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1. What is a cross-connection?

A cross-connection occurs when a pipe designed to carry safe drinking water is connected at some point to a pipe containing unsafe water or other liquid material. You may not think of your home as having such hazards, but if you have a hose that is submerged in any of the following, you've created a cross-connection:

• Bathtub
• Carwash Bucket
• Contaminated Water in a Pool
• Laundry Sink
• Pesticide Sprayer Connected to a Garden Hose 

If a water main breaks, the potential exists for unsafe substances to be siphoned back into the water supply. This means that those mentioned could be drawn into the water system. Once there, the contamination could affect many.

2. What is the Utility doing to prevent cross-connections?

Federal and State Laws require all water utilities to establish and implement cross-connection control programs. City ordinances have been adopted giving the Utility the authority to inspect all residences and order removal of cross-connections found. Non-compliance will result in the disconnection of water service to the user and possible fines. This includes the largest industrial plant to the smallest individual home. Protection of the water supply is critical to the health of our families. The Marinette Water Utility takes this responsibility very seriously.

3. Will my home be inspected?

Homes are already being inspected. New or remodeled homes are always inspected for cross-connections during construction. In existing homes, water meters are replaced on a 20-year cycle. During the meter replacement, technicians also inspect for cross-connections. Since homes are required to be inspected every 10 years, the Utility's technicians will also be inspecting homes at least once between each meter changing. A normal home inspection will take approximately 15 minutes.

4. What will the inspectors be looking for?

One of the most common cross-connections in homes is a laundry sink with a threaded faucet for a hose connection. The hose could be submerged in the sink, which contains a toxic liquid, resulting in a health threatening cross-connection. Another common residential cross-connection can occur when a garden hose is connected to an outside hose faucet. If the other end of the garden hose is then placed in a swimming pool, or is being used to spray weed killer or liquid fertilizer on your lawn, or is simply laying in a puddle on the ground, a serious cross-connection has occurred. Another common residential cross-connection can occur if the wrong type of toilet tank ballcock assembly is used. If the wrong type is used, water can be drawn out of the toilet tank back into the house's plumbing and the Utility's distribution system.

5. How will I know what is found during the inspection?

The cross-connection inspector will be completing a "Residential Cross-Connection Inspection Form (PDF)". A copy of this form will be given to the property owner when the inspection is completed. On this form will be the results found during the inspection. It will show you what was found to be in compliance as well as what change(s) need to be made, if any, to protect your plumbing from possible cross-connections.

6. What can prevent cross-connections from occurring?

Backflow preventers can reduce the risk and protect our community from widespread illness and disease. They are devices that prevent water from moving backward into the water system through combinations of check values or hydraulic breaks. Backflow preventers come in many sizes, specifications and degrees of complexity, depending on the problem being addressed.

7. How will I know if the backflow preventer I'm installing is an approved device?

The American Society of Sanitary Engineering (A.S.S.E.) has performed the necessary research and developed the standards accepted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, and the Marinette Water Utility. Any device that is labeled with an "A.S.S.E. number" will be considered as an approved backflow prevention device. Toilets tank fill devices must be labeled with A.S.S.E. Number 1002. Different plumbing situations will require different styles of backflow preventers. The inspection form provided by the Utility's inspector will list the required A.S.S.E. number which needs to appear on each device, depending on the type of backflow protection needed.

8. How quickly do I need to make the required change(s)?

Once the cross-connection inspection has been completed, the necessary corrections need to be made within the next 30 days either by the property owner or a licensed plumber.

9. What happens if a property owner doesn't make the necessary corrections or refuses to allow the inspector to check the plumbing?

Per City of Marinette Ordinance, the Utility has the authority to disconnect the water service if it does not meet City or State Code.

10. What do I need to do after the corrections are made?

Once the required plumbing changes have been made, just call the Utility at 715-732-5180 to schedule an appointment for a re-inspection. The appointment times available for the re-inspection are Monday through Friday. At the time of the re-inspection, the Utility inspector will check that the necessary changes were made and note whether these cross-connections have been corrected. A copy of the inspection form noting the results will be given to the property owner at this time.

11. What is the cost to the property owner?

The property owner is responsible for having the proper back flow devices installed. For an average single-family home, if the owner installs these devices themselves, their cost should be less than $60. The initial home inspection is provided by the Utility at no cost. If any corrections need to be made after the initial inspection and a re-inspection is required, the Utility will also perform this re-inspection at no charge.