Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention

What is a Cross-Connection?

What is backflow?

What can cause backflow?

What does Charleston Water System do to prevent backflow?

What can I do to prevent backflow?

Who should I contact for more information?

Need more answers? Send us your question!

What is backflow?
Back-flow is the undesirable reversal of flow of non-potable water or other substances through a Cross-Connection and into the piping of a public water system or consumer's potable water system.  There are two types of backflow: back pressure backflow and backsiphonage back-flow.

What can cause backflow?
Back-flow can be caused by a sudden drop in the water pressure in a public water main, which can create a sub-atmospheric condition. If a drop in pressure occurs while a hose is in a bucket of dirty water, for example, that water could backflow into the public water system, potentially contaminating the water for other users.  A drop in pressure could be caused by a variety of things, including a water main break, loss of power at a pump station, etc.

What does Charleston Water System do to prevent backflow?
Since 1985, Charleston Water System has installed residential dual check valves on every residential water service.  Charleston Water System also requires a testable backflow prevention assembly commensurate with the actual or potential degree of hazard for ALL non-residential commercial and industrial customers.  In addition, Charleston Water System also conforms to the provisions of the 2000 International Plumbing Code (IPC).

Back-flow prevention assemblies prevent water from re-entering the public water supply during a loss of pressure in Charleston Water System's water distribution system. Charleston Water System is one of the few water utilities in the nation with a comprehensive back-flow prevention program.  In fact, Charleston Water System's Cross-Connection Control Program is considered a benchmark within the industry across the United States and Canada.

Charleston Water System is supportive of the American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA). The ABPA is the world's largest organization dedicated to educating the public on how to prevent backflow.

What can I do to prevent backflow?
You can prevent backflow in your home plumbing system by installing an inexpensive hose-bib vacuum breaker on each of your outside water spigots. These vacuum breakers will prevent water from being backsiphoned from a polluted or even contaminated water source into your home's water pipes or the public water distribution system. These devices cost about $7.00, and are available at most plumbing or hardware stores.  Hose-bib vacuum breakers have been required by the Standard Plumbing Code since 1963.

Who should I contact for more information?
Charleston Water System's Cross-Connection Control Department will be happy to answer your questions. Please feel free to all 727-7105, 727-6980 or 727-6981 to speak with a back-flow expert.

The American Back-flow Prevention Association , an international organization, was founded in 1984 to involve all people in protecting public health by protecting the drinking water through cross-connection control and backflow prevention.

The American Backflow Prevention Association, through its regions and local chapters, is committed to providing educational programs, technical assistance, and public awareness in the field of backflow prevention to all water consumers today, and into the 21st Century and beyond