Contamination can also
occur when the pressure in the drinking water line drops due to fairly
routine occurrences (main breaks, heavy water demand) causing
contaminants to be sucked out from the equipment and into the drinking
water line (backsiphonage).
Outside water taps and garden hoses seem to be the most common sources
of cross-connection contamination at home. The garden hose creates a
hazard when submerged in a swimming pool or attached to a chemical
sprayer for weed killing. Fertilizers, cesspools, or garden chemicals
may contaminate garden hoses that are left lying on the ground.
Improperly installed valves in your toilet may also be a source of
cross-connection contamination.
Community water supplies
are continually jeopardized by cross-connections unless appropriate
valves, known as backflow prevention devices, are installed and
maintained. We are surveying all industrial, commercial, and
institutional facilities in the area to make sure that all potential
cross-connections are identified and eliminated or protected by a
backflow preventer.
For more information,
visit the Web Site for the American Backflow Prevention Association
www.abpa.org for a discussion of
current issues.
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