What is a cross-connection?

    A cross-connection is the point in a potable water distribution system where the potable water may come in contact with chemical, biological or radiological contaminants that may be hazardous to humans.

   During a backflow event, these contaminants could be drawn or pushed back into the potable water distribution system. The pollution from a cross-connection can be non-hazardous to human health causing aesthetic problems such as taste, odor, and color; or the pollution can be toxic causing illness or death to those who unsuspectingly consume contaminated water.

   The link or channel is found where a contaminant source is purposely plumbed into a water line or mistakenly enters into a water line through a break or opening. An example of a plumbed cross-connection is using a water hose to fill a chemical solution-mixing tank. Under certain conditions, the outlet end of the water hose submerged in the tank while mixing chemicals can be the entrance point or link, and potentially contaminate the water system. Once the toxic solution enters into the plumbing or public water line it can be mistakenly consumed or used by unsuspecting people. Another example of a cross-connection is a break or opening in a pipeline. When a break or open condition occurs, the owner or operator must make quick repairs to stop the potential entrance of contamination into the potable water system. Only two solutions exist when a cross-connection is found: eliminate the cross-connection or prevent a backflow condition with an approved backflow prevention device.

   The Colorado Hazardous Cross-Connection Control Program was developed to implement Article 12 of the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations.

The regulation states:

"A public water system or consecutive water distribution system of a public water system will have no uncontrolled cross-connections to a pipe, fixture, or supply, any of which contain water not meeting provisions of the drinking water regulations."

    The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Division (CDPHE, WQCD) asks for compliance from all public water systems to protect public health by developing an effective individual cross-connection control program. The individual program should include protective local ordinances, and must survey and prioritize cross-connections according to degree of hazard, eliminate cross-connections by disconnecting, or control cross-connections with an approved backflow prevention assembly. Backflow prevention assemblies must be tested on a yearly basis by a certified tester, and adequate records must be maintained.  

Program Description

   The WQCD has authority to force a water supplier to disconnect or control any cross-connection within ten (10) calendar days of notification that a cross-connection exists. In most cases the water supplier is able to quickly facilitate the elimination or control of a cross-connection found in their system without assistance from the WQCD. Generally cross-connections are quickly eliminated or controlled once an owner of a cross-connection is notified and educated to the potential hazards. In rare cases, the WQCD is notified by water suppliers of cross-connection owners who do not wish to cooperate with elimination or control. Upon the WQCD receiving written notice from the water supplier about a cross-connection, an official letter is sent from the WQCD to the supplier requiring appropriate action to protect public health. A copy of the official letter is sent to the owner of the cross-connection to show that proper notification exists. If necessary, the proper notification procedure allows the supplier to shut-off or disconnect the cross-connection owner from the public water supply.

Responsibilities

"Under Article 12 of the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations, has primary responsibility to develop and maintain a program to prevent or control contamination from water sources of lesser quality or other contamination sources from entering into the public water system."

The Water Consumer

"Has the responsibility to prevent contaminants from entering into the public water system by way of their individual plumbing system, and retain the expenses of installation, maintenance, and testing of the approved backflow prevention assemblies installed on their individual water service line."

The Certified Cross-Connection Control Technician

"Has the responsibility to test, maintain, inspect, repair, and report/notify on approved backflow prevention assemblies as authorized by the persons that have jurisdiction over those assemblies."

Colorado Revised Statutes authorizes the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Division (CDPHE, WQCD)

"To promulgate and enforce rules, regulations, and policies ensuring that public water suppliers have implemented an effective cross-connection control program. The WQCD is responsible to develop and maintain the examination to certify cross-connection control technician, or the WQCD may delegate the development and maintenance of the examination to others."

The Plumbing Official

"Has the responsibility to prevent cross-connections through review of plumbing design plans and building inspections. The plumbing officials’ responsibility begins at the downstream point of connection to the public water system and carries throughout the length of the consumers system."

Through WQCD delegation the Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection Systems Certification Council

"Has the responsibility of administering a certification examination for persons involved in the testing, maintenance, inspection, repair, and reporting/notifications of approved backflow prevention assemblies."

Participation

   Several organizations and representatives directly or indirectly participate in the Colorado Cross-Connection Program, along with those who have been listed under the Responsibility section of this document. Participating organizations include the Colorado Cross-Connection Control Advisory Committee, The American Society of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE), NSF International, and the Colorado Backflow Prevention Association (CBPA).

    One organization of primary importance is the Colorado Cross-Connection Control Advisory Committee. The Committee assembled by the WQCD, gives representative advice and comments from appointed persons who represent: small, medium, and large public water suppliers; Certified testers; educators; manufacturers; the Certification Council; engineers; plumbers; and private business owners. The committee is responsible for writing, maintaining and upgrading the Colorado Cross-Connection Control Manual, maintaining continuity of the certification test, and submitting new requirements or regulations to the CDPHE for adoption.

Statute

Colorado Revised Statute, 1973, as amended. Sections 25-1-107, 25-1-108, 25-1-109, and 25-1-114.

Regulations

Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations - Article 12, available for $5.00 by calling the Water Quality Control Division at (303) 692-3500.

Guidance Manuals

Colorado Cross-Connection Control Manual 5^th Edition

American Society of Sanitary Engineering - Professional Qualification Standards - Backflow Prevention Assemblies - Series 5000"

Revised, 07/19/2002