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What is a Cross Connection?

A Cross Connection is a connection between the drinking water supply and anything else which may affect the quality of the drinking water. Examples of cross connections can range from a boiler in an office building, a chemical process in an industrial plant, to something as common as a landscape sprinkling system or threaded hose connections at your home. Unprotected cross connections can and may allow contaminants and pollutants to Backflow back into our drinking water supply.

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What is a Backflow?

Backflow is the undesirable reversal of flow of the drinking water supply, which may cause contaminants or pollutants to flow back into the water system through unprotected cross connections. Backflow is caused by two types of conditions. One condition is called backpressure, where the pressure on the customers side becomes higher than the water systems water pressure and may force the water to reverse direction. Another condition, backsiphonage, occurs when there is a drop in the supply pressure of the water system, due to a water line break or fighting a fire. This creates a vacuum which may pull or siphon the contaminants or pollutants back into the drinking water supply.

 

Cross connections are allowed, provided they have proper protection against backflow. The customer's responsibility is to protect cross connections against backflow by installing and maintaining backflow prevention devices and assemblies. These devices and assemblies insure that the water flows in one direction, and doesn't allow for pollutants or contaminants to flow back into the drinking water supply.

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Who Needs a Backflow Device?

The most common reasons in the District for having a device are:

• Irrigation / Sprinkler systems

• Fire suppression systems

• Pools

• Well                     

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Annual Testing Requirements - Due May 1

 

The State of Washington requires backflow devices be tested annually (WAC 51-56-0600). The Cooperative has an annual due date of May 1 each year for backflow testing by a Certified Cross Connection Control Specialist. To view the entire CCWP Cross Connection Policy Click Here. For further assistance, please contact the office. We appreciate your help keeping our water safe!

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