T AThe AWWARFResearch Project

I n s i d e C r o s s T a l kUpdated Training Tools • Laboratory News

AWWARF Projectl • Training/Event Calendar

Direct vs. IndirectCross-Connection

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he Ninth Edition of theManual of Cross-Connection Controldefines a cross-connection as follows:

The term “cross-connection” shallmean any unprotected actual orpotential connection or structuralarrangement between a public or aconsumer’s potable water system andany other source or system throughwhich it is possible to introduce intoany part of the potable system andany used water, industrial fluid, gas,or substance other than the intendedpotable water with which the system issupplied. Bypass arrangements,jumper connections, removablesections, swivel or change over devicesand other temporary or permanentdevices through which or because ofwhich backflow can occur are consid-ered to be cross connections.

a. The term “direct cross-connec-tion” shall mean a cross-connection which is subjectto both backsiphonage andbackpressure

b. The term “indirect cross-connec-tion” shall mean a cross-connec-tion which is subject to backsipho-nage only

Many people confuse the meaningof direct and indirect cross-connec-tions with other aspects of plumbing.A common assumption is that adirect cross-connection is a connec-tion that is permanently plumbed,whereas an indirect connection is a“removable” connection, such as a

s part of the American WaterWorks Association ResearchFoundation’s project NationalAssessment of the Impact of Cross-Connections in North American WaterSupplies, the Foundation Staff sentout over 4000 Surveys to waterutilities across North America.Although some of the surveys arestill trickling in, over 700 have beenreturned so far. The preliminaryresults have been tabulated at timeof press. A summary of the findingsto date (which included only about170 of the surveys) was presentedat the first workshop of the project,which took place on April 7th. Thedata presented was not conclusivedue to the fact that only a smallnumber of the surveys had beenanalyzed at that point in time. Thedata did, however, provide enoughinformation to help guide theFoundation in a follow-up survey.

The workshop provided an avenuefor many utilities to express whatinformation they would like to seedeveloped from the analysis of thissurvey and the future follow-upsurvey. The follow-up survey wasprepared with the informationobtained from the Workshop andthe suggestions of the ProjectAdvisory Committee of thisAWWARF project. The follow-upsurvey has already been sent outand many of them have beencompleted and returned to theFoundation. It is expected toclarify some of the questions fromthe first survey and seek additional

TAccurate Backflow Testing & Repair inc.ACWA/Joint Powers Insurance Auth.Advanced PlumbingAlvin MoritaAvra Water Co-OpB & B PlumbingBackflow Assembly Testing & SupplyBackflow Express Cert Test & ServBackflow Prevention Systems, Inc.Barstow Unfied School DistrictBrent EarleyBrownsville, City ofBrunswick & Topsham Water DistrictCalifornia City, City ofCalifornia State University - ChicoChelan County PUD Water DepartmentClaremont CollegesClassic Backflow ProtectionColumbia Falls, City ofCommercial Fire ProtectionConcho Rural Water Corp.Coors Brewing CompanyCorsicana, City ofCrucible Specialty MetalsDames & MooreDavid HerrmannDepartment of Water SupplyDiv. Of Capitol FacilitiesEarth TechEnvironmental CareGlenwood Landscapes & DesignGolden Environmental Management, Inc.Greg House Backflow ServiceHamilton Western Utilities, Inc.Hugh M. Cunningham, Inc.In Depth MarketingIntegrity Backflow CompanyIowa Rural Water AssociationIsland Utility ServicesJ.A. Wax Co.J.O. Mory, Inc.Jamie SpicerJATC - Plumbers & Pipefitters, NMJohnson ControlsJoint Appren. & Training TrustK.B. Backflow Inc.Ken Russell Sprinkler SystemsKimley-Horn and Assoc., Inc.Law EngineeringLivermore, City of

he Foundation’s Membership Program continues to add new Members, we’dlike to welcome the Members listed below.

Cross Talk is published by the Foundation for Cross-Connection Controland Hydraulic Research at the University of Southern California for Foun-dation Members. Limited additional copies are available to Membersupon request. (213) 740-2032 2000 © University of Southern California.All rights reserved.Tw

