Public Works

DRINKING WATER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Backflow Prevention Program Did you know common hazards exist around homes and businesses that can contaminate your drinking water as well as your neighbor's? The City of Lacey is committed to protecting the public water system. Learn about the actions the City is taking and how you can help to make sure our water supply stays safe and reliable all day, every day.

What is a cross-connection? What is backflow?

What is a cross-connection?

A cross-connection is any point where the public water supply meets an actual or potential source of nonpotable liquid, solid, or gas in a connection to a home, business, irrigation system, etc. that could contaminate the public water supply by backflow.

What is backflow?

Backflow is the unwanted flow of water in the reverse direction. This means that water flows backward from your home or business into the public water supply.

There are two types and causes of backflow: backsiphonage and backpressure.

	Backsiphonage means backflow due to a reduction in system pressure in Lacey's water distribution system. This is a normal and common occurrence due to firefighting, water line flushing, or water line breaks.
	Backpressure means a pressure (caused by a pump, elevated tank or piping, boiler, or other means) on the consumer's side of the service connection that is greater than the pressure provided by the public water system which may cause backflow.

The danger? Backflow can carry contaminated water into the public water supply.

The degree of hazard depends on the type of substance which may flow into the drinking water supply at the point of cross-connection.

	1.)	A low cross-connection hazard refers to any substance which would affect the color or odor of the water but is considered a non-health hazard.
	2.)	A high health cross-connection hazard refers to any substance that causes illness or death if ingested and is considered a health hazard.
	3.)	A severe health cross connection hazard refers to extreme hazards including sewage treatment plants and nuclear facilities because of the epidemic possibilities and dangers associated with them.

Washington State Law requires that water purveyors establish and implement a cross-connection control program to protect the public water system from these hazards. The public water system begins at the source of water (in Lacey the source of water is a well) and ends at the service connection to the customer, the water meter.

The installation or maintenance of any uncontrolled cross-connection which could endanger the quality of the City's public water system is prohibited. Any such cross-connection is unlawful and should be abated immediately. Abatement includes, but is not limited to, discontinuance of water service or the installation of an approved backflow prevention assembly, equal to the degree of hazard, as determined by the City.

The customer is responsible for backflow prevention assembly installation, initial testing, and annual testing thereafter by a licensed tester. The customer is required to provide proof of installation and proof of a passing test to the Public Works Department by the annual due date. The City will mail affected customers an annual reminder, but it is your responsibility as the water customer to ensure testing is completed.

Service shall be discontinued to any premises, water user, or property owner for failure to comply with rules and regulations pertaining to the City's cross-connection program or failure to permit entry upon the premises by authorized City personnel for purposes of inspection and/or testing.

For more information about this program, please see the City of Lacey Development Guidelines and Public Works Standards, or contact the City's Cross-control Specialist at (360) 413-4341.

Residential Cross-Connections - What are your responsibilities?

The most common household cross connections include the following:

Garden hoses

Any hose is a cross connection when left submerged in a swimming pool, laundry sink, car wash bucket, puddle, etc. To protect against this type of cross-connection, check to see if you have an air vacuum breaker installed on each of your outdoor hose bibs. These simple devices are inexpensive and can be purchased from your local hardware store. They are easy to install and usually you just have to screw them on.

In-Ground Irrigation System

In-ground irrigation systems are one of the most common cross-connection found in Lacey’s water system. Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 246-290-490 and Lacey Municipal Code (LMC) 13.48.070 require that all irrigation systems be isolated from the water system with a special set of valves called a backflow prevention assembly.

If your property has an in-ground irrigation system it is your responsibility to make sure these steps are followed.

	1.)	Confirm that your irrigation system has an approved backflow assembly. This is usually a brass valve found between your water meter and the point of connection to your irrigation system.
	2.)	Test the backflow prevention assembly annually. The assembly must be tested by a Washington State Department of Health certified Backflow Assembly Tester (BAT) immediately upon installation, following any repairs, and annually thereafter.

