Cross Connection Control

The City’s Water Services Division makes extensive efforts, along with a diligent Water Quality Monitoring Program, to provide our customers with water that meets all State and Federal drinking water standards. The Cross Connection Control Program is mandated by the State Water Resources Control Board and the Cross Connection Control Policy Handbook in an extensive effort to make sure that high-quality drinking water remains protected from potential sources of contamination that may exist within customers' plumbing systems and equipment on site. These programs and their records are thoroughly inspected by the State Water Resources Control Board on an annual basis, along with other data and monthly and incidental reports that are submitted.

Since 1999, the Irvine Ranch Water District (IWRD) has provided Cross-Connection Control services for the City of Tustin Water Services. The Cross Connection Control Program oversees and monitors the installation, testing, and maintenance of backflow prevention devices within the Water Services area. Although it is the customer’s responsibility to test these devices annually and properly maintain their backflow prevention assemblies, the Tustin Water Services staff works closely with IWRD, the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCAO, the city’s Community Development Department, consultants and contractors to ensure that the proper backflow prevention devices are installed and are tested annually.

What is a Cross Connection?

A cross connection is the point at which any unwanted domestic, commercial, or industrial water from a customer’s system can flow back into the City’s water distribution system. This unwanted flow is called backflow. Backflow can be caused by numerous conditions, but is typically due to the pressure of a customer’s water system exceeding that of the City’s water distribution system. Some examples of cross-connectors are:

  • Bypass arrangements
  • Jumper connections
  • Removable sections
  • Swivel or change-over devices
  • Other temporary or permanent devices through which or because of which backflow can occur

Backflow Prevention 

Backflow prevention devices properly installed at the water meter eliminate the potential for contaminated water to flow back into the public drinking water system by way of "cross connection" and "backflow". Based on the regulation and the "degree of hazard" of the facility, the installation of these devices may be required after an inspection by a Cross Connection Control Specialist.  The City is in contract with Irvine Ranch Water District, who has three (3) staff members who are certified by the State Water Board as Cross Connection Control Specialists.  The backflow prevention devices are required to be tested upon installation and on an annual basis, as customers are notified by the City’s Water Services Division.

Resources

Tester Requirements

The annual tests must be performed by a backflow device tester who is certified by the OCHCA. Therefore, you may only use a tester that is currently on the OCHCA-approved testers list.

The OCHCA maintains a cross-connection website that includes:

  • A code of conduct for backflow testers
  • A list of responsibilities for backflow testers
  • The list of currently OCHCA-approved testers

More Resources and Information 

Questions

For questions regarding the City of Tustin's Cross Connection Control Program, please contact the IRWD. IRWD’s Cross-Connection Control Department will be glad to answer your questions. Call 949-453-5761 to speak with a backflow expert. For more information or concerns, you can contact the City's Water Services staff at waterservices@tustinca.org. 

Orange County Health Care Agency Cross Connection

For questions regarding OCHCA's Cross Connection Program and the list of approved testers,  call (714) 433-6280 or email OCHCA at OCBackFlowTests@ochca.com.