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Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control

WHAT IS A BACKFLOW?

Backflow is the undesirable or unintended reversal of flow of water and/or liquids, gases, or other substances from the customer’s onsite plumbing back into the public drinking water system. Backflow can occur when there is a sudden decrease of pressure in the distribution system (such as from a water main break) or when the pressure in a customer's onsite plumbing is made to be higher than the distribution system pressure.

Backflow prevention assemblies stop our water supply from possible contamination by residential and commercial sources. Properly installed and maintained assemblies, devices, or methods provide protection against the threat posed by many conditions typically found in an onsite plumbing system.

WHAT IS A CROSS-CONNECTION?

A cross-connection is an interconnection between drinking water from a public water system and a non-drinking water source (like a private groundwater well) through any actual or potential connection.

TO REPORT A BACKFLOW INCIDENT, LEAKING BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY, OR POTENTIAL CROSS-CONNECTION, YOU MAY REACH US BY:

ANNUAL TESTING

Federal and State laws require water utilities to protect public water systems from contamination or pollution due to cross-connections and backflows into the distribution system. To ensure safety of our drinking water supply, Municipal Water System (Muni Water) requires annual testing of backflow prevention devices installed on water service lines. Municipal Water System staff sends notices to customers two months prior to when their backflow prevention assemblies are due for testing. The notice includes the test due date along with a copy of the test report(s).

For more information on the customer and backflow tester responsibilities, please refer to the requirements for testing and maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies.

Only Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers certified with the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and in good standing with Municipal Water System are allowed to test backflow prevention assemblies within Muni Water’s service area. Please refer to Municipal Water System’s list of registered backflow preventer testing companies prior to having your backflow tested.

Brown and green reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Assembly
Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Assembly

Becoming a Muni Water-Approved Backflow Tester

Backflow testing companies and testers are required to register with Muni Water and maintain current records including Registration Forms and Tester Paperwork (AWWA certificate, AWWA expiration card, and calibration sheets). Annual test reports may not be accepted if the testing company is not registered or does not provide current backflow tester paperwork. 

Blue and red reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Assembly
Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Assembly

Helpful Tips For Residential Customers

Without the proper protection, something as simple as a garden hose has the potential to contaminate or pollute the drinking water lines in your house. The Municipal Water System recommends that homeowners install hose bib vacuum breakers on all hose bibs. You can purchase them at most plumbing and hardware stores.

Faucet coming out of a brick wall with the hose bib vacuum breaker circled in green with an arrow pointing at it

 

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