The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality requires all public water systems to have a comprehensive Cross Connection Control Program.  The purpose of this Cross Connection Control Program, as defined in the City of Wixom Code of Ordinances §13.04.110, is to help prevent the possible contamination of the public water distribution system.  There are two required components of the program:  1) site surveys; and 2) testing of backflow prevention assemblies.

The City of Wixom is working with HydroCorp of Troy, MI to conduct these required surveys. HydroCorp has been working with the City of Wixom for several years ensuring that all of the commercial, industrial and City owned properties have been surveyed and brought into compliance with the program. In 2014 HydroCorp began surveys of residential properties and homes in order to fully comply with the State requirement. This is a five (5) year program and HydroCorp will be systematically working through the City during that time period. Initial survey began in August 2014.

As a part of this program, inspectors will be reviewing the exterior of your home for connections that could possibly contaminate the water distribution system.  A typical residential inspection lasts less than twenty minutes and the inspector will survey exterior garden hose connections, lawn sprinkler systems, pools/spas and look for secondary water sources such as privately owned wells. HydroCorp inspectors will not be entering your home at this time.

There are no fees for the inspection(s); however, in circumstances where cross-connections exist that could pollute your drinking water, any costs associated with the replacement, modification, installation and/or testing of backflow prevention assemblies remain the obligation of the property owner.

You will be notified following the survey if modification(s) and/or testing of backflow prevention assemblies are necessary.  We look forward to working with you in protecting everyone’s drinking water supply.  If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact HydroCorp at 248.250.5000.

Residential Frequently Asked Questions regarding Cross Connection Control and Back Flow Prevention
http://www.hydrocorpinc.com/resources/faq/

Other Cross Connection Control Links
http://www.hydrocorpinc.com/resources/links/

Certified Testers
http://www.hydrocorpinc.com/resources/testers/

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Did you know that your tap water (drinking water) has to meet standards that exceed those for bottled water?  You don’t need to buy bottled water for safety reasons in the City of Wixom because our tap water exceeds federal state drinking water standards. 

The Safe Drinking Water Act was established to protect human health from contaminants in drinking water and to prevent contamination of existing groundwater supplies.  This act requires many actions to protect drinking water and its sources.  One of these actions is the installation and maintenance of an approved backflow prevention assembly at the water service connection.  Without proper protection devices, cross connection can occur.

What is a cross connection?  A connection between your drinking water and another source of water that combines the two when a backflow condition occurs.  When this occurs, your drinking water can become contaminated.

What is backflow?  Backflow is when the water in your pipes (the pipes after the water meter) goes backward (the opposite direction from its normal flow).  There are two situations that can cause the water to go backward (backflow):

• Backpressure – pressure in your pipes is greater than the pressure coming in
• Backsiphonage – a negative pressure in one of the pipes.

What hazards are threats?  Backflows due to cross connections can cause sickness and death.  Even in your own home, you can unwittingly create a cross connection:

• Putting the garden hose in a swimming pool to fill it
• Putting the garden hose down the drain to flush out debris when it’s backed up
• Connecting your garden hose to a plant fertilizer or bug spray unit
• Lawn irrigation systems

What can be done?  The installation of a hose bib (faucet) vacuum breaker can prevent backsiphonage of contaminants and provide adequate protection of the homeowner’s water system and consequently the utility’s water system.  In other instances more elaborate protective devices may be necessary.  For those situations, assistance in determining what device is appropriate may be needed.