Enroll in paperless billing today for a chance to win $250!

SouthWest Water Company

Pay Your Bill Online

Sign In

  • Utilities by State
    • Alabama
    • California
    • Florida
    • Louisiana
    • Oregon
    • South Carolina
    • Texas
  • Partner With Us
  • Company
    • About Our Company
    • Mission and Values
    • Our History
    • Our Leadership Team
    • Board Of Directors
    • Our Industry Affiliations
  • Careers
  • Contact
    • Customer Service
    • Media and Press
    • Corporate Development
  • News
  • H2ome
    • About H2ome
    • Value of Water
    • Water Infrastructure
    • Learning Center
    • H2ome Experiments
    • Resources

My Account

Forgot username or password

Need a profile? Sign Up

How To Avoid Cross-Connections

You are here: Home / H2ome Old / “How To” Learning Center / How To Avoid Cross-Connections

Do you wonder how something as handy as a garden hose may potentially turn into a tool capable of contaminating your (and your neighbor’s) drinking water supply? Beware of cross-connections.

Have you ever left a running garden hose dipped in your swimming pool or fish tank? Do you spray your plants with an herbicides-filled sprayer hooked to your garden hose? These are both examples of cross-connections.

A cross-connection is an actual or potential connection between potable water and non-potable water or hazardous material (soapy water, pool water, pesticide, etc.), which can contaminate your drinking water if backflow occurs. Backflow is an undesirable flow of water or other items back into the pipe, hose or faucet rather than flowing to the intended point.

If the water pressure in your house drops (this can be caused by nearby firefighting or water main break), it can cause the hose to suck water in. Anything that’s connected to your hose (be it liquid, solid or gas) can flow back (“backflow”) into the distributing pipes and into your drinking water supply.

Help Avoid Backflow Incidents

Cross-connections can result in serious chemical or microbiological contamination events in drinking water systems and temporarily shut down a community’s water supply. Avoid them by using your knowledge and common sense.

  • Always have an approved backflow device at the hose spigot and an air gap between the level of liquid and whatever container you are filling. In other words, don’t leave the end of a hose in a place where contaminants can be drawn through the hose back into your drinking water pipes.
  • Install backflow prevention devices, especially on outdoor hose faucets. They are inexpensive and can be found at many local hardware stores. Installing these devices is the water system user’s responsibility and expense.

For More Information

Cross-Connection Control (EPA)

H2ome Old

  • H2ome Experiments
  • How Water Gets to Your Home
  • Educational Movies and Films
  • "How To" Learning Center
    • How to Read Your Meter
    • How To Make Your Meter Accessible
    • How To Handle A Water Emergency
    • How To Install A Houseline Shut-Off Valve
    • How To Understand A Boil Water Notice
    • How To Prepare For Cold Weather
    • How To Avoid Cross-Connections
    • How To Keep Your Sewer System Trouble Free
    • How to Understand What Milky Water Really Is
  • Value Of Water
  • Water Conservation
  • Additional State Resources

SouthWest Water Company

SouthWest Water Company owns and operates regulated water and wastewater systems in seven states. More than 500,000 people depend on SouthWest Water for high-quality, reliable service. Learn More…

H2ome Old

  • H2ome Experiments
  • How Water Gets to Your Home
  • Educational Movies and Films
  • "How To" Learning Center
    • How to Read Your Meter
    • How To Make Your Meter Accessible
    • How To Handle A Water Emergency
    • How To Install A Houseline Shut-Off Valve
    • How To Understand A Boil Water Notice
    • How To Prepare For Cold Weather
    • How To Avoid Cross-Connections
    • How To Keep Your Sewer System Trouble Free
    • How to Understand What Milky Water Really Is
  • Value Of Water
  • Water Conservation
  • Additional State Resources
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Contact
Facebook LinkedIn Instagram
Copyright © 2023 SouthWest Water Company · Web Design by Powersful Studios, LLC