A cross-connection is any connection or potential connection between a potable (drinking) water supply system and any source of non-potable or non-drinkable liquid, solid, or gas.  What appears to be a harmless garden hose connection creates a dangerous cross connection between potable and non-potable water. This program is designed to protect our public water supply from potential contamination sources.

There are two types of backflow:

• Back-pressure is when the water supply is connected to a device that creates pressure, such as a boiler, pressure washer, etc.  The pressure created can be greater than the water supply, thereby creating backflow.
• Back-siphonage is when there is a loss of pressure in the water supply.  This will cause the water in your facility to flow backwards back into the water supply and/or into other plumbing connections within your facility.  This situation can occur when a fire hydrant is opened, when there is a water main break, etc.

Backflow can reverse the flow of water or other substances into the public or private water system, resulting in chemicals or contaminants getting into the drinking water.  This is why the installation, inspection, and proper maintenance of Cross-Connection Control Devices are imperative to the safety of your drinking water.

City Code: Chapter 6 - Article V - Cross Connection

Backflow Solutions, Inc. or BSI Online is North America’s leading cross-connection control/backflow data management and program administration firm. BSI Online has partnered with over 550 water purveyors to develop and manage effective cross-connection control programs to help protect all our water resources. BSI helps water purveyors by sending notifications, assists with customer service inquiries, and manages required data on behalf of the City of Wood Dale.

The City of Wood Dale  has contracted with BSI Online to assist the City of Wood Dale with State required cross-connection/backflow tracking regulations. BSI Online will serve as the primary point of contact for the program and can be contacted below:

• Testing Company Support:
  • Phone: 800-414-4990
  • Fax: 888-414-4990
  • Email: bsionline@backflow.com
  • Website: https://bsionline.com
     
• Water Customer Support:
  • Phone: 888-966-6050
  • Email: support@backflow.com

BSI Online sends the below letters on behalf of the City of Wood Dale. 

Letter 1 - Sent 32 days before Device Due Date
Letter 2 - Sent 1 day after Device Due Date

If you received a water-shut off notice: 

The Public Works Department has been notified that plumbing fixtures within/on your property present the possibility for the City’s water systems to be cross-contaminated by back-pressure. Per City Code, you are required to install an appropriate backflow prevention device on each applicable service line (City Code Section 7.505). Failure to comply with this notice will result in termination of water service.

To comply, a backflow device must be tested or installed. BSI Online is an excellent resource for questions related to backflow/cross connection. 

Please note that that City will be unable to issue Commercial Occupancy Certificates and Rental Program Certificates to properties that are not in compliance with backflow prevention regulations.  A permit is required for the installation or capping/removal of a backflow prevention device. The application and permit requirements can be found on the City’s self-service portal, my.wooddale.com. For questions on permitting and requirements, please contact the Community Development Department at (630) 766-5133.

If you have any additional questions on the backflow prevention requirements, please contact the Public Works Department at (630) 350-3530.

What is cross-connection?
A cross-connection is any actual or potential connection between the public or consumer’s potable water system and any non-potable source or substance that present a hazard to the quality of the public or consumer’s potable water system. Therefore, cross-connection control is the management or “control” of these cross-connections to protect public safety by preventing backflow incidents within the public or water consumer’s potable water system.

What is backflow?
Typically, water will flow from the public water supply to the consumer’s plumbing distribution system. Backflow is the undesirable reversal of this flow of water and undesirable substances from the non-potable source to the potable source.

Why do we need a cross-connection control/backflow prevention program?
As required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Public Health, every drinking water system must have a cross connection control program, more commonly known as a backflow prevention program. Backflow prevention is designed to protect the public water supply from contamination from non-drinkable sources. For this reason, the City of Wood Dale has created a cross-connection control program with the goal of ensuring the quality of supplied water and protecting water customers.

City of Wood Dale Backflow Device Regulation and Maintenance Informational Pamphlet
This information discusses some of the rules and regulations for Backflow devices as per the City Code of the City of Wood Dale. In this pamphlet you will also find suggested technologies to prevent backflow contamination to the water supply system.

United States Environmental Protection Agency Cross-Connection Manual 
Cross-connections are actual or potential connections between a potable water supply and nonpotable water plumbing. Backflow is the unintended reversal of water flow through a cross-connection, which can result in a potentially serious public health hazard. A cross-connection control and backflow prevention program helps prevent contaminants from entering a drinking water distribution system. This fact sheet is part of EPA’s Distribution System Toolbox developed to summarize best management practices that public water systems (PWSs), particularly small systems, can use to maintain distribution system water quality and protect public health.

BSI Backflow Academy 

University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research
(USC FCCCHR)

American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA) 

American Water Works Association (AWWA) M14 Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control 

Backflow preventers are required to be tested annually, at a minimum.  This assures that the assemblies are maintained and are in working order. 

The City of Wood Dale utilizes Backflow Solutions Inc for testing management. 

Failure to satisfactory pass inspection may result in Administrative Adjudication.