Cross Connection Oversight Program

Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations mandates that cross connection protection programs must be implemented to protect the quality of drinking water.  Cross-connections without backflow prevention pose a serious threat to water quality.  A cross-connection is a physical connection between a potable (drinking) water supply and a source of contamination.  The SCWD Cross Connection Control Program is operated by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Department, through their Cross Connection Control Specialist. 

To protect your health and the health of others, backflow prevention devices are mandatory for service connections with the potential to contaminate.  The District tracks the prevention of backflow of unapproved water from the Customer’s system into Skyline CWD’s distribution system. 

The District requires the minimum protection of a reverse pressure backflow prevention device on service connections to properties which have any of the following:

1 Well

2 Storage Tank

3 Recycled Water

4 Fire Sprinklers

5 Private Fire Hydrants

6 Hydropneumatic tank or pressure boosting system

This is a partial list of potential cross connections.  The District reserves the right to notify customers in other instances.  The District’s responsibility for water quality and maintenance ends at the water meter.

All devices must be tested immediately after installation.  Backflow prevention devices shall be tested by persons who have demonstrated their competency and been certified by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Cross Connection Specialist.

Skyline CWD’s Cross Connection Oversight Program (CCOP) informs Customers regarding compliance with the required annual inspection of all backflow devices.  However, the property owner, not the District, is responsible for proper maintenance of private water systems by ensuring proper installation and maintenance of all backflow prevention devices. 

Notification will be sent to customers that annual inspection of their backflow device is due.  If the inspection is not performed within 30 days of the notification, a notice of violation will be sent to the customer and a $20 late charge will be posted to the water service account. If a service remains out of compliance after 60 days of the first notification, a second notice of violation will be sent to the customer informing the customer that in order to protect public health and safety, water service will be shut off within 14 days if the violation is not cured, and an additional $20 late charge will be posted to the water service account 

When devices are found to be defective, they shall be repaired or replaced immediately and not placed back in service unless they are functioning as required. 

PLUMBING MODIFICATIONS, FAILURE TO INSTALL OR MAINTAIN, IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF, REMOVAL OF, OR TAMPERING WITH, A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY RESULT IN DISEASE, ILLNESS OR EVEN DEATH.