|
Protecting Our Water Supply
You may not think of your home as having hazards that might affect the municipal water supply; however, a common garden hose submerged in a pool or a carwash bucket creates a cross connection. If a water main breaks or if a fire hydrant nearby is being used, water pressure drops and the potential exists for a suction event to occur. This means that water in your kiddie pool or carwash bucket could be drawn back into the water system. Once there, the contaminated water could spread quickly to thousands of people. This is a serious concern of all water utilities. We can treat water, but we need to continue to protect it once it leaves the treatment plant and flows through the distribution system.
The health and safety of our community depends on it.
|
|
|
Cross Connection Control Program
|
The Water Utility's Cross Connection Control program is designed to maintain the safety and potability of the water in the distribution system by preventing the backflow of any foreign liquids, gases or other substances into the water distribution system. A Cross Connection is a connection between a contaminated source and your drinking water system. Backflow occurs when the water flow is reversed, due to a change in pressure, and water flows backwards, into and through the system. This creates a potentially hazardous situation.
A Back Flow Preventer, or Cross Connection Control Device, is required under any circumstance where contamination may occur and all new water permits are reviewed to determine whether a backflow device is needed. The standard device required by the City of Redding is a Reduced Pressure Principle (RPP) assembly. Buildings that have fire sprinklers installed or photolabs which use hazardous chemicals are required to have an RPP installed.
Other examples where cross connections can occur:
- dentist office
- school (janitor buckets, clean-out hoses)
- fire station
- hospital
- mortuary
The Water Utility administers a contract which specifies annual testing of all backflow devices. The program is monitered and individuals contracted for testing must be certified. A tester must take a course and pass both a written and practical exam to be able to inspect backflow assemblies.
Contamination of the City water supply is a very real concern and we as citizens should be knowledgeable about this potential.
|
