If you have questions or concerns regarding the biennial cross connection survey or backflow preventer testing requirements, please contact the Public Works Department...

E-Mail Public Works Department

Phone (847) 870-5640
Fax (847) 253-9377

If you have questions or concerns regarding an order to install a backflow preventer or perform a cross connection inspection on your private plumbing, please contact the Building Division of the Community Development Department...

E-Mail Community Development Department
Phone (847) 818-5328
Fax (847) 818-5329
Website www.mountprospect.org

What is Backflow?

In order to appreciate the need for backflow control measures, it is important to consider how our water distribution system functions. Our system is designed to operate under pressure provided by water stored in our elevated tank. The earthbound pull of gravity, aided by occasional contributions from our pumping stations, translates to a stable pressure forcing water through the underground mains seeking areas of reduced pressure.

Reduced pressure is created in water mains whenever customers draw water through their service connections. Opening a tap relieves the pressure in the main and water spills out of a customer's faucet. Prompted by constant pressure, water inside the mains rushes to fill the void created by the water escaping through the faucet. This scenario is imperceptibly repeated countless times throughout the Village each day resulting in an efficient water distribution system capable of satisfying all of our domestic, commercial, and fire protection water needs.

Unfortunately, our control over the pressurized environment is not absolute. Main breaks and fire fighting operations are two examples of activities capable of creating dramatic low pressure zones within our mains. During these types of events, the hydraulic gradient may shift enough to reverse the intended flow of water and actually draw water out of nearby service connections. If these connections are affixed to chemical mixing facilities or any non-potable water supply, the possibility exists that dangerous backflow can occur resulting in contamination of our public water supply.

Backflow, for our purposes, can essentially be considered a phenomenon derived from one or both of two possible sources: a backsiphonage situation or a backpressure situation. Backsiphonage is caused by reduced or negative pressure in supply piping. The main break and fire fighting scenarios described in the previous paragraph are prime examples of environments conducive to backsiphonage. A break in our underground pipes or a fire engine hooking up to a hydrant can create reduced or negative pressure zones that may draw water from sources beyond the sanitary control of the Village via service connections or cross connections attached to services.

Backpressure is backflow that can occur when our supply piping is connected to a non-potable system operating under higher pressure. For example, when fire sprinkling systems are charged for testing, or when our system supplies certain industrial processes that are utilizing water as a mixing or cleaning agent, it is possible to encounter higher pressures.

Figure 1 below depicts a double check backflow preventer. This device is commonly used to protect against low to medium hazard installations such as food processing steam kettles and apartment projects. It may be used under continuous pressure and protect against both backsiphonage and backpressure conditions.

A double check valve is essentially two single check valves coupled within one body and furnished with test cocks and two tightly closing gate valves.
The test capability feature gives this device a big advantage over the use of two independent check valves in that it can be readily tested to determine if either or both check valves are inoperative or fouled by debris.

Figure 1 - Double Check Backflow Preventer

Each check is spring loaded closed and requires approximately a pound of pressure to open. This spring loading provides the ability to “bite” through small debris and still seal—a protection feature not prevalent in unloaded swing check valves.

Figure 2 depicts a reduced pressure zone backflow preventer (RPZ). These devices are utilized when the risks from contamination are high. Maximum protection is achieved against backsiphonage and backpressure conditions utilizing reduced pressure principle backflow preventers.
These devices are essentially modified double check valves with an atmospheric vent capability placed between the two checks and designed such that this “zone” between the two checks is always kept at least two pounds less than the supply pressure.

Figure 2 - Reduced Pressure Zone Backflow Preventer

With this design criteria, the reduced pressure principle backflow preventer can provide protection against backsiphonage and backpressure when both the first and second checks become fouled. They can be used under constant pressure and at high hazard installations. They are furnished with test cocks and gate valves to enable testing and are available in sizes ¾-inch through 10 inch.

Village of Mount Prospect Backflow Assembly Test and Certification Report

To download a copy of the Village of Mount Prospect Backflow Assembly Test and Certification form, please follow this link.

Backflow Test Form

Effective January 1, 2006, this form will be the only form accepted for the documentation of annual backflow preventer testing requirements. Backflow preventer testers submitting test results on proprietary or third-party forms will be required to resubmit results on the Village of Mount Prospect form. Test results WILL NOT be accepted unless received on the proper form.

