City of Coeur d'Alene - Cross Connection Control

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The City of Coeur d’Alene Water Department is committed to providing our customers with a clean, safe and aesthetically pleasing supply of drinking water. The Office of Cross Connection Control/Field Inspections’ primary goal is to protect the City of Coeur d’Alene Water Department’s potable water distribution system through the implementation and enforcement of a Cross Connection Control Program.

The City of Coeur d’Alene Water Department invests significant time and resources to protect the potable water distribution system. Cross-connections and backflow incidents can result in contaminated water entering the City of Coeur d’Alene’s potable water distribution system. The installation of approved backflow prevention assemblies and devices can prevent backflow incidents from occurring.

Where can I find a list of Backflow Assembly Testers?

Click here for Landscape Irrigation Testers

Click here for Non-Residental Testers

Click here for Fire Sprinkler Testers

What is a cross connection?

A cross connection is defined as, “Any 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, industrial fluid, gas, or substance other than the intended potable water with which the system is supplied. By-pass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or change-over devices and other temporary or permanent devices through which or because of which backflow can occur are considered to be cross-connections.”

What are the different Types of Cross Connections?

Direct Cross Connection: A direct cross connection in a cross connection that is subject to backsiphonage and back pressure.

Indirect Cross Connection: An indirect Cross Connection in a cross connection that is subject to backsiphonage.

Actual Connection VS. Potential Connection

Actual:

- An actual cross connection is when there is a physical connection that is made with a hazard.

- Such as ice makers landscape irrigation systems, coffee makers, pressure washers, etc.

Potential:

- A potential cross connection is when there is the possibility or accessibility for a cross connection.

- Usually when there is some sort of chemical or auxiliary water source.

- Such a radiant floor heating systems or when there is water being drawn from a lake or different water source.

How does backflow happen?

Backpressure:

Any elevation of pressure in the down stream piping system (by pump, elevation of piping, steam pressure, air pressure, etc.)

Backsiphonage:

A form of backflow due to a reduction in system pressure, which creates a sub-atmospheric pressure to exist in the water system.

Isolation VS. Containment

Isolation:

- Isolation is the control of cross connection within a building's plumbing system by the installation of approved backflow prevention assemblies or methods at or near the potential sources of pollution or contamination.

- It is very important for you to take necessary precautions for protecting your internal plumbing system. This type of protection is called isolation protection. Isolation protection will be each consumer's responsibility, as dictated by the plumbing code.

- Although your plumbing system may have been constructed with great care in the past, changes may have created the need for additional protection for your system with special backflow prevention devices.

Containment:

- Containment is the installation of an approved backflow prevention assembly or method on the water service lines serving any premises, location, facility or area. Protection by containment shall be used when the potable water system may be contaminated or polluted by substances used or stored within a building or premises.

- Through this program, the Water Department will require that your system be seperated from the public system. If a backflow situation occurs, the city water supply will be protected from any contamination that may flow from your plumbing system into the public water system.

Assembly VS. Device

Device:

- Not testable

- Must be American Society of Sanitation Engineers (ASSE) certified to be accepted.

Assembly:

- Testable

- University of Southern California Foundation of Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research

- Backflow assembly types must pass a performance test conducted by the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research.

- USC Foundation Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies (usclist.com)

Types of Backflow Assemblies/ Devices

Assemblies:

- Double Check Valve Assembly

The DC is used to protect against pollutants. It also protects against backpressure and backsiphonage. The DC may be installed below grade. It is NOT suitable for high health hazard situations.

- Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Assembly (RP)

An RP is basically a double check valve assembly plus a relief valve, with 4 test cocks. The Relief Valve lets water discharge from between the two checks. This prevents the pressure in between the valves from overcoming that of the supply. In the event that both check fail, the water will discharge through the Relief Valve.

- Pressure Vacuum Breaker Backflow Assembly (PVB)

The PVB is used to protect against pollutants and contaminants. It only protects against backsiphonage. The PVB must be installed a minimum of 12.0" above the highest point of downstream usage and no greater than 5.0'.

- Spill Resistant Pressure Vacuum Breaker (SVB)

The SVB is used to protect against pollutants and contaminants. It only proects against backsiphonage. The SVB must be installed a minimum of 12.0" above the highest point of downstream usage and not greater than 5.0'.

Devices:

- Hose Bibb Style Vacuum Breaker

It has air inlets that allow air to enter and break a vacuum. NOT approved to protect against backpressure. A lot of hoses and faucets now have these built in.

- Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker

The AVB protects against both polllutants and contaminants. NOT approved to protect against backpressure. There shall be no downstream valves. The AVB shall NOT be subjected to continuous pressure greater than twelve (12) hours in a twenty-four (24) hour period.

- Spring Loaded Check Valves

Single or dual check valves device that is not testable.

Backflow Protection

- Appropriately placed and correctly installed approved backflow assemblies and or devices can and will protect our public drinking water system.

- All Backflow Assemblies must be "approved" by the Universtiy of Southern California Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research (USCFCCCHR). The Foundation was formed in the 1940's. There is a laboratory evaluation and then field evaluation for assemblies. Assemblies must pass performance tests (30) days for twelve (12) months to gain "approval".

- In servere situations an air gap may be required for proper protection.

- A Cross Connection Control Program is REQUIRED by the State of Idaho.

Backflow Assembly Testing

Once your backflow prevention assembly is installed, it will be necessary to annually test and maintain the unit to make sure it is functioning properly. The maximum allowable time between your scheduled backflow inspections is one year. It is the property owner's responsibility to to make sure an inspection is set up with a State Certified Cross-Connection Technician and that the City of Coeur d'Alene Water Department recieves a copy of the passed backflow device report prior to the one-year maximum. The City will send out a reminder prior to the one-year inspection due date.

Unapproved Connections

- Connections inside the City's Water Meter Box.

- There are to be no connections inside the City's Water Meter Box.

- All connections shall be made a minimum of 2' (feet) outside of the City's Water Meter Box.

Disconnection

- In the event that a facility owner does not demonstrate program compliance in a timely manner, the City of Coeur d'Alene will disconnect the water supply to that facility.

- The City will serve a 30-day and a 5-day disconnection notice prior to the disconnection of water service. Additional billing fees will be incured to properties that are posted with 30- and 5- day disconnection notices.

- Disconnection and reconnection fees will be charged if water service is disconnected.