


Today's & recent web lik briefs...
historical, as well as ongoing recent incidents, where the backflow or
backsiphonage of contaminated water through a cross connection has caused
localized to extensive contamination of many communities' or workplaces'
drinking water systems.
Backflow preventer device development,
beyond simple check valves, began to accelerate and diversify in the mid-20th
century, but at the same time, potable ("city") water piping systems and water
using equipment, especially inside industrial & medical buildings,
have grown exponentially in complexity and are also
continuously altered.
All too often, surveys over the decades have shown that water using
devices and equipment which can contaminate a drinking water system, continue to
be connected to potable waterlines without properly selected, permitted,
installed, maintained, and if appropriate for the device, tested & certified
backflow preventer valves. So, despite decades of new public health and
occupational safety laws, as well as updated and revised 21st century plumbing
codes, along with the availability of state of the art backflow
preventer devices, the unprotected cross connection problem continues to
be an ongoing dynamic one.
The most universal backflow hazards
are constantly re-created, i.e., cross-connections within
residential & public washrooms, and the ordinary, unprotected from
backflow, hose connections...
American Backflow Prevention
Association
ABPA's Discussion
Forum 
American Society of Sanitary
Engineering
American Water Works Association (search for "backflow", many articles)
University of Florida Treeo Center
Backflow Prevention
University of Southern
California Foundation For Cross-Connection Control And
Hydraulic Research
EPA Cross-Connection Control Manual (reformatted for easier
downloading)

Fluoride: Miracle drug or poisonous chemical? "Safety debate over public water treatments heats up with release of shocking new studies... From Pennsylvania to Nebraska and from Europe to New Zealand, there is growing and fierce opposition to plans to fluoridate public drinking water, fueled by a battery of shocking new studies that seriously question a practice routine among U.S. municipalities for nearly the last 50 years. ...It has been going on throughout much of the United States for a half century, say proponents. So what's the problem? Sweden's Dr. Arvid Carlsson, the 2000 Nobel Prize winner in physiology or medicine, objects to the practice, saying that everyone reacts differently to medication and what is beneficial for one person may be harmful for another. He calls community fluoridation "obsolete." Opponents like Carlsson point out that each person drinks a different amount of water, meaning dosage cannot be controlled, and could become toxic for someone who drinks more water. Add to that variable the widespread use of fluoride toothpastes by the American public and the fact that much of the food supply is grown or raised using fluoridated water, and you can see the great potential for overdosing, they say. A study released in February by the Collaborative on Health and the Environments Learning and Development Disabilities Initiative found excessive ingestion of fluoride can decrease thyroid hormone levels. It also cited a recent Chinese study that links lower IQ levels in children with fluoridated drinking water. ...The EPA's Headquarters Professionals Union, made up of scientists, lawyers and other professionals, also now opposes community fluoridation. In January, the New York State Dental Journal reported fluoride overexposure is resulting in children developing tooth disorders including white spots, brownish discoloration and pitting. It also warned children 6 months to 3 years should consume no more than of a gram of fluoride per day the equivalent of one 8 ounce glass of water in a fluoridated community. And, despite the CDC's conclusion that fluoridation is one of the greatest medical achievements of the 20th century, it recommends infant formulas should never be mixed with fluoridated water." Worldnetdaily, May 5, 2008
Fire foam contaminates water supply "Fire trucks' water pressure
overwhelmed the city's drinking supply lines and pushed fire-suppression foam
into them as firefighters tried to extinguish a burning Strip District
warehouse, Pittsburgh's director of public safety said Wednesday. Two pumper
trucks were connected to fire hydrants for a long time Tuesday afternoon, said
Public Safety Director Mike Huss, and as the pressure built up in the truck
lines, it overwhelmed the drinking water lines' force. "It's highly unusual, and
we're surprised that it did it," (backpressure
backflow) Huss said. The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority
advised people Downtown and in the Strip District not to use water for a few
hours into yesterday morning, until the foam could be flushed from the system.
Ingesting less than an ounce of the biodegradable foam wouldn't pose a health
threat, but it can irritate skin and eyes, said Bob Hutton, a project
coordinator for the authority. Callers began complaining about soapy-looking
water Tuesday afternoon. Firefighters allowed the four-alarm fire, which started
Tuesday morning in the former Otto Milk Co. complex at 25th and Smallman
streets, to burn overnight because of difficulties extinguishing it in cork- and
foam-insulated walls. The building continued smoldering yesterday. Fire Chief
Darryl Jones said he had not seen the foam problem in the 20 years he has fought
fires. "We are going to make some adjustments to make sure it doesn't happen
again," he said. The fire apparently started when a construction crew's cutting
torch ignited insulation in the building, the construction crew manager
said...." Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, March 13, 2008
Lawn Irrigation Inspection Program Protects Water Supply "With the arrival of spring, comes the
inevitable return of routine lawn maintenance. The City of Olathe Municipal
Services Department would like to remind Olathe water customers of the City's
Cross-Connection Program, which includes an annual inspection and testing for
all backflow prevention devices installed on underground lawn irrigation
systems. ...The installation of an approved backflow prevention device on lawn
irrigation systems can prevent possible contamination of the City's water supply
with contaminates such as lawn fertilizers, chemicals and pesticides. The Olathe
Municipal Code and Cross-Connection Program require that an approved backflow
prevention device be installed on all cross-connections that are considered
"high risk" by the International Plumbing Code, including lawn irrigation
systems. These devices must be tested and inspected by a certified backflow
tester, available through many licensed plumbing and irrigation companies, with
results recorded on a City of Olathe report form and submitted to the City.
Additional program information is being mailed to all Olathe residential and
commercial water customers with underground lawn irrigation systems..."
Kansas City Info Zine, March 28, 2008
Bacteria found in Stafford water "Leaders of the West
Linn-Wilsonville School District were surprised twice last week. And both
surprises were bad news. Just a few days after receiving word from Coffey
Laboratories that water at Stafford Primary School contained coliform bacteria,
the district was informed Monday that the Northeast Portland lab had its
certification suspended by the state Division of Public Health. According to
Mike Skeels, interim Public Health Division administrator, Coffeys
certification was suspended because of alleged inaccurate test results and
ineffective quality assurance measures for Coffeys testing
procedures. ...Besides turning the water off at Stafford, School District
Facilities Manager Pat McGough said the district already had protected itself
without knowing about Coffeys problems because the schools current water
problem is significant. Instead of having the quarterly test conducted only by
Coffey, as it has done for at least the past decade, water also was sent to
another lab for the proverbial second opinion. ...Alexin Analytical
Laboratories of Tigard performed the same tests and reported the same results:
that coliform bacteria was found in Staffords drinking water. The water faucets
and drinking fountains at Stafford were immediately shut off, and all of the
students and staff began drinking bottled water and cleaning with hand sanitizer
a scenario that started March 3 and will continue until after the spring
break, McGough said Monday. ...Currently, the district cant do much about
finding and fixing the source of the problem. In order to fix the source of
contamination, the wellwater system would have to be shut down. The school would
therefore not have the use of restrooms, a situation that no one could tolerate.
...This week, the district will gain approval and begin installation of the
chlorination system. The rest of the work begins Saturday, he said, including
installation of a new pressure tank and well pump. The backflow devices on the
irrigation system and fire pump have either been repaired or replaced. The failed backflow device on the fire pump is potentially the
source of contamination, McGough said. Its not the only possible source, but
it is a likely leading candidate. ...By next Monday afternoon,
McGough is hoping that all work will be completed, and the system can be
chlorinated." West Linn Tidings, March 20, 2008
Cross-Connection
Hazards Illustrated In case
you haven't already seen them, a select few
of the thousand+ cross-connection hazard pictures I've taken
over the past 36 years are posted here (and in other areas of the
Forum).... "American
Backflow Prevention Association's Discussion Forum... This area is for pictures demonstrating connections
that could possibly cause a backflow condition to occur." ABPA, March 18, 2008
Also see (Industrial Cross-Connection Hazards), and other
areas....
Plumbing parts new target for area metal thefts "Police and plumbing contractors say that in
recent months metal thieves in Barstow have turned to a new target. Stolen
backflow prevention devices are turning up with increasing frequency in area
scrap metal yards. State law requires most commercial buildings to install the
devices, which are usually made out of brass and sit above ground, as a means of
keeping nonpotable water out of the city drinking water system. With copper
wiring and piping, once popular theft targets, becoming scarcer, thieves have
turned to the backflow preventers as a new source of scrap metal. The Barstow
Police Department did not know the exact number of thefts, but city spokesman
John Rader said police have noticed a spike in the backflow prevention device
thefts in the past three months. Among the victims that reported thefts to the
Barstow Police Department were area apartment complexes, Barstow Community
College and several city parks. Andy Ziemer, owner of Ziemer Plumbing in
Barstow, said he has heard of eight thefts in the past six months. The thieves
take a $300 brass valve, cause an average $2,000 in damages and sell the part to
a scrap yard for about $30, according to Rader. When the Desert Cities Dialysis
clinic was hit, cutting off the buildings water supply, Ziemer said, that could
have been a matter of life and death. It could have been a catastrophe if it
was a day when they were seeing patients, he said. This is way beyond the call
of duty. For $25, theyre putting lives in danger. ... Dennis Haefele,
owner of Heart Plumbing, places the blame for the epidemic with the scrap yards
that buy stolen goods. If there wasnt an easy way for (the thieves) to dispose
of it and make money, they wouldnt do it, he said. The people that are buying
it create the market. Barstow Police Department constantly monitors the scrap
metal yards and contacts them when they receive a report of stolen metal, Rader
said, which has led to some property being recovered in the past. If caught,
scrap metal thieves face felony charges for possession of stolen property and
potential vandalism charges, which are also felony charges if the damage totals
more than $400. Maria Gomez, office secretary at the headquarters of Central
Metal, Inc., which runs a scrap yard in Hinkley, said the company requires all
sellers to show identification and in some cases, a company letter authorizing
them to sell the metal. Gomez acknowledged, however, that stolen property does
slip through. Its very hard, she said. Theres a lot of people that just do
it all the time." Desert Dispatch, March 5, 2008