The figure below depicts a possible backsiphonage scenario. In this drawing, a motor vehicle collides with a fire hydrant installed on the public water main (B). The crash causes the hydrant to break releasing water from the public main. The ensuing drop in water pressure in the public water main creates suction that draws dirty water from a second floor bathroom in a nearby home into the public main (A).

The second story bathtub presents a cross connection hazard because it has elevation (second story). It is a tall column of water that must be constantly supported by the water pressure in the public main. Even a momentary loss of support will cause this column to fall.

The faucets might be installed below the bath tub rim level or overflow drain. In these situations, the faucet (a connection to potable drinking water supply) can become submerged creating a nexus for the introduction of unsanitary water into the drinking water supply.
A temporary hose might be affixed to the faucet and allowed to submerge in the bathwater. This situation would create the same conditions as a submerged faucet described above.

Process

The process requires four easy steps each detailed in the next section. 

The first, and perhaps most important, step in the Mount Prospect Cross Connection Control Program is a survey designed to identify how each customer uses water. How customers use water can be a strong indicator of the potential for contaminating drinking water during a backflow incident. 

As part of this effort, representatives from the Public Works Department visit each commercial and/or industrial water user and ask the owner of the premises or the operator of the business to provide answers to a series of water-use questions.

The answers to these questions help Village staff to determine whether cross connections, or the potential for cross connections, exist on the premises. These questions can be viewed on our Cross Connection Survey Form.

Questions or concerns about the survey process should be directed to the Superintendent of Water/Sewer, Casey Botterman at 847-870-5640.

The next step is Analysis of collected survey information.

Once the survey forms have been completed, they are submitted for review and analysis by the Village Plumbing Inspector. The Plumbing Inspector is assisted in this effort by the Superintendent of Water and Sewer.

The purpose of this review is to carefully consider information garnered from the survey process and make certain that the Village-owned water distribution system is sufficiently protected from backflow contamination. Often, the manner in which consumers use water can create cross connections, or potential cross connections, that endanger both private plumbing systems and the public water distribution system.

To gain a better understanding as to how water use can impact backflow prevention decisions, please check out the FAQ section.

Once a survey form has been reviewed, and cross connection threats analyzed, the Plumbing Inspector may issue a written order to the water consumer to install specified backflow protection (compliance). In some cases, this protection may include the installation of one or more approved backflow preventers at specified locations.

In other cases, survey information may be incomplete, or the plumbing systems at surveyed properties too complex, to make a reasonable assessment of risk. In these situations, the Plumbing Inspector may direct the water consumer to conduct a detailed inspection of their private plumbing system utilizing the services of a licensed Cross Connection Control Device Inspector (CCCDI). The results of this inspection will be used to determine where and what type of backflow protection is required.

Questions or concerns regarding the survey analysis process should be directed to the Plumbing Inspector.

The next step is Compliance.

Typically, the Plumbing Inspector will inform property owners, or business operators, of the need to install backflow protection in writing. This document will specify what type and where backflow protection is required.

The most common types of backflow prevention devices utilized in the Village of Mount Prospect are double check backflow preventers and reduced pressure zone backflow preventers. Double check devices are utilized to protect potable water systems from low and medium backflow risks. Reduced pressure zone devices are used to protect against hazardous backflow risks. If you are required to install a backflow preventer, it will probably be one, or combinations, of these devices.

The Village Code stipulates that property owners have up to 60 days to comply with a request to install a backflow prevention device. However, in cases where the risk of contamination is extremely high or imminent, faster compliance may be necessary.

Any retrofit installation of a backflow preventer requires a plumbing permit. Plumbing permits can be obtained by visiting the Community Development Department, 2nd Floor, Mount Prospect Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street. Please be aware that plumbing permit procedures often necessitate an on-site inspection by the Plumbing Inspector after the work has been completed. 

All backflow preventers must be installed by a licensed plumber with a Cross Connection Control Device Inspector (CCCDI) certification. With only a few exceptions, State law prohibits the installation of backflow preventers by property owners, business operators, or "handymen" lacking CCCDI licensure.

In addition, any retrofit installation of a backflow preventer on a fire protection system requires hydraulic analysis by a licensed fire protection engineer. The purpose of this analysis is to properly consider the effect of the backflow preventer on the operation of the fire sprinkler system. This analysis, and it's conclusions, must be approved by the Village of Mount Prospect Fire Marshal. Additional information about retrofit installation of backflow preventers on fire protection systems can be found by following this link.

