The city of Sterling has received a notice of violation from the Colorado Water Quality Control Division, part of the Department of Public Health and Environment, stemming from the water contamination incident at Sterling Middle School last month. According to the notice, the city was out of compliance with regulations requiring a written Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control Program, which should include annual backflow assembly testing and reports, and conducting cross connection control surveys.

The city is working to develop a program to meet the state requirements, which will come before the city council for implementation.  The city is not currently facing any punitive action right now for the violations, and they have until the end of 2019 to move forward with establishing a program that meets the state requirements.