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Cross Connection Control Program
The City of Morgan Hill’s Utility Services Team works to help preserve our water quality while delivering safe and high-quality water to our community.
The Utility Services Team ensures backflow devices are properly installed and tested to make sure water we deliver is free of contamination and pollutants that could be introduced through cross-connection, back-pressure, or back-siphonage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cross-connection?
A cross-connection is any temporary or permanent connection between a public water system or consumer’s drinking water system and any source or system containing non-potable water or other substances.
What is a backflow device and why do I need one?
Backflow devices can include air-gaps, reduced-pressure assemblies, or double-check assemblies. They prevent cross-connections or reduce the risk of potential contamination. The one-way valves acceptable in the City of Morgan Hill’s service area are Lead-Free Reduced Pressure Principle or in a few cases Lead-Free Double Checks. An air-gap is a physical separation between the water filling a tank and the water inside the tank. These are usually placed just before a pump in a lower pressure situation.
Backflow devices are owned and maintained by consumers when required.
Backflow prevention devices are required on fire services and some domestic services to protect the public water supply from actual or potential contamination from cross-connection and backflow. In addition, by law, testing and recordkeeping are required on all backflow preventers at least once a year.
Why am I being told I need one?
If you have been contacted by our Cross Connection and Backflow Program, it is because you were identified following a survey, observation or list-examination. When the program was initiated, the City of Morgan Hill developed a list of those locations with the greatest need for backflow devices. The list is routinely updated and evaluated and newly identified addresses are contacted each year.
What type of device do I need?
Under most conditions, a lead-free, reduced-pressure assembly is required. A few conditions allow a double-check or air-gap and those are generally related to service-type or zone pressure conditions.
What if I need more time to install my device?
We realize that installing a new device can be challenging to coordinate for a variety of reasons. We will evaluate requests for extensions on a case-by-case basis.
Who installs backflow devices?
We have a list of approved testers that service these devices. Most, if not all of them, can test and install backflows when required.
2022 Certified Testers List (PDF)