The Oakland County Drain Commission has captured the attention of thousands of homeowners with surprise sprinkler inspections, Local 4's Joelle Lukasiewicz reported.

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The state has ordered county inspectors to go to every home within their water jurisdiction and test sprinklers to make sure they're equipped with a protective backflow device.

Homeowners like Jim Wasiloff of Farmington Hills were baffled by new mandate.

"Just seemed a little bit like a misplaced priority when you have all kinds of problems getting water during the blackout and this is the first issue they come up to talk to us about."

But inspectors say the backflow device is important for the safety of the county's drinking water.

"If somebody supplies chemicals to their front lawn and the chemicals get into that sprinkler head, there's a potential for that contaminated water to get sucked back into the drinking water system," said Tim Prince of the Oakland County Drain Commission.

Inspectors will be going to the following communities to make sure homeowners' sprinkler systems are properly equipped:

Bloomfield Hills

Commerce Township

Farmington Hills

Highland Township

Keego Harbor

Lyon Township

Oakland Township

Orchard Lake

Oxford

Homeowners without a backflow device (pictured, right) will be required to hire a licensed plumber to install one. Those who do have one will also be required to hire a plumber to make sure that the device is working properly, Local 4 reported.

"I don't think the cost involved of getting a licensed plumber to come out and do all this is necessary. I think the water board should do the checks themselves," said homeowner David Padowicz.

About 30,000 homes are expected to be checked in Oakland County.

The state says it's just a matter of time before all communities will be required to undergo inspections.