AWWA CANADIAN CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL

Course Outline

Acknowledgements  1

Disclaimer  1

Preface  2

Guide to Figures & Tables  3

Terms & Definitions  9

Acronyms I Abbreviations  19

Chapter l: Introduction to Cross-Connection Control

Introduction  1.1

What are Cross-Connections?  1.2

What is Backflow?  1.3

Hydraulic Principles of Backflow  1.3

• Water Pressure  1.4

Hydraulic Principles of Back Siphonage  1.6

• Fluid Dynamics and Hydraulic Gradient  1.9
• Examples of Back Siphonage  1.10

Hydraulic Principles of Back Pressure  1.13

• Examples of Back Pressure  1.13

Summary  1.17

Chapter 2: History, Health & Legal Aspects

Introduction  2.1

Examples of Backflow Incidents  2.2

Health Hazards of Cross-Connections  2.3

• Communicable Diseases / Biological Hazards  2.3
• Chemical Hazards  2.4
• Radiological Hazards  2.4
• Physical Hazards  2.4
• Aesthetic Considerations  2.4

The Multi-Barrier Approach  2.5

Legal Liability Associated with Cross-Connection Control  2.6

• I Risk of Legal Liability with Cross-Connections  2.6
• II Who can be Liable?  2.8
• Ill How can the risk of liability be reduced?  2.9

Jurisdictional Responsibilities  2.10

Plumbing Code Compliance in Canada  2.11

Summary  2.12

Chapter 3: Determining Risk Factors & Selecting Appropriate Backflow Protection

Introduction  3.1

Determining Risk Factors  3.2

• Hazard Classification  3.2
  • Severe Hazard  3.2
  • Moderate Hazard  3.2
  • Minor Hazard  3.2
• Probability of Occurrence  3.3
• Reliability of Backflow Preventers  3.4

Backflow Prevention Methods and Devices  3.6

• Mechanical Backflow Preventers  3.6
  • Testable Type Mechanical Backflow Preventers  3.6
  • Non-Testable Type Mechanical Backflow Preventers  3.9
  • Water-Using Equipment with Built-In Backflow Protection  3.9

Selecting the Correct Type of Backflow Preventer  3.10

Summary  3.11

Chapter 4: Backflow Preventers

Introduction  4.1

Air Gap  4.3

Reduced Pressure Principle & Reduced Pressure Principle Detector  4.6

Double Check Valve Assembly & Double Check Detector Assembly  4.12

Pressure Vacuum Breaker & Spill Resistant Pressure Vacuum Breaker   4.17

Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker  4.22

Air Space Vacuum Breaker  4.25

Hose Connection Vacuum Breaker & Hose Connection Dual Check Vacuum Breaker   4.27

Laboratory Faucet Vacuum Breaker  4.32

Dual Check with Atmospheric Port  4.35

Dual Check Valve with Atmospheric Port for Carbonators   4.40

Dual Check Valve with Intermediate Vent  4.44

Dual Check Valve  4.46

Single Check Valve Assembly for Fire Systems  4.48

Barometric Loop  4.49

Water-using Equipment with Built-in Backflow Protection  4.50

Chapter 5: General Backflow Preventer Installation Requirements

Introduction  5.1

General Installation Requirements  5.2

General Installation Guidelines  5.4

• 1 Safety  5.4
• 2 Backflow Preventer Operation and Applications  5.5
• 3 Customer Issues and Concerns  5.6
• 4 Protection of Backflow Preventers  5.8

Services That Require Year-Round Operation  5.9

Services That Are Shut Off During Winter  5.10

Summary  5.12

Chapter 6: Application of Backflow Prevention Procedures

Introduction  6.1

The Location of Backflow Protection  6.2

• Premises Isolation  6.2
• Internal Protection  6.4
• Area Protection  6.4
• Zone Protection  6.5
• Individual Protection  6.6

Fixture Hazard Classification Guide  6.8

Premises Isolation Hazard Classification Guide  6.12

Typical Facilities Where Premises Isolation is Required  6.15

• Wastewater Treatment Plants  6.15
• Sewage Pump or Lift Stations  6.16
• Radioactive Material Processing Plants or Nuclear Reactors  6.16
• Premises with Auxiliary Water Supplies  6.16
• Car Washes  6.21
• Commercial Laundries; Dry Cleaners  6.21
• Premises with Fire Protection Systems  6.22
• Hospitals; Medical Centers; Nursing Homes; Medical, Dental or Veterinary Clinics;
• Plasma Centers; Medical Research Facilities  6.24
• Premises with Irrigation Systems Using Chemical Injection  6.24
• Laboratories  6.25
• Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities, and Processing Plants  6.25
• Mortuaries or Autopsy Facilities  6.27
• Piers, Docks and Marinas  6.28
• Premises Where Access for Surveys is Restricted or Denied  6.30
• Water Filling Station  6.31
• Farms and Dairies  6.31

Typical Facilities Where Premises Isolation is Recommended  6.32

• Mobile Home Parks  6.32
• Multi-Storied Buildings, Offices or Apartments  6.32
• Campsites or Recreational Vehicle Parks  6.33
• Shopping Centers or Strip Malls  6.33

