Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Al Fuentes TCEQ Cross-Connection Control Program Coordinator Water Supply Division Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Alfonso Fuentes Technical Review and Oversight Team Public Drinking Water Section Icon of potable water

Outline of this Presentation Elements of backflow Case Histories: Why Cross-Connection Control is Important What is a “good” Cross-Connection Control Program Basic Backflow Event Response FAQs

Elements of backflow Backflow: the undesirable reversal of flow of a liquid, gas, or other substance in a potable water distribution piping system. Cross-Connection: A physical connection between the public water system and either another supply of unknown or questionable quality, any source which may contain contaminating or polluting substances, or any source of water treated to a lesser degree in the treatment process. Health Hazard: A cross-connection, potential contamination hazard, or other situation involving any substance that can cause death, illness, spread of disease, or has a high probability of causing such effects if introduced into the potable drinking water supply. Nonhealth Hazard: A cross-connection, potential contamination hazard, or other situation involving any substance that generally will not be a health hazard, but will constitute a nuisance, or be aesthetically objectionable, if introduced into the public water supply. Backsiphonage: A form of backflow due to a reduction in system pressure. The pressure in the main is reduced which reverses the flow of water from the consumer to the main. Backpressure: An increase in pressure in the downstream piping system above the supply pressure which cause the reversal of flow.

Backflow at Elementary School Case Histories Backflow at Elementary School Janitor at school opens water faucet and the water has a dark pink color to it. Cross-Connection at the heating system for the school. No testing Replaced and tested RP. Flushed plumbing system. Sampled water at all water use areas Took bacterial samples Dark pink liquid was coming out of the water fountains and cafeteria sinks also. Luckily, it was spring break! There were no reports of children getting sick from the contamination.

Cross-Connections Soap dispensing system Mop sink

Cross-Connections Cross-Connections at morgue Do-it-yourself bidet.

Case Histories San Antonio: Large facility using potable and pond water for irrigation. Backflow preventer at cross-connection. People started complaining. Pond pump running at 90psi. Distribution pressure is 70psi. Backflow preventer (double check) not tested in 3 years. Meter running backward recorded approximately 1 million gallons of water backflowed. 5 acre pond was emptied. Zero chlorine residual.

Cross-Connections Watering trough cross-connection next to fire hydrant. Most common cross-connection, hose in pool.

Cross-Connections Copper poisoning risk at carbonated beverage dispensers.

What’s is a “good” Cross-Connection Control Program Authority Education & Training Identification Testing & Tracking Record Retention Authority – a water system must adopt a plumbing ordinance as well as a plumbing code (if population over 5,000). This allows the authority of the X-Conn program to extend from the water utility into the site. Program administrator must work between water utility and building/plumbing inspection. Will you have your own CSI and BPAT? What are the hazards in your distribution system? How will you track the BPAs?

The Three C’s Coordination, Communication, Cooperation City, utility, or district management Plumbing Inspector Building Official Environmental Services Water department management and staff Fire Marshall’s Office Industry professionals The Cross-Connection Control Program should reside between the water utility and the building/plumbing inspection departments and be composed of staff from both departments. The building/plumbing inspection department administers the plumbing code, which has its own backflow prevention and cross-connection control requirements and the water utility administers the TCEQ’s backflow prevention and cross-connection control requirements, so their responsibilities naturally overlap. Because of the shared responsibility for cross-connection control, it is important for everyone involved to develop written protocols for sharing information, storing records, and delineating where one department’s jurisdiction ends and another department’s jurisdiction begins. Open lines of communication and good working relationships are essential.

Backflow Preventers Containment vs Internal Cross-Connection Control Special considerations Approved backflow preventers. Containment means a backflow preventer at the meter. It isolates the customer and requires the fewest number of BPAs. How about the people on the other side of the meter? Internal Cross-Connection Control means BPAs internally at any contamination hazards. This requires more CSIs and increased tracking. How will you know if something changes? You must consider the population within the facility when using only containment. How about schools and hospitals. If you only require containment backflow prevention, you should consider those locations like schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. Pictures: A picture of two backflow preventers; A picture of two backflow preventers installed on cement slabs with protective wire screens. 4. There are other organizations such as USC, ABPA, and AWWA which approve assemblies.

Backflow Event Response How do you know backflow has occurred? Isolate, Alert, Identify Flush Sample Additional Actions A backflow event is usually detected by a self-reporting entity which realizes something strange has occurred with the plumbing on their site or by customers complaining of the water tasting, smelling, looking different. Meter anomalies and pressure losses could also indicate backflow. The contaminated water should be isolated to prevent further spreading in the distribution system. Valves easily located and working? The people exposed to the contaminant should be alerted to not drink the water. The contaminant should be identified either by knowledge of where the backflow originated and what it was that backflowed or by sampling. Comment on the timing of these activities, they should occur at the same time. Once isolated, the contaminant should be flushed out of the distribution system with consideration given to the type of contaminant and the effect it will have on the environment of the flush site. A unidirectional flushing plan should be available to minimize further exposure. Sampling for the contaminant should be conducted. Once the samples are negative, let customers know the water is safe to drink. Other actions to take would be to make sure the appropriate management has been notified, laboratory facilities are available, BPATs, and CSIs are available to document good backflow prevention and elimination of cross-connections.

F.A.Q.s What if its on 47(f) but, no hazard? Can BPAT test BPA on fireline? Do fire hydrants need BPAs? What if they have a BPA but no hazard? Is there any Grandfathering? Is a local jurisdiction allowed to adopt a local ordinance which is more stringent than TCEQ rules? Yes. In cases where two rules apply, the more stringent rule is used. What if a location is listed on Appendix 290.47(i) but, there is no hazard? If a CSI documents that there is no hazard, then no backflow prevention is necessary. Can a BPAT test a backflow preventer on a fireline? Only if that BPAT is permanently employed by a fireline contractor. Do fire hydrants need backflow prevention? Not required at this time. What if a location has a BPA but no hazard? Not required to test it and they may remove it if needed. Is a location that poses a hazard and has been around for many years “grandfathered” in? No.

F.A.Q.s What if a BPA fails? Can a BPAT replace a BPA? What if a BPA fails? The water provider must make a determination on when it will be repaired and when the water can be shut off. Can a BPAT replace a BPA? No, a BPAT can only test and repair a BPA. Only a licensed plumber may replace a BPA.

F.A.Q.s Do you need a BPA for sink and shower sprayers? Do you need a BPA at sewer lift stations? Do you need a BPA for home sink and shower sprayers? No. These normally are built with backflow prevention built-in. Check for the Universal Product Code (UPC) Shield Do you need a BPA at sewer lift stations? Usually the air gap between the hose and the lift is enough backflow prevention. Additionally, the employee using the hose should be aware of backflow prevention and take any necessary precautions.

Contact Information TCEQ Cross-Connection Control Program: Al Fuentes Alfonso.Fuentes@tceq.texas.gov (512) 239-1407 Contact Information Cross-Connection Control Program: Al Fuentes Alfonso.Fuentes@tceq.texas.gov (512)239-1407