What is a cross-connection?

It is any connection between your drinking water and an unapproved source of water or any other contaminant. With a cross-connection, your drinking water can become contaminated when a backflow condition occurs.

So, what is backflow? Backflow is when the water in your pipes (the pipes after the water meter) goes backward (the opposite direction from its normal flow). There are two situations that can cause the water to go backward (backflow):

  • Backpressure - the pressure in your pipes is greater than the pressure coming in
  • Backsiphonage - a negative pressure in one of the pipes.

Show All Answers

1. What is a cross-connection?
2. I received a letter from the City notifying me my backflow assembly needs to be tested. Is there a list of certified testers?
3. What is considered a potential hazard?
4. I want to connect my underground irrigation system to the City potable water in addition to the CID or the KID, what is the proper way to connect to both systems?
5. I am installing an underground sprinkler system utilizing only City potable water. How do I properly connect my underground sprinkler system to the City's potable water?
6. I am going to disconnect my underground sprinkler system from the City potable water system. How do I properly disconnect from the City's potable water system?
7. What happens if I do not have my backflow device tested?