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Cross Connection Control & Backflow Prevention Program

Backflow Information for Residents:

Park City Public Utilities works hard to ensure the safety of your drinking water. Our Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program plays a vital role in preventing contamination of drinking water caused by backflow through a metered connection.

Water distribution systems are designed so that water flows in one direction, from the treatment plant or pumping facility to the customer. Backflow is an undesirable flow reversal of water and other substances into Park City's distribution system. Even though the water that reaches your home or business is safe, it can be contaminated by a backflow incident within your own piping that could also contaminate or otherwise degrade water quality in the water distribution system.

Federal and state laws require public water systems to protect their systems from cross connections and backflow. Park City Public Utilities takes every precaution to prevent cross connections by working closely with consumers, contractors, engineers, and regulators to ensure that all those who are required to comply with cross-connection control and backflow prevention meet the requirements.

For residential locations a backflow assembly is required on the Fire Suppression System as well as the Irrigation System. For commercial or multifamily locations several other backflow assemblies might be required.

Annual testing of backflow assemblies is required to be submitted to the City in SwiftComply.

Park City requires all backflow tests to be submitted online, through the SwiftComply website. The following testers are registered with Park City’s SwiftComply system and registered with the State of Utah as of the time of publishing this page.

TESTERS CURRENTLY REGISTERED WITH SWIFTCOMPLY

If you are a tester in the area, you can create an account by reaching out to backflow@parkcity.org with the information listed at: Backflow Tester Registration.

You may choose to have any State certified backflow tester complete your annual test. We recommend that you confirm that the tester you select is willing to submit your test results through SwiftComply. If you proceed with a certified tester and that tester does not submit your results through SwiftComply, you will have to have your assembly retested at your expense by a company willing to submit this information. The State certified list is available here.

Park City does not endorse any specific individual or company. It is recommended that you contact and receive quotes from several testers to ensure a fair price for the testing and any additional work to be done.

Please reach out to backflow@parkcity.org for more information.

Backflow Tester Information:

Park City Public Utilities requires the submission of backflow test reports online. All testers are required to enter their certified test results here.

We will no longer accept paper copies of the test results. Our goals with implementing this software include improved compliance, an increase in on-time backflow tests, and reduced administrative burden. There is no charge for this program.

If you are a tester in the area, you can create an account by reaching out to backflow@parkcity.org with the information listed at: Backflow Tester Registration.

Testers, please make sure the location you are submitting a test report for is in Park City's service area before submitting to SwiftComply using our Service Area Map.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Backflow Protection:

What is potable water?

Potable water is water which is safe for human consumption, free from harmful microbiological or chemical substances as described by federal and State drinking water regulations.

What is backflow?

Backflow is an undesirable reversal of flow of non-potable water or other substances through a cross connection and in the piping of a public water system or consumer's potable water system.

There are two types of backflow - back pressure and backsiphonage.

What is a cross connection?

A cross connection is any physical of potential connection between a potable water supply and any potential hazardous material. This connection can be created when plumbing is incorrectly installed or even by simply attaching a hose to a faucet.

Cross connections are not easy to discover, but can pose a serious threat to water quality. Federal and State regulations provide that no such connection is permissible without the installation of an approved backflow prevention assembly in accordance to the degree of hazard of the substance involved.

Why do water suppliers need to control cross connection and protect their public water systems against backflow?

Backflow into a public water system can pollute or contaminate the potable water in that system making it unusable or unsafe to drink. Each water supplier has a responsibility to provide water that is usable and safe to drink and take reasonable precautions to protect its system against backflow.

How can back flow be prevented?

The best method of preventing backflow is an air gap which either eliminates a cross connection or provides a barrier to backflow. If an air gap is not practical, a mechanical backflow preventer, which provides a physical barrier to backflow, is the next best approved method.

What should I do to protect myself?

All homes have the potential to contain cross connections. Be aware of situations where your home water supply does or could contact non-potable liquids. If the cross connection cannot be avoided, be sure to use the proper plumbing device to prevent any liquid from backflowing into the potable water system.

For example, a hose bibb (outside faucet) vacuum breaker is a simple, inexpensive plumbing device you can attach to the faucet before attaching the hose. These devices can be purchased at most home improvement stores. Other situations require a special backflow prevention device that will isolate potable water from potential contamination.

To protect the quality of tap water in your home follow these guidelines:

Never allow hoses to be submerged in sinks, pools, animal feeders, chemical mixing tanks, etc.
Be sure your toilet flush valves have an anti-siphonage device.
Make sure any plumbing work done in your home is by a licensed plumber certified in cross connection control.

What areas of my home need protection from backflow?

Fire suppression systems
Lawn irrigation systems
Garden hoses - A garden hose with all the uses and attachments that you can connect to makes it a number one source for cross connection to your potable water supply.
Any home that has retained a private well but has also been connected to the municipal system, with only a valve separating the two water sources.

Does my fire suppression system need a backflow preventer?

Fire sprinkler systems require backflow prevention. Fire sprinkler systems can change the pressure in pipes which could result in reversal of flow and a backflow incident. This could lead to antifreeze or non-potable water from entering the drinking water at the property. All fire sprinkler systems require a compliant backflow assembly, even dry systems.

Why do backflow preventers need to be tested at least once annually?

Mechanical backflow preventers have internal seals and moving parts that are subject to fouling, wear, or fatigue. Also, mechanical backflow preventers and air gaps can be bypassed. Therefore, all backflow preventers have to be tested periodically to ensure they are functioning properly.

A visual check of air gaps is sufficient, but mechanical backflow preventers need to be tested by a State certified backflow specialist, with properly calibrated gauge equipment.

To obtain a list of State certified testers click on the link in the resources section of this page.

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