Typical Systems Where Internal Protection is Required  6.34

• Heat Exchangers (Solar Hot Water Systems and Hydronic Heating Systems)  6.34
• Irrigation Systems (not using Chemical Injection or Auxiliary Water Systems)  6.36

Municipal Application (Typical Distribution System Hazards)  6.38

• Fire Hydrants  6.38
• Common Types of Valves in Distribution Systems  6.41

Guide to Conducting a Cross-Connection Control Premises Survey  6.43

Summary  6.47

Chapter 7: Maintenance, Testing & Troubleshooting

Introduction  7.1

Tester Training and Certification  7.2

Testing Equipment  7.3

• Differential Pressure Gauge Test Equipment  7.3
• Backflow Test Kit Accessories  7.5

Maintenance, Repair and Testing Guidelines  7.7

• General Maintenance & Repairs  7.7
• Testing Frequency  7.8
• Testing Requirements and Minimum Pass/Fail Criteria  7.9

Testing Procedures of Testable Backflow Preventers  7.10

• General Requirements  7.10
• Preliminary Procedures Prior to Testing  7.11
• Test Procedures: Reduced Pressure Principle I 5-Valve Gauge Method  7.11
• Test Procedures: Reduced Pressure Principle I 3-Valve Gauge Method  7.18
• Alternate Test Procedures: Reduced Pressure Principle I 5-Valve Gauge Method  7.25
• Test Procedures: Double Check Valve Assembly I 5-Valve Gauge Method  7.31
• Test Procedures: Double Check Valve Assembly I 3-Valve Gauge Method  7.37
• Test Procedures: Double Check Valve Assembly I Sight Tube Method  7.43
• Alternate Test Procedures: Double Check Valve Assembly I 5-Valve Gauge Method  7.47
• Test Procedures: Pressure Vacuum Breaker I 5-Valve Gauge Method  7.52
• Test Procedures: Pressure Vacuum Breaker I 3-Valve Gauge Method  7.58
• Test Procedures: Pressure Vacuum Breaker I Sight Tube Method  7.64
• Alternate Test Procedures: Pressure Vacuum Breaker I 5-Valve Gauge Method  7.70
• Test Procedures: Spill-Resistant Type Pressure Vacuum Breaker I 3 & 5-Valve Gauge Methods  7.75

Chapter 8 Developing a Cross-Connection Control Program

Purpose of a Cross-Connection Control Program  8.1

Types of Programs  8.2

• Premises Isolation Program  8.2
• Internal (Individual, Area and Zone) Isolation Program  8.3
• Combination Program  8.4

Program Administration  8.6

Elements of a Cross-Connection Control Program  8.7

• Element 1: Establishing Legal Authority  8.7
• Element 2: Public Education  8.9
• Element 3: Tester Training, Certification and Licensing  8.10
• Element 4: Employee Training  8.10
• Element 5: Hazard Assessments or Surveys  8.11
• Element 6: Installation of Approved Backflow Preventers  8.13
• Element 7: Backflow Preventer Testing Program  8.13
• Element 8: Testing Quality Assurance/Quality Control Program  8.15
• Element 9: Backflow Incident Response Plan  8.15
• Element 10: Enforcement Procedures  8.17
• Element 11: Written Procedures and Program Plan  8.18

Safety  8.19

Summary  8.20

Appendices

Appendix A: References & Resources  A.1

Appendix B: Administrative Procedures of National Certification Program in Canada  ‘  B.1

Appendix C: Backflow Prevention Test Report Form Examples  C.1

Appendix D: Backflow Prevention Test Tag Example  D1

Appendix E: Condensed Test Procedures  E.1

Appendix F: Accuracy Verification for Test Equipment  F.1

Appendix G: Cross-Connection Survey Report Form Example  G.1

Appendix H: Backflow Incident Report Form  H.1

Appendix I: Overview of the Elements of a Cross-Connection Control Program for Small Systems  I.1

Appendix J: Symbols ·  J.1

Acknowledgements

The publisher gratefully acknowledges the following groups and organizations for their contributions in preparing this current course and all previous editions:

Canadian Cross-Connection Control Manual Revision Committee (2016-2017)
Western Canada Section AWWA Cross-Connection Control Committee (1982-present)

Other Canadian AWWA Section Cross-Connection Control Committees

■ BC/Yukon Section (BCWWA) CCC Committee
■ Ontario Section (OWWA) CCC Committee
■ Quebec Section (Reseau Environnement) CCC Committee
■ Atlantic Canada Section (ACWWA) CCC Committee

Pacific Northwest Section American Water Works Association – For contributing content from their Cross-Connection Control Manual: Accepted Procedures and Practices (Seventh Edition, 2012) for integration into this manual.

Disclaimer

This manual is intended to be a resource, teaching tool, and field guide to be used by testers, surveyors, water purveyors and operators, educators, administrators, and others who concern themselves with the protection of potable water against contamination. The procedures and practices recommended in this manual reflect the views of the current cross-connection control committee members from the five Canadian AWWA Sections that participated in the preparation and review of this manual. The recommendations are not intended to supersede any more stringent promulgated regulation or to imply that more stringent requirements should not be established by the authority having jurisdiction. The ultimate decision in applying any recommended procedures and practices to specific health
hazards rests with the authority having jurisdiction. Mention or appearance of trade names or commercial products within this manual does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation.