Industry Alerts

Stormwater Fee to take effect July 1

Members, please remember Colorado Springs voters approved in the November 2017 Special Coordinated Election the implementation of a stormwater fee that will take effect July 1, 2018. The fee will serve as a dedicated source to provide sustainable funding to meet capital construction needs, maintenance and operation of the stormwater system, and costs of administration and enforcement of its MS4 Permit. If you have any questions please contact the City’s stormwater department: by phone at (719)385-7876 or email at stormwater@springsgov.com
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OSHA Proposes Changes to Crane Operator Requirements
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is moving to finalize changes to its crane operator certification requirements. In a notice of proposed rulemaking published May 21, OSHA proposed to amend its rule for cranes and derricks in construction, 29 C.F.R. § 1926, Operator Qualification and Certification, to clarify the training and certification requirements for crane operators and add a new requirement for employers to evaluate crane operators. See Detail
No changes to Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule
A federally mandated review of the Environmental Protection Agency's problematic Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule has concluded that, despite the lack of an accurate lead paint test kit, the rule should remain the same. While acknowledging that "a lead test kit meeting the rule's positive response criterion has not come to market," the agency concluded that the benefits of lead-safe work practices "continue to exceed its costs," which NAHB Remodelers have demonstrated can be considerable. Learn More
Safe, Affordable Homes Win at Code Hearings
NAHB Construction, Codes and Standards volunteers and staff attended the ICC board of directors meetings and testified at the Committee Action Hearings in Columbus, Ohio, April 15-23. Their arguments against the changes were quite persuasive: All 10 of the proposed changes that the association deemed most critical to home builders, developers and their customers were ultimately rejected by committee members. Learn More
NAHB Remodelers Breaking News
Last week, industry trade associations including NAHB reached an agreement with EPA and the Sierra Club on how the formaldehyde rule will be implemented. A suit filed by the Sierra Club against EPA challenging a rule implementation extension would have disrupted the supply chain for cabinets, flooring and other composite wood products-causing increased prices and reduced product availability for remodelers. NAHB joined with other trade associations to file a brief in the case urging the court to uphold the extension, which included a statement from former NAHB Remodelers Chair Robert Criner on how the anticipated production disruptions would hurt his business and employees. Learn More
Backflow Testing Requirement for New Construction 
Starting in January 2018, testers have 10 days to test and submit results on backflow assemblies for newly constructed buildings or services after the meter has been set.  If results are not received within this time frame, we can suspend water service until a passed test result is demonstrated through an appointment with us.  If a fire suppression system backflow has not been tested during this time frame, domestic water service can be suspended until the fire suppression backflow assembly is tested. ​
Unlawful Temporary Water Connections  
Colorado Springs’ Backflow Prevention Team has become aware of building contractors connecting to the finished water system with no permitted meter and no approved backflow prevention assembly. These unlawful temporary water connections could potentially create a contamination hazard through an unprotected cross-connection. In January 2016, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment the modified “Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control Rule” (“Rule 11.39”).  Primary requirements under Rule 11.39 state that “The supplier is prohibited from installing or permitting any uncontrolled cross-connection to the distribution system or within the supplier’s waterworks.” 

These unpermitted connections are considered uncontrolled cross-connections that could potentially containment the finished water distribution system and therefore are a violation of Colorado Springs City Code §§12.4.1213.E.  Pursuant to this code provision, Colorado Springs Utilities may issue an emergency suspension order and can assess up to $1000.00 per event per day when these violations occur.  
Apply for a temporary water service permit. 
EPA Announces Two-Year Delay For WOTUS Rule
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced a two-year delay of the Obama-era “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule, giving the agency more time to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and replace it with definitions that provide needed clarity for those regulated by the Clean Water Act. “This is a decision we have been waiting a long time for,” said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel. “NAHB has provided formal testimony and explained to agency officials the consequences of this rule’s extreme overreach and the resulting confusion not only among property owners, but the regulators themselves.” Learn More

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