Cross Connection Control Policy

Cross-Connection Control Program Policy

Introduction

This Policy addresses the State of Louisiana Sanitary Code (LAC Title 51: XII & Title 17:I) that states a public water system shall have no uncontrolled cross-connections to a pipe, fixture, or supply, any of which contain water not meeting provisions of the safe drinking water regulations.

A cross-connection is any point in a water distribution system where chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants may come into contact with potable water.  During a backflow event, these contaminants can be drawn or pushed back into the potable water system.  A backflow prevention device installed at every point of cross-connection prevents contaminated water from entering the potable water distribution system.

Any hazardous cross-connection discovered to be uncontrolled will be corrected or the water service will be shut off.  The Louisiana Department of Health will be informed of the hazardous connection and the corrective action being taken.

Identification of Potential Cross-Connections

Per LAC Title 51: XII & Title 17:I, the Village of Harrisonburg will perform a survey of the public water system through questionnaires and/or onsite inspections to identify potentially hazardous cross-connections, prioritized by the degree of hazard.  From the date of this adopted policy forward, any new water service installation will be inspected for compliance with these requirements for backflow prevention.

Public Education

The Village of Harrisonburg will educate system users about the potential health risk that cross-connections pose, with an emphasis on cross-connections at or within homes and other residences.  Cross-connection brochures are available at Town Hall.

Installation of Devices

The Village of Harrisonburg will require system users to install and maintain backflow prevention devices on potentially hazardous service connections, as stated in LAC Title 51: XII & Title 17:I.  All service connections within the water system must comply with LAC Title 51: XII & Title 17:I.

Each cross-connection may require a different type of backflow prevention device, commensurate with the degree of hazard posed by the cross-connection.

Annual Inspections

The State Plumbing Code requires that air gaps and backflow prevention devices be inspected or tested upon installation, repaired, when relocated, annually, or as required by the plumbing official or water supplier by a certified backflow prevention technician.  

Record Keeping

Testing and maintenance records will be kept for five years.

All service agreements, questionnaires, and the latest onsite premises surveys will be kept indefinitely.

Enforcement

Water service may be discontinued in the case of non-compliance with this policy.  Non-compliance includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  1. Refusal to allow the Water Supplier access to the property to inspect for cross-connections
  2. Failure to return initial risk survey questionnaire.
  3. Removal of a backflow prevention assembly or required method of protection
  4. Bypassing of a backflow prevention assembly or required method of protection
  5. Providing inadequate backflow prevention when potential or actual cross-connections exist
  6. Failure to install a backflow prevention assembly or required method of protection
  7. Failure to test and/or properly repair a backflow prevention assembly or required method of protection
  8. The degree of hazard warrants the immediate disconnection of services.
  9. Failure to comply with the requirements of this policy or state plumbing code.

To protect public health, water service will be discontinued after reasonable notice to the Customer if a violation of this Policy exists on the premises, and such other precautionary measures may be taken as are deemed necessary to eliminate any danger to the potable water supply.  Water service will be discontinued if the proper backflow prevention assembly is not installed or not tested annually or not repaired when the assembly fails to meet state standards.  Water service shall not be restored until the danger has been eliminated in compliance with this Policy.  The Village of Harrisonburg retains the authority to immediately disconnect water service if necessary, to protect the public water supply.

For the initial risk survey of the system only.  Initial risk questionnaires will be mailed out with May 1st, 2021 billing period and returned to water system when the bill is due.  Failure to return the questionnaire will result in disconnection of services.

  1. The timeline for the installation of devices based on the initial risk survey will be determined by the degree of hazard.
  2. Annual notice letters are sent out sixty (60) days before the certified backflow test being due and water being shut off.  If no test report is received, a disconnect notice will be sent.
  3. If the passing test reports are not received by the compliance date, the water service will be shut off on the following working day.
  4. Water service will remain shut off until a passing certified backflow test is received, or modification of plumbing performed under the observance of a water supplier representative.

Effective Date

This plan may be modified from time to time to meet the needs of the utility and to meet the State of Louisiana or Federal requirements.  The policy will be reviewed by the water system periodically to determine if the existing plan meets state requirements set forth by the Louisiana Department of Health and that it promotes an effective ongoing Cross-connection Control program.

This policy shall take effect on this 12th day of April 2021.
Cross Connection Control Explained and Cross Connection Ordinance

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