Finally, after a backflow preventer has been installed and satisfactorily tested, a copy of the test results must be submitted to the Mount Prospect Public Works Department, Cross Connection Control Program, 1700 West Central Road. Test reports should be submitted using the Village of Mount Prospect Backflow Assembly Test and Certification Report form. In addition, a copy of this report must be continuously displayed on the device.

Along with each test report, a Cross Connection Control Program Administration Fee must be submitted. This fee is $12.95 per device per year.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Backflow preventers must be tested and certified each year. For additional information about this requirement, please visit the Tester Registration and Test Submittal guide above.

Questions or concerns about compliance issues should be addressed to the Plumbing Inspector.

Pursuant to state law, all Double Check (DC) and Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) backflow preventers must be tested and recertified on an annual basis. This requirement includes Double Detector Check (DDC) Assemblies and Reduced Pressure Detector Assemblies (RPDA) (NOTE: DDC and RPDA assemblies are DC and RPZ devices modified for service in fire sprinkler systems).

Testing and repairs (f necessary) can only be performed by a licensed State of Illinois plumber with a cross connection control device inspector (CCCDI) certification. Tests or repairs performed by any individual lacking proper licensure are invalid and will not be accepted by the Village.

The Village does not maintain any listing of approved, endorsed, or preferred cross connection control device inspectors. The Village emphasizes that each property owner should make certain that the plumber they use is properly licensed. In addition, the Village recommends that each property owner obtain at least three (3) competitive estimates for backflow preventer test and repair work.

Copies of all backflow preventer test reports must be physically affixed to the device and continuously displayed.

In addition, a copy of the test report must be submitted to the Village. State law and the Village Code require the Village to maintain records of backflow preventer tests and repairs. The report should be submitted to Public Works Department prior to the expiration of the most recent certification. All test reports should be submitted to:

Mount Prospect Public Works
Cross Connection Control Program
1700 West Central Road
Mount Prospect, IL 60056-2229

All testing and repair information should be submitted on the Village of Mount Prospect Backflow Assembly Test and Certification Report. After January 1, 2006, backflow preventer test reports will only be accepted if they are submitted on this form. In the meantime, tests reported on third-party forms will be accepted provided they contain the following information:

• Date of test.
• Name and CCCDI number of person performing the test.
• Test results.
• Repairs or service required.
• Repairs or service performed and date completed.
• A separate report should be submitted for each device tested.

In addition to the test report, a $10 Cross Connection Control Program Administration Fee must be paid for each device. For example, if you install 3 devices on your property, 3 separate backflow assembly test reports must be submitted. These reports should be accompanied by a check, made payable to the Village of Mount Prospect, Illinois, in the amount of $30.

This fee is due annually and should accompany the test report.

If the fee is submitted separately, it should be sent to the attention of the Mount Prospect Public Works Cross Connection Control Program referenced above and should identify the property where the backflow preventers are installed.

Questions or concerns about backflow preventer testing and fees should be directed to the Superintendent of Water/Sewer, Casey Botterman at 847-870-5640.

Questions & Answers

Click on a question to find a brief explanation of its importance why the answer plays a role in determining whether backflow prevention devices are needed.

• Why are you doing this?
• How do I know if I need a backflow preventer?
• Will the Village tell me if I need a backflow preventer?
• Will this program raise my water rates or property taxes?
• What is the Cross Connection Control Program Administration fee?
• How often do backflow preventers have to be tested?
• Can any plumber test a backflow preventer?
• How long does the survey take?
• Will the surveyors inspect my entire facility?
• Will I have low water pressure if I install a backflow preventer?
• What type of business are you in?
• What is your principle use of water?
• Does your company use water in any manufacturing, industrial, or commercial process?
• Does your company use any hazardous or toxic materials or chemicals in any kind of process?
• Do any hot water boilers, steam boilers, instantaneous heat exchanger water heaters, or steam generating facilities exist on the premises?
• Is there a fire sprinkling system on the property?
• Does your fire sprinkling system use chemical additives?
• Is there a fixed lawn sprinkler system on the property?
• Are there any auxiliary water supplies on the premises?
• Is there a booster pump attached to any portion of the plumbing system?
• Are there any buildings taller than 2 stories on the premises with water service?
• Does your company have any water-cooled equipment on the premises?
• Are there any cooling towers or water storage reservoirs on the premises?
• Are there any solar heating systems on the premises?
• Does your firm have any potentially contaminated or sewer connected equipment on the premises such as aspirators, cuspidors, autoclaves, specimen tanks, sterilizers, laboratory, or mortuary/autopsy equipment?
• Do you have more than 1 service providing water to your building?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Why are you doing this?  State of Illinois regulations mandate that all public water purveyors must implement and maintain an acceptable cross connection control program. These regulations were promulgated by the Illinois Pollution Control Board and are enforced by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. This program is a State mandate. In summary, the state regulations prohibit cross connections of any kind and require the Village, as a water purveyor, to maintain an active program aimed at identifying and eliminating cross connection hazards.

