Method of Action

A complete cross-connection control program requires a carefully planned and executed initial action plan followed by aggressive implementation and constant follow-up. Proper staffing and education of personnel is a requirement to insure that an effective program is achieved. A recommended plan of action for a crossconnection control program should include the following characteristics:

1. Establish a cross-connection control ordinance at the local level and have it approved by the water commissioners, town manager, etc., and insure that it is adopted by the town or private water authority as a legally enforceable document.
2. Conduct public informative meetings that define the proposed cross-connection control program, review the local cross-connection control ordinance, and answer all questions that may arise concerning the reason for the program, why and how the survey will be conducted, and the potential impact upon the industrial, commercial and residential water customers. Have state authorities and the local press and radio attend the meeting.
3. Place written notices of the pending cross-connection control program in the local newspaper, and have the local radio station make announcements about the program as a public service notice.
4. Send employees who will administer the program, to a course, or courses, on backflow tester certification, backflow survey courses, backflow device repair courses, etc.
5. Equip the water authority with backflow device test kits.
6. Conduct meeting(s) with the local plumbing inspection people, building inspectors, and licensed plumbers in the area who will be active in the inspection, installations and repair of backflow devices. Inform them of the intent of the program and the part that they can play in the successful implementation of the program.
7. Prior to initiating a survey of the established commercial and industrial installations, prepare a list of these establishments from existing records, then prioritize the degree of hazard that they present to the water system, i.e., plating plants, hospitals, car wash facilities, industrial metal finishing and fabrication, mortuaries, etc. These will be the initial facilities inspected for cross-connections and will be followed by less hazardous installations.
8. Insure that any new construction plans are reviewed by the water authority to assess the degree of hazard and insure that the proper backflow preventer is installed concurrent with the potential degree of hazard that the facility presents.
9. Establish a residential backflow protection program that will automatically insure that a residential dual check backflow device is installed automatically at every new residence.
10. As water meters are repaired or replaced at residences, insure that a residential dual check backflow preventer is set with the new or reworked water meter. Be sure to have the owner address thermal expansion provisions.
11. Prepare a listing of all testable backflow devices in the community and insure that they are tested by certified test personnel at the time intervals consistent with the local crossconnection control ordinance.
12. Prepare and submit testing documentation of backflow devices to the State authority responsible for monitoring this data.
13. Survey all commercial and industrial facilities and require appropriate backflow protection based upon the containment philosophy and/or internal protection and fixture outlet protection. Follow up to insure that the recommended devices are installed and tested on both an initial basis and a periodic basis consistent with the crossconnection control ordinance.

The surveys should be conducted by personnel experienced in commercial and industrial processes. The owners or owners representatives, should be questioned as to what the water is being used for in the facility and what hazards the operations may present to the water system (both within the facility and to the water distribution system) in the event that a backsiphonage or backpressure condition were to exist concurrent with a nonprotected cross-connection. In the event that experienced survey personnel are not available within the water authority to conduct the survey, consideration should be given to having a consulting firm perform the survey on behalf of the water department.