Backflow is an inherent risk in all water systems—but one that can be prevented and protected against. It’s no wonder the government is involved, setting requirements that individual public water systems must comply with. But the federal government, via the EPA, has delegated primacy to the states, meaning each state determines their own regulations and requirements. While we see significant variation from state to state, several elements remain consistent: Cross-connections are prohibited and approved backflow prevention is required.
But, on a more granular level, what do different states have in common, and where do they differ?
Leading the Pack
Set apart from the rest, California, Michigan, and Wisconsin lead the pack in terms of cross-connection control regulations. Each of these states requires periodic surveys of both residential and commercial service connections, taking the regulations many other states enforce one step further.
California
In 2024, California introduced the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH), which expanded their requirements to include the development of a comprehensive cross-connection control plan (and subsequent program) that features:
- Initial and periodic hazard assessments
- Annual testing of backflow prevention assemblies
- Documentation including:
- The two most recent hazard assessments for each service connection
- Backflow prevention assembly test results going back three years
- Descriptions of and follow-up actions for any backflow incidents
A required plan is new to California, as public water systems, over the last year, have worked to develop and submit their plans to the state for approval. Now comes the challenge of implementing program activities like hazard assessments (AKA surveys) and testing.
Michigan
Michigan has long been a leading regulator in cross-connection control and backflow prevention efforts. Of course, the state requires that public water systems maintain a comprehensive cross-connection control program. Additionally, Part 14 of the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act requires:
- A schedule for inspection of all water supply customers’ premises to assess the risks from cross connections that includes both commercial and residential water service accounts
- Annual testing of backflow prevention assemblies
- Annual submission of a cross-connection control report to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
The state introduced the requirement for surveys of residential service connections in 2021, leading many public water systems to expand their cross-connection control programs and enhance educational efforts. Proactive utilities across Michigan have also taken these requirements further and conduct interior residential surveys, verifying the presence of appropriate and functional backflow prevention methods inside water customers’ homes.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin, too, applies some of the strictest regulations regarding cross-connection control. Industrial and commercial facilities have specific requirements that they must comply with, but public water systems also have regulations governing their activities—including a mandatory comprehensive cross-connection control program. Updated in 2010, Chapter NR 810.15 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code requires:
- Periodic on-site cross-connection control surveys of all service connections
- Minimum of every two years for industrial and commercial facilities
- Every 10 years for residential buildings
- Annual testing of backflow prevention assemblies
- Annual submission of a cross-connection control report to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Commonalities Across States
Other states also reflect strict regulations, though not quite to the extent of California, Michigan, and Wisconsin. These states mainly differ in that they do not require surveys (or hazard assessments or inspections) of all residential properties.
Just like our first three, these states all require annual testing of backflow prevention assemblies, maintenance of records, and some form of a cross-connection control program (though not always for all public water systems). For the most part, we’ve categorized these states as “high-regulation” due to their greater level of oversight—mainly in that each of these states require, in some form or fashion, the submission of an annual report to their governing body:
- Colorado requires a cross-connection control plan, regular surveys of non-single-family residential service connections, and submission of an annual report to CDPHE.
- Florida requires surveys at least every five years, submission of an annual report to FDEP, and a cross-connection control program for areas served by reclaimed water systems.
- Massachusetts requires a cross-connection control plan, surveys of all industrial and commercial premises, a residential program that includes public education, and submission of an annual report to MassDEP.
- New Hampshire requires a written cross-connection control plan, maintenance of records for at least five years, and submission of an annual report to NHDES.
- Oregon requires a written cross-connection control plan and submission of an annual report to OHA.
- Rhode Island requires a cross-connection control plan, initial surveys within five years of plan adoption, and submission of an annual report to RIDOH.
- Washington State requires a written cross-connection control plan, periodic surveys, and submission of an annual report to the Washington DOH.
A whole slew of other states boast similar regulations—minus the annual report. These states feature requirements such as annual testing of backflow prevention assemblies, a written cross-connection control program, maintained documentation, and proven enforcement methods. States with this level of regulation include:
- Alabama requires a written cross-connection control policy, maintenance of inspection records for at least five years, and discontinuation of service to non-compliance premises.
- Arkansas requires a cross-connection control program, at a minimum for commercial and industrial premises, and maintenance of all records pertaining to backflow preventers throughout the public water system.
- Connecticut requires the installation of RPZ backflow preventers on all high-hazard service connections and submission of an annual cross-connection control report to DPH.
- Delaware requires a comprehensive cross-connection control plan that includes assessments and maintenance of all survey and backflow assembly test records for at least 10 years.
- Georgia requires development of a cross-connection control plan at the request of the Environmental Protection Division and maintenance of records for at least three years.
- Idaho requires a cross-connection control plan that includes regular inspections and defined enforcement methods.
- Maine requires a written cross-connection control plan and maintenance of inventory and testing records (to be made available during sanitary surveys).
- Mississippi requires a cross-connection control plan and installation of approved backflow preventers at all cross-connections, both high and low hazard.
- Nebraska requires a cross-connection control plan, an ongoing public awareness program, and maintenance of inventory and testing records for at least five years.
- Nevada requires a cross-connection control program, retention of inventory and testing records, and implementation of enforcement methods.
- New York requires a containment service protection program and maintenance of backflow prevention assembly test records.
- Ohio requires surveys every five years and maintenance of survey and testing records for at least five years.
- Pennsylvania requires a cross-connection control program that includes an ordinance, a schedule for inspection of non-residential connections, a public education program, and enforcement methods.
- Utah requires a cross-connection control program that includes an ordinance, public education materials, and written documentation of program activities.
- South Carolina requires a cross-connection control plan and maintenance of records pertaining to installed backflow preventers throughout the water system.
- Tennessee requires a written cross-connection control plan, maintenance of inspection and testing records, and compliance with the state manual.
- Texas requires adoption of an adequate plumbing ordinance, regulations, or service agreement; customer service inspections of new or at-risk connections; and maintenance of program records for at least three years.
- Virginia requires a cross-connection control plan (to be reviewed every five years) and provision of enforcement methods, up to and including discontinuation of service.
- West Virginia requires a cross-connection control program and maintenance of all survey and testing records for at least two years.
Low(er) Regulation States
Finally, there are a handful of states with less prescriptive regulations. These states still prohibit cross-connections, but their requirements for public water systems are more general in nature. These states include:
You still need to have some plan to manage backflow risks, and testing backflow prevention assemblies is a nearly universal requirement. Even states with fewer requirements have regulations surrounding cross-connection control—documented and enforced activities, regardless of your state’s specific regulations, are essential.
Proactive Compliance, Safer Systems
No matter your state’s specific regulations, your public water system has a responsibility to protect your community’s drinking water from backflow and contamination from cross-connections. While most states require some form of a cross-connection control program, it doesn’t need to be state-mandated for your public water system to implement one. Staying ahead of the curve and taking proactive steps toward compliance and beyond ensures safe drinking water and excellent service for your water customers.
Ready to learn more about how HydroCorp can support your public water system’s cross-connection control efforts?
