FAQs

Any actual or potential connection between the municipal drinking water system (watermain) and any pipe, vessel, tank, plumbing fixture, equipment or device through which it is possible for used, polluted or contaminated water or any other substance to enter the municipal drinking water system.

A common example is a garden hose connected to a hose bibb at one end and the other end of the hose lying in a pool, puddle or any other source of non-potable water. Another example would be the makeup water for a hot water heating boiler. The water in these systems can be rusty and oily and could pose a health threat if consumed.

Other common cross-connections found in plumbing and water systems include:

• A water softener drain or other types of water conditioning equipment directly connected to a sanitary sewer
• A chemical sprayer attached to a hose without a backflow preventer
• A high-pressure washer utilizing soaps or cleaners connected to a hose bib or other sources of water without a backflow preventer
• A lawn irrigation system installed without an approved type of backflow preventer
• Using a hose to unplug blocked toilets and sewers
• Photo developing equipment
• An auxiliary water supply connected to the watermain
• A toilet that does not have an anti-siphon float valve installed

Backflow is a reversal of the normal direction of flow. Backflow may occur due to either back siphonage or back pressure.

Back-siphonage is a reduction in pressure in the municipal drinking water system (watermain) below atmospheric pressure. This can cause water to be pulled from the private-service side into the watermain. Some examples that may cause a drop in pressure are a water main break, water main flushing, or the use of a fire hydrant.

Back pressure is an increase in pressure on the private-service connection side above the pressure of the water main. Some examples of issues that can cause this increase in pressure include malfunctioning booster pumps, improperly protected water heaters or water hammers.

An example is when there is a water main break, and the area must be isolated and repaired. When the valves around the repair site are closed, the flow of water is stopped to all points of use, such as homes and businesses and begins to flow backwards towards the repair. This is back siphonage, and if there are cross connections, contaminants can be drawn into the municipal drinking water system.

When the repair is completed, and the regular pressure is restored, everything starts to flow in the proper direction. Any contaminants that have a chance to enter the water supply will start to flow toward any point of use (plumbing fixtures) in homes or businesses. The degree of hazard to health will be dependent on the type and amount of contaminant, the amount of time the situation goes unnoticed and whether or not a protective device is in place.

Backflow into the municipal drinking water system can pollute or contaminate the water in that system. The hazard created by backflow is generally identified in three groups: severe or high, moderate and minor. A severe hazard is likely to result in serious injury or death, while a minor hazard may affect the colour, odour and/or taste of the water with little or no health effects. Each water purveyor has a responsibility to provide water that is usable and safe to drink under all foreseeable circumstances. Further, the expectation of the public is that water quality supplied by the water purveyor is potable and safe to use, and it will remain so regardless of its use. For these reasons, each water purveyor must take reasonable precautions to protect its municipal drinking water system against backflow.

Backflow protection on the private-service connection directly after the water meter and before any cross-connections.

Backflow protection is provided for a section of a piping system with potable and non-potable connections (that may or may not be considered cross-connections) downstream of a backflow preventer.

Backflow prevention is provided at the connection to a fixture or appliance. Examples include built-in air-gap on industrial dishwashers, lab faucet vacuum breakers, etc.

• Multi-unit residential (except those within the scope of Part 9 of the Ontario Building Code)
• Industrial, commercial, and institutional buildings
• Installed at entrances to buildings for new sprinkler services and on private-side connections of the water meter for domestic sprinkler services
• Area isolation for interal staff use of water

Moderate hazard: any minor hazard connection with a low probability of becoming a severe hazard.

Severe hazard: any cross-connection involving substances considered dangers to health.

A device that, when exposed to backflow conditions, closes the water loop, restricting the movement of water and preventing flow from the private-service connection into the municipal drinking water system.

Mechanical backflow preventers have internal seats, springs and moving parts that are subject to fouling, wear or fatigue. These mechanical devices and air gaps can also be bypassed. Therefore, some backflow preventers have to be tested periodically to ensure that they are functioning properly, and others, such as an air gap, require a visual check to ensure that they are still in place. The testable backflow preventers must be tested by a Qualified Person.

The owner of the property or agent of the owner (i.e., property manager) or as otherwise identified in the lease agreement.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the By-law may result in the disconnection of the water supply to the property.

This by-law is being proposed to maintain and protect the quality of the County’s drinking water. It is consistent with the County’s Drinking Water Quality Management System, which is in place to provide safe drinking water to residents and businesses.

You will have to register, complete, and pass the Cross Connection Control course. You must then provide your certification to the County to register as a Qualified Person and be included on the roster of Qualified Persons. When required to recertify, you must register, complete, and pass the recertification course and provide proof of recertification to the County.

Although anyone who is certified with the County can complete BPD tests and repair faulty BPDs, only a certified plumber is qualified to remove, relocate or replace a BPD if required.