This is a combined cooperative effort between plumbing and health officials, municipalities, and property owners to establish and administer guidelines for controlling cross connections and ensure their enforcement so that the public drinking water supply is protected both in the city water distribution system and within buildings to the point of use.

Our program consists of the following components:

• Public Education Program—We will inform our water customers with newsletters and brochures and access to informational videos. 
• Cross Connection Survey—All industrial, commercial, residential plumbing systems will be inspected to determine if cross connections exist.
• Installation of Protective Devices—Backflow prevention devices or assemblies will need to be installed by the customer where known unprotected cross connections exist.
• Testable Backflow Device Annual testing—Customers must have all testable backflow prevention assemblies connected in their buildings tested once a year by certified testers.

A cross connection is a direct or potential connection between any part of the public water supply system and a source of contamination or pollution. The most common form of cross connection is a garden hose, which is easily connected to the public water supply system and can be used to apply a variety of potentially dangerous substances, including chemicals and fertilizer. Other common cross connections include dishwashers, toilets, pressure washers, boilers, pools, and lawn sprinkler systems.

Water normally flows in one direction, from the public water system through the customer’s cold or hot water plumbing system to a faucet or other plumbing fixture. Under certain conditions, water can flow in the reverse direction. This is known as backflow, and it occurs when backsiphonage or backpressure is created in a water line.

Backsiphonage may occur when there is a drop in the supply pressure of the water distribution system. This can be caused by a water line break, water main repair, or during a rapid withdrawal of water from a fire hydrant. This creates a vacuum, which may pull or siphon contaminants or pollutants into the drinking water supply.

Backpressure may be created when a source of pressure, such as a pump, boiler, or other building creates a pressure greater than that supplied from the water distribution system; this may force water to reverse direction.

The cross connection survey is the first step in our program. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Regulations (NR 810.15) recommends that all industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities be surveyed for cross connections regularly (every two to six years depending on the degree of hazard within the facility).

 

For all commercial and industrial facilities, a survey is a walk-through of the water-system piping in a building or property, starting at the water meter and ending at the last free-flowing tap. Survey time varies depending upon the facility being surveyed. Large, complex facilities will be required to prove that they have an internal program to protect the potable water system at the facilities or businesses expense. At the end of the survey Midwest Contract Operations will produce a report describing any violations or discrepancies found, as well as a time frame for compliance.

In 2010, the DNR amended the mandated Cross-Connection Control program requirements for residential facilities, limiting the inspection to around the area near the water meter, which is typically in the basement. Since the utility is no longer required to inspect the entire property to the last free-flowing tap, the inspection is less intrusive on the homeowner and most appointments take approximately 15 minutes.  In lieu of a more thorough inspection, the utility will must provide educational materials to property owners a minimum of every three years regarding safeguarding their homes from cross-connections.

When a property is due for an inspection, an initial Inspection notice will be mailed to water customers approximately two weeks before the scheduled inspection date. A building representative should be available during the inspection to answer questions and provide access to areas within the facility. All Residential inspections must be scheduled by calling the phone numbers provided. All commercial and industrial facilities are scheduled for specific dates with only the notice that a Midwest Contract Operations representative will arrive during normal business hours. It is the responsibility of the property owner, or their representative, to contact the phone number provided if a specific date and/or time is needed.

If the property is found to be compliant by a Midwest Contract Operations representative. Compliance Report will be given to the property owner. If violations were found and the property is non-compliant, the property owner, or their representative, will be provided a report indicating what steps need to be taken to bring the property into compliance. This may include the need for a property owner to purchase, install or test backflow prevention devices.

The customer will be notified when non-compliant that they must call the Village of Winneconne Utilities Office to schedule a re-inspection once the property is brought to compliance. This must be done within five months of the initial inspection. The follow-up appointment is to ensure all required backflow prevention devices are installed correctly. The majority of re-inspections are completed by Water Utility personnel, and when approved a report will be provided by Midwest Contract Operations

To confirm the status of your property or to ask questions about the program, contact the Village of Winneconne Water Utility at (920) 582-4381.

• SPS 382.41 - Cross Connection Control
• SPS 384.11 - Approved Devices
• SPS 382.22 - Device Testing Requirements
• SPS 382.20(13) - Device Registration Requirements
• SPS 382.20(13)e - Device Removal Requirements

• 2013 Cross Connection Report
• 2014 Cross Connection Report
• 2015 Cross Connection Report
• 2017 Cross Connection Report