What is a Cross Connection?
A cross connection is a connection or arrangement of piping through which water of a questionable quality, wastes, or other contaminants could enter the potable water supply due to a reversal of flow.
What is the Law?
The Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act requires water utilities to have comprehensive cross connection control programs for the elimination and prevention of all cross connections.
Customers are required to maintain their water systems in a manner free of cross connections. If a backflow incident should occur resulting in contamination of the public water supply, the responsible owner or occupant could be held liable for damages.
What is being done to prevent Cross Connections?
Routine inspections of buildings are conducted by plumbing inspectors to identify cross connections. The following are some examples of where cross connections can exist:
• Hose connections
• Lawn irrigation systems
• Toilet fill valves
• Chemical aspirators
• Boilers
• Cooling towers
• Swimming pools
• Water operated sump pumps
• Water softeners
• Fire sprinkler systems
Cross connections can be eliminated by maintaining approved air gaps or by the installation of specific backflow prevention devices. For example, a cross connection at a hose connection can be eliminated by installing a hose connection vacuum breaker that conforms to ASSE 1011 on the hose bibb before the hose is connected.
A cross connection in a toilet tank can be eliminated by the installation of an anti-siphon fill valve that conforms to ASSE 1002.
Lawn irrigation systems require backflow prevention devices to be installed at the point of connection to the potable water system. Periodic testing of these and other devices may be required. Testing must be administered by an individual who has obtained a cross connection control “Certificate of Award” from the Michigan Plumbing board. For help locating a qualified tester, click on the following Link: Michigan State Qualified Tester