Residential Plumbing Cross Connections Brochure

Lincoln Water System

201 North 27

Street

Lincoln, NE 68503

Not sure if you need a backflow

device? Need more information on

what type of backflow prevention

devices you may need?

Call our office 402-441-5912 between

7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to speak with a

Cross Connection Technician or call your

local licensed plumber.

What is a cross connection and why

is it important to me?

A cross connection is defined as an actual or

potential connection between the public

water supply and a source of possible

contamination or pollution. All homes have

potential cross connections. The water pipes

and plumbing fixtures that make up cross

connections can be the link for contamination

to get into the drinking water supply. Water

pressure can suddenly drop because of heavy

usage, a water main break or fire in the area.

When that happens, contaminated water

(backflow) could be siphoned back into

your plumbing system from an unprotected

cross connection within your home. Even

though Lincoln has a very reliable water

distribution system, these pressure drops

occur somewhere in the city almost every

day. The result of back siphonage is that

chemicals, poisons, and bacteria might find

their way back into the water you drink if you

are not proactive to avoid or protect your cross

connections.

Cross Connection Control Program

Lincoln Water System is required by Nebraska

Department of Environment and Energy to

conduct a cross connection control program

using the specific components below:

• A survey and inspection every five years

of each home and building connected

to the public water supply. Inspections

of the plumbing system by the property

owner or tenant are required to determine

if backflow hazards, or cross connections

exist. Water customers should report any

cross connections to Lincoln Water System

by completing the Residential Plumbing

Cross Connection Survey.

• A public education program to inform

water customers of the potential harm

that plumbing cross connections can

cause to the public water supply. To learn

more, visit lincoln.ne.gov/backflow.

• Installation of backflow protection

devices. Installing backflow protection

on cross connections safeguards the

public water supply. Not sure if you need a

backflow device?

• Annual testing of backflow preventers.

Testing backflow devices, by a certified

tester, ensures proper operation and is

required yearly.

Residential Plumbing Cross

Connection Survey

Help us keep Lincoln’s drinking water

safe by eliminating unprotected cross

connections! One way to do this is

by completing the Residential Cross

Connection Plumbing Survey.

This brochure will help guide you in

how to answer the questions on your

Residential Cross Connection Plumbing

Survey. The numbers in the brochure

correspond with the numbers on the

survey.

Scan the QR code

to complete the

survey online. If you’d

prefer to print the

survey and mail it in,

visit lincoln.ne.gov/

backflow.

CONNECTIONS

HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE A

RESIDENTIAL CROSS CONNECTION

CROSS

RESIDENTIAL

PLUMBING

Residential Cross Connection Types

This brochure will help guide you in how to answer the questions on your Residential Cross Connection Plumbing Survey. The numbers in the brochure correspond

with the numbers on the survey.

1. Lawn Irrigation Systems

Underground

irrigation systems

are a direct cross

connection. A

suitable backflow

device, typically

located on the

side or back of

your home, must

be used to protect

the public water supply. Surface water can

be siphoned back into your plumbing system

through an automated lawn irrigation system

unless a proper backflow device is attached.

If the system uses a pump or has fertilizer

or chemical injection, additional backflow

protection and testing is required.

2. Private Wells and Secondary Water

Sources

A well or secondary water source on a property

is a potential cross connection. Wells or

secondary water sources are prohibited from

being connected to the Lincoln Water System.

A backflow preventer on the public water

supply is always required at the meter when

secondary sources of water are present on a

customer’s property.

3. Swimming Pool or Hot Tubs

Pools and hot tubs that are permanently

connected to the home plumbing systems

are direct cross connections and must be

protected with a suitable backflow device. An

unprotected cross connection could draw pool

water and chemicals back into your household

plumbing system and public water supply.

When filling a pool or hot tub with a hose,

never submerge the end, as this is another

cross connection. Always leave an air gap when

filling pools, hot tubs, sinks or containers.

4. Home Medical, Dental or Dialysis

Equipment

Similar to equipment found in medical offices,

these devices are sometimes used in the

home. When connected to the water supply,

these cross connections must be protected

with a suitable backflow device to prevent

contamination of the home plumbing system

and public water supply.

5. Boiler Systems for Heating

These systems are not common but do exist,

normally in larger homes. Water is used to

replenish the boiler, which may also have

chemicals. This cross connection must be

protected with a reduced pressure principle

backflow device to prevent contamination of

the home plumbing system and public water

supply.

6. Other Suspected Cross Connections

A garden hose is the most common cross

connection. A garden hose submerged in

water in a sink or container with chemicals

or fertilizer is a serious cross connection. A

sudden drop in water pressure from a water

main break or from water being used to fight

a fire can siphon water back into your home

plumbing system or the public water supply.

A vacuum breaker is a simple and inexpensive

device that can be installed on the faucet or

hose to prevent contamination. Never leave the

end of a hose submerged in a tub, sink, pool or

container.

Most bathtubs and sinks have an air gap as

backflow prevention. This space between

the highest water level in the fixture and the

outlet of the water is the best form of backflow

protection.

Home use of photographic chemicals, process

chemicals, biological lab supplies, and other

chemicals can cause contamination due to an

unprotected cross connection. Residential fire

protection systems, in-home water treatment

systems, car washes, solar heating, soaking

tubs and decorative ponds are other possible

cross connections.