The PHSC Cross Connection Control Program
The CCCP is mandated by the Virginia Department of Health to prevent the intrusion of contaminated water into a public water distribution system. This happens when backflow conditions occur and there are cross-connections between potable water systems and non-potable water. Particularly those within the customer’s plumbing system.
All Peacock Hill residents are encouraged to take the following survey to assist PHSC in assessing potential backflow and contamination issues which may exist within our community.
To take the survey please click this link Self-Assessment-Survey.
Cross connections are actual and potential unprotected connections between a potable water system and any source or system containing unapproved water or a substance which is not safe.
Examples of cross connections include:
Back siphonage of contaminants occurs when there is a pressure drop creating a suction or partial vacuum in the water system. This can happen during a water line break or periods of high usage. Backpressure may also occur when there are pumps or boilers attached to the water system, which produce pressures higher than the water system's pressures.
For example, if a water hose being used to fill a container with fertilizer were attached to the PHSC water system when a pressure drop occurs then the fertilizer could flood the entire community water system. Remediation would require shutting the PHSC system down as enormous amounts of water are used to flush and clean the water lines.
Most conditions can be avoided in residential situations by simply understanding that sometimes public water systems can pull water out of your home’s plumbing. Rather than sticking the hose into a fertilizer container or hot tub simply hold it above the water and let it pour in. It is as simple as that.
The PHSC CCCP was developed in September - October of 2022 by PHSC board members and approved by the Virginia Department of Health in December. To view the approved CCCP document click here. You can also click here to view the VDH approval letter.
If there are any questions and/or comments regarding the CCCP please contact the PHSC. An option in the survey includes asking for follow up with PHSC upon completion.
All Peacock Hill residents are encouraged to take the following survey to assist PHSC in assessing potential backflow and contamination issues which may exist within our community.
To take the survey please click this link Self-Assessment-Survey.
Cross connections are actual and potential unprotected connections between a potable water system and any source or system containing unapproved water or a substance which is not safe.
Examples of cross connections include:
- Improperly installed irrigation systems that may allow backsiphonage of stagnant, bacteriologically unsafe water into the piping system.
- Improperly plumbed water-using devices such as hot-tubs, swimming pools, booster pumps or boilers which may allow unsafe water back into the domestic piping system.
- Irrigation systems served by an auxiliary source, such as a private well or creek. Such systems create a potential for major contamination of the public water system via interconnections with the domestic piping system.
- Interconnections between the potable system and a non-potable system.
Back siphonage of contaminants occurs when there is a pressure drop creating a suction or partial vacuum in the water system. This can happen during a water line break or periods of high usage. Backpressure may also occur when there are pumps or boilers attached to the water system, which produce pressures higher than the water system's pressures.
For example, if a water hose being used to fill a container with fertilizer were attached to the PHSC water system when a pressure drop occurs then the fertilizer could flood the entire community water system. Remediation would require shutting the PHSC system down as enormous amounts of water are used to flush and clean the water lines.
Most conditions can be avoided in residential situations by simply understanding that sometimes public water systems can pull water out of your home’s plumbing. Rather than sticking the hose into a fertilizer container or hot tub simply hold it above the water and let it pour in. It is as simple as that.
The PHSC CCCP was developed in September - October of 2022 by PHSC board members and approved by the Virginia Department of Health in December. To view the approved CCCP document click here. You can also click here to view the VDH approval letter.
If there are any questions and/or comments regarding the CCCP please contact the PHSC. An option in the survey includes asking for follow up with PHSC upon completion.