumber
for backflow valve inspections, at a cost of $50 for the past three
years. Williams said there are other newer homes in his subdivision that
have not been ordered to make the annual inspections.
Residents
said they called the Cleveland Division of Water for an explanation on
the inspection enforcement process, but claim they couldn't get a
straight answer.
"I'm really upset, and all my neighbors are
wearing the same shoe," said resident John Covic. "Making us pay this
money is unfair."
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