The City of De Pere, Wisconsin

CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL PROGRAM

RESIDENTIAL AND NON-RESIDENTIAL INSPECTIONS

Inspection Program Process, click for link

Residential Water Users Cross-Connection Hazards - Bathrooms & Kitchens

Keep Drinking Water Safe brochure

Overview

The City of De Pere Water Utility System delivers safe, high-quality drinking water every day. To continue to protect the public health and keep the water system safe from contaminants and pollutants we are required by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR), Wisconsin Department of Commerce, and the City of De Pere Municipal Code to maintain a cross connection control program. The City of De Pere Water Department manages the residential program, and has contracted with Hydro Designs, Inc. (HDI), of Brookfield, Wisconsin to manage our commercial and industrial program. HDI is an environmental services firm that specializes in backflow prevention education and cross connection control inspections. Hydro Designs Inc does not sell plumbing devices, installations or perform device testing. They currently manage program services for over 115 municipalities and water utilities in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Minnesota, and Florida.  HDI will inspect all commercial and industrial buildings throughout the city to detect actual & potential cross connections and make recommendations for the installation of backflow prevention devices or assemblies where necessary.  The City Water Department will perform inspections of all residential properties. These inspections will help ensure that contaminated or polluted water cannot backflow into clean drinking water. Buildings that have Well Water supply only and have no municipal water supply connection will not require an inspection.

What Is a Cross Connection Control Program?

• WI NR 810.15 Defines a CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL PROGRAM as; The supplier of water for every municipal water system shall develop and implement a comprehensive control program for the elimination of all existing cross-connections and prevention of all future cross-connections. A record of the cross-connection control program shall be kept current and available for annual review by the department.

  Public Education Program - We will inform our water customers with newsletters, and brochures. Visit the following web site for more information: Hydro Designs, Inc: http://www.hydrodesignsinc.com/.

  • Notices to Owners - Notify the building owner of a scheduled inspection date and any required corrective action.
  • Cross Connection Survey - All residential, commercial, governmental, institutional, and industrial facilities plumbing systems which are connected to the public water supply will be inspected to determine if cross connections exist as required by the WI DNR Regulation NR810.15.
  • Installation of Protective Devices - Backflow prevention devices or assemblies will need to be installed at the owner’s expense where known unprotected cross connections exist as required by Dept. of Commerce Chapter Comm 82.41.
  • Annual testing - All backflow prevention assemblies will be tested once a year by a State of Wisconsin certified tester of the owner's choice.

 What Is a Cross Connection?

A cross connection is a direct or potential connection between any part of the public water supply system and a source of contamination or pollution. The most common form of cross connection is a garden hose, which is easily connected to the public water supply system and can be used to apply a variety of potentially dangerous substances, including chemicals and fertilizer. Other common cross connections include dishwashers, toilets, pressure washers, boilers, pools, and lawn irrigation systems.

How Does Contamination Occur?

Water normally flows in one direction, from the public water system through the customer's cold or hot water plumbing system to a faucet or other plumbing fixture. Under certain conditions, water can flow in the reverse direction. This is known as backflow, and it occurs when backsiphonage or backpressure is created in a water line.

• Backsiphonage may occur when there is a drop in the supply pressure of the water distribution system. This can be caused by a water line break, water main repair, during a rapid withdrawal of water from a fire hydrant or other situation that creates a vacuum, which may pull or siphon contaminants or pollutants into the drinking water supply.
• Backpressure may be created when a source of pressure, such as a pump, boiler or other use creates a pressure greater than that supplied from the water distribution system; this may force water to reverse direction.

What is a Cross Connection Survey?

The cross-connection survey is the first step in our program. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Regulations (NR 810.15) recommends that all residential, industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities be surveyed for cross connections regularly. A survey is a walk-through of the water system piping in a building or property, starting at the water meter and ending at the last free-flowing tap.  At the end of the survey HDI or the City of De Pere will produce a report describing any violations or discrepancies found, as well as a time frame for compliance. HDI commercial and industrial inspection notices will be mailed to water customers approximately two weeks before the scheduled inspection date.  Residential properties will be mailed an inspection notice requiring an appointment be made with the City Water Department by the customer. A representative should be available during the inspection to answer questions and provide access.

Questions?

Cross connection control program questions can be directed to Hydro Designs, Inc. at 844-493-7641, or the City of De Pere Water Department at 920-339-4060.