Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention

1. Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Al Fuentes Technical Review and Oversight Team Water Supply Division

2. Outline of this Presentation • Authority • Plumbing Code • Enforcement • Containment vs. Internal • Special considerations • Record Retention • Auxiliary Water Systems • New Lead Rule

3. Authority • Authority: • Testing Requirements • Customer Service Insp. • The Plumbing Code • Enforcement Picture of at least 2 cross-connections at toilet in morge.

4. Backflow Cases • Individual priming sewage pump with hose • Pump turned on, pumped sewage into an administration building • Management was notified, alerted the people in the building. • Water coming out of the faucets was a very dark color.

5. Backflow Preventers • Containment vs Internal Cross-Connection Control • Special considerations • Approved backflow preventers. Left picture of two backflow preventers. Right picture of typical backflow preventer installation with protective wire cage.

6. Record Retention • TCEQ requirements • Key data on a form Left picture of bee honeycomb attached to lid of protective box for backflow preventer. Right pictureof cross connection, hose in trough, close to fire hydrant.

7. Auxiliary Water Systems • What the rule says. • How do you address these? • Teamwork Left picture of irrigation system pump in lake. Right picture of rainwater harvesting system. Rain barrels attached to rain gutter.

8. Backflow Event • City park irrigation system • RPZ was installed but, not tested. • The nearby residents started complaining of small worms in their water. • Backflow from irrigation system, zero chlorine residual.

9. New Lead Requirements • Definition of lead free for pipes and plumbing changed from 8% to 0.25%. Solder and flux remain the same at 0.2%. • Exemptions for non-potable use and main gate valves 2” or larger.

10. Questions?

11. Contact Info: Al Fuentes Technical Review and Oversight Team Alfonso.Fuentes@tceq.texas.gov 512-239-1407