American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA) YouTube video explaining backflow prevention 

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State and City Departments and Documents

• Willow Park

  • During the 22 January 2019 City Council Meeting, Agenda, the City of Willow Park passed an ordinance to establish a cross connection program to protect the City's water distribution system from contamination. ​

    • Item 2. Discussion/Action: To consider and act on an ordinance establishing a cross connection program to protect the City's water distribution system from contamination. ​

    • Background: A cross connection policy is required by TCEQ before our findings can be resolved. Ordinance No. 788-19 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 13, Utilities, By Adding A New Article, 13.12, Cross Connection Control, Establishing A Cross Connection Program

    • Exhibit: Ordinance 788-19, the city's Cross Connection Program, includes seventeen (17) pages of details of definitions, purpose, fees, regulations, technical requirements, responsibility of owners, etc. 

  • Departments > Public Works > Water Department > The purpose of this program is to inform the citizens and insure that proper safeguards are in place to protect our drinking (potable) water system from the potential contamination risks imposed through cross connections. Backflow can occur when either a backsiphonage or a backpressure condition exists. More...

  • Capital Improvement Plan > Drainage Inventory and Evaluation, July 2019 

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• Fort Worth Water >  Backflow and Cross Connection Control

  • All backflow protection assemblies must be tested upon installation, repair or relocation; and annually thereafter. Because backflow prevention assemblies are mechanical devices that will degrade over time, all backflow assemblies must be tested annually to ensure they are in working order.

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• Texas Administrative code > Title 30 Environmental Quality >  Part 1  > Texas Commission on Environmental Quality > Chapter 344 Landscape Irrigation > Subchapter E Backflow Prevention and Cross-connections > Rule 344.50 Backflow Prevention Methods

  • (e) At a minimum, all backflow prevention assemblies shall be tested by a licensed backflow prevention assembly tester upon installation, repair, replacement, or relocation. Those backflow prevention assemblies used in irrigation systems designated as health hazards shall be tested annually.

  • Source Note: The provisions of this §344.50 adopted to be effective January 1, 2009, 33 TexReg 5713; amended to be effective July 26, 2020, 45 TexReg 4986

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• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality TCEQ > Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention  

  • Information for public water systems and their customers on identifying potential cross connections and preventing contamination from backflow into drinking-water systems.To protect public health, our Cross-Connection Control (CCC) and Backflow Prevention Program is committed to helping you protect your drinking water system from potential contamination. The Cross-Connection Control Subcommittee advises us in this effort.

  • How Cross-Connection and Backflow Can Lead to Contaminated Water

  • Definitions

  • Your Role as a Water Customer > Irrigation Systems and Backflow

    • As a homeowner, you may install and maintain your own irrigation system, but it’s still important to have a suitable backflow prevention assembly (BPA) in place and to be sure that it works properly. Here are a few ways you can do just that:

    • Hire a licensed irrigator. You can find one from our online licensing database.

    • If you install your own system, have a licensed BPA tester confirm that the BPA is installed and operating properly. Licensed BPA testers are also listed in our online licensing database.

    • TCEQ requires you to have a licensed BPA tester check the BPA when it is installed on your irrigation system. Your water provider may have adopted additional codes or regulations which require an annual test of the BPA on your irrigation system.

    • Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Form TCEQ-20700 (Note: For informational purposes only; the tester will file this form.)

  • Your Public Water System’s Role

  • The TCEQ’s Role

  • Technical Guidance

  • Staff Contact

  • Texas Commission on Environmental Quality > The purpose of form TCEQ-20700 Backflow Prevention Assembly Test and Maintenance Report (T&M Form) is to document the results of testing a backflow prevention assembly.

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