New for the 2008 Public Drinking Water Conference, this award recognizes public water systems that have implemented and are maintaining an exceptional Cross-Connection Control Program, protecting their distribution system from contamination.

Criteria

To be recognized for having an outstanding Cross-Connection Control Program, a public water system (PWS) must meet these criteria:

• Has successfully developed and implemented a cross-connection control program that includes these components:
  • Identify sources of potential contaminants and ensure that adequate protections against backflow or siphoning are in place, as required in Title 30 Texas Administrative Code 290.44(h) .
  • Adopt a plumbing ordinance, plumbing regulations, or service agreement that prohibits cross connections and other unacceptable practices, as required in 30 TAC 290.46(i) .
  • Has a program of completing customer service inspection (CSI) certificates on new construction, material improvements to existing private facilities, or any time the PWS has reason to believe that either a cross connection or another potential contaminant hazard exists, as required in 30 TAC 290.46(j) .
• During the 12 months prior to nomination, has:
  • ensured proper cross-connection control at all water treatment facilities
  • received no cross-connection control-related violations at these facilities
  • no Total Coliform Rule violations
  • been subject to no active enforcement actions
  • had a customer education program that educated customers about cross-connection control and backflow prevention

How to Nominate Your PWS

To nominate your PWS for this award, send the following information and a completed nomination form no later than April 1, 2008, to the address shown below:

• To demonstrate successful implementation of a cross-connection control program, include these items:
  • a copy of the most recently completed backflow prevention assembly test and maintenance report form
  • a list of all backflow prevention assemblies installed to provide protection from health hazards, with the dates of the annual tests of these assemblies
  • a copy of the adopted plumbing ordinance, plumbing regulations, or service agreement
  • a copy of most recently completed CSI certificate.
• To demonstrate that a customer education program has been in place for the previous 12 months, include an accurate description of that program.

Mail nominations to:

PDW Recognition Program MC 155
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
PO Box 13087
Austin TX  78711-3087

If you have questions about this award or what you can do to ensure that your water system qualifies in the future, contact our Cross Connection Control Program.