Cross Connection Control Program to begin
Clintonville Utilities customers will soon be contacted regarding the city's Cross Connection Control Program.
To ensure that the public water system is safe from pollutants and contaminants and to protect public health, Clintonville Utilities is required by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to maintain a Cross Connection Control Program.
A cross connection is a direct or potential connection between any part of the public water supply system and a source of contaminant or pollution. The most common form of cross connection is a garden hose, which can easily be connected to the public water supply system and can be used to apply a variety of potentially dangerous substances, including chemicals and fertilizer.
How does contamination occur?
Water normally flows in one direction, from the public water system through the customer's cold or hot water plumbing system to a faucet or other plumbing fixture. Under certain conditions, water can flow in the reverse direction. This is known as backflow and it occurs when backsiphonage or backpressure is created in a water line.
We have partnered with Hydro Designs, Inc. (HDI) of New Berlin to manage our Cross Connection Control Program. HDI is a firm that specializes in backflow prevention education and cross connection control inspections and is currently managing program services for 115 municipalities and water utilities.
HDI will perform the initial inspections of all commercial, industrial and residential facilities throughout the city to detect actual and potential cross connections and make recommendations for the installation of backflow prevention devices or assemblies where necessary.
"We are glad to be working with Hydro Designs," said Okho Bohm-Hagedorn, Public Utilities Manager. "This program is new for us and HDI already has an established process for communication and reporting. We hope this will make the program easy for our customers to participate."
The cross connection on-site survey is the first step of the program. An on-site survey is a walk-through of the water-system piping in a building, starting at the water meter and ending at the last free-flowing tap.
Customers will be contacted by HDI to set up an appointment for the survey. HDI will mail letters to customers that will include the date and time of their appointment. However, if that does not work, the letter also lists a website where you can reschedule your appointment. There will also be a toll-free number to call to reschedule an appointment.
When it is time for your appointment, the HDI representative can be easily identified. He will carry photo identification which will show he works for HDI. He will have a shirt with the Hydro Designs, Inc. name and logo applied and will be driving a vehicle that is marked with HDI or Clintonville Utilities. The first round of customers will include city-owned buildings, public school facilities, hospital/medical facilities, car washes, industrial/manufacturing facilities, mortuaries and some residences.
What if a cross connection is found at my home?
For most residences where a cross connection is found, HDI will provide a free starter set of equipment which, for most, once installed will make a resident compliant. In many cases, it will be as simple as screwing in a special nozzle on your utility sink and outdoor faucet before your hose.
Customers can learn more about cross connections by visiting http://hydrodesignsinc.com/wiccc.html where there is a link to more information.
"We understand this program has the potential to pose an inconvenience to customers, and since it is a DNR requirement, we hope to make it as simple and easy as possible," said Bohm-Hagedorn. "Thank you, in advance, for your patience and cooperation."
The first round of on-site surveys will be at the end of May. Future rounds of surveys will continue in the coming months. If customers have any questions, they can call HDI toll free at 800-315-4305.
To ensure that the public water system is safe from pollutants and contaminants and to protect public health, Clintonville Utilities is required by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to maintain a Cross Connection Control Program.
A cross connection is a direct or potential connection between any part of the public water supply system and a source of contaminant or pollution. The most common form of cross connection is a garden hose, which can easily be connected to the public water supply system and can be used to apply a variety of potentially dangerous substances, including chemicals and fertilizer.
How does contamination occur?
Water normally flows in one direction, from the public water system through the customer's cold or hot water plumbing system to a faucet or other plumbing fixture. Under certain conditions, water can flow in the reverse direction. This is known as backflow and it occurs when backsiphonage or backpressure is created in a water line.
We have partnered with Hydro Designs, Inc. (HDI) of New Berlin to manage our Cross Connection Control Program. HDI is a firm that specializes in backflow prevention education and cross connection control inspections and is currently managing program services for 115 municipalities and water utilities.
HDI will perform the initial inspections of all commercial, industrial and residential facilities throughout the city to detect actual and potential cross connections and make recommendations for the installation of backflow prevention devices or assemblies where necessary.
"We are glad to be working with Hydro Designs," said Okho Bohm-Hagedorn, Public Utilities Manager. "This program is new for us and HDI already has an established process for communication and reporting. We hope this will make the program easy for our customers to participate."
The cross connection on-site survey is the first step of the program. An on-site survey is a walk-through of the water-system piping in a building, starting at the water meter and ending at the last free-flowing tap.
Customers will be contacted by HDI to set up an appointment for the survey. HDI will mail letters to customers that will include the date and time of their appointment. However, if that does not work, the letter also lists a website where you can reschedule your appointment. There will also be a toll-free number to call to reschedule an appointment.
When it is time for your appointment, the HDI representative can be easily identified. He will carry photo identification which will show he works for HDI. He will have a shirt with the Hydro Designs, Inc. name and logo applied and will be driving a vehicle that is marked with HDI or Clintonville Utilities. The first round of customers will include city-owned buildings, public school facilities, hospital/medical facilities, car washes, industrial/manufacturing facilities, mortuaries and some residences.
What if a cross connection is found at my home?
For most residences where a cross connection is found, HDI will provide a free starter set of equipment which, for most, once installed will make a resident compliant. In many cases, it will be as simple as screwing in a special nozzle on your utility sink and outdoor faucet before your hose.
Customers can learn more about cross connections by visiting http://hydrodesignsinc.com/wiccc.html where there is a link to more information.
"We understand this program has the potential to pose an inconvenience to customers, and since it is a DNR requirement, we hope to make it as simple and easy as possible," said Bohm-Hagedorn. "Thank you, in advance, for your patience and cooperation."
The first round of on-site surveys will be at the end of May. Future rounds of surveys will continue in the coming months. If customers have any questions, they can call HDI toll free at 800-315-4305.
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1 Comment for "Cross Connection Control Program to begin
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What if I create 3 cross-connections the day after the inspector leaves?
Inspecting every residential tap is a ridiculous waste of resources.
lastpercentile May 23, 2012 7:50 PM