Cross-Connection Control and Backflow
Prevention Programs
The City of San Diego Water
Department spends millions of dollars each year to insure the safety of
our drinking water. A vital link in this effort is the Water Department's
Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Programs.
Water distributions systems
are designed so that water flows in one direction from the treatment plant
to the customer.
Cross-Connections are any unprotected
actual or potential connection or structural arrangement between a public
or a consumer's potable water system and any other source or system through
which it is possible to introduce into any part of the potable system
any used water or substance other than the intended potable water. Bypass
arrangements, jumper connections or any other temporary or permanent connections
through which backflow can occur are considered to be cross-connections.
Backflow is the undesirable
reversal of flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids or substances
into the distribution pipes of the potable supply of water from any source
or sources.
Federal and State laws require Water Purveyors to
protect their system from cross-connections and backflow. To do this,
we work closely with consumers, architects, contractors, and engineers
to insure that all those who are required to comply with cross-connection
control and/or backflow prevention requirements. If you have been contacted
by the Water Department and know you need a backflow prevention assembly
installed or tested, see the City of San
Diego Approved List of Backflow Testers (PDF: 34K) (Get Adobe Reader).
The Water Department also has a list of Backflow Prevention Assemblies (PDF: 90K) that have been evaluated and accepted for installation within the City of San Diego Water Department's jurisdiction for service protection.
For more information about this program, please contact Felix Garcia at 619-527-7548 or e-mail at fgarcia@sandiego.gov.
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