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Controlling cross-connections and preventing backflow
Homes

Does the City have a program to control cross-connections and protect the public water system?
Yes, we have a program to protect our drinking water from contamination caused by unprotected cross-connections. To keep the drinking water safe, we:

• inspect new construction and major renovations in non-residential buildings for compliance with cross-connection/backflow requirements
• approve the type of backflow prevention device and installation
• license backflow device testers
• require initial and annual testing of all backflow prevention devices
• ensure test kits are calibrated annually
• ensure public water outlets (hydrants and standpipes) are protected from cross-connections
• enforce the City of Winnipeg Water Works By-law

Are cross-connections regulated?
Yes. Cross-connections and backflow violate the By-law.

• It requires property owners to remove cross-connections from their plumbing system.
• If they cannot be removed, the owner must install proper backflow prevention devices.
• Owners failing to comply with the By-law may have their water shut off and/or be charged with violating the By-law.

What is a cross-connection?
A cross-connection is an actual or potential connection between the drinking water supply and a source of contamination in a plumbing system. When a cross-connection is not properly protected, and a backflow situation occurs, contaminants can enter the City's drinking water system or the water pipes in your home.

What is backflow?
Water normally flows in one direction, from the City's drinking water system to the pipes in your home. Backflow is the flow of water in the opposite direction. Backflow can contaminate either the drinking water within your home or the City's drinking water system.

There are two situations that can cause backflow:

1. Back-siphonage (decrease in pressure in the City system)

   • the pressure in the City's drinking water system drops due to activities that draw a lot of water from the system (e.g., firefighting, water main breaks, cleaning the water mains)
   • water in your pipes is sucked back into the City's drinking water system

2. Backpressure (the pressure in your system is greater than the pressure in the City system)

   • the pressure in your system increases (e.g., due to a heating boiler or elevated plumbing)
   • water in your pipes is forced back into the City's drinking water system

What can I do to protect Winnipeg’s drinking water?
In addition to the City's program, you can follow these suggestions to help protect our drinking water from contaminants:

• Never submerge a hose in the water in a sink, floor drain, swimming pool, hot tub, toilet, fish/landscape pond, bucket, fish tank, water conditioner or any other container that may hold contaminants. Leave at least a one-inch gap between the end of your hose and the container.

• Never attach a fertilizer or pesticide sprayer to your garden hose without a hose connection vacuum breaker. Buy and install hose connection vacuum breakers on all threaded faucets around your home. These devices are inexpensive and are available at most home improvement stores.

• Never put your garden hose down a floor drain to flush out debris when it's backed up.

• If you have a pool or spa with a permanently installed fill line, make sure a backflow preventer is properly installed in the line connected to your plumbing system.

• Install a backflow prevention device on all in-ground lawn irrigation systems.

• If your home has a heating boiler, install a backflow prevention device on the water supply to the boiler. The type of device will depend on whether chemicals (e.g., anti-freeze solutions, corrosion inhibitors) have been added to your home boiler.

Contact us if you have any questions.