City of Roseville

What is a Cross Connection?

A cross-connection is a point in a plumbing system where it is possible for a non-potable substance to come into contact with the potable drinking water supply. Whenever a plumbing fixture is connected to the drinking water supply, a potential for cross connection exists. Fortunately, many plumbing fixtures have built-in backflow protection. Here are some examples of potential cross-connections that can lead to backflow to the public water system:

• Wash basins and service sinks
• Food and beverage processing equipment
• Laboratory equipment
• Irrigation or lawn sprinkler systems
• Swimming pools, spas and ornamental fountains
• Solar heat systems and boilers
• Fire sprinkler systems
• Auxiliary water supplies (wells, storage tanks and second feeds)
• Attachment to hoses for applying weed killer/fertilizer or to flush antifreeze

Roseville Water Utility has a Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program to protect the City’s water distribution system from contamination caused by backflow

Hydrant meter permits

Visit HERE for more information how to obtain a hydrant meter permit or download the application.

Backflow is the undesirable reversal of flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids, gasses or other substances into the distribution pipes of the potable supply of water from any source or sources.

Normally water flows directly from our water mains to your property, but in certain situations where water distribution pressure may drop due to a water main break, water can flow backwards into Roseville’s water distribution system. If that water has come into contact with pollutants or contaminants, then these can enter into Roseville’s water distribution system and cause illness or in extreme cases, death.

One of the measures Roseville Water Utility ensures the water distribution system remains safe and free of hazards, is by maintaining an effective Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program. A component of this program is to require the installation and annual inspections of backflow prevention assemblies located at the property’s point of connection, to prevent dangerous situations and to ensure the City’s drinking water meets all state and federal standards.

For newly installed backflow prevention assemblies (BPA)

For reinspections/retests/replacement backflows

List of approved BPAs in the City of Roseville 

For our construction standards

For our Design Standards

For Design and Construction Detail for BPAs LINK

Backflow Prevention Assembly (BPA) Installation

Visit HERE for the list of approved backflow prevention assemblies. For a detailed specification sheet of all backflow prevention assemblies, go HERE.


For new BPA installations

• Only BPAs specified on the City of Roseville Construction Standards must be used. (*can we put a link here to the list?)
• BPA’s must be completed/constructed as specified on the City of Roseville Construction Standards (Can we put a link to the design standards)
• After installation of a BPA, a Backflow Inspection application must be completed and sent to backflow@roseville.ca.us with the associated fee.
• Once received, a City Of Roseville certified BPA tester shall inspect and test the BPA.

For replacement BPA installations

• Only BPAs specified on the City of Roseville Construction Standards must be used.
• BPAs must be completed/constructed as specified on the City of Roseville Construction Standards.
• After installation of a BPA, a Backflow Re-Inspection application must be completed and sent to backflow@roseville.ca.us with the associated fee. Backflow Repair and Reinspection Form.
• Once received, a City Of Roseville certified BPA tester shall inspect and test the BPA.

What is a cross connection?

Cross connections are actual and potential unprotected connections between a potable water system and any source or system containing non potable water. If a backflow incident occurred, pollutants and/or contaminants can enter into the potable water system.

What is backflow?

Backflow is the undesired reversal of flow in a water supply system. Our public water distribution system flows into a consumer’s premises. In certain situations water can flow backwards into the public water distribution system.

Where are most common cross-connection found?

• Wash basins and service sinks
• Irrigation or lawn sprinkler systems
• Swimming pools and spas
• Solar heating systems
• Cooling towers
• Fire sprinkler systems
• Auxiliary water supplies (wells, storage tanks)
• Photo developing equipment
• Chemical feed equipment
• Hose attachments
• Food and beverage processing
• Ornamental fountains
• Boilers
• Hose bibs

Do backflow incidents really happen?

Yes! Here are some examples in California:

Altadena, CA - Snow foam was pumped into the water system due to lack of backflow protection.

Barstow, CA - Toxic chemical used to make rocket fuel found in public water distribution system.

Alameda, CA - Non potable irrigation well was interconnected to public water distribution system.

West Sacramento, CA - Coolant back flowed into water system after a backflow prevention assembly failed during maintenance on the building’s cooling system.

What is Roseville Water Utility (RWU) doing to protect my water from pollutants and contaminants?

One of the ways RWU protects the public water distribution system is having an effective Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program. Fortunately, RWU has not had any backflow incidents that have impacted the public water distribution system.

The RWU requires backflow prevention assemblies (BPA) at all point of connections to commercial and industrial properties. These BPAs are inspected and tested annually by RWU to assure the BPA is in proper operating condition.

The RWU also performs Cross Connection Control Surveys at all dual plumbed sites and irrigation systems that use recycle water.

What happens if a backflow prevention assembly fails its annual inspection?

The RWU will send out a violation notice. The responsible party will be required to have the BPA repaired or replaced by a certified backflow repair company within 30 days of the notification.