Remember!

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Cross Connection Control Backflow Basics
by Garrett Yates Backflow Management Inc. (800)
841-7689 www.bmi-backflow.com
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What is a Cross Connection?

• A cross connection is any actual or potential
  link between potable water and a system or
  fixture that carries a non-potable substance.

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Common cross connections
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Commercial, Industrial examples

• Fire protection systems
• Auxiliary water supplies
• Make up lines for water using equipment
• Post carbonated beverage dispensers
• Medical equipment i.e. x-ray developers
• Film development
• Chemical dispensers for commercial kitchens

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• Cross connections pose a public health threat
  when water in a piping system reverses its normal
  direction of flow.
• This is referred to as Backflow.
• Backflow occurs from
• one of two different
• hydraulic conditions

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BACKFLOW IS CAUSED BY
Backpressure
Backsiphonage
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Backpressure

• An elevation of pressure downstream of the
  distribution system that would cause or tend to
  cause, water to flow opposite of intended
  direction.
• Common causes pumps, elevation, thermal expansion

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Backsiphonage

• A drop in distribution system pressure below
  atmospheric (partial vacuum), that would cause or
  tend to cause water to flow opposite of its
  intended direction.
• Common causes Main line breaks, heavy use i.e.
  fire hydrant use, pump failure

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HAZARD LEVELS

• Low Hazard
• (Low-Health, Non-Health)

• High Hazard
• (High-Health, Health-Hazard)

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Public Water System Contamination Conditions

• Supply Piping Unprotected
• Physical Cross-Connection Made
• Actual Contaminant Present, and
• A Backflow Condition Occurs
• All four conditions must occur
• simultaneously

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Probability of Occurrence?

• Numerous, well documented cases where
• Drinking Water Has Been Contaminated Via
  Cross-Connections

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• PNWS-AWWA
• MANUALS
• 4th Edition
• 200 Incidents
• 5th Edition
• 400 Incidents

CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL COMMITTEE PACIFIC
NORTHWEST SECTION - A.W.W.A.
Summary of BACKFLOW INCIDENTS
Fifth Edition, December 1995
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BACKFLOW PREVENTERS
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Air Gap Separation
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BACKFLOW DEVICES
Single Checks
Dual Checks
Atmospheric Vacuum Breakers
Hose Bibb Vacuum Breakers
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BACKFLOW ASSEMBLIES
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Spill Resistant Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly
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Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly
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Double Check Valve Assembly
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Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly
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• Chapter 6 of the Uniform Plumbing Code governs
  the control of cross connections on private
  property. Backflow protection is provided for
  customers through compliance with current
  plumbing codes.
• Water suppliers are required by regulatory
  agencies to protect the public water supply from
  contamination due to cross connections.
• Water suppliers and plumbing officials share the
  responsibility for protecting public health.

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PREMISE ISOLATION
IN-PREMISE PROTECTION
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WHY SHOULD A PWS CARE ABOUT CROSS-CONNECTIONS?

• Because Under backflow conditions,
  contaminants
• may enter the drinking
• water supply through
• unprotected cross-
• connections and
• adversely impact public health .

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Why Do Regulatory Agencies Require CCC Programs?

• To Protect the Public Health by Assuring the
  Delivery of
• Safe Drinking Water to Consumers Served
  by Public Water Systems.

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• Reasonably Reduce the Risk of Contamination
  of the Public Water System , AND
• Reduce the Water Purveyors Exposure to
  Legal Liability

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Legal Aspects Backflow Incident

• Whenever There Is a Backflow Incident,
  Assume Litigation Will Follow
• Litigation May Be Based On
• Violation of Regulations
• Tort Action (Sued for Negligence) and/or

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Purveyors LiabilityPrimary/Obvious Sources

• Breach of the Law
• Failing to Develop a Reasonable CCC
  Program (Negligence Issues)
• Supply Customer With Contaminated Water
  (Absolute Liability)

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Purveyors LiabilitySecondary/ Subtle Sources

• Imposing Unreasonable Requirements
• Beyond Purveyors Jurisdiction
• Misrepresenting the Actions of the Purveyor

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Reduce Your Exposure to Liability by

• Comply With Regulations
• Follow Industry Standards (Defense Against
  Negligence)
• Have Procedures to Investigate Incidents
• Isolate Premises (avoid absolute liability)
• Have Service Agreements

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Recommended Steps for Program Implementation

• Get appropriate staff training
• Make major program decisions
• Adopt enforcement document
• Establish relationship with local administrative
  authority
• Provide public education
• Conduct hazard evaluations of all customers

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Recommendations continued

• Inventory existing backflow assemblies in hazard
  evaluation process
• Make recommendations and requirements based on
  hazard evaluation findings
• Set up process for tracking initial and annual
  testing of backflow assemblies (i.e. software
  program)
• Conduct periodic re-evaluations

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• Keep staff training up to date because the
  industry is always changing
• Keep the public aware of Citys program approach
  and customers responsibility to maintain safe
  plumbing
• Create a standard operating procedure manual for
  the management of the program