CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL

A cross connection is a point in the public water supply or in the member's water system that is connected directly, or has the potential of being connected, to a source of non-potable substance through which contaminants or pollutants may enter the public water supply or the member's water system  This is also know as Backflow.  Please review a Backflow Prevention Brochure from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for more information concerning the purpose of a cross-connection control program.

The installation of "non-return devices" such as back flow prevention assemblies, check valves, dual check valves, pressure reducing or regulating valves, and in some instances water softeners between the water service connection and the premises domestic water heater may create a "closed domestic water system".  It is the responsibility of the member to control thermal expansion created by the installation of any device that prevents relief through the building supply.  Please see the Thermal Expansion Brochure for more information.

The TCEQ requires public water suppliers such as the Double Horn Creek WSC (DHCWSC) to enforce rules and regulations in order to contain hazards at the service connection, and protect the public water supply from potential contamination or pollution due to cross connections.  The method used to contain hazards at the service connection is by the installation of a back flow preventer device.  The Double Horn Creek WSC is responsible for providing safe drinking water to the members who are responsible for the safety of the water within their premises and preventing any pollution hazards from back flowing into the public water supply.  There are two types of cross-connection control that are recognized by DHCWSC:

1. Isolation Cross-Connection Control - Provides protection to the occupants with the member's premises by the installation of approved back flow prevention assemblies at each cross connection within the member's water system.
2. Containment Cross Connection Control - Provides protection of the public water supply from the back flow of contaminants or pollutants from the member's premises to DHCWSC's water mains by the use of an air gap or an approved back flow prevention assembly at the water service connection to a member's water system.

What do members need to do?

Please review the DHCWSC's Cross-Connection Control Program document, fill it out, sign it (2 places) and return it to us.  You can scan the signed document and email it to DHCWSC@gmail.com.

Backflow PreventionAssembly and Testing

Alll containment back flow prevention assemblies with the jurisdiction of DHCWSC must be tested for proper operation by private sector certified back flow prevention technicians at the time of installation, repair, or relocation, and at least on an annual schedule thereafter or more often when required.  In addition, containment back flow prevention assemblies installed on new services must be tested by certified back flow prevention technicians for proper operation immediately upon installation and before water service is turned to the premises.

TCEQ maintains an approved list of State Certified Backflow Prevention Assembly Test Technicians for the member to contact for testing of your back flow prevention assembly.  Call a local plumber or search for Call your local plumber or search for "backflow testing for Burnet County" to find a certified test technician.

Approval of Backflow Prevention Assemblies

All back flow prevention assemblies that are installed for containment cross-connection control must be approved by University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research.  The manual or literature that came with a back flow prevention assembly should indicate that it has been tested and approved by this foundation.