Cross-connections are points in the water system where non-potable water sources (water unsafe for drinking) on your property could contact drinking water. Examples of sources of non-potable water include wash water in a bucket, swimming pools, landscape irrigation systems, pesticide and fertilizer sprayers, booster pumps, and other appliances and equipment that use water.

Normally, drinking water flows one way into your property. However, unprotected cross-connections could allow contaminated water from non-potable sources on your property to backflow—or reverse flow—into your drinking water system. Backflow impacts your property’s water quality and poses a risk to the drinking water system and public health.  

The State of California Health Department's backflow requirements, as outlined in 'Title 17' Section 7593 and enforced by the local water purveyors, ensures the potability of Vallecitos' water.

• A backflow prevention device is used to stop water from re-entering the street main from a backpressure or a backsiphonage condition.
• Backpressure occurs when the customer pressure becomes greater than the District water pressure. Backsiphonage occurs when the District main pressure becomes negative, such as when a line breaks or a fire hydrant gets hit. (Learn more about backflow, backpressure, and backsiphonage.. )

The backflow prevention assembly is designed to assist in transporting water from the water main to a home or business by preventing the reverse flow of any pollutants or contaminates into the District's system. The unit is required to be tested at least once a year by District-approved, certified testers. The test assures that "at the time of the test" the backflow assembly is working according to "design standards". If an assembly fails a certification test, the assembly then needs to be repaired, re-tested and 'certified' in a timely manner to show that the device is working properly.

Backflow Prevention

• Approved Backflow Tester List (Note: A Customer Confirmation Number (CCN) is required to access this list.
  If you do not have one, please use the "guest" CCN 9E98-K4YX and then click on the "FIND A TESTING COMPANY button.)
• Check Status / Due Date of Backflow Test (Note: Click on the "FIND MY TEST" button to get results and due dates, or sign up for email notifications. You will need to enter your CCN).
• Backflow Test Report Form  
• Approved Backflow Prevention Devices (District approval needed per installation.) 
• W-19 Standard Installation Drawing 2" and Smaller
• W-13 Standard Installation Drawing 3” and larger
• Ordinance 204 - Vallecitos' rules and regulations governing cross control.

Please submit test results electronically.  

For questions, please contact our Backflow Program Administrator.