Cross Connections FAQ's

Regulations of the State of California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 17 - Public Health states that the water supplier has primary responsibility for protecting the City’s water system from contamination and/or pollution occurring through backflow by preventing water from unapproved sources or any other substances from entering the distribution system. As a water supplier, the City of Garden Grove shall protect the City’s water supply from contamination and/or pollution by implementing a Cross-Connection Control Program.

Point of service connection protection is required at all existing service connections that have been surveyed and found to have existing actual and/or potential hazards to the City’s water system. The City of Garden Grove does not recognize internal cross-connection protection programs and/or internal backflow protection assemblies in lieu of point of service connection protection as described herein. All new non-residential connections shall install City of Garden Grove approved backflow protection at the service connection.

There is no grandfathering of this requirement. This is a health and safety issue and If it is determined that a backflow prevention assembly is required, the installation of such an assembly shall be a condition of continued water service. The Customer shall be notified in writing and given no more than 60 calendar days from the date of the initial notice to comply. If a Customer fails to comply, then the City of Garden Groves shall proceed with enforcement up to and including termination of water service to the parcel being served.

The type of protection that shall be provided to prevent backflow into the City’s water supply system shall be a minimum of a Reduced Pressure Principal Backflow Prevention Device (RP) for all non-residential connections and Double Check Detector Assembly (DCDA) for all non-residential fire suppression system connections, upgrades, and new installations. The Customer may install a higher level of protection than specified by the City (e.g., air gap in lieu of RP) following prior written City approval.