		•	List of Certified Backflow Assembly Testers
		•	Blank Backflow Prevention Assembly Test Report

3.)

Make sure the test results are reported to Lacey PW/Water Resources. Normally, your hired BAT will submit the test results to the City for you, but it is your responsibility to make sure the test results are submitted in a timely manner.

You will continue to receive overdue testing notices until passing test results are received by the City.

Test results should be submitted to backflow@ci.lacey.wa.us, or:
City of Lacey Water Resources
ATTN: Cross Connection Specialist
420 College St. SE
Lacey, WA 98503

An overview of this information can be found here:Residential Backflow Brochure

	We are here to help! If you have any questions, please contact:
	Branden Clark
	Cross-connection Specialist
	Backflow@ci.lacey.wa.us
	(360) 413-4341

Commercial Cross-Connections - What are your businesses’ responsibilities?

Discontinued Use of Hazard- What if you remove a cross-connection?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is backflow?

The undesirable reversal of flow of water or other substances through a cross-connection into the public water system or consumer’s potable water system.

What is a cross-connection?

Any actual or potential physical connection between a public water system or the consumer's water system and any source of non-potable liquid, solid, or gas that could contaminate the drinking water supply by backflow.

How can backflow occur?

Occasionally, situations occur outside of our control that can jeopardize the quality of your drinking water. A very common occurrence in a water distribution system is the temporary loss of pressure due to the breakage of a water supply pipe or water main. Firefighting can also drop water pressure, creating conditions that can allow the backflow of pollutants or contaminants into the water system and threaten the purity of our drinking water system.

What can I do to prevent backflow?

The simplest way to prevent backflow is to avoid creating cross-connections. When using a garden hose for example, do not submerge it in a container and use hose bib vacuum breakers on outside spigots. When a cross-connection does exist, compliance with the City’s backflow prevention program is vital to protect the health and safety of all water users. Simple plumbing changes can easily eliminate many cross-connections. However, where this is not possible backflow prevention assemblies are installed to protect the water supply.

What is a backflow prevention assembly?

There are several types of backflow prevention assemblies. The type of assembly used is determined by the degree of hazard. In short, the term “backflow prevention assembly” shall mean an assembly composed of two independently acting, approved check valves, including tightly closing resilient seated shutoff valves attached at each end and fitted with test cocks. The term “approved backflow prevention assembly” refers to the assemblies listed by USC Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research (available at http://fccchr.usc.edu/list.html).

What is a cross-connection program and why have I never heard of such a requirement?

The Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1986 and regulations of Washington State require water purveyors to develop and implement a cross-connection control program. This program begins at the water supply source, includes all public water treatment, storage, and distribution facilities, and ends at the point of delivery to the consumer’s water system. Part of this program includes educating water users about cross-connection control.

Is this just another bureaucracy requirement that’s not necessary?

More than 2,300 people worldwide die daily from illnesses associated with unsafe drinking water. Over 750 million people lack access to clean water, almost 2 ½ times the United States population. In America, we assume when we turn on the tap that we have safe drinking water. The EPA sets standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act to protect drinking water and its sources, and as a result our drinking water is among the safest in the world today.

Why do I have to test my backflow assembly?

Although a backflow prevention assembly is designed to prevent contamination of our potable water system, it is a mechanical device subject to failure. Foreign matter in the water supply system, such as sand, grit or rust particles from the piping system, can foul or damage internal parts of a backflow preventer. Normal wear and tear of the assembly will eventually cause the assembly to fail and need repair. Because the backflow assembly is subject to failure due to all of the above, it is required that they be tested on an annual basis.

Who is authorized to test backflow assemblies?

A Backflow Assembly Tester (BAT) licensed and certified by the State Department of Health is responsible for performing testing. They are responsible for repairing or overhauling backflow prevention assemblies located outside the premises and making reports of such repair to the consumer and City. A licensed plumber is required to perform work inside the premises.

