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ANYTOWN USA

Cross-Connection Control Program

Protecting Your Drinking Water

Safe water starts at home. That’s why Anytown is conducting a cross-connection control program to protect the community’s drinking water from potential contamination. Cross-connection control programs, mandated by the state, include two key activities: on-site inspections and testing of backflow preventers.

Your utility’s cross-connection control program seeks to identify and eliminate cross-connections to:

  • Protect your health and the safety of our shared water supply
  • Ensure compliance with state and local safety regulations
  • Prevent costly issues related to backflow incidents
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FAQ

A Community-Wide Project for Safety & Compliance

The State Regulatory Body requires public water systems to implement a cross-connection control program addressing both commercial and residential service connections.

This page serves to assist Anytown water customers with their participation in this important program. HydroCorp, a nationally trusted water safety and compliance expert, has been contracted to perform these inspections on behalf of your utility.

Step 1

Recieve Postal
Notice

Step 3

On-Site Survey
Conducted

Step 5

Compliance Follow-up
Inspection

(if needed)

Step 2

Schedule
Survey

Step 4

1

Notification of Any
Required Corrective Actions

Step 1

Recieve Postal Notice

Step 2

Schedule Survey

Step 3

On-site Survey Conducted

Step 4

1

Notification of Any Required Corrective Actions

Step 5

Compliance Follow-up Inspection

(if needed)

Need to Schedule the Appointment for Your On-Site Survey?

Schedule Interior Survey

NOTE: Only interior surveys require an appointment; confirm your property’s requirements in the notice you received in the mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Refer to your postal notice to confirm what type of inspection is required.

Residential Inspection

Commercial Inspection

Residential Inspections: FAQ

HydroCorp has been contracted by your public water utility to assist with its cross-connection control program. This includes inspecting both interior and exterior plumbing systems at residential properties.

The purpose of the interior inspection is to identify potential cross-connections – points where non-potable (potentially contaminated) water could enter your home’s clean drinking water supply. These hazards may exist in:

  • Utility sinks and laundry tubs
  • Boilers and water heaters
  • Water softeners and filtration systems
  • Hose bibbs inside garages or basements
  • Hot tubs or pool with permanent fill lines
  • Unprotected faucets in basements or utility room.

These inspections help ensure the right backflow prevention devices are in place, which is crucial for protecting public health.

No. The inspection itself is provided at no cost to you as part of your water utility’s compliance program. However, any repairs, replacements, or new device installations required under state regulations or local ordinance are the homeowner’s responsibility.  

Many water utilities expand their cross-connection control programs to include residential properties in alignment with state regulatory requirements and public health guidelines. While specific requirements vary by state and municipality, these inspections are a proactive step to ensure your home’s plumbing is not creating a risk to the public water system.

Even if your plumbing hasn’t changed, evolving safety standards and increased attention to community water protection make these inspections a valuable and necessary part of keeping everyone’s drinking water safe.

All customers connected to the public water supply will be inspected for cross-connections, but not all inspections can be conducted in a single year. Most programs strive to ensure all customers receive an initial inspection over the first several years of program implementation.

An average inspection normally takes from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of your home or property.

The HydroCorp inspector will:

  • Review the layout of your plumbing system
  • Check for potential backflow hazards at indoor fixtures
  • Identify whether existing backflow prevention devices are present and compliant
  • Document findings and provide a summary if corrective actions are needed.

Typically, the inspector will need access to your water meter and utility room, often located in the basement of your home, as well as exterior water uses on your property. Depending on state regulations, the inspector may need to conduct a whole-home survey.

Yes. Because HydroCorp inspectors will be entering your home, a property owner or adult 18 years or older must be present for the duration of the visit. Appointments are scheduled in time blocks. The homeowner representative will need to be available throughout the designated time slot. If no one is available during your scheduled time, you’ll need to reschedule by calling 844-493-7641 or contacting us. Missed appointments may result in a rescheduling fee.

Yes. Schedule your inspection online using the link below or call 844-493-7641.

Schedule My Interior Inspection

In advance of your inspection,

  • Make sure areas around sinks, water heaters, softeners, and utility tubs are easily accessible.
  • Keep pets contained during the inspections.
  • Be ready to point out plumbing fixtures or equipment that may not be immediately visible (e.g., water softeners in crawlspaces).

If the inspector identifies any issues, such as a missing or non-compliant backflow preventer, you will receive a notice with instructions. You are responsible for all corrective measures; a licensed plumber can assist with correcting the issue and apply for any permits if required. Your water utility and HydroCorp can help explain what is needed and provide resources. Any costs associated with the replacement, modification, installation, or testing of backflow preventers are the responsibility of the homeowner. Renters may have to refer to their lease agreements to determine whether they are responsible for repairs.

Yes. All HydroCorp inspectors wear clothing with the HydroCorp logo and carry photo ID badges during inspections; they are always prepared to provide appropriate documentation verifying their identities.

Yes. These inspections are conducted to ensure compliance with state regulations and local ordinances, and to maintain the safety of your drinking water.

Penalties for refusing to cooperate with inspections or refusing to make needed repairs are determined by your local water utility. These typically include termination of water service, a fine, or both as outlined in your local ordinance.

There are two separate but essential components of a cross-connection control program: Testing of backflow prevention assemblies and on-site inspections. Testing checks the functionality of existing backflow prevention devices. Inspections confirm that proper protection exists in all the right places and that nothing new has been installed without safeguards. Even if your backflow preventer passed testing, the inspection may uncover other unprotected risks that need attention.

It is the responsibility of the homeowner to have backflow prevention assemblies tested periodically by a certified tester. Your water utility is responsible for the inspection portion of the program.

Residential Backflow Preventer Testing: FAQ

A cross-connection is any actual or potential link between your clean drinking water and a source of contamination like a garden hose sitting in a bucket, a lawn irrigation system, or a boiler room. A backflow prevention assembly is a mechanical device that stops water from flowing backward into your drinking water supply. It protects your home and the entire public water system from contamination.

Just like any other mechanical device, backflow prevention assemblies are prone to wear and tear, and can break down or fail over time. Just like a furnace or water heater, they require regular maintenance. Testing ensures the assembly is in proper working order.

Testing frequency varies by system and local ordinance:

  • Most lawn irrigation assemblies must be tested every 5 years.
  • If you are injecting chemicals (e.g., fertilizers into your irrigation system), annual testing is required in most states.
  • Some commercial systems may require annual testing regardless of chemical use.

Always refer to your testing notice or call HydroCorp at 844-493-7641 for specific requirements.

A lawn irrigation system and other auxiliary water uses are considered optional conveniences rather than required plumbing systems. Homeowners who choose to install these systems are responsible for confirming the proper backflow preventer is installed, tested, and maintained in accordance with state laws and regulations.

There are two separate but essential aspects of a cross-connection control program: on-site surveys and regular testing of backflow preventers. Inspections are visual surveys to identify whether backflow preventers are present and installed correctly. Testing is performed by a certified tester to verify mechanical performance of backflow prevention assemblies. An inspection ensures the device exists. A test ensures it works.

No. “Grandfathering” is not permitted due to the high importance of maintaining drinking water safety. No exemptions are allowed based on the age or installation date of your backflow preventer. Just like any other mechanical device, backflow prevention assemblies are prone to wear and tear, and can break down. Regular testing is required to ensure your device remains in proper working order and meets current code requirements.

Commercial Inspections: FAQ

HydroCorp has been contracted by your public water utility to carry out inspections of the water uses outside of your facility as part of its cross-connection control program. The goal is to identify any potential cross-connections or points where contaminants could enter the drinking water system and ensure that proper protection is installed. This helps protect your facility, your employees, and the broader community from waterborne hazards.

If your water utility requires an inspector to enter your facility to evaluate other cross-connection and plumbing hazards inside your property, your notice will provide instructions to schedule an appointment for your inspection.

No. The inspection itself is provided at no cost to you as part of your water utility’s compliance program. However, any repairs, replacements, or new device installations required under state regulations or local ordinance are the property owner’s responsibility.  

Your water utility is taking steps to ensure full compliance with state regulatory requirements, which are being enforced more consistently across municipalities. Even if your business hasn’t been inspected previously, your facility is still subject to these safety standards. The inspection is part of a long-term compliance plan that may be new to your area but is based on established public health protection practices.

All customers connected to the public water supply are included in the program. However, inspections are often phased over multiple years depending on utility resources. Your facility is scheduled as part of this planned rollout.

Yes. A facility representative who can provide access must be available. The inspector will need to review all exposed potable water plumbing connections outside the building.

In preparation,

  • Make sure all plumbing areas are accessible and unrestricted
  • Alert relevant staff that an inspection is scheduled
  • Restrict access to sensitive areas if applicable
  • Prepare to identify water-related equipment such as chemical feed lines, boilers, or hose stations

Yes. Call 844-493-7641 and provide your name and number so the inspector can contact you to set up a time that is convenient for you.

Any costs associated with the replacement, modification, installation, and/or testing of backflow preventers are the responsibility of the building owner. If your business rents or leases the facility, refer to your lease agreement to determine whether this responsibility falls on the tenant or landlord. If repairs are required, HydroCorp and your utility will provide guidance to help you resolve the issue.

If the inspector finds any non-compliant conditions or hazards, you’ll receive a formal notice outlining what was found, what corrective action is required, and the timeline for compliance. HydroCorp and your water utility will also be available to answer questions and provide guidance.

Yes. All HydroCorp inspectors wear clothing with the HydroCorp logo and carry photo ID badges during inspections; they are always prepared to provide appropriate documentation verifying their identities.

Yes. These inspections are conducted to ensure compliance with state regulations and local ordinances. They ensure that your plumbing system doesn’t pose a risk to the public water supply.

Penalties for refusing to cooperate with inspections or refusing to make needed repairs are determined by your local water utility. These typically include termination of water service, a fine, or both as outlined in your local ordinance.

The testing of backflow assemblies and on-site cross-connection inspections are two separate but equally important parts of the program. Testing ensures existing backflow preventers are working properly. Inspections check whether backflow prevention is present where needed and identify any new risks. Even if your backflow preventer(s) passed testing, the inspection might identify other cross-connection hazards that also require attention.

Commercial Backflow Preventer Testing: FAQ

A cross-connection is any actual or potential link between your clean drinking water and a source of contamination like a garden hose sitting in a bucket, a lawn irrigation system, or a boiler room. A backflow prevention assembly is a mechanical device that stops water from flowing backward into your drinking water supply. It protects your home and the entire public water system from contamination.

Just like any other mechanical device, backflow prevention assemblies are prone to wear and tear, and can break down or fail over time. Just like a furnace or water heater, they require regular maintenance. Testing ensures the assembly is in proper working order.

Testing frequency varies by system and local ordinance:

  • Most lawn irrigation assemblies must be tested every 5 years.
  • If you are injecting chemicals (e.g., fertilizers into your irrigation system), annual testing is required in most states.
  • Some commercial systems may require annual testing regardless of chemical use.

Always refer to your testing notice or call HydroCorp at 844-493-7641 for specific requirements.

A lawn irrigation system and other auxiliary water uses are considered optional conveniences rather than required plumbing systems. Homeowners who choose to install these systems are responsible for confirming the proper backflow preventer is installed, tested, and maintained in accordance with state laws and regulations.

There are two separate but essential aspects of a cross-connection control program: on-site surveys and regular testing of backflow preventers. Inspections are visual surveys to identify whether backflow preventers are present and installed correctly. Testing is performed by a certified tester to verify mechanical performance of backflow prevention assemblies. An inspection ensures the device exists. A test ensures it works.

No. “Grandfathering” is not permitted due to the high importance of maintaining drinking water safety. No exemptions are allowed based on the age or installation date of your backflow preventer. Just like any other mechanical device, backflow prevention assemblies are prone to wear and tear, and can break down. Regular testing is required to ensure your device remains in proper working order and meets current code requirements.

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[email protected] 844-493-7641

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