A Cross-Connection Control Program dedicated to protecting your home's drinking water from the hazards of backflow
For over 40 years, HydroCorp has been dedicated to advancing drinking water safety and compliance nationwide. Specializing in cross-connection control, backflow prevention, and detailed piping system schematics, HydroCorp stands out for its integrated use of technology and deep industry expertise.
Visit the City of Plymouth's HydroCorp webpage for more information:
What is a Cross-Connection?
A cross-connection is an actual or potential
connection between the safe drinking
water supply and a source of contamination
or pollution. State plumbing codes require
approved methods, called backflow prevention,
be in place to prevent contaminated water
from mixing with drinking (AKA potable)
water at every point of potable water
connection and use.
What is a Cross-Connection Control Program?
Cross-connection control programs serve as
a proactive, preventive approach to securing
water systems. It is the method through which
your utility ensures safe, potable water
throughout your community. Cross-connection
control is a comprehensive process that
involves identifying cross-connections and
preventing the backflow of pollutants and
contaminants into the water supply.
On Site-Surveys:
Visual on-site surveys of piping
systems throughout your community
ensure there are no unprotected
cross-connections that could lead
to water contamination. Your local
cross-connection control program
may require external and/or
internal surveys of your home.
Corrective Actions:
Cross-connection control programs
include enforcement for non-
compliant cross-connections. If a
survey identifies problems in your
system, correct them in a timely
manner to avoid penalties or the
temporary loss of water service.
How does contamination occur?
Water normally flows in one direction.
However, when water flows backward,
backflow or contamination can occur. There
are two causes of backflow: backsiphonage
and backpressure.
- Backsiphonage may occur due to a loss of pressure in the water system. This creates a siphon which can draw contaminants back into your water or the system.
- Backpressure may be created when a source
pressure is greater than the supply pressure.
This can cause contaminated water to be
pushed into your plumbing system through an
unprotected cross-connection.
How can you protect your home's drinking water?
DO'S:
- Do verify and install a simple hose bibb vacuum
breaker on laundry tubs and sink faucets
around your home.
- Do make sure water treatment devices like
water softener drain lines have the proper air
gap—a minimum of one inch above any drain.
- Do ensure your lawn irrigation system has
proper backflow protection. Test backflow
prevention assemblies at appropriate intervals
and as required by your utility.
DON'TS:
- Don’t submerge hoses in buckets, pools, tubs,
sinks, or ponds.
- Don’t use spray attachments without a backflow
prevention device.
- Don’t connect waste pipes from water softeners
or other treatment systems directly to the sewer
or submerged drainpipe.
? Did you know?
Your water can become contaminated if
connections to and within your plumbing
system are not properly protected. The
purpose of your local cross-connection control
program is to ensure everyone in the community
has safe, clean drinking water.
Support Public Health & Safety!
Remember, we’re all in this together – and
together we can work to keep your drinking
water safe from the hazards of backflow.
Your participation in your local water service
provider’s cross-connection control program
is vital! Protect the drinking water in your
own home, while keeping your community’s
supply safe, too.
For more information, additional
resources, and any questions, visit:
watercustomer.com/city-of-plymouth