A cross-connection is any temporary or permanent connection between a public water system or consumer's potable (i.e., drinking) water system and any source or system containing non-potable water or other substances. An example is the piping between a public water system or consumer's potable water system and an auxiliary water system, cooling system, or irrigation system.
Explore our FAQs below to learn more.
A backflow preventer is a means or mechanism to prevent backflow:
Backsiphonage is backflow caused by a negative pressure, such as a vacuum or partial vacuum, in a public water system or consumer's potable water system. The effect is like drinking water through a straw.
Backsiphonage can occur when there is a stoppage of water supply due to nearby firefighting, a break in a water main, etc.
Backpressure backflow is backflow caused by a downstream pressure that is greater than the upstream or supply pressure in a public water system or consumer's potable water system.
Backpressure can result from:
A cross-connection is any temporary or permanent connection between a public water system or consumer's potable (i.e., drinking) water system and any source or system containing non-potable water or other substances. An example is the piping between a public water system or consumer's potable water system and an auxiliary water system, cooling system, or irrigation system.
Backflow is the undesirable reversal of flow of non-potable water or other substances through a cross-connection and into the piping of a public water system or consumer's potable water system.
There are two types of backflow: