• The Governor’s order only applies to delayed or missed payments. 
• Water Quality and backflow prevention is a public health issue that the Governor’s order did not apply to.
• Backflow prevention protects the community from a second public health crisis related to water quality during the pandemic.
• A suspension of the water service is regulated by State Regulation 11.39 due to a noncompliance of backflow issue, to protect the safety of Denver’s water system.  
   

• Backflow prevention assemblies prevent contaminants from entering the main drinking water supply that both you and your neighbors share the drinking water from. The installation and maintenance of the property owner’s system is the responsibility of the property owner.  
  • If it is discovered that there is an unprotected cross-connection at a property, the property owner is responsible to hire a licensed installer to install a backflow prevention assembly. What this entails for each property could vary and how they are set up to pay for maintenance at their property is unique to them.
• Water must be turned off to protect the drinking water supply if the property does not have backflow protection.
• Denver Water must ensure that properties that fall under this regulation are up to the standards if they are going to be connected to Denver's water system so that we can keep the public water system safe. For example, if there are dedicated irrigation lines, fire lines, recycled water lines, etc. as part of the system at that property, they need to have a backflow preventer installed before connecting to our system so that water does not enter into the public drinking water system.

• CDPHE Regulation 11.39 is the law requiring that cross connections be controlled to protect the drinking water system and is addressed in the Citizen's guide to backflow prevention during COVID-19 brochure. This law has remained intact during the pandemic response.
• Denver Water’s responsibility to maintain the water quality remains a high priority during all seasons and situations.

• First schedule the backflow installation and/or test with a backflow testing company and provide the name of the backflow testing company and the test date to 303-628-5969 or  crossconnectioncontrol@denverwater.org. 

• The survey of the water service line is required per State Regulation 11.39 to determine if a backflow is necessary to protect the main drinking water supply from hazards on the property. 
• Customer must contact Cross Connection Control 303-628-5969 or  crossconnectioncontrol@denverwater.org to schedule an appointment so that Denver Water can complete the survey and to cancel a suspension of service.

• Denver Water sends out three notices to both the service address and the backflow contact on record prior to a disconnection of service within a 60-day time frame. Please call Customer Care at 303-893-2444 to provide the backflow contact mailing address.

Backflow is the unwanted flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, gasses or substances into the drinking water supply.

There are two main ways backflow can occur:

• Backsiphonage occurs when there is a negative pressure in the water distribution system, which draws the water from a private water system into the public water system. This can occur at any time, such as during a water main break or during a large firefighting effort.

• Backpressure occurs when the pressure in a private water system exceeds the pressure in the public water distribution lines that can cause normal flow to reverse. A pump used to increase the water pressure within a building’s plumbing system to reach a higher floor might cause this.

Click image to see it larger.

Click image to see it larger.

Cross-connections are actual or potential connections between the public water supply and any other system that could accidentally introduce a contaminant back into the public water supply.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, cross-connections can be a serious public health hazard if they do not have adequate backflow prevention assemblies installed. There are numerous, well-documented cases in which cross-connections have been responsible for contamination of drinking water that, when consumed, caused the spread of sickness or disease.

A backflow prevention assembly is a mechanical valve arrangement designed to prevent the reversal of the flow of water once it has passed through the valve.

Like any mechanical device, a backflow prevention assembly requires maintenance and annual testing. There are different types of backflow prevention assemblies required for different uses and different degrees of hazard.

There are no exemptions or grandfathering in of backflow prevention assembly requirements.

Backflow prevention assemblies installed within Denver Water’s distribution system must be approved by the University of Southern California’s Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research, otherwise known as being USC-approved.

Check with your backflow prevention assembly manufacturer or the product specification sheets to verify that the assembly is USC-approved. You must also confirm the assembly is approved in the orientation for which it is being installed (horizontal, vertical, etc.).

Reduced Pressure Principle Assembly (RP)

An RP is required for most commercial, industrial and some multi-family applications. They can also be used on irrigation systems where a pressure vacuum breaker (PVB) cannot be used.

Installation requirements:

• Install a minimum of 12 inches off the floor and 12 inches away from a wall.
• If the assembly is installed higher than 5 feet off the ground, a platform is required for access and maintenance.
• Adequate drainage is required, as there is a potential for discharge from the unit.
• Protect from freezing.

Double Check Valve Assembly (DC)

A DC is required for fire lines without antifreeze or chemical additives and some residential applications. They are not allowed for irrigation systems.

Installation requirements:

• Install a minimum of 12 inches off the floor and 12 inches away from a wall.
• If the assembly is installed higher than 5 feet off the ground, a platform is required for access and maintenance.

Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB)

PVBs are for use on irrigation systems. They have specific installation requirements and are limited in their use. 

Installation requirements:

• Must be installed a minimum of 12 inches above the highest point of use and 12 inches away from a wall.
• Cannot be subjected to continuous backpressure.

Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB)

AVBs are generally used as point-of-use devices for a specific, internal plumbing process. Denver Water does not allow AVBs for any type of containment or irrigation uses. Irrigation systems must be protected with either a reduced pressure principle assembly (RP) or a pressure vacuum breaker (PVB) depending on installation requirements. 

The irrigation backflow testing season is from May to September. Irrigation backflow prevention assemblies must be tested by a certified backflow assembly tester as the water is turned on to ensure proper backflow prevention is in place to protect our drinking water during the irrigation season. Denver Water will send out a testing reminder notice 30 days before the annual test is due.