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Foundation Membership

Maverick PlumbingMcKinney, City ofMcKinstry CompanyMcNeil Consumer Products Co. PRMississippi Potash Inc.Morrison Supply CompanyNational Technology TransferNaval Facilities Eng. Comm., VANavy Public Works Ctr. MiramarNew Mexico State UniversityNickels PlumbingOkeechobee Utility AuthorityOzarks Technical Comm. CollegeP & B, Ltd.P & N EnterprisesPalm Ranch Irrigation DistrictPennsylvania Rural Water Assoc.Peoria, City ofPfeiffer WaterPrestige Plumbing ServicePullman, City ofQuality PlumbingQuartzsite, Town ofR. Lee Lawrence Backflow testingR. Tsukushi Backflow TesterR4 Enterprises, Inc.RC SalesRidgeland, City ofRiver Palms Resort and CasinoRyan Fire Protection, Inc.Sandusky, City ofSanta Ana, City ofSouth Dakota Assoc. of Rural WaterSystemsSouthaven, City ofSPB Utility Services, Inc.SprintTahoe City Public Utility DistrictTopsfield Water Dept.Tukwila, City ofU.S. Coast Guard - San DiegoU.S. NavyVacaville, City ofWaverly, City ofWeldin ConstructionWichita PHCCWickenburg, Town ofWilling’s Repair ServiceYarnell Water Improvement Assoc.

hose. If however, we go by thedefinitions above, this is clearly notthe case. A hose connection, forexample, could be plumbed di-rectly from a hose bib to a hoseconnection used as a make up lineon a boiler. If the pressure in theboiler is higher than the pressure inthe supply the water could bebackpressured through the hose.Because the connection is sub-jected to backpressure, it is consid-ered a direct connection and there-fore must be protected with theappropriate backflow preventer.

If, however, there is a permanentlyplumbed water line that drops intoan open mixing tank, it would not

be a direct cross-connection. Thiswould be perma-nently plumbed,yet it would notbe a direct cross-connectionbecause itwould not besubject tobackpressure.

Another commonassumption is that an actual cross-connection is a direct cross-connection and a potentialcross-connection is an indirect cross-connection. This isnot true as shown with the example with the hose. Twohose bib connections may be near one another, with oneconnected to the potable water and one connected to apressurized tank. Even though there may be no connec-tion at the time the hose bibs are observed. However,once the hose connection is made between the two hosebibs, the cross-connection is subject to backpressure.And checking again with the definition of a cross-connec-tion, a cross-connection is, by definition, either an actual orpotential cross-connection. So, in this case, this hose bibwould be considered a direct cross-connection since itmay be subject to backpressure. From the other point ofview, one may come across a fill like to an openmixing tank. This fill like could befixed piping weldedto the tank.Although this isfirmly plumbedas a submergedinlet, this wouldstill be an indirectcross-connection.No matter whatoccurs, the supplyline would only besubject to backsi-phonage, notbackpressure.

It may simply be semantics, but it is important that all ofthose involved in cross-connection control understandone another as we work on the various aspects of ourprograms.

Direct vs. Indirect Cross-Connectioncontinued from page one

Direct Cross-Connection

Contacting theFoundation

Mailing Address:Foundation for Cross-Connection Control andHydraulic ResearchUniversity ofSouthern CaliforniaKaprielian Hall 200Los Angeles, CA 90089-2531

Phone:213 740 2032

FAX:213 740 8399

e-mail:fccchr@usc.edu

Web Site:www.usc.edu/fccchr

The Foundation acceptsPurchase Orders via mail orfax and credit card orders(Visa, MasterCard, Discover)via telephone and the Web. th

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Updated Training Tools

The Foundation staff is constantlylooking for was of serving its Mem-bership better. As a result of this,two of the Foundation’s trainingtools have recently been updated.The general brochure, WorkingTogether for Safe Water has beenredesigned. Although the generalinformation remains the same, thegraphics have been completely re-created and a few slight texturalchanges have been made as well.Members have been using theearlier version of this brochure foryears to disseminate general infor-mation about cross-connection

control. The brochure works wellas a mailer, or as a handout piece ofliterature.

The information contained in thebrochure is designed to explain thebasics of backflow and cross-con-nection control to those who haveno knowledge of the subject. Itcan be used for customers, employ-ees, various community associa-tions, or anyone who needs toknow this information. If youwould like to see a sample of thebrochure, please contact the Foun-dation Office and we’ll get one outto you right away.

The Essentials of Cross-Connec-tion Control is a 35mm slide pre-sentation that has been availablefrom the Foundation for the pastfew years. This last winter each ofthe slides was re-created usingdifferent computer software. Manyof the graphics include 3D render-ings of backflow preventers andplumbing systems. The newgraphics move the presentationfrom a “cartoon” look to a muchmore professional look. All of theslides may be viewed on theFoundation’s web page so Mem-bers can see exactly what they aregetting before they order it.

In addi-tion totherecreationof thegraphics,the slidepresentationis also avail-able as aPowerPointpresentation.So, whetheryou’re making a

All of the slidesmay be viewed on

the Foundation’sweb page so

Members can seeexactly what they

are getting beforethey order it.

fou

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presentation with a 35mm projector,or a notebook computer with anLCD projector, this presentation isperfect for you. The sixty slidescan be rearranged to suit the needsof the presentation. You can cut itshort by eliminating slides, orstretch it out by adding your own.

