Cross Connections

What is a cross connection?

A cross connection is a connection between a drinking water pipe and a polluted source. The pollution can come from your own home. For instance you are going to spray fertilizer on your lawn. You hook up your hose to the sprayer that contains the fertilizer. If the water pressure drops, due to fire hydrant use or a water main break, when the hose is connected to the fertilizer, the fertilizer may be sucked back into the drinking water pipes through the hose. Using an attachment on your hose called a backflow prevention device can prevent this problem.

What can I do about it?

The Seekonk Water District recommends the installation of backflow prevention devices, such as a low cost vacuum breaker, for all inside and outside hose connections. You can purchase these devices at a hardware store or plumbing supply store. This is a great way for you to help protect the water supply in your home as well as the drinking water system in your town. For additional information on cross connections and on the status of your water system’s cross connection program, please contact Superintendent, Don Cooper.