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The
Village of Mount Prospect Cross Connection Control Program is
designed to reduce the likelihood of drinking water contamination caused
by cross connections and backflow. This
program was developed in order to comply with Illinois Pollution Control
Board (IPCB)
rules that require all public water
supplies in Illinois to implement a cross connection control program.
Cross connections can be
defined as:
...any type of plumbing
arrangement, whether permanent or temporary, that permits an
unprotected actual or potential connection between water intended
for human consumption and any other fluid or gas.
These types of connections can range from permanent structures such as
the supply piping for a steam boiler in building to a temporary
arrangement such as a garden hose laying in a bucket of soap suds while
the car is being readied for its weekend bath.
Typically, the Village-owned water distribution system operates at
sufficient pressure to keep water flowing in the proper, intended
direction. However, if low pressure zones are created, such as during a
large fire when many hydrants may be in use, or during a water main leak, it is possible to reverse the
intended flow of water and cause it to backflow into the drinking water supply.
In
order to minimize the likelihood of these types of occurrences, and
comply with requirements specified by the IPCB and the Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), the Village has enacted an
ordinance which prohibits unprotected cross connections.
This ordinance
details a multi-step implementation process. In the first step of this
process, water customers tributary to the Village-owned water distribution system
are
surveyed by
representatives from the Public Works Department to determine whether or
not cross connections, or the potential for cross connections, exist
within their private plumbing systems.
These surveys are
then analyzed by the Village
Plumbing Inspector and Water/Sewer Superintendent. If cross connections are found,
or the potential for cross connections is identified, the water customer will be required to install and maintain
an approved
backflow prevention device that will protect the drinking water supply
from contamination caused by backflow (compliance).
The surveys are then
repeated once every 2 years to make certain that the way water is used has not changed or the
potential for contamination from cross connections has not increased.
Finally, state law
mandates that all backflow prevention devices must be
tested and recertified on an annual
basis. These tests must be performed by a specialized plumber with
a specific license to test and repair backflow prevention devices (a
cross connection control device inspector (CCCDI)). Copies of these
test/certification reports must be submitted to the Public Works
Department each year along with a $10 per device cross connection control
program administration fee.
The
program will concentrate on water customers that
present backflow contamination risk to the public water
supply. Generally, this group will be comprised of commercial
and industrial customers that use water in some type of processing or
manufacturing capacity. However, property owners should be aware that
underground lawn sprinklers, fire sprinklers, and hot water boilers can
also present significant backflow risks and protection may be required
at properties with these types of facilities.
All
water customers in Mount Prospect, including those served by Illinois
American Water Company, may be affected by cross-connection control efforts.
However, each water supply is responsible for its own program.
Consequently, Illinois American customers should contact Illinois
American directly for answers to questions about backflow prevention.
Customers served by Mount Prospect water can contact the Public Works
Department for more information.
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