Cross-Connection Control

State regulations require all public water systems to have a Cross-Connection Control Program, which helps ensure that water delivered from treatment facilities remains clean and safe throughout the entire distribution system.

A “cross connection” occurs when a potable water line comes into contact with a non-potable source.

If water flows in the wrong direction, called backflow, pollutants or contaminants could enter the public supply.

Backflow can happen when a customer’s system pushes liquid back into the main or when a drop in pressure pulls water the wrong way.

To prevent this, backflow prevention assemblies help keep contaminants out.

The City’s Cross-Connection Control Program:

• Inspects and tests public backflow prevention assemblies to ensure they work
• Identifies risks in customer systems and ensure high-hazard sites are protected
• Oversees compliance for private backflow prevention devices
• Manages the temporary use of fire hydrants
• Maintains City-owned backflow devices

These efforts help protect Sacramento’s drinking water by ensuring that contaminants from customer systems never reach the community.

Backflow testing

Backflow prevention assemblies are mechanical devices that have moving parts that can wear out and fail.

State regulations require property owners to have their backflow prevention assemblies tested annually by a certified tester.

Regular testing ensures that each assembly is working properly and continues to provide a barrier between customer systems and the public water supply.

• Sacramento Backflow Tester Portal
• How to Use the Backflow Testing Portal
• Approved backflow assemblies
• Certified backflow assembly testers (PDF)
• Development Standards Drawings – Water (PDF)

Temporary fire hydrant use

Fire hydrants are sometimes used temporarily for water on construction projects and their use is regulated to prevent cross connections and to meter the amount of water used.

Construction meters are installed on public fire hydrants only; other locations are reviewed by Cross-Connection Control staff and approved by the Department of Utilities.

Installation requests require 48 hours for application processing.

• 2-inch or 4-inch site meter application (PDF)
• 3-inch water truck meter application (PDF)
• Fee schedule (PDF)
• Temporary Hydrant Use Permit

Contact us

For more information about the City’s Cross-Connection Control Program and requirements for property owners, email backflow@cityofsacramento.org or call 916-808-4893.