Public Health Significance of Cross-Connections

Public health officials have long been aware of the impact that cross-connections play as a threat to the public health. Because plumbing defects are so frequent and the opportunity for contaminants to invade the public drinking water through crossconnections are so general, enteric illnesses caused by drinking water may occur at most any location and at any time.

The following documented cases of cross-connection problems illustrate and emphasize how actual crossconnections have compromised the water quality and the public health.