Cross-Connection Control Program
Protecting Our Drinking Water
Meadow Vista County Water District (MVCWD) works diligently to provide safe and reliable drinking water to our customers. Protecting the public water supply is an important part of that responsibility. Cross-connection control helps prevent the unwanted backflow of water, chemicals, or other substances into the public drinking water system.
Why We Have a Cross-Connection Control Program
MVCWD administers a Cross-Connection Control Program in accordance with the California State Water Resources Control Board’s Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH), applicable California Health and Safety Code requirements, and the District’s Cross-Connection Control Program.
The purpose of the program is to identify and control potential cross-connections that could allow contaminants or other substances to enter the public water supply through backflow or backsiphonage.
Following a hazard assessment performed by MVCWD, customers with a secondary water source or another condition that presents a potential cross-connection hazard may be required to install and maintain an approved backflow prevention assembly.
Cross-connections can include, but are not limited to, bypass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, improperly installed swivel or change-over devices, and other temporary or permanent connections through which backflow could occur.
Water Connections Requiring Backflow Prevention
Backflow prevention may be required for:
- All new service connections.
- Residential connections with a secondary source of non-potable water, including wells, ponds, springs, untreated irrigation water, or other waterways.
- Dual-service connections.
- Commercial connections.
- Landscape irrigation connections.
- Fire-line connections.
- Any other connection or condition determined by MVCWD to present a cross-connection hazard.
Inspection and Compliance Requirements
MVCWD may require an on-premise inspection to evaluate potential cross-connection hazards. Customers receiving a written notice for an inspection are required to provide reasonable access to their property and piping system.
MVCWD may also require a reinspection when necessary to evaluate existing or potential cross-connection hazards.
If a customer does not allow MVCWD to conduct a required on-premise inspection, the District may require an appropriate backflow prevention assembly to be installed directly after the water meter. The type of assembly required will be determined by MVCWD based on the identified or potential hazard.
Backflow Prevention Assembly Requirements
After MVCWD completes the initial hazard assessment, the customer is responsible for having the required backflow prevention assembly properly installed.
MVCWD will verify the installation and test the assembly before the new water service is placed into active service.
Customers are responsible for maintaining access to privately owned backflow prevention assemblies and notifying MVCWD before removing, relocating, repairing, or replacing an assembly.
MVCWD performs annual testing of required backflow prevention assemblies. Testing may require a temporary water shutdown of approximately 30–60 minutes.
Customers must allow authorized MVCWD staff access to the backflow prevention assembly for required testing and maintenance.
Approved Backflow Assemblies and Installation Guidelines
MVCWD maintains a list of preapproved backflow prevention assemblies and installation requirements. Assemblies must meet District requirements and be properly installed in accordance with the District’s approved installation guidelines.
Backflow Installation Companies
MVCWD may provide a list of local companies that perform backflow prevention assembly installation. Customers are responsible for selecting and contracting directly with an appropriately qualified installation company.