Pullman officials say drinking water contamination unlikely after incident "City officials in Pullman say a "cross connection" Tuesday afternoon between the city's potable water system and equipment at the wastewater treatment plant lasted about an hour, but probably did not result in contaminated drinking water. The City issued a news release saying that the incident happened at approximately 1:00 p.m. Officials said contamination of the city water system "is unlikely, but possible." The Department of Health was notified and City crews initiated precautionary measures by flushing and increasing chlorination of the water system in the area of the treatment plant on Guy Street. Water samples have been taken to verify the lack of contamination. The results will be known late Wednesday afternoon. Due to the precautions that have been put into place, the Department of Health has advised that boiling water is not necessary." klewtv.com 3, Feb. 26, 2008
Public Health
Significance of Cross-Connections "Public Health Officials have
long been aware of the impact that cross-connections play as a threat to the
public health. Because plumbing defects are so frequent and the
opportunity for contaminants to invade the public drinking water through
cross-connections are so general, enteric illnesses cause by drinking water may
occure at most any location and at any time. ...documented cases of
cross-connection problems illustrate and emphasize how actual cross-connections
have compromised the water quality and the public health." EPA
Cross-Connection Control Manual, Chapter 2
Oakland County Drain Commission Cross Connection
Program "...The OCDC program has included
commercial/industrial customers for many years and has recently been updated to
include residential customers. This update occurred in response to changes in
State regulations in an effort to better protect potable (drinking) water
systems from potential contamination. ...This program is run in accordance with
the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the State of
Michigan Public Act 399, 1976 Rule #325.11401 through Rule #325.11407 of the
Administrative Code. This program has been approved by the MDEQ and has been in
effect in Oakland County since 1976. ...The program... ...expanded in 2002 to
include residential homes. ....will work with you in every way possible, but if
a customer refuses to cooperate and have the devices installed and/or tested,
the final step is that the water will be shut off until the devices are in
compliance. There are also penalties (monetary fines and/or jail time) that
are outlined in the local ordinances." Oakland County Drain
Commissioner
Environmental Health--Cross Connection
Control "The Environmental Health Division acts as agents for local water
utilities and the Michigan Department of Public Health enforcing the Safe
Drinking Water Act of 1996, Part 14. This Act protects the municipal water
supply by insuring that contaminants do not enter the potable water supply
through connections with non-potable source. ...This program serves to educate
and monitor facilities that, by nature of their business, create the potential
for serious contamination of the potable water supply. ...Currently the
Environmental Health Division serves 22 communities [over 6,500 facilities]
throughout Wayne County. Once a community has supplied a list of institutional,
commercial, and industrial facilities that may have cross connections, a
representative of the Environmental Health Division begins the inspection
process. Facilities are notified of the pending visit, and subsequently may
receive a Compliance Order that lists all violations and methods of correction."
Wayne County Michigan Environmental Health Division
Prevalence of Cross-Connections in Household Plumbing
Systems J.J. Lee, Phd, P.E., USC Foundation for Cross-Connection Control
and Hydraulic Research, Jan. 24, 2002 (detailed study of cross-connections
found in homes.)
RECLAIMED WATER: HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOUR BACKFLOW
PREVENTION PROGRAM? "Water is one of those commodities we just can't do without.
Unfortunately, most of us tend to take our water for granted -- at least until
recently. Water restrictions created by the recent drought and saltwater
intrusion, common to coastal areas of the state, have forced us to look at how
we are using our drinking water. That is why, in principle, reusing treated
wastewater is a great idea. Nonetheless, water reuse will have a significant
impact on your backflow prevention program when public health concerns are
considered." by: Robin L. Ritland and Les O'Brien, May 30, 1991 (TechZone
Ed.: This 13 year old report by O'Brien & Ritland was
prophetic, utilities need to re-read and very seriously consider the
ongoing issues)
Surveillance for Waterborne-Disease Outbreaks - United States, 1999-2000, CDC's MMWR, Nov. 22, 2002 / Vol. 51 /
No. SS-8
THE ISSUE: CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL AND BACKFLOW PREVENTION, (double click link to google then pdf or html files) The Green Paper, March 3, 2003, Pennsylvania Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee Report...
CDC Fact Sheet; Infection Control:
Backflow Prevention and the Dental Operative Unit
Backflow Incidents & Articles, Archived by the ABPA, updated April 13, 2004
Oakland County Michigan Implements Residential
Backflow Prevention Inspections
Cross Connection Control Begins at Home
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality - MDEQ
Cross Connection Control Manual 3rd Edition Revisions
Lincoln
Nebraska's Municipal Cross Connection Control
Program offers extensive on-line resources,
a residential survey
form, colorful
informative brochure, Working Together for Safe Water Video, and much more..
Municipal Backflow Prevention Program Customer
Policies & Brochure, Sydney
Australia
New York State Residential Cross-Connection
Control Policy for Single or Dual Family Customers