Cross-Connection / Backflow Prevention

What is the purpose of Backflow Prevention and why is it required?

Backflow is the reversal of flow from a residential or commercial water system back into the public drinking water system. A backflow incident could occur if the Towns water systems pressure decreases, or the customer’s water pressure is higher than the Towns water systems pressure. This can happen when a hydrant is used to fight a fire, during a main line break, or other similar situations. Under these conditions with no backflow protection, contaminated water from a sprinkling system, trough, bucket or any other plumbing connection can flow back into your residence or business or the Towns water system. A backflow incident could carry pollutants or contaminants into our public drinking water supplies making them unsafe to use.  The Plumbing Code and the Utah Public Drinking Water Rules require that all cross connections be eliminated or protected against backflow by installing an approved backflow device or assembly that will ensure that no impurities or contaminants are introduced to the public drinking water supply.   

What is a Cross-Connection?

Many public drinking water systems are contaminated each year by pollutants or contaminants that backflow into the water system through unprotected cross-connections. A cross-connection is a physical connection (piping configuration) between the public drinking water system and anything else, including another water supply that can allow undesirable pollutants or contaminants to backflow into the public drinking water system. Identifying and eliminating or protecting cross connections with approved backflow prevention devices is a matter of public health! For voluntary surveys at a residence or general cross-connection questions, please contact the Public Works Department for more information @ 435-772-3434.

Cross-Connection Fact Sheets