A cross connection is a point in a plumbing system where it is possible for a nonpotable substance to come into contact with the potable drinking water supply.
Examples
Common examples of cross-connections include:
- Connections to firefighting equipment
- Garden hose submerged in a pesticide mixture
- Piped connection providing potable feed water to an industrial process, such as a cooling tower, or a submerged outlet of an irrigation system
Most cross-connections occur beyond the customer service connection, within residential, commercial, institutional, or industrial plumbing systems.
Identifying Cross Connections
Identifying cross-connections can be challenging because many distribution systems are expanding to serve new customers and changing to accommodate customer needs. Further, temporary and permanent cross-connections can be created in existing facilities without the knowledge of the water system managers and operators.