What is a Cross Connection and what can I do about it?

A cross connection is a potential connection between a drinking water pipe and a polluted source. The pollution can come from your own home.

For instance, you're going to spray fertilizer on your lawn. You hook up your hose to the sprayer that contains the fertilizer. If the water pressure drops at the same time you turn on your hose, the fertilizer may be sucked back into the drinking water pipes through the hose.

This problem can be prevented by using an attachment on your hose called a "backflow prevention device."

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection recommends the installation of backflow prevention devices, such as a low-cost hose bib vacuum breaker, for all inside and outside hose connections. You can purchace this at a hardware store or plumbing supply store.

This is a great way to protect the water in your home as well as the water in your city or town.

For additional information on cross connections, please visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/crossconnection.html

If you have additional questions, please call MWRA's Water Quality Hotline: 617-242-5323.

Updated July 17, 2012