Backflow and Cross Connection

Blank Backflow Report Form

Customer Water Use Survey

What is Backflow and Cross Connection?
Backflow is the undesirable reversal of flow in a potable water distribution system as a result of a cross connection. Whenever there is a physical connection between a potable water system and a nonpotable environment, backflow may occur prior to either backsiphonage or back pressure.

Backsiphonage is backflow caused by negative or reduced pressure in the supply piping. Backpressure may cause backflow to occur whenever a potable system is connected to a nonpotable supply which operates under a higher pressure by means of a pump, boiler, elevation difference, air or steam pressure, etc.

A cross connection is a connection or potential connection between any part of a potable water system and another environment containing other substances in a manner that may allow such substances to enter the potable water system. These other substances may include gases, liquids, or solids such as chemicals, waste products, steam or water that have the potential to alter the integrity of the water in the form of odor, taste, etc.

Why Do We Need Backflow and Cross Connection Control?
The ability to provide clean, safe high quality drinking water to the citizens of Defiance and surrounding communities is the mission of the Water Treatment Division prevent any hazards from entering the water system. Hazards may come in two forms: Health or contaminant hazard, and nonhealth or pollutant hazard.

A health or contaminant hazard is a substance that could, if introduced into the potable water supply through a cross connection or potential cross connection, cause death, illness, spread disease or have high probability of causing such effects.

A nonhealth or pollutant hazard is any substance that would generally not be a health hazard but would constitute a nuisance, or be unpleasant in taste, odor or color.

A backflow preventer is the key element in preventing the introduction of such hazards. Backflow preventers can be an air gap, reduced-pressure backflow prevention assembly or a double-check value assembly.

Backflow Requirements
The Backflow Prevention Program established by the Water Treatment Division is designed to enforce and manage backflow requirements established under the Ohio Revised Code 3745-95, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the codified Ordinances of the City of Defiance. The program requires that any service line connection to a public water supply that in the judgment of the supplier of water poses either a potential or existing hazard must have an approved backflow prevention device installed immediately downstream of the water meter and prior to any other pipe connections.

What is the Penalty for Noncompliance?
Any violation of the backflow requirements may result in immediate termination of water service without notification. Continued noncompliance will result in the loss of water service until the system is brought into compliance.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact DJ Zeedyk, Water Systems Supervisor, at (419) 782-5687 or at (419) 576-0872.