The slide presentation comes witha three ring binder. A page for eachslide includes an image of the slideand a brief description of what isshown in the slide. ThePowerPoint presentation is avail-able by request, but there is noextra charge for it. It is provided ona CD for computers running underWindows. A viewer is included, soMS PowerPoint is not necessary toview the slides.

The Foundation is always lookingfor new items that will help theMembership. If you have anysuggestions for items you’d like tosee the Foundation provide, pleasecontact the Foundation office.

Make sure to visit the Foundation’ssecure server for ordering these, orany of the items offered by theFoundation, over the web.

Updated Training Tools

The sixty slides can berearranged to suit theneeds of the presentation.You can cut it short byeliminating slides, orstretch it out by addingyour own.

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AWWARF Projectcontinued from page one

information. It was not as long or involved,but more focused in order to bring out thedetails desired.

The Foundation office has been asked fordetails of the results obtained so far fromthe survey. It is important to realize thatthe information, which was provided atthe April 7th workshop, was not com-plete. Approximately, one quarter of thetotal responses were tabulated at thatpoint in time. So the information is farfrom conclusive. Additionally, theAmerican Water Works AssociationResearch Foundation sponsors thisproject, and the Foundation (at USC)cannot release the results directly. Afinal report will be available fromAWWARF at the conclusion of theproject. The USC Foundation willbe making presentations on theproject status throughout thecontinuation of the project,which is not scheduled to bepublished until 2002.

The Foundation will be making presentationsthroughout the project for those interested in keeping

up-to-date with the project. The next update will be madeat the Western Regional Backflow Conference in LasVegas, Nevada. The conference will be held from October

2nd through the 4th at the Orleans Hotel and Casino.For more information on this conference,

contact Patti Fauver at (801) 536-4196 or Mike Moss at (801) 536-0089

The follow-up survey was sent tothose who participated in the initialsurvey. If you participated in theinitial survey, you should have re-ceived the follow-up already. If youhave not received it, but did participatein the initial survey, you may downloadit from the Foundation’s web site at:www.usc.edu/fccchr/awwarf/. TheFoundation appreciates your participa-tion in this project and we anticipatesome very valuable information becomingavailable as a result of this project.

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Who’s New at the Lab?The Foundation Laboratoryhad two new EngineeringTechnicians to help with theworkload of the laboratory.Late last year and early thisyear two of the laboratory staffmembers moved on to otherpositions. This left a large voidin the Foundation’s workforce.

The Foundation’s staff is veryglad to welcome on board TroyPoole and David Ritz as thenew Engineering Technicians.They will be performing muchof the laboratory evaluationalong with the current staff andthe assistance of some studentworkers.

David holds a degree in Chemi-cal Engineering from USC. Hecomes from an engineeringcompany in the Los Angelesarea, that manufacturers auto-motive components. He was aquality inspector. He has otherexperience in quality engineer-ing as well.

Troy Poole comes from a hightech firm in the Los AngelesArea. He was a customerservice specialist and wasinvolved in quality control aswell as detailing the variousaspects of production andtesting. Of course with hisname being Troy, he fits right into the USC Trojan family!

The addition of Dave and Troyto the Foundation staff willhelp the current staff get ahandle on the tremendousworkload that the laboratorystaff faces. Their experience inquality control and detailedrecord keeping make themnaturals for the Foundation’slab work. Welcome Dave andTroy!

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Training Courses

Tester Course

Las Vegas, NV16-21 October 2000

Charleston, SC13-17 November 2000

Los Angeles, CA8-12 January 2001

Los Angeles, CA14-18 May 2001

Los Angeles, CA9-13 July 2001

Specialist Course

Los Angeles, CA11-15 September 2000

Los Angeles, CA22-26 January 2001

Incline Village, NV12-16 March 2001

Foundation for Cross-ConnectionControl and Hydraulic ResearchSchool of Engineering

University of Southern CaliforniaKaprielian Hall 200Los Angeles, California 90089-2531

Upcoming Events

Northern California BackflowPrevention Associatino Fair•Pleasanton, CA

7 September 2000

American Backflow PreventionAssociation, Southern CaliforniaMeeting•Garden Grove, CA

14 September 2000

Inland Counties Backflow Group•San Bernardino, CA

20 September 2000

American Backflow PreventinAssociation, National Meeting•Vancouver, BC

22-24 September 2000

CA/NV Section AWWA Meeting•Sacramento, CA

25-27 September 2000

Tri-State Conference•Laughlin, NV

28-30 September 2000

Western Regional Backflow Con-ference•Las Vegas, NV

1-4 October 2000

First ClassUS Postage PAID

University ofSouthern California