What is the Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program?

The Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program (Program) protects ELCO’s Public Potable Water System from pollutants and contaminants that could, under certain circumstances, be drawn into the water supply system from private properties. (See Note 1.)

Why is There a Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program?

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) regulates drinking water quality and standards, and the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations (Regulation 11) outline requirements for cross-connection control and backflow prevention. ELCO is required by CDPHE to enforce these regulations and requirements.

Does My Property Require Backflow Prevention? 

• All Non-Single Family Residential services (commercial, industrial, multi-family, irrigation, fire lines, etc.) are required to install, maintain, and annually test an approved backflow prevention assembly.  
• Single Family Residential services are not part of this Program unless such service constitutes a health, pollution, or a system hazard to the Public Potable Water System as determined by ELCO’s Backflow Coordinator or by further stipulations within the Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Manual.
• All customers with an auxiliary water supply, such as a well, river, lake, stream, pond, or any other body of water, and which is connected to their potable water system (and hence is connected to the Public Potable Water System) are required to install, maintain, and annually test an approved backflow prevention assembly.
• (See Note 2.)

What is a Cross-Connection?

Cross-connections are actual or potential connections between the Public Potable Water System and any other system that could accidentally introduce a contaminant back into the water supply system. Cross-connections can be a serious public health hazard if approved backflow prevention assemblies are not installed. These connections can range in severity from severe hazards (involving sewage, hazardous substances, etc.) to aesthetic problems (color, taste, odor etc.).

What is Backflow?

Backflow is the unwanted flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, gasses or substances into the drinking water supply system. There are two main ways backflow can occur:

• Backsiphonage occurs when there is negative pressure in the Public Potable Water System which can draw water from a private water system into the water supply system. This can occur, for example, during a water main break or during a large firefighting effort.
• Backpressure occurs when the pressure in a private water system exceeds the pressure in the Public Potable Water System distribution lines that can cause normal flow to reverse. For example, a pump used to increase the water pressure within a building’s plumbing system to reach a higher floor could cause this.

Additional Information

This Program helps maintain the safety and quality of ELCO’s Public Potable Water System and is designed to accomplish the following:

• Enforce backflow prevention provisions of the East Larimer County Water District Rules and Regulations and comply with the requirements of the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations.
• Inform Consumers of the hazards associated with cross-connections and their responsibilities to prevent contamination of their water supply.
• Promote the elimination of cross-connections through inspection and regulation of plumbing and water piping within a Consumer’s facility.
• Ensure the proper installation and maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies on water services to facilities where actual or potential cross-connections exist to prevent backflow or back siphonage of contaminants or pollutants from the Consumer’s facility into the Public Potable Water System.

Each Consumer is responsible for preventing contaminants from entering their system as well as the Public Potable Water System. This responsibility starts at the point of delivery and includes the Consumer’s entire water system. As a condition of receiving water service, the Consumer must allow ELCO personnel access to inspect and survey the Consumer’s system for potential contamination and backflow hazards.

All costs associated with installation, operation, maintenance, testing, and reporting of backflow prevention devices are the responsibility of the Consumer.

Here are a few examples of common cross connections:

• A hose is submerged in polluted or contaminated water.
• A secondary source of irrigation water (from a well or pond) is pumped into an irrigation system that is directly connected to the potable water system.
• A heating boiler with treatment chemical added to prevent internal corrosion is connected directly to the water supply for make-up water.
• An underground lawn sprinkler system is directly connected to the water supply system.
• A fountain or swimming pool has a direct connection with the water system for filling.

In all of these examples, a sudden drop in water pressure could draw contaminants -- chemicals, fertilizer, soapy water. or even bacteria -- back into your pipes and the Public Potable Water System. Any of these contaminants could be hazardous to health if ingested.

The best way to prevent this potential contamination is to eliminate the cross-connection. This could mean simply making sure that you never leave a hose submerged in a tub of water or that you never apply fertilizer to your lawn with a hose-aspirator device. In some cases (such as the lawn sprinkling system example noted above) the cross-connection cannot be eliminated and the only means of protection is by installation of an approved backflow prevention device.

Questions about cross connection control and backflow prevention can be directed to the District’s Backflow Coordinator at 970-493-2044.

Notes:

1.    See the Cross-Connection Control & Backflow Prevention Manual for definition of this and other defined terms.

2.    Any consumer water system that constitutes a health, pollution, or a system hazard to the Public Potable Water System or contains a significant level of severity of a cross-connection risk, an approved backflow prevention assembly may be required along with specified testing frequencies as determined by the Backflow Coordinator.