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Cross Connection Control Program
The City of Morgan Hill’s Water Division works to help preserve our water quality while delivering safe and high-quality water to our community. The Water Division ensures backflow devices are properly installed and tested to make sure water we deliver is free of contamination and pollutants that could be introduced through cross-connection, back-pressure, or back-siphonage.
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 present 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.
What is a backflow device and why do I need one?
Backflow devices can include air-gaps, reduced-pressure assemblies, or double-check assemblies. They prevent cross-connections or reduce the risk of potential contamination. The one-way valves acceptable in the City of Morgan Hill’s service area are Lead-Free Reduced Pressure Principle or in a few cases Lead-Free Double Checks. An air-gap is a physical separation between the water filling a tank and the water inside the tank. These are usually placed just before a pump in a lower pressure situation.
Backflow devices are owned and maintained by consumers when required.
Backflow prevention devices are required on fire services and some domestic services to protect the public water supply from actual or potential contamination from cross-connection and backflow. The California Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Public Health requires every drinking water system to have a cross control program and testing and recordkeeping are required on all backflow devices once a year.
Why am I being told I need one?
If you have been contacted by the City's Cross Connection and Backflow Program, it is because you were identified following a survey, observation or list-examination. When the program was initiated, the City of Morgan Hill developed a list of those locations with the greatest need for backflow devices. The list is routinely updated and evaluated and newly identified addresses are contacted each year.
Who installs backflow devices?
The City has a list of approved testers that service these devices. Most, if not all of them, can test and install backflows when required. 2025 Certified Testers List (PDF).