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Cross Connection Control

Keeping Clean Water Clean
What is a Cross Connection?

When you’re filling a bucket of water with a hose and the hose end is submerged in the water in the bucket—that’s a cross connection!

If you heat with hot water, the make-up line to your boiler—is a cross connection. 
If you have a water softener and the drain line is connected to your sanitary drain—that’s a cross connection!
How does a Cross Connection contaminate my water supply?

If you have a cross connection and your water pressure changes, water that’s already left your water faucet or supply can backflow back into your water supply by back-siphonage or back pressure.

For examples of problems resulting from cross connection contamination see www.abpa.org/incidents.htm.
What can I do to protect my water supply?
Cross connections are prevented by making sure that clean water does not come in contact with used or dirty water.  Protection options include:

       

  • Air gaps
  • Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention devices (RPs)
  • Double check backflow prevention devices (DCs)
  • Pressure vacuum breakers (PVBs)


 CCC_Faucet_Funnel
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Air gaps, RP devices, and DC devices are protective against back-siphonage and back pressure.  The PVB is protective against back-siphonage only. 

Instructions for proper installation and maintenance of these protection devices are detailed in the Indiana Administrative Code 327 IAC 8-10 at www.in.gov/legislative/iac/title327.html.
How does Marion Utilities regulate cross connections?

Cross connections are prohibited in Marion Utilities’ Water Rules and Regulations, Rule O.  Our procedure for implementing Rule O is detailed in the Cross Connection Control Policy Manual.

Individuals and facilities may be required to install devices on their main water, fire protection, or buried irrigation water service line and may be required to install an RP, DC or PVB.  After installation, each device will need to be tested. 
The RP needs to be tested every 6 months, the DC and PVB need to be tested every 12 months. 
The tests need to be performed by a State of Indiana Certified Tester and the results need to be recorded and forwarded to Marion Utilities.

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