The number of connections in a public water system can often change with new connections being added and old connections no longer being used. But how does this impact a water system's compliance with the backflow prevention and cross-connection control (BPCCC) requirements? Since compliance with the BPCCC rules are evaluated by calendar year, the first thing a public water system needs to figure out is when water was last used at this connection. If water was not used or supplied to that connection at any time during the calendar year then it does not need to be included in the water system’s annual BPCCC report. If water was used at that connection then the water system will need to include it in the annual BPCCC report.
If water has been used at the connection, what does the water system need to do with regard to discovered uncontrolled cross-connections, assembly testing, or method inspection?
If water has been used at a connection within the calendar year, but is no longer being provided service, that connection still needs to be included in the survey compliance ratio, assembly testing ratio, and method inspection ratio calculations. Any identified uncontrolled cross-connections also still need to be controlled. Suspension of service, removing a meter, or locking out a connection is allowed for controlling discovered uncontrolled cross-connections, failed assembly tests, and failed method inspections. However, if a connection has gone out of business in the middle of the year and it never had its backflow prevention assembly tested, the assembly would need to be included in the compliance ratio calculation. Any assembly and/or method used at any time during a calendar year is required to be included in the testing or inspection compliance ratio calculations.
For more information on BPCCC as well as templates, guidance and frequently asked questions, please visit the department’s website. If you ever have any questions regarding the implementation of your system’s backflow program, please direct them to cdphe_wqcd_fss_questions@state.co.us.
➽ Clayton Moores, PE, Field Unit I Manager
➽ Dominic Delgado, Field Inspector
