BackFlow Contamination

Pursuant to OAR 333-061-0070 Cross Connection Control Requirements (1) Water suppliers shall undertake cross connection control programs to protect the public water systems from pollution and contamination.requires that there is a backflow prevention assembly (BPA) installed at the meter at your service address. This device prevents water from backflowing from your house back to the water supply, greatly decreasing the possibility of contamination of the public water supply.  

It is a requirement of Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR 333-061-0072) that customers are responsible for the purchase, installation, inspection, annual testing, maintenance, repair and/or replacement of their BPA.  The State of Oregon requires all water utilities to implement this rule and insure compliance.

At Long Butte Water System, we are concerned with the annual testing of only the device installed at the meter. However, for your safety, we encourage you to explore the possible need for other devices, i.e. sprinkler systems. To make it convenient for our customers to comply with BPA testing requirements, Long Butte Water System in cooperation with the Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Services has developed a Safe Drinking Water Program (see left sidebar). The effective date of this program was June 1, 1999.

Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention Control Program

The Cross-Connection Program assists water suppliers and water users and certifies individuals that protect public water supplies from backflow hazards. The program focuses resources on the areas of highest public health benefit and promotes voluntary compliance with drinking water standards. It emphasizes prevention of contamination through source protection, technical assistance to water systems, and training of water testers and specialists. The Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 333-61-070 regulates that a water purveyor shall carry out a cross connection control inspection program, discontinuing water service to premises which fail to install an approved backflow assembly where a cross connection or potential cross connection may exist, and ensure the required backflow assembly is tested on an annual basis.

NOTE:  If you are unsure of your backflow prevention assembly installation or testing requirements, please contact our office to schedule a free appointment with our Cross-Connection Control Specialist, 541-383-2863.

Additional Information:  https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYENVIRONMENTS/DRINKINGWATER/CROSSCONNECTION/Pages/index.aspx  American Backflow Prevention Association: http://abpa.org/

All customers who have a BPA on the water service line to your home or place of business need to be aware of thermal expansion.

Water heaters are installed with a temperature and pressure valve (T&P) which is designed to relieve excessive water temperature or pressure. Also aiding in the control of excessive heat & pressure is a condition known as thermal expansion which allows extremely hot water to backflow through the water meter into the water main line, mixing with the cold water and dissipating the heat.

However, when a BPA is installed on a water service line the water cannot go back out into the water system. This leaves the T&P valve as the only release route for the overheated water. If the water heater thermostat becomes defective allowing the water temperature to increase to more than 212 degrees and the T&P valve fails, the water can become “superheated”. Superheated water can cause water heaters to explode or can allow scalding steam to be released from the faucets upon personal use.

This condition is rare, because the water heater thermostat and the T&P valve must both malfunction simultaneously. However, with the BPA in place, the potential hazard exists.

Long Butte Water System  recommends that the T&P valve be inspected periodically. A licensed plumber can inspect, repair or replace the T &P valve and assist you with other methods of protection such as installing a thermal expansion tank for added protection.

References: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/DrinkingWater/Rules/Documents/61-0070.pdf

OAR CHAPTER 333
Division 061
Effective 2-1-06
333-061-0070 Cross Connection Control Requirements

(8) Premise isolation requirements: (A) The water supplier shall (iii) Notify the premise owner and water user, in writing, of thermal expansion concerns.