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Water Quality - Cross Connection/Backflow Prevention Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Cross Connection/Backflow Prevention
Is there a garden hose attached to your outside faucet? Is the water turned ‘on’ but suspended from flowing by a garden hose nozzle? If so, this can cause the water to back up into your system and the strange taste is coming from the garden hose at the outside faucet. If the hose is not the problem, the district can send someone out to troubleshoot the problem with you. They will flush the line if necessary
The District can send someone out to troubleshoot the smell with you. They will flush the line if necessary.
Yes. There is one part of fluoride per million parts of water.
Woodinville’s water is purchased from Seattle Public Utilities and comes from the Tolt Watershed. This water is soft, at 1.40 grains per gallon.
There are many reasons for discoloration.
One of the most common problems is the need to flush the hot water tank.
Woodinville Water has numerous dead end
lines. The same debris that ends up in your hot water tank also comes to
rest in the bottom of the main line and even more so in dead ends. If
you think this problem is occurring, contact the water district. We have
apparatuses at the ends of these lines that enable us to flush them out.
All dead end lines need this service on occasion.
Construction in your neighborhood will
sometimes cause discoloration. This problem occurs when a water line is
accidentally broken or the contractors are using water from a fire
hydrant.
Anything that causes the water to flow at
a higher velocity than normal can stir up the system which will result
in discoloration.
After a main repair or shut down, the
field crew takes great efforts to flush the debris from the line to
insure clear water at your tap. Its important to realize that even though your water is discolored because of the chlorine residue, it is still safe to drink. Cross Connection/Backflow Prevention A link between your drinking water system and a source of contamination, a way for “bad stuff” to get into your good clean drinking water.
The term cross connection means any actual or potential connection (piping/hose) between a public water system and a source of contamination.
Do you realize that water can flow two directions in a hose or pipe? When water is flowing in the opposite direction from its normal flow that is backflow and it can put our drinking water in danger.
What are common examples of cross connection hazards (source of contamination) that need to be protected with a backflow preventer?
Note: Toilets and sinks have an Air Gap for backflow protection
Why is a backflow preventer necessary? All it takes for backflow conditions to occur is a drop in line pressure in the water main, which can happen due to use of hydrants for fire fighting, water main break, high usage or backpressure. In America, we all assume when we turn the tap on that we have safe drinking water. This is a luxury we enjoy, but not without very strong regulations and considerable expense. Our drinking water is among the safest in the world. Water protection and conservation requires the effort and cooperation of everyone.
What is the legal basis for a local cross connection control program? The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1986, and Washington State Administrative Code (WAC 246-290-490) requires the Water District to administer a Cross Connection Control Program that will protect the drinking water supply, and to coordinate with the Local Authorities that protect the drinking water supply from possible backflow hazards within the plumbing system of buildings.
Do I currently have adequate backflow protection? And, how can I find out? If you have questions pertaining to your home or building contact the Woodinville Water District’s Water Quality Specialist.
What is my liability as a building owner property manager and water purveyor? Legally, the “purveyor” of the water supply is responsible for the water quality and for implementing and maintaining a cross connection control program in order to prevent the contamination of the public water system. The water purveyor is the public water department, up to and including the service connection from the water main. From the outlet of the water meter or service connection including all piping down downstream inside the owner’s premise, the legal purveyor of the water supply is actually the property owner.
What are types of backflow protection? An Approved Air Gap Separation
Mechanical Assemblies used in the prevention of backflow are separated into three types:
Mechanical Devices used in the prevention of backflow include:
How often do Backflow Assemblies have to be tested? Backflow Assemblies must be tested at the time of installation, annually after installation, after a backflow incident, and after any repairs have been made. If an assembly is relocated and/or reinstalled it must be retested. Anytime a backflow assembly is tested a test report needs to be submitted to Woodinville Water District.
Who can test the Backflow Assembly? To test backflow assemblies in the State of Washington a person must have a Washington State Department of Health Certification as a Backflow Assembly Tester (BAT).
What to do if my backflow assembly fails the annual test? If your backflow assembly fails it annual test; it needs to be cleaned, repaired or in some cases it may need to be completely replaced. After cleaning, repair or replacement a successful re-test performed.
Do you need more information or have other questions on backflow protection and cross connection? Contact the Woodinville Water District’s Water Quality Specialist.
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