Cross Connection Control Manual
Recent Changes Letter to All Backflow Testers
Federal and State law requires the City of Durham to protect the water supply from potential contamination or pollution. Contamination can occur when a water supply line to a customer is connected to equipment containing a substance not fit for drinking. These connections are called cross-connections. In order to prevent contamination of supply lines from these cross-connections, the City has developed and implemented an ordinance which requires all industrial, commercial, and irrigation customers to obtain a backflow permit and install backflow prevention assemblies. These assemblies must be installed on the customer's property before any branching of the private system.
Both new and existing customers of the City's water supply are evaluated by Cross-Connection Control staff to determine which hazards, if any, exist and the type of backflow preventers that will be required. If a backflow preventer assembly is required at your facility, please have your licensed plumbing contractor complete, sign, and return the Backflow Preventer Permit.
After an approved backflow prevention assembly has been installed and tested, it must be re-tested annually by individuals who have been certified by an approved testing school. The City maintains a list of qualified testers that is available to all customers. Cross-Connection Control staff also conduct a periodic state-recognized school for tester certification and re-certification. Most current approved testers list.
The City of Durham's Cross Connection Control Program is a vital component of the City's potable water distribution system. To meet the City of Durham's training needs, the Cross Connection Control program offers two different types of courses to certify individuals in backflow assembly training. First, a 40 hour, 5 day backflow tester certification course is offered to individuals who are interested in testing backflows. Second, a 16 hour, 2 day recertification course is offered to certified testers in order to keep testers skills and regulatory knowledge current. Individuals who are interested in becoming certified testers should review our course packet and our application.
All backflow preventers are to be tested on an annual testing schedule set forth by the City of Durham Cross Connection Control Office. If during the annual testing a backflow prevention assembly fails the requirements, the owner of the backflow prevention assembly has (**) 15 days to repair or replace the failed assembly. Please contact the Cross Connection Control office at (919) 560-4194 prior to any repair or replacement. In addition, a backflow permit must be submitted with all replacement or new backflow prevention assemblies.
(**) Denotes that 15 days to repair a failed unit is subject to change. Please contact the City of Durham Cross Connection Control office to determine replacement/repair due date.
Cross Connection Control Ordinance
General Procedures for Backflow Preventer Installation and Connection
Backflow Prevention Assembly Test and Maintenance Report form
For more information, please call (919) 560-4194.