How do I know if I need a backflow preventer? Your best option is to consult with a qualified plumbing professional. Specifically, you should make certain that you obtain the advice of a plumber holding a cross connection control device inspector (CCCDI) license issued by the State of Illinois. A CCCDI can inspect your property and help you to identify cross connections, eliminate cross connections, or make sure that potable water systems are protected from cross connections. To gain a better understanding of the risks you may face from cross connections, please follow this link.

Will the Village tell me if I need a backflow preventer? Yes. And no. The purpose of the Village's cross connection control program is to make certain that the public potable water distribution system is protected from consumer backflow. In other words, once water is delivered to consumers' private plumbing systems, we don't want it back. Consequently, we will identify where and what type of backflow prevention is necessary to protect the public. However, we will not be performing an exhaustive inspection of consumers' private plumbing systems. Therefore, it is feasible that you may need additional backflow protection above and beyond what the Village requires in order to safeguard your private plumbing system.

Will this program raise my water rates or property taxes? No. This program is funded entirely by fund balances currently available in the Village's water and sewer enterprise fund. However, water consumers tributary to the Village-owned water distribution system may be required to pay a Cross Connection Program Administration Fee.

What is the Cross Connection Control Program Administration fee? This fee is intended to offset the administrative costs of implementing this federal and state mandate. The fee is $10 per device per year.

How often do backflow preventers have to be tested? Pursuant to federal, state, and Village codes, most backflow preventers have to be tested at least once per year. For additional testing information, please follow this link.

Can any plumber test a backflow preventer? No. Backflow preventers can only be tested by plumbers holding a Cross Connection Control Device Inspector (CCCDI) certification. This certification requires specialized training in the operation and maintenance of cross connection control devices (backflow preventers).

How long does the survey take? Typically, the cross connection survey can be completed in 15-20 minutes.

Will the surveyors inspect my entire facility? No. They will need to visit the location(s) where your water service enters your building(s). They will then ask you a series of questions about how you use water. They will not trace pipes or conduct a plumbing inspection of your facility.

Will I have low water pressure if I install a backflow preventer? Possibly. Often times consumers can experience pressure losses of 10 psi or more downstream of double check or RPZ backflow preventer. If this type of pressure loss adversely affects your ability to use water downstream of the device, you may have to boost the pressure by installing a pump. The installation of any pump in a plumbing system requires a permit. 

What type of business are you in?
The type of business can be a good indicator of the potential for water system contamination via cross connections. For example, some businesses such as car washes, laundries, dry cleaners, metal platers or reclaimers, hospitals, medical or dental offices, nursing homes, funeral homes or mortuaries, laboratories, food or beverage processing plants, restaurants, chemical plants, and food or beverage processing facilities, intrinsically use water in some fashion as part of their normal business operations. Some also use hazardous or toxic chemicals or work with sewer-connected equipment (autoclaves, cuspidors, aspirators, etc.). The introduction of a potable water distribution system into these types of facilities creates at least the potential for contamination via cross connections. The Village Code specifically stipulates that these types of businesses must be equipped with proper backflow prevention devices.

What is your principle use of water?
Water used as part of any manufacturing, industrial, commercial, or business process, aside from typical domestic uses such as lavatory sink or a normal flush toilet, creates the potential for cross connections. For example, a chemical plant may use water to compound solutions or clean vats. The point at which potable water is introduced to these processes is the point at which cross connections are possible.

Does your company use water in any manufacturing, industrial, or commercial process?
Facilities that use potable water as part of a processing operation can present significant risks to the water distribution system. This purpose of this question is similar to the reasoning behind the preceding two questions. It is pointed attempt to further clarify how water is used on the premises.

