Cross Connection Control for Homeowners

Pure drinking water piped to the home is the result of the advanced technologies in use today. Together, the Town and the water user share the responsibility to protect that purity.

One of the possible sources for contamination of drinking water is a connection to an irrigation system. Fertilizers, pesticides, bacteria, and other substances can be drawn into the drinking water from the irrigation system because water can be forced to return to the source of supply.

How can the drinking water be protected?

The quality of the drinking water system can be maintained by isolating it from the irrigation system or pool.

Two conditions create backflow.

The first condition is back-pressure; a greater pressure originating in the irrigation system or pool can overcome the drinking water system supply pressure causing a reverse flow condition.

The second condition is back-siphonage; a suction created by the sudden loss of supply pressure, caused by water main breaks, and large demands such as firefighting requirements.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

  Add a hose bib vacuum breaker. This can prevent water from the pool or lawn fertilizer system from backing up into the house.

Install a Pressure Vacuum Breaker to your irrigation system. This can help prevent pesticides and bacteria from finding it’s way back into your drinking water.