Cross Connections

Local businesses like dry cleaners, hair salons, hospitals, dentists, and car washes are a few of the industries required to install backflow prevention devices to avert drinking water from becoming contaminated. Even your outside hose connection on your home is a potential cross-connection.

Backflow is a reverse flow condition, created by a difference in water pressures, which causes water to flow back into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply from any source or sources other than an intended source. A cross connection is a connecting pipe in plumbing, through which drinking water could be contaminated, polluted, or infected.

Anytime there is a connection between the potable water and a piece of equipment the potential exists for this water-chemical mixture to flow back into the potable water system. This can happen under certain conditions like a drop in pressure in the water main out in the street due to a nearby fire hydrant being opened. Local, State and National health codes prohibit contaminated sources from entering the public water supply through cross connections. To prevent backflow in plumbing systems, the Connecticut Public Health Code requires backflow prevention devices to be installed in specific locations where there is the potential for a cross connection.

Annually, the Authority inspects over 5,400 commercial, industrial, residential, and health facilities. We examine the plumbing connections and test the backflow preventers to make sure they are in compliance with requirements set by the Department of Public Health. This information is reported to the state health department annually.

Backflow Prevention Devices

An AIR GAP is required between all potable water lines and equipment or systems which may be subject to contamination. Exceptions are allowed by the Public Health Code to this requirement only if the appropriate approved backflow prevention device is installed in place of the air gap.

There are several devices which can be used for protection against cross connections. The type of device to be used in a particular installation is determined by the Public Health Code based on the degree of hazard and the specific application conditions.

The Public Health Code requires that certain devices such as Vacuum Breakers, Double Check Valve Assemblies, and Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Preventers be tested annually.