Program Description

The Cross Connection and Water Pollution Control Program is responsible for field surveys of industrial, commercial, and medical facilities to ensure that no hazardous conditions exist between plant equipment, process waters, plumbing fixtures and the potable water system. This program also provides technical assistance to many County and State agencies, local water utility companies and building inspection agencies, certifies over 700 backflow prevention device testers, and maintains a data base of over 51,000 backflow prevention devices as well as the corresponding test and monitoring results.

The Cross Connection and Water Pollution Control Program identifies cross connections through the inspection and evaluation of a consumer’s water supply to determine whether solid, liquid or gaseous pollutants or contaminants are allowed to enter the potable water system. When a hazard to the potable water system is found, the consumer is required to install an approved backflow prevention assembly at a key location within the system to circumvent the contamination. The type and location of the backflow prevention device is dependent upon the nature of the hazard and complexity of the onsite piping. The backflow prevention assembly is approved based upon specifications developed jointly by regulatory agencies, plumbing official and the manufacturing industry. The laboratory work of the Foundation for Cross Connection Control at the University of Southern California and the Mechanical Testing Laboratory of the City of Los Angeles, Department of Building and Safety are essential elements of this program.