for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The SCHDs approval is
for backflow assemblies and the Cross-Connection Control Program for the potable water supply system. The reclaimed water
portion of this document is not under the jurisdiction of the SCHD.




















































Cross-Connection Control Manual
Page i

PROGRAM SUMMARY

The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, requires the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
to adopt such rules as are necessary to carry out its functions under the act, such as to protect public health by
regulating the nations public drinking water supply.

These rules, as stated in the Florida Administration Code 62.555.360, as amended, require that all community
water systems establish a written cross-connection control program to detect and prevent cross-connections that
may create an imminent and substantial danger to the public health and that such programs be developed using
accepted practices of the American Water Works Association Manual 14 (Recommended Practice for Backflow
Prevention and Cross-Connection Control), as amended.

The Citys initial Cross-Connection Manual was approved by the SCHD and was adopted by City Council as
Ordinance 92-32 in November of 1992. This manual was updated, approved by SCHD, and adopted by City
Council as Ordinance 2003-19 in August 2003. Updates to the manual are required when regulations are
amended or technology improved.

This recently revised manual will show each property owner his or her requirements to protect the potable water
system. It will list the responsibilities of each property owner and those of the water purveyor (City Manager),
or City of Venice, the type of backflow assembly required, how the assembly is to be installed, and the forms
necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the property owner.

The chart on the next page determines which kind of backflow assembly is appropriate for each location. Once
the correct assembly has been identified, it may be cost effective to contact several licensed plumbers to obtain
competitive bids prior to installation.

The City of Venice is required to meet state and federal requirements to protect the drinking water. Along with
the cooperation of our citizens, we can eliminate potential backflow problems. We understand the citizens may
have some concerns. The City of Venice Utilities Department will work with each property owner to discuss
any concerns they may have. We are expected to meet these requirements, however, we want to do this in the
most cost effective and amenable fashion possible.

A cross -connection is any temporary or permanent connection between a public water system or consumers
potable (i.e., drinking) water system and any source or system containing non- potable water or other substances.
Backflow is the undesirable reversal of flow of non-potable water or other substances through a cross-
connection and into piping of a public water system or consumers potable water system. Backpressure
backflow is backflow caused by a downstream pressure that is greater than the upstream or supply pressure in a
public water system or consumers potable water system. Backsiphonage is backflow caused by a negative
pressure (i.e., a vacuum or partial vacuum) in a public water system or consumers potable water system. A
backflow preventer is a means or mechanism to prevent backflow. A reduced pressure principle assembly
(RPBA) is a mechanical backflow preventer that consists of two independently acting, spring-loaded check
valves with a hydraulic operating, mechanically independent, spring-loaded pressure differential relief valve
between the check valves and flow the first check valve. This assembly shall be used to isolate health or non-
health hazards. A double check valve assembly (DCVA) is a mechanical backflow preventer consisting of two
independently acting, spring-loaded check valves. This assembly shall be used to isolate only non-health
hazards. A residential dual check valve assembly (DCA) is a mechanical backflow preventer consisting of two
independently acting, spring-loaded check valves. However, it usually does not included shutoff valves, or may
not be equipped with test cock ports. This assembly shall used to isolate only non-health hazards and is intended
for use only in water service connections to single-family homes.

Only licensed plumbers can install the backflow assembly. Prior to any work commencing, a plumbing permit Cross-Connection Control Manual
Page ii
must be obtained through the City of Venice Building Department. Typically, this is included in the plumbers
quote.

It is required to have your backflow assembly tested/certified on an annual basis by a certified backflow
technician or a licensed plumber. A partial list of these testers is available from the City of Venice Utilities
Department.

The backflow preventer is required to be installed as close to the water meter as possible. This prevents any
connections between the backflow and meter to be made. However, in certain situations a relocation waiver may
be requested by the property owner to have the backflow preventer installed further away from the meter. This
waiver can be found in this manual or obtained from the City of Venice Utilities Department.

Some may feel the backflow preventer is unsightly. There are some things you can do. You can disguise the
assembly with landscaping around it or purchase imitation fiberglass rocks to cover it. In either case, the
backflow preventer shall be accessible for maintenance and/or change-out.

For more information, contact the City of Venice Utilities Department at (941) 480-3333.

FDEP Required Backflow Protection
For Single Family Residential ONLY
IRRIGATION SOURCE
Reclaimed
Water
Service
Well
City Potable
Water
Lake
Minimum FDEP
Requirement at
Service
Connection
City of Venice
Standard Protection
at Service
Connection
Yes Yes Yes Yes RPBA
RPBA
Yes Yes Yes No
RPBA
/
DCVA
2
RPBA
Yes Yes No Yes RPBA
RPBA
Yes
Yes
No
No
RPBA / DCVA
2
RPBA
Yes No Yes Yes RPBA
RPBA
Yes No No Yes RPBA
RPBA
Yes No Yes No RPBA
RPBA
Yes No No No Dual
Check
1
Dual
Check
1

No Yes Yes Yes RPBA
RPBA
No
Yes
Yes
No
RPBA / DCVA
2
RPBA
No Yes No Yes RPBA
RPBA
No
Yes
No
No
RPBA / DCVA
2
RPBA
No No Yes Yes RPBA RPBA
No No Yes No RPBA RPBA
No No No Yes RPBA RPBA
No No No No
Dual
Check
1
Dual
Check
1

1
plus enhanced education and enhanced inspections

2
depending on the degree of hazard presented by well water; RPBA if degree of hazard is unknown
Cross-Connection Control Manual
Page iii


City of Venice Cross-Connection Control Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS



Program Summary .....................................................................................................................i
FDEP Requirement Backflow Protection (residential only)..................................................ii
Introduction................................................................................................................................1
Purpose and Objective...............................................................................................................1
Containment vs. Isolation..........................................................................................................1
Definitions
Cross-connection..............................................................................................................2
Backflow ..........................................................................................................................2
Backsiphonage .................................................................................................................2
Back
pressure ...................................................................................................................3
Responsibilities
Water
Purveyor ................................................................................................................4
Consumer .........................................................................................................................4
Degrees of Hazard......................................................................................................................5
FDEP Requirement Backflow Protection (residential only)..................................................6
Cross-Connection Control Inspections ....................................................................................6
Backflow Preventers
Air
Gap.............................................................................................................................7

Residential Dual Check Assembly ..................................................................................7

Double Check Valve Assembly .......................................................................................7

Reduced Pressure Principle Assembly.............................................................................7

Double Detector Check Assembly...................................................................................7

Reduced Pressure