Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program

In adherence to Colorado's regulations and Denver Water's Operating Rules, the Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program protects the public water system from cross-connection contamination by requiring customers to:

• Install containment assemblies (also known as backflow prevention assemblies, containment  devices or backflow prevention devices) on the following water service lines:
  • Commercial property water service lines
  • Dedicated irrigation lines
  • Fire lines
  • Multi-Family Residential Units (depending on the degree of hazard; please refer to Chapter 5.05 of Denver Water's Engineering Standards)
  • Single-Family Residential Units with a Dual Water Supply Agreement
• Test containment assemblies after initial installation and annually thereafter to make sure they are functioning properly.
• Submit completed test reports to Denver Water's Cross-Connection Control Office.

Affected customers are notified by postal mail of required assembly installation and testing. It is the customer's responsibility to hire a qualified professional to install a backflow prevention assembly. Upon installation the customer is required to test the backflow prevention assembly by hiring a certified ABPA (American Backflow Prevention Association) or ASSE tester (American Society of Sanitary Engineering) within 48-hours of installation and send the test report(s) to Cross-Connection Control. The backflow prevention assembly is required to be tested annually thereafter.

"Passed" test reports must be sent to Denver Water's Cross-Connection Control Office within 3 days of testing.

"Failed" tests must be verbally reported to the Cross-Connection Control Office by the end of the business day. The written reports must be sent within 3 days. Failed containment assemblies must be repaired or replaced and then retested within 5 days and submitted to the Cross-Connection Control office. Depending on the degree of hazard Denver Water may require repairs/replacement be done immediately to prevent contamination.

It is at the sole discretion of Denver Water's Cross-Connection Control section to suspend water service if the premises poses a health risk to the public water supply. 

Test reports may be e-mailed (preferred) or faxed to the Cross-Connection Control Office:

For further assistance please contact our Cross-Connection Control Office at 303-628-5969.