Cross-Connection Control Control Program

What is a 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 presents 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.

Some examples of cross-connections include:

• Outdoor irrigation/sprinkler systems
• Commercial kitchen equipment
• Commercial laundry equipment
• Fire suppression system
• Outdoor pools
• Boilers

Cross-Connection Control Program

What is backflow, and how does it occur?

            Backflow occurs when the water in a home or business flows in the wrong direction back into the city maintained water distribution system. It is possible for backflow to occur when there is a significant loss of pressure in the city’s water distribution system, such as during a large fire when multiple fire hydrants are in use, when there is a leak on a water main, or when a house or business has a higher pressure than that in the city’s water distribution system.

What is a backflow prevention device/assembly?

A backflow prevention device is used to stop contaminated fluids or gasses from entering your home or business, and to stop those fluids or gasses from eventually making their way into the city’s public water supply. These devices are necessary to ensure the water we are all consuming is safe.Common backflow prevention devices are the Testable Double-Check Valve and a Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) Valve.

These devices protect the public water supply by allowing water to pass through the device to provide the water necessary to it’s delivery point (i.e. your fire suppression system, lawn irrigation system, boiler, etc.), however, preventing it from returning back into your piping, and eventually the City’s public water supply, should an emergency or failure occur.

Why do we need a cross-connection control/ backflow prevention program?

As required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Department of Public Health/ Illinois Plumbing Code, 77 Ill. Adm. Code 890. Every drinking water system must have a cross-connection control program or backflow prevention program. Cross-connection control or backflow prevention is designed to protect the public water supply from contamination from non-drinkable sources. For this reason, the City of Rolling Meadows created a cross-connection control program to ensure backflow prevention assemblies are tested annually and records are maintained for State inspection.

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 across the United States 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 Rolling Meadows.

Cross-Connection Control/Backflow Prevention program

The City of Rolling Meadows has contracted with BSI Online to assist the City 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: 
  1. Phone: 800-414-4990
  2. Fax: 888-414-4990
  3. Email: bsionline@backflow.com
  4. Submit tests here: https://bsionline.com
• Water Customer Support:
  1. Phone: 888-966-6050
  2. Email: support@backflow.com
  3. Check your property’s compliance here: https://www.bsionlinetracking.com/customer