What is Cross-Connection and why the annual testing of it is important from The Washington State Department of Health:

A cross connection is a point in a plumbing system where the potable water supply is connected to a non-potable source. Briefly, a cross connection exists whenever the drinking water system is or could be connected to any non-potable source (plumbing fixture, equipment used in any plumbing system). Pollutants or contaminants can enter the safe drinking water system through uncontrolled cross connections when backflow occurs.

Backflow is the unwanted flow of non-potable substances back into the consumer’s plumbing system and/or public water system (i.e., drinking water).

Backflow preventers are mechanical devices designed to prevent backflow through cross connections. However, for backflow preventers to protect as designed, they must meet stringent installation requirements.

Every water system has cross connections. Plumbing codes and State drinking water regulations require cross connections to be controlled by approved methods (physical air gap) or approved mechanical backflow prevention devices or assemblies.

The various types of mechanical backflow preventers include:

  • Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA)
  • Reduced Pressure Detector Assembly (RPDA)
  • Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA)
  • Double Check Detector Assembly (DCDA)
  • Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly (PVBA)
  • Spill Resistant Vacuum Breaker Assembly (SVBA)
  • Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB)

For a backflow preventer to provide proper protection, it must be approved for backflow protection, designed for the degree of hazard and backflow it is controlling, installed correctly, Tested Annually by a State Certified Tester, and repaired as necessary.

 

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IFP Cross Connection Backflow Testing