Residential Cross Connection Control Program

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The Plainfield Township Water System is committed to providing customers with safe and reliable drinking water.  Safeguarding the drinking water is everyone’s responsibility.  As part the Water System’s responsibility, it has a cross connection control program to help protect the drinking (potable) water supply from contamination due to cross connections.  If you have any questions, please contact the Water Department at (616) 363-9660.  For more information regarding cross connections, contact the Water Department at (616) 363-9660, extension 304.

What is a Cross Connection?
A cross connection or arrangement of piping through which water of questionable quality, wastes, or other contaminants could enter the potable water supply due to a reversal of flow.

What is the law?
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) requires water utilities to have comprehensive cross connection control programs for the elimination and prevention of all cross connections. This is defined in Part 14 of the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act. Additionally, the MDEQ has published a Cross Connection Rules Manual which more fully explains Cross Connection Programs.  Customers are required to maintain their water systems in a manner free of cross connections.  If a backflow incident should occur resulting in contamination of the public water supply, the responsible owner or occupant could be held liable for damages.

What is being done to prevent Cross Connection?
Routine inspections of buildings are conducted by inspectors to identify cross connections. The following are some examples of when cross connections can exist:

  • Hose Connections
  • Lawn Irrigation Systems
  • Toilet Fill Valves
  • Chemical Aspirators
  • Boilers
  • Cooling Towers
  • Swimming Pools
  • Water Operated Sump Pumps
  • Water Softeners
  • Fire Sprinkler Systems
Cross connections can be eliminated by maintaining approved air gaps or by installation of specific backflow prevention devices.  For example, a cross connection at a hose connection can be eliminated by installing a hose connection vacuum breakers that confirms to ASSE 1011 on the hose bib before the house is connected.  A cross connection in a toilet tank can be eliminated by installation of an anti-siphon fill valve that conforms to ASSE 1002.

Lawn irrigation systems require backflow prevention devices to be installed at the point of connection to the potable water system. Periodic testing of these and other devices maybe required. The test must be done at least once every three (3) years by an individual who is recognized by ASSE to test backflow preventers.  For additional information regarding backflow prevention devices click on "Lawn (Turf) Irrigation systems" below.

Residential Cross Connect Testing Program
Commercial customers have had a testing program in place for several years and Plainfield Township Water System implemented a residential lawn irrigation testing program in 2014 requiring testing every three (3) years.  The water system has been split in three sections (click here for a map) for testing cycles. 

jerry-hoffman-x-connectionCommercial Cross Connection Inspections
Plainfield Charter Township Water Department is conducting commercial cross connection inspections with our contractor, HydroCorp, Inc.  Mr. Jerry Hoffman (pictured below) is the field service representative performing the individual inspections. 
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Residential Cross Connect Testing Program8 documents

  • RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER NOTICE
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  • BACKFLOW PREVENTION TEST REPORT FORM
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  • MAP OF NOTIFICATION AREAS BY YEAR
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  • 1/1/2018 - ALL TESTERS MUST BE CERTIFIED. CLICK HERE FOR REGULATIONS
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  • LIST OF BACKFLOW DEVICE TESTERS
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  • BROCHURE ON IRRIGATION SYSTEMS AND BACKFLOW PREVENTION
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  • RESIDENTIAL IRRIGATION SYSTEMS RESPONSE FORM
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  • CUT CAP PROCESS INFORMATION
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