What should water suppliers do to control cross-connections and protect their public water systems against backflow?

Water suppliers usually do not have the authority or capability to repeatedly inspect every consumer's premises for cross-connections and backflow protection. Alternatively, each water supplier should ensure that a proper backflow preventer is installed and maintained at the water service connection to each system or premises that poses a significant hazard to the public water system. Generally, this would include the water service connection to each dedicated fire protection system or irrigation piping system and the water service connection to each of the following types of premises:

  • Premises with an auxiliary or reclaimed water system
  • Industrial, medical, laboratory, marine or other facilities where objectionable substances are handled in a way that could cause pollution or contamination of the public water system
  • Premises exempt from the State Plumbing Code and those where an internal backflow preventer required under this Code is not properly installed or maintained
  • Classified or restricted facilities
  • Tall buildings. Each water supplier should also ensure that a proper backflow preventer is installed and maintained at each water loading station owned or operated by the water supplier

Show All Answers

1. What is a cross-connection?
2. What is backflow?
3. What is backpressure backflow?
4. What is backsiphonage?
5. Why do water suppliers need to control cross-connections and protect their public water systems against backflow?
6. What should water suppliers do to control cross-connections and protect their public water systems against backflow?
7. What is a backflow preventer?
8. What is an air gap?
9. What is a reduced principle assembly (RP)?
10. What is a double check valve assembly (DC)?
11. What is a residential dual check valve (RDC)?
12. Why do backflow preventers have to be tested periodically?
13. Where can I get more information about cross-connection control?