Does the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) require public water systems to establish backflow prevention and cross-connection control programs?
Does the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) require public water systems to establish backflow prevention and cross-connection control programs?
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Jacksonville Duval County 904-346-1266
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Macclenny Baker County 904-259-5091
Palm Coast Flagler County 386-439-5290
Daytona Volusia County 386-253-4911
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The SDWA does not require public water systems to establish and maintain a backflow prevention or a cross-connection control program. However, since backflow contamination could be responsible for a water system’s failure to maintain SDWA standards, EPA has published the Cross-Connection Control Manual (EPA816-R-03-002; February 2003) to help systems identify scenarios that are susceptible to contamination. The manual also outlines several backflow prevention techniques. The manual and additional information is available at www.epa.gov/safewater/crossconnection.html.
Cross-Connection Control Resources
On this page:
- Federal Advisory Committee Recommendations on Cross Connection Control Information
- EPA Cross-Connection Control Resources
- State Regulations
- Industry Partners
Cross-connections, which are defined as actual or potential connections between a potable water supply and a non-potable source, where it is possible for a contaminant to enter the drinking water supply. External contaminant introduction diminishes the water quality of drinking water distribution systems. While there are cross-connection control programs in place in many locales, many others lack such programs. There is evidence that inconsistent implementation of such control programs can result in public health risk (NRC, Drinking Water Distribution Systems: Assessing and Reducing Risks, 2006). The problem is a dynamic one, because piping systems are continually being installed, altered, or extended. Control of cross-connections can be achieved through thorough knowledge, vigilance and education.
Federal Advisory Committee Recommendations on Cross-Connection Control Information
In 2007 EPA established a committee under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to develop an agreement in principle regarding recommendations to EPA on revisions to the Total Coliform Rule and on what information about distribution systems is needed to better understand and address possible public health impacts from potential degradation of drinking water quality in distribution systems. As part of the Agreement in Principle (September 2008), the Total Coliform Rule Distribution System Advisory Committee recommended that “EPA and primacy agencies reference and compile existing requirements, guidance, and other information on cross connection control practices from EPA, states, [American Water Works Association], and other relevant parties with the aim of having a single, complete resource library available to the public.” EPA has compiled the information below to meet that recommendation.
EPA Cross-Connection Control Resources
- Cross-Connection Control: A Best Practices Guide (PDF) (4 pp, 177K)
Tips for detecting and responding effectively to a backflow event and information on helpful technology.
EPA 816-F-06-035, September 2006
State Regulations
ALABAMA
ALASKA
ARIZONA
ARKANSAS
CALIFORNIA
COLORADO
CONNECTICUT
DELAWARE
FLORIDA
GEORGIA
HAWAII
IDAHO
ILLINOIS
INDIANA
IOWA
KANSAS
KENTUCKY
LOUISIANA
MAINE
MARYLAND
MASSACHUSETTS
MICHIGAN
MINNESOTA
MISSISSIPPI
MISSOURI
MONTANA
NEBRASKA
NEVADA
NEW HAMPSHIRE
NEW JERSEY
NEW MEXICO
NEW YORK
NORTH CAROLINA
NORTH DAKOTA
OHIO
OKLAHOMA
OREGON
PENNSYLVANIA
RHODE ISLAND
SOUTH CAROLINA
SOUTH DAKOTA
TENNESSEE
TEXAS
UTAH
VERMONT
VIRGINIA
WASHINGTON
WEST VIRGINIA
WISCONSIN
WYOMING
Industry Partners
AWWA – Statement of Policy on Public Water Supply Matters: Cross Connections
USC Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research
American Backflow Prevention Association
University of Florida Center for Training, Research and Education for Environmental Occupations
According to the Drinking Water Glossary: a Dictionary of Technical and Legal Terms Related to Drinking Water (EPA810-B-94-006, June 1994), cross-connection means “Any actual or potential connection between a drinking (potable) water system and an unapproved water supply or other source of contamination. For example, if you have a pump moving nonpotable water and hook into the drinking water system to supply water for the pump seal, a cross-connection or mixing between the two water systems can occur. This mixing may lead to contamination of the drinking water.”
Additonal information is available at www.epa.gov/safewater/crossconnectioncontrol
FREE ESTIMATES
Jacksonville Duval County 904-346-1266
St Augustine St Johns County 904-824-7144
Orange Park Clay County 904-264-6444
Jacksonville Beaches Duval County 904-246-3969
Fernandina Nassau County 904-277-3040
Macclenny Baker County 904-259-5091
Palm Coast Flagler County 386-439-5290
Daytona Volusia County 386-253-4911
GAINESVILLE ALACHUA COUNTY 352-335-8555
Serving all of Florida and Georgia at 904-346-1266
EMAIL LARRY@1STPROP.COM (feel free to email your bidding packages here)
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