The term "cross connection" refers to any means by which unsupervised or contaminated water or water of unsatisfactory or even questionable quality can enter a supervised potable water system. Some examples are:
1. a direct plumbing connection between a potable water supply and a manufacturing process such as a plating, food processing or chemical mixing tank, a wine vat, a dilution chamber, or the like.
2. a direct plumbing connection between a potable water supply and a boiler, cooling tower, or swimming pool recirculation system.
3. a garden or washdown hose or pipe submersed under the level or rim of a bucket, sink, sewer, tank or other vessel that holds or may hold any hazardous or questionable liquid or flowable material.
4. directly connecting the drain line of a water softener to a sewer without an approved air gap device.
5. a direct plumbing connection between a potable water supply and a sewer of any kind.
6. a connection through a poorly maintained backflow protection device.
7. a potable water conduit made of a material incompatible with substances it comes in contact with. (for example: a plastic service line in soil heavily contaminated with gasoline)
Because of the size and residential nature of the Battle Ground Water System, the probability of harmful contamination due to cross connections is lower than most other water systems. Records of cross connection control devices such as RPZ backflow preventers are kept on file. Probably the most significant safeguard against contamination from cross connections is maintaining system pressure. The danger of contamination increases dramatically as system pressure drops below 20 psi. The Battle Ground Water System has many back up devices to prevent loss of system pressure due to power or equipment failure. Public education, such as this document, also helps prevent danger of cross connection contamination by helping our customers identify and correct cross connections on their own premises. Back to Contents
Edited 02/07/2004