Cross Connection
Orchard Dale Water District is committed to delivering safe, high-quality water to customers. Our comprehensive water quality program operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to ensure that the water delivered to our customers remains free from harmful contaminants. A key component of our water quality program is the cross-connection control program. When a water line is connected to equipment containing a nonpotable substance, this is known as a cross-connection. Contamination may occur when water flows through a cross-connection from a nonpotable source, such as a sprinkler system or heating and cooling system, into the potable water system. This can happen through a process known as cross-connection.
The California Department of Health Services requires each of these assemblies to be tested annually. This testing is conducted by cross-connection assembly testers who are certified by a State Water Board-recognized organization that certifies cross-connection prevention assembly testers. To speak with an Orchard Dale Water District cross-connection and cross-connection prevention specialist, please call 562-941-0114.
What is Cross-Connection?
Cross-connection is water flowing in the opposite direction from its normal flow. Orchard Dale Water District's potable water system is designed to ensure a continuous supply of water to you. When hydraulic conditions within any water system deviate from "normal," the direction of water flow can be reversed. This creates a cross-connection condition, potentially allowing contaminated water to enter the potable water distribution system.
There Are Two Ways Cross-Connection Can Occur
Backsiphonage can occur when there is a sudden reduction in the water pressure of the distribution system, such as during firefighting or when a water main breaks. In such instances, water flow can be reversed. This reversal can create a suction effect and draw potential contaminants into the potable (drinking) water system.
Backpressure is created when pressure in a water system exceeds the pressure in the potable system providing the make-up water. This can force the potable water to reverse its direction of flow through the cross-connection between the two systems. Potential contaminants can then enter the potable water system.
Things You Can Do To Prevent Cross-Connection
- Be aware of and eliminate cross-connections.
- Maintain air gaps. Do not submerge hoses or place them where they could become submerged.
- Use hose bibb vacuum breakers on fixtures (hose connections in the basement, laundry room, and outside).
- Install approved, testable cross-connection prevention assemblies on lawn irrigation systems.
- Install an approved, testable cross-connection prevention assembly at your home's water service connection.
- Do not create a connection between an auxiliary water system (well, cistern, body of water) and the water supply plumbing.
Recognized Methods of Cross-Connection Prevention
- Air gap
- Double check valve assembly
- Reduced pressure principal assembly
- Pressure vacuum breaker assembly
- Anti-siphon vacuum breaker
Recognized Methods of Cross-Connection Prevention
A cross-connection prevention assembly is an approved, testable assembly that utilizes check valves and/or relief valves in various configurations to prevent potential contaminants from entering the potable (drinking) water system.
An approved cross-connection prevention assembly has gone through an approval process at the Foundation for Hydraulic Research and Cross-Connection Control at the University of Southern California. This is a two-step process of laboratory tests and a 12-month field test. Only assemblies that successfully complete the entire testing procedure are recognized by the Orchard Dale Water District as approved cross-connection prevention assemblies.
Who Is Required To Have A Cross-Connection Prevention Assembly?
Federal and State law require that water suppliers protect their water systems from contamination. When the Orchard Dale Water District determines that the potable (drinking) water system may be subject to contamination due to a cross-connection condition, the customer will be notified and required to install an approved cross-connection prevention assembly. Orchard Dale Water District makes these decisions on a case-by-case basis. Residential, commercial, and industrial customers demonstrating a high potential for contaminants to enter the potable water system must install and maintain cross-connection prevention assemblies.
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