Does your company use any hazardous or toxic materials or chemicals in any kind of process?
The mere presence of hazardous or toxic materials or chemicals creates the potential for cross connections with the potable water system. This is true regardless of whether or not potable water is also used in these processes. Often, property owners or business operators don't realize how quickly and easily hazardous materials can be unintentionally introduced to their plumbing systems. For example, a temporary hose connected to a slop sink faucet and placed in an barrel that contains a residual amount of a hazardous material can become a cross connection as soon as the hose becomes submerged. This act might be considered an innocuous part of "cleaning up" after a manufacturing process but it could create a very hazardous cross connection. Consequently, premises with hazardous or toxic materials on site require backflow prevention regardless of whether actual cross connections are identified.

Do any hot water boilers, steam boilers, instantaneous heat exchanger water heaters, or steam generating facilities exist on the premises? These types of devices almost always have a plumbing connection and can easily be a source for unsanitary water or contaminants to enter the potable water system. For example, a boiler needs fresh water to "make-up" water lost to heating processes. If a backflow incident occurs, hot water, steam, or chemical additives used in the boiler can be drawn into the plumbing system.

Is there a fire sprinkling system on the property?
Fire sprinkler systems connected to the potable water system present a cross connection hazard because the water stored inside the piping network is usually stagnant and motionless for a very long period of time. Consequently, this water must be considered unsanitary and potentially hazardous to human health.

Does your fire sprinkling system use chemical additives?
Some fire systems use chemical additives to improve fire suppression or to prevent scale growth, corrosion, algae, and slime growths. The addition of these chemicals can create a higher degree of hazard because they could seriously injure anyone who consumes them following a backflow incident.

Is there a fixed lawn sprinkler system on the property?
Fixed lawn sprinklers can present a cross connection hazard because they present a nexus for lawn chemicals and fertilizers to enter the potable water system. For example, a small pool of water over a recessed sprinkler head can become saturated with chemicals used to control lawn weeds. During a backflow incident, this small pool of water, and its contaminants, can be drawn into the potable water system.

Are there any auxiliary water supplies on the premises?
Auxiliary water supplies, such as a private well, present a cross connection hazard because they create the potential for the potable water distribution system to become blended with water from a source beyond the control of the Village. If a facility is supplied by both well water and public water, the well water piping can easily be inadvertently, or intentionally, connected to the plumbing supplied by the public water distribution system. Generally, private well water is not tested, treated, or subject to the same stringent quality regulations as public drinking water systems. At the very least, the quality of most private well water must be considered questionable at best.

Is there a booster pump attached to any portion of the plumbing system?
Systems using booster pumps, whether for lawn irrigation, fire suppression, or to distribute potable water to higher elevations, present a cross connection hazard because they can create a situation whereby higher pressure in private plumbing can reverse the intended flow of water and force contaminants into the public potable water distribution system.

Are there any buildings taller than 2 stories on the premises with water service?
Tall buildings can have the affect of a mini-water tower or elevated tank. In a very abstract sense, they store water in their plumbing systems. This water must be constantly supported by potable water distribution system pressure. If a main break or other problem causes a drop in pressure, the water from tall buildings can easily be drawn back into the public water distribution system.

Does your company have any water-cooled equipment on the premises?
Any equipment cooled by water connected to the potable water distribution system creates an opportunity for contaminants such as bacteria, lubricants, or chemicals to enter the potable distribution system during a backflow incident. In some cases, water cooled equipment is also directly connected to sewer systems thereby creating an undesirable connection between the potable water system and the sewer system.

Are there any cooling towers or water storage reservoirs on the premises?
Reservoirs, cooling towers, and circulating systems may be heavily contaminated with bird droppings, vermin, algae, bacterial slimes, or with toxic water treatment compounds such as pentachlorophenol, copper, chromates, metallic glycosides, compounds of mercury, and quaternary ammonium compounds.

Are there any solar heating systems on the premises?
Most solar energy systems have a connection to the potable water distribution system. Some solar energy systems may also employ antifreeze solutions or chemical corrosion inhibitors. During a backflow incident, it is possible that these contaminants could be drawn into the potable water system.

Does your firm have any potentially contaminated or sewer connected equipment on the premises such as aspirators, cuspidors, autoclaves, specimen tanks, sterilizers, laboratory, or mortuary/autopsy equipment?
Connections between the potable water system and potentially contaminated or sewer connected equipment such as a cuspidor in a dentist's office create the opportunity to draw contaminants, bodily fluids, or wastewater into the potable water system during a backflow incident.

Do you have more than 1 service providing water to your building?
Multiple services to a single facility create the opportunity for the private plumbing to become looped and return water to the public water distribution system. Once potable water leaves the public mains and is beyond control of the Village, it cannot be returned to the Village-owned water distribution system.