Virginia Law 12VAC5-590-610 Owner Requirements:
For more information, please visit Cross-Connection & Backflow Prevention (LINK).
Show All Answers
A cross-connection is any physical connection between a potential source of contamination and any drinking water system piping. Examples include lawn irrigation and fire suppression systems.
Backflow is the flow through a cross-connection from a potential source of contamination back into the drinking water system.
There are two main causes of backflow: backsiphonage and backpressure.
Any unprotected or inadequately protected cross-connection on your premises could contaminate the potable water supply for your customers, employees and even neighboring homes and businesses. Severe illnesses have resulted from cross-connection contamination events that could have been easily prevented.
You are responsible for all unprotected or inadequately protected cross-connections on your premises and liable for any damages or illnesses they may cause. In cases where business owners have been proven at fault for cross-connection contamination events, judges and juries have awarded plaintiffs substantial monetary damages.
Each cross-connection must be eliminated or properly protected by an approved backflow preventer. All work done on the internal plumbing system of your facility must be performed by a state-licensed plumber. Any changes to your plumbing must be approved by your local plumbing inspector.
Spotsylvania County Utilities is responsible for maintaining records on testable backflow prevention devices connected to the public water distribution system, enforcing state laws regarding proper installation/maintenance and sending out annual notices to property owners/responsible parties with testable backflow devices due to re-certification.