As a Class 1 Waterworks Operator, an Environmental Science graduate, public health worker, and consumer of public water systems; I STRONGLY OPPOSE the proposed elimination of the certification program for backflow prevention device workers. This certification requirement serves as the check and balance between public health, and water system/premise plumbing ownership and responsibility. It only takes a quick glance at the second chapter of the EPA's cross connection control manual to appreciate the importance of backflow prevention devices. While the risk may never be completely eliminated, historical events such as the back flow of bodily fluids from human corpses, herbicides, and and antifreeze demonstrates the importance of these backflow devices, and the importance that they be inspected by a competent person. The events mentioned above are only 3 examples, from the first 3 pages of chapter two in the CCCP manual. Please reference chapter 2 of the manual provided in the link below.