What is a cross-connection? 

A cross connection is an unprotected direct (or potential) connection between drinking water piping and contamination source. This can be as simple as a garden hose that is submerged in a swimming pool, a bucket of detergent, or other contaminated water. Other examples are supply lines connected to boilers, process equipment, or bottom-fed tanks.

Under certain conditions cross connections can allow tainted water to flow backward through the piping system and contaminate the drinking water. This is called backflow and it is caused by two types of pressure changes: back-siphonage and back-pressure.

The City of Medford has contracted with Hydro Corp to perform its commercial and industrial cross connection control program. Hydro Corp. is an environmental services firm that specializes in surveying water distribution systems and assisting in protecting public water systems from backflow contamination. Since 1983 Hydro Corp. has assessed municipal clients with the development, implementation and maintenance of cross connection control programs and currently provides service to more than 80 communities in Michigan and Wisconsin.

This program is part of the City of Medford water utilities continuing effort to maintain the highest standards for their community drinking water system. Over the next two years, representatives from Hydro Corp. will perform the initial inspections of all commercial and industrial buildings throughout the City to detect actual & potential cross connections and make recommendations for the proper backflow prevention method where necessary. This will help to ensure that potential contaminated or polluted water cannot backflow into clean drinking water.