Why are you doing this?

How do I know if I need a backflow preventer?

Will the Village tell me if I need a backflow preventer?

Will this program raise my water rates or property taxes?

What is the Cross Connection Control Program Administration fee?

How often do backflow preventers have to be tested?

Can any plumber test a backflow preventer?

How long does the survey take?

Will the surveyors inspect my entire facility?

Will I have low water pressure if I install a backflow preventer?

If I have a question, who do I call?

Why are you doing this?  State of Illinois regulations mandate that all public water purveyors must implement and maintain an acceptable cross connection control program.  These regulations were promulgated by the Illinois Pollution Control Board and are enforced by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.  This program is a State mandate.

In summary, the state regulations prohibit cross connections of any kind and require the Village, as a water purveyor, to maintain an active program aimed at identifying and eliminating cross connection hazards.

How do I know if I need a backflow preventer?  Your best option is to consult with a qualified plumbing professional.  Specifically, you should make certain that you obtain the advice of a plumber holding a cross connection control device inspector (CCCDI) license issued by the State of Illinois.  A CCCDI can inspect your property and help you to identify cross connections, eliminate cross connections, or make sure that potable water systems are protected from cross connections.  To gain a better understanding of the risks you may face from cross connections, please follow this link.

Will the Village tell me if I need a backflow preventer?  Yes.  And no.  The purpose of the Village's cross connection control program is to make certain that the public potable water distribution system is protected from consumer backflow.  In other words, once water is delivered to consumers' private plumbing systems, we don't want it back.  Consequently, we will identify where and what type of backflow prevention is necessary to protect the public.  However, we will not be performing an exhaustive inspection of consumers' private plumbing systems.  Therefore, it is feasible that you may need additional backflow protection above and beyond what the Village requires in order to safeguard your private plumbing system.

Will this program raise my water rates or property taxes?  No.  This program is funded entirely by fund balances currently available in the Village's water and sewer enterprise fund.  However, water consumers tributary to the Village-owned water distribution system may be required to pay a Cross Connection Program Administration Fee.

What is the Cross Connection Control Program Administration fee?  This fee is intended to offset the administrative costs of implementing this federal and state mandate.  The fee is $10 per device per year. 

How often do backflow preventers have to be tested?  Pursuant to federal, state, and Village codes, most backflow preventers have to be tested at least once per year.  For additional testing information, please follow this link.

Can any plumber test a backflow preventer?  No.  Backflow preventers can only be tested by plumbers holding a Cross Connection Control Device Inspector (CCCDI) certification.  This certification requires specialized training in the operation and maintenance of cross connection control devices (backflow preventers).

How long does the survey take?  Typically, the cross connection survey can be completed in 15-20 minutes.

Will the surveyors inspect my entire facility?  No.  They will need to visit the location(s) where your water service enters your building(s).  They will then ask you a series of questions about how you use water.  They will not trace pipes or conduct a plumbing inspection of your facility.

Will I have low water pressure if I install a backflow preventer? Possibly.  Often times consumers can experience pressure losses of 10 psi or more downstream of double check or RPZ backflow preventer.  If this type of pressure loss adversely affects your ability to use water downstream of the device, you may have to boost the pressure by installing a pump.  The installation of any pump in a plumbing system requires a permit.

If I have a question, who do I call?  If you have questions or concerns about the survey process, testing of backflow preventers, or payment of the cross connection control program administration fee, please contact the Superintendent of Water/Sewer.  If you have questions or concerns about an order to install a backflow preventer or conduct a more detailed plumbing inspection, please contact the Plumbing Inspector.