What is Backflow Prevention?

Backflow Prevention and Cross-connection Control

What is cross-connection?

A cross-connection is a point in a plumbing system where a possible source of contamination can come into direct contact with any drinking water supply. Examples would include connection from swimming pools, hot tubs, lawn irrigation systems, boilers & ground water wells.

What is backflow?

It is the flow through a cross-connection from a possible source of contamination back in the drinking water system. It occurs when a cross connection is created and a pressure reversal, either as back siphonage or backpressure, occurs in the water supply piping.

Why be concerned?

All cross-connections pose a potential health risk. Backflow can be a health hazard for your family or other consumers if contaminated water enters your water supply plumbing system and is used for drinking, cooking, and bathing. Chemical burns, fires, explosions, poisonings, illness, and death have been caused by backflow through cross-connections. Backflow occurs more often than you think. You as a consumer play a major role in the safety of our water supply by eliminating backflow that may contaminate drinking water, either your own or someone else’s. This includes complying with the plumbing code and not creating cross-connections.

What is the law?

Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3745-95 requires the public water supplier to protect the public water system from cross-connections and prevent backflow situations. The public water supplier must conduct cross-connection control inspections of their customers’ property to evaluate hazards.

Device Installation

Putnam Community Water may order the installation of an approved backflow prevention assembly at the service connection at the owner’s expense. Failure, refusal or inability to install said assemble shall constitute a justification for discontinuing water service at the premises until such assembly has been installed and approved.

Completing the Process

Once installed, an inspection must be made by Putnam Community Water. Call 740-373-0975 to schedule the inspection at a convenient time. Upon approval, the backflow device must be tested at the time of installation and annually by a licensed backflow technician. The resulting completed BackFlow Form supplied to Putnam Community Water.

  • Keep the end of hoses off the ground and clear of all possible contaminants.
  • Install hose bib vacuum breakers on all spigots (both indoor and outdoor).
  • Hire a licensed plumber or contractor to install approved backflow device on an underground lawn irrigation system.
  • Have each backflow device tested annually by certified backflow tester.
  • Make sure toilets have anti-siphon ballcock assemblies.
  • Have your plumbing system surveyed for cross connections
    Contact Putnam Water if you see any suspicious or unauthorized use of a fire hydrants.
  • Submerge hoses in buckets, sinks, tubs, swimming pools, ponds or standing water.
  • Use spray attachments (such as chemical solutions aspirators to fertilize lawn and shrubs) without a backflow prevention device such as a hose bib vacuum breaker.
  • Create a cross connection between an auxiliary water system (well, cistern, body of water, etc) and your water system.
  • Use a hose to unplug blocked toilets or sewer pipes.