10.

Why do I have to have my backflow preventer tested and maintained on an annual basis and my neighbor does not?

The consumer’s responsibility starts at the point of delivery from the public potable water system and includes all of his/her water systems. The consumer, at his/her own expense, shall install, test, and maintain approved backflow prevention assemblies as directed by the City of Lacey. Following any repair, overhaul, re-piping, or relocation of an assembly, the consumer shall have it tested to ensure that it is in good operating condition and will prevent backflow.
Any uncontrolled cross-connection which could endanger the quality of the City’s public water system is prohibited. As such issues are discovered, they will be corrected to protect the health and safety of all water users.

11.

What happens if I do not have my backflow preventer(s) tested and maintained as required?

Service shall be discontinued to any premises, water user, or property owner for failure to comply with rules and regulations pertaining to the City’s cross connection program.
In a public facility, the owners could be held responsible if they have an unprotected cross-connection that results in illness or serious health effects to a customer.

12.

What are some examples of cross-connections that need to be protected with a backflow prevention assembly? (these are just a few examples)

Residential

		•	Garden hoses – air vacuum breakers are required. See our Residential Backflow Brochure for more information.
		•	Lawn irrigation systems
		•	Boilers
		•	Water treatment systems
		•	Boot moorage or RV connections
		•	Swimming pools/spas
		•	Other water supplies on the premises (whether connected to plumbing system or not). This includes but is not limited to private wells, and ability to draw water from lakes, streams or springs.

Commercial

		•	Landscape irrigation
		•	Boilers
		•	Fire service protection
		•	Soda machines
		•	Chemical dispensers
		•	High hazard premises listed in WAC 246-290-490
		•	Premises isolation for all new commercial properties

	Still have questions?
	Contact: Branden Clark
	Cross Connection Specialist
	Phone: (360) 413-4341
	Email: Backflow@ci.lacey.wa.us

	Resources

	•	Residential Backflow Brochure
	•	Commercial Backflow Brochure
	•	2020 Certified Backflow Assembly Tester List
	•	Backflow Prevention Assembly Test Report
	•	Email Lacey’s Cross-Connection Specialist with your questions!

	•	Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA/DCDA)
		These are the most common assemblies in the Lacey water system. Most are installed below ground in a valve box or vault for irrigation or fire sprinkler systems.
	•	Spill resistant vacuum breaker
		These are when water spillage is undesired. They protect against backsiphonage only and are not to be used under constant pressure applications.

	•	Reduced pressure backflow assembly (RPBA/RPDA)
		These are required and very important in commercial settings where hazardous material could enter potable drinking water.
		RPBA use is required for any mobile or temporary apparatus that connects to the City water system by way of a fire hydrant or other temporary water connection.
		They are also used with higher-level fire systems, irrigation systems that distribute fertilizers, in medical facilities, chemical plants, etc. RPBAs protect against both low and high health cross-connection hazards.

	1. Remove visible sprinkler heads and distribution lines.
	2. Remove the existing backflow assembly and cap the water supply line.
	3. The remaining water line may be buried once inspected.
	4. Remove plastic or concrete boxes and backfill.

	•	Air gap separation
		This method is used in commercial applications where reservoirs and storage tanks are required. It protects against all levels of cross-connection hazards. An air gap means there is a physical break between the city’s water supply and the facility’s process therefore providing the utmost protection.

	If at any time you believe there is no longer an actual or potential cross-connection on your premises, you may request an inspection to verify elimination of the hazard and discontinued use of your backflow assembly (or assemblies) and exemption from further testing requirements. As long as the connection exists, backflow protection and testing is required, regardless of whether the system is used.
	Example: "I don't use my sprinkler anymore"
	If the use of your in-ground irrigation system is no longer desired, the system may be decommissioned by completing the following:

Lacey, Washington

Public Works

DRINKING WATER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Backflow Prevention Program