Cross Connection Control Program
The Water Department’s Cross Connection Control Program is designed to protect the potable water system from the actual or potential hazards originating on the premises of its customers. The water distribution system is designed to allow water to travel in one direction from the treatment plant to the customer. Under certain conditions, water can flow in the opposite direction from the normal flow. This unwanted process is known as backflow. When this occurs, potentially harmful contaminants can mix with drinking water and threaten the safety of our potable water supply.
Water Use Cross-Connection Survey
Mandatory EPA regulations require that the Water Department take steps to ensure that water delivered to homes and businesses remains clean and safe. To address this, the Water Department has established the Cross-Connections Ordinance, which requires that approved backflow prevention devices are installed for all industrial, commercial, and residential customers connected to the water system where an actual or potential hazard to the potable water supply may exist. The Water Department utilizes information collected from tri-annual surveys and on-site inspections to determine if a cross connection hazard exists and what type of backflow protection is required. The customer is then responsible for the elimination of any cross-connection hazard or the proper installation and maintenance of an approved backflow device. All water customers are invited to complete the survey. There are no penalties or fines for not completing the survey, however, we encourage everyone to complete the survey to assist the village in compiling accurate records so we can comply with IEPA cross-connection regulations. We ask and thank you for your cooperation with this program.
Maintenance and Annual Testing
The Water Department works to protect the water supply by ensuring backflow devices are maintained properly and cross-connection sources are eliminated. Maintenance requirements include regular testing and immediate repair or replacement of faulty devices. Dual Check (DC) and Reduced Pressure (RP) principle backflow preventers are required to be tested after installation and annually thereafter. The test results must be certified by a licensed Cross Connection Control Device Inspector (CCCDI) and submitted by your testing contractor to the Water Department via The Compliance Engine at http://www.thecomplianceengine.com/
A list of all cross connection control device inspectors that have submitted results to the Water Department can be found here.
Please note that this is not an endorsement by the Village of any contractor contained on this list and the Village does not assume liability for any work performed by a contractor within the Village of Alsip.
Important Information
A large majority of backflow incidents are created by the common garden hose. Modern Plumbing Codes require that all threaded potable water outlets (hose bibs or sill cocks), except water heater drains and clothes washer connections, be protected by a non-removable hose bib vacuum breaker or an atmospheric vacuum breaker. The installation of a hose bib vacuum breaker is an inexpensive way to protect against contamination through a garden hose.
Backflow devices must be installed on all soap and other chemical dispensing systems that are plumbed to the building’s water systems, on water lines to dish machines, and in soft drink carbonator systems.
To prevent the possibility of sewage contacting food or backing up into fixtures, such as food preparation sinks, dishware washing sinks, ice bins, refrigerators, or dish machines, the drainage systems from these fixtures must drain through an “air break” before entering the sewer. This physical gap in the drain line does not allow wastewater to backup into fixtures if a sewage backup should occur.
For more information: