Safe water starts at home. That’s why Geneva 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:
The Ohio EPA requires public water systems to implement a cross-connection control program addressing both commercial and residential service connections.
This page serves to assist Geneva 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.
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,
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.
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:
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.