CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL PROGRAM
RESIDENTIAL AND NON-RESIDENTIAL
Press Release
 
Inspection Program Process, click for link
 

Overview

 

The City of De Pere Water Utility System delivers safe, high-quality drinking water every day. To continue to protect the public health and keep the water system safe from contaminants and pollutants we are required by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR), Wisconsin Department of Commerce, and the City of De Pere Municipal Code to maintain a cross connection control program. The City of De Pere Water Utility has contracted with Hydro Designs, Inc. (HDI), of Brookfield, Wisconsin to manage our program. HDI is an environmental services firm that specializes in backflow prevention education and cross connection control inspections. Hydro Designs Inc does not sell plumbing devices, installations or perform device testing. They currently manage program services for over 115 municipalities and water utilities in Michigan, Wisconsin Illinois, Florida and Minnesota. HDI will perform the initial inspections of all residential, commercial and industrial buildings throughout the city to detect actual & potential cross connections and make recommendations for the installation of backflow prevention devices or assemblies where necessary.  Buildings that have Well Water supply only and have no municipal water supply connection will not require an inspection. This will help ensure that contaminated or polluted water cannot backflow into clean drinking water.

 

What Is a Cross Connection Control Program?
 

WI NR 810.15 Defines a CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL PROGRAM as; The supplier of water for every municipal water system shall develop and implement a comprehensive control program for the elimination of all existing cross-connections and prevention of all future cross-connections. A record of the cross-connection control program shall be kept current and available for annual review by the department.

 

 What Is a Cross Connection?

 
A cross connection is a direct or potential connection between any part of the public water supply system and a source of contamination or pollution. The most common form of cross connection is a garden hose, which is easily connected to the public water supply system and can be used to apply a variety of potentially dangerous substances, including chemicals and fertilizer. Other common cross connections include dishwashers, toilets, pressure washers, boilers, pools and lawn sprinkler systems.

 

How Does Contamination Occur?

 
Water normally flows in one direction, from the public water system through the customer's cold or hot water plumbing system to a faucet or other plumbing fixture. Under certain conditions, water can flow in the reverse direction. This is known as backflow, and it occurs when backsiphonage or backpressure is created in a water line.

 

  • Backsiphonage may occur when there is a drop in the supply pressure of the water distribution system. This can be caused by a water line break, water main repair, during a rapid withdrawal of water from a fire hydrant or other situation that creates a vacuum, which may pull or siphon contaminants or pollutants into the drinking water supply.

 

  • Backpressure may be created when a source of pressure, such as a pump, boiler or other use creates a pressure greater than that supplied from the water distribution system; this may force water to reverse direction.

 

What is a Cross Connection Survey?

 
The cross connection survey is the first step in our program. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Regulations (NR 810.15) recommends that all residential, industrial, commercial and institutional facilities be surveyed for cross connections regularly. A survey is a walk-through of the water system piping in a building or property, starting at the water meter and ending at the last free-flowing tap.  At the end of the survey HDI will produce a report describing any violations or discrepancies found, as well as a time frame for compliance. The first round of inspections will include city-owned buildings, public school facilities, hospitals/medical facilities, car washes, industrial/manufacturing facilities and mortuaries. Inspection notices will be mailed to water customers approximately two weeks before the scheduled inspection date.  A representative should be available during the inspection to answer questions and provide access.

 

Questions?
 

Cross connection control program questions can be directed to Hydro Designs, Inc. at (800) 315-4305.