- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Public Works
- Backflow/ Cross-Connection Control Program
Backflow/ Cross-Connection Control Program
What is Backflow / Cross-Connection Control?
A water distribution system is designed to allow water to travel in one direction 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, harmful contaminants from water customers can mix with drinking water and potentially threaten the safety of our water supply. Backflow prevention devices keep non-potable water from flowing backwards toward a potable water source.
Mandatory regulations require that water suppliers take steps to ensure that water delivered to homes or businesses remains clean and safe. To address this, approved backflow prevention devices are required for industrial, commercial, and irrigation customers connecting to the City of Archdale’s water system. The customer is responsible for installation and maintenance of the device. The City works to protect the water supply by ensuring backflow devices are maintained properly and cross-connection sources are eliminated.
It is the intent of the City of Archdale Public Utilities Department to keep persons who are involved with the installation or upkeep of backflow prevention assemblies supplied with current information.
General Device Testing Requirements
The below listed backflow prevention assemblies are required to be tested on an annual basis:
- Pressure & spill resistant type vacuum breaker assemblies (PVB or SVB)
- Double check valve assemblies (DCVA)
- Double check detector assemblies (DCDA)
- Reduced pressure assemblies (RPA)
- Reduced pressure detector assemblies (RPDA)
- Reduced pressure zone assemblies (RPZ/RPZA)
The City of Archdale requires that a certified tester perform all testing. A certified tester is a person who has proven their competency to test, repair, overhaul and make reports on backflow prevention assemblies as evidenced by the successful completion of an approved Cross-Connection Control School. The certified tester is responsible for submitting all test forms to the City’s Public Works Department. However, Archdale Public Work highly encourages Customer’s to confirm with their Tester that the test has been submitted and received by Archdale Public Work.
Scheduling a Test:
It is the responsibility of the Customer to contact an approved tester to schedule a test. Tests for new installations must be completed and submitted to the Public Works Department as soon as the device is installed. Annual testing must be completed and submitted the Public Works within 30 days of annual test date.
Test Failure:
If your backflow device does not pass annual testing, it is the responsibility of the tester to notify the customer of their failed test and submit the failed maintenance report to Public Works. The owner must then notify Public Works their action plan for repairs and retesting in writing. If the assembly is unrepairable, the customer must upgrade the assembly to the current level of hazard is at that location. Depending on degree of hazard, the device must be repaired, retested, or replaced within 24 hours for an imminent hazard, 10 business days for severe hazard devices and within 20 days for moderate hazard devices.
Failure to comply with outlined procedures above could result in a termination existing water services and/or civil penalties. The Director may increase any civil penalty assessed under this section by $100 or fifty percent (50%) of the maximum civil penalty associated with the violation, whichever is greater, for a second violation of the same provision within a two-year period. Water service may be terminated after a third violation of the same provision within a one-year period. Any person violating any provision of this ordinance shall pay to the City all expenses incurred by the City in repairing any damage to the public water system caused in whole or in part by such violation and any expense incurred by the City in investigating such violation. All such expenses are deemed to be a part of the civil penalty assessed with the violation.