Rest assure GWP Water knows the importance of providing quality water to the Community.  

To protect drinking water systems from potential contamination, California Regulations (Title 17 of the California Administrative Code, Sections 7583 through 7605) requires that utilities like GWP, maintain an effective Cross-Connection Control Program.  A cross-connection can occur when a potable water line is directly or indirectly connected to an unknown supply.  Regulations require installation of backflow prevention assemblies at all locations where actual or potential cross-connections exist.  An unprotected or inadequately protected cross-connection could contaminate the City’s drinking water supply.  Examples of potential cross-connections include fire sprinkler systems, lawn irrigation, cooling systems, and high-pressure boilers.  Implementing an effective cross-connection control program involves conducting facility inspections, evaluating the degree of an actual or potential hazard to public health, identifying the appropriate protection device, and providing training for onsite supervisors.  Backflow prevention assemblies are required to be tested upon installation, and annually thereafter. There is a need for regular inspections and testing to ensure their proper operation as well as maintenance of accurate and up-to-date records. In 2021, GWP oversaw the testing and maintenance of 2927 backflow devices, 99% of which were in compliance with State regulations. Glendale has never experienced contamination due to a cross-connection.

A cross connection is any physical connection between a public or consumer’s water system and any source of non-potable liquid, solid, or gas that could contaminate the potable water supply by backflow.

Backflow is the undesirable reversal of the flow of water from its intended direction in a pipeline or plumbing system. It can result from a loss of pressure in the public water system (for example, due to a large leak), which can, in turn, draw non-potable water from the customer’s property (fire sprinkler systems, irrigation systems, hot tubs, etc.) into the public water system at unprotected cross-connections. Prevention of backflow at cross-connections (“cross connection control”) is critical to protecting public health.

Per GMC 13.32.010 – 13.32.120, property and business owners are required to install and maintain backflow prevention assemblies where they are needed. Glendale Water & Power (GWP) customers are also responsible for having their backflow assemblies tested annually by a Certified Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester approved by GWP.

A backflow prevention assembly is a mechanical device required by law to protect public health and is installed on a customer’s property to prevent contamination from entering the potable water supply. Common types of assemblies include:

• Double Check Valve Assembly-DC

• Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly-RP

• Pressure Vacuum Breaker-PVB

• 6561-A | Standard Fire Line Installation With Double Check Assembly (DC) (3” – 12”)
• 6528-A | Reduced Pressure Principle Assembly (All Sizes)
• 6762-A | Installation Requirements for Backflow Prevention Assembly Device (BPA)
• 6808-A | Vertical Backflow Preventer Assembly Outdoor Installation, Sht. 4 of 4

For a list of approved backflows, please visit the USC Foundation List of Approved Backflow Assemblies website at http://usclist.com

A backflow prevention assembly is required wherever there is a possibility of a cross-connection between the public water system and a non-potable water source. Examples include, but are not limited to, irrigation systems, boiler/cooling systems, carbonators, multi-family units, non-flow-through fire suppression systems, swimming pools, restaurants, salons, and other water-using equipment.

To protect drinking water systems from potential contamination, State law requires that utilities like GWP, maintain an effective Cross-Connection Control Program.  A cross-connection can occur when a potable water line is directly or indirectly connected to an unknown supply.  Regulations require installation of backflow prevention devices at all locations where actual or potential cross-connections exist.  An unprotected or inadequately protected cross-connection could contaminate the City’s drinking water supply.  Examples of potential cross-connections include fire sprinkler systems, lawn irrigation, cooling systems, and high-pressure boilers.  Implementing an effective cross-connection control program involves conducting facility inspections, evaluating the degree of potential hazard to public health, identifying the appropriate protection device, and providing training for onsite supervisors.  Once devices are installed, there is a need for regular inspections and testing to ensure their proper operation as well as maintenance of accurate and up-to-date records. In 2021, GWP oversaw the testing and maintenance of 2927 backflow devices, 99% of which were in compliance with State regulations. Glendale has never experienced contamination due to a cross-connection.

For additional information please contact GWP Water Quality at 818-548-2011 or 818-937-8957 or email GWPBackflow@glendaleca.gov