Bill > A1437

This bill amends existing New Jersey law to allow licensed landscape irrigation contractors to install backflow prevention devices, which are crucial safety mechanisms that prevent contaminated water from flowing back into the clean, or potable, water supply. Previously, the law required that any connection a landscape irrigation contractor made to a potable water supply had to be downstream of a properly installed backflow prevention device, implying the contractor's role was limited to connecting after this device was in place. Now, the bill permits contractors to *include* these devices in their connections, but with a significant condition: they must first prove to the Landscape Irrigation Contractors Examining Board that they have completed a recognized training course for backflow prevention device inspectors, such as one offered by the New England Water Works Association or an equivalent program approved by the board. This change aims to expand the scope of work for landscape irrigation contractors while ensuring public safety by requiring specialized training for handling these critical water protection devices.