DDW-2025-004668

What is a Cross Connection?
A Cross Connection is a physical connection (piping configuration) between the public
drinking water system and anything else, including another water supply that can allow
pollutants or contaminants to backflow into the public drinking water system.
What is Backflow?
Backflow is the reversal of flow from a residential or commercial system back into the
public drinking water system. A backflow incident could carry dangerous pollutants
or contaminants into our public drinking water supplies making them unsafe to use.
Backflow can occur if your plumbing system is physically connected (a cross con-
nection) to any source of contamination or pollution. Examples of possible cross
connections include landscape sprinkler systems, hose attachments for utility sinks,
chemical tank trucks, chemical sprayers, and garden hoses.
The International Plumbing Code, as adopted by the state of Utah and the Utah
Public Drinking Water Rules requires that all cross connections be eliminated or
protected against backflow by installing an approved backflow prevention device
or assembly.
What Can Backflow Into Your Water?
Many public drinking water systems are contaminated each year by pollutants or
contaminants that backflow into the water system through unprotected cross-con-
nections. Identifying and eliminating or protecting cross connections is a matter
of public health!
Backflow Prevention Assemblies
Backflow prevention assemblies provide protection against contamination or
pollution. A cross connection is defined as, “Any actual or potential connection
between a potable water system and any other source or system through which
it is possible to introduce into the public drinking water system any used water,
industrial fluid, gas or substance other than the intended potable water.” Cross
connections and backflow incidences in the State of Utah have resulted in dan-
gerous, highly contaminated water unexpectedly entering public drinking water
systems. Irrigation waters, oil, toxic boiler compounds, sewage, pesticides, and
other extremely dangerous contaminants have found their way
into Utah public drinking water systems due
to cross connections.
LEARN
ABOUT
PROTECTING
YOUR HOME
FROM THE
DANGERS
ASSOCIATED
WITH
CROSS
CONNECTIONS!
PROTECT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Learn about Cross Connection Prevention
Water Is Life
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP PREVENT CROSS CONNECTIONS
There are many connections to our water distribution system. When connections are properly in-
stalled and maintained, the concerns are very minimal. However, unapproved and improper piping
changes or connections can adversely affect not only the availability, but also the quality of the
water. A cross connection may let polluted water or even chemicals mingle into the water supply
system when not properly protected. This not only compromises the water quality but can also af-
fect your health. So, what can you do? Do not make or allow improper connections at your homes.
When the cross connection is allowed to exist at your home, it will affect you and your family first.
Your Garden Hose and
Threaded Potable Outlets
A large majority of backflow inci-
dents are created by the common
garden hose. Modern plumbing
codes require that all threaded .po-
table water outlets (hose bibs or sill
cocks), except water heater drains
and clothes washer connections, be
protected by a non-removable hose
bib vacuum breaker or an atmo-
spheric vacuum breaker. The instal-
lation of a hose bib vacuum breaker
(HBVB) is an inexpensive way to
protect against contamination hap-
pening through your garden hose.
Kitchen
and Bathroom Faucets
Kitchen and bathroom faucets are
generally designed with an ade-
quate air gap between the end of the
faucet and the flood rim of the sink.
They are manufactured so that a
hose can not be attached to the end
of the faucet. Slip-on hose connec-
tions can defeat the protection of
the airgap and should not be used!
Shower Sprayers
Hand held shower sprayers and
other similar hose attachments also
pose a problem. If submerged in
thewater, back-siphonage can oc-
cur. This problem can be corrected
by installing a special hose vacuum
breaker.
Laundry Room
Your washing machine has air gaps
built-in at the factory. Utility sink
faucets must be equipped with a
hose bib vacuum breaker or atmo-
spheric vacuum breaker.
Water Softener Drain Line
Drain lines from water softeners
and water conditioners are typically
connected to the sewer line. An air
gap must be provided between the
end of the drain line and the sewer
line eliminate the possibility of si-
phoning raw sewage back into the
drinking water system.
Drain lines from water softeners
and water conditioners are typically
connected to the sewer line. An air
gap must be provided between th-
eend of the drain line and the sewer
line eliminate the possibility of si-
phoning raw sewage back into the
drinking water system.
Toilets
Many toilets are equipped with ball-
cock assemblies that do not meet
code. These assemblies can allow
water from the toilet tank to be si-
phoned back into the drinking wa-
ter supply. Anti-siphon ballcock
assemblies must be used to protect
against back-siphonage.
Landscape Sprinkler
Systems
The Plumbing Code requires that
all landscape sprinkler systems con-
nected to the public water system be
equipped with an approved back-
flow prevention device or assembly.
Any sprinkling system that can uti-
lize both public drinking water sup-
plies and secondary water supplies
must follow specific plumbing reg-
ulations to prevent raw water from
entering the drinking water system!
Template By: RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION OF UTAH
For Questions and to
Learn more about Cross
Connection Prevention:
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HBVB