Cross Connection Control

A cross connection is a point in a plumbing system where the potable water supply is connected to a non-potable source. Briefly, a cross connection exists whenever the drinking water system is or could be connected to any non-potable source (plumbing fixture, equipment used in any plumbing system). Pollutants or contaminants can enter the safe drinking water system through uncontrolled cross connection when backflow occurs.

Cross Connection Control Brochure

Cross Connection Control Survey

Under the provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, the Federal Government has established through the Environmental Protection Agency national standards of safe drinking water. In compliance with these regulations the City of Evanston adopted and enforces its own Cross Connection Control Program.

Please take a few minutes of your time to complete the survey answering all questions to the best of your ability.

 *please note that this survey will be offered on a biennial basis (once every two years).  A link to the survey is now available for 2025.

Backflow is the unwanted flow of non-potable substance back into the consumer’s plumbing system and/or public water system (i.e. drinking water).

There are two types of backflow: backsiphonage and backpressure. Backsiphonage is caused by a negative pressure in the supply line to a facility or plumbing fixture. Backsiphonage may occur during water main breaks, when repairs or maintenance are done on the water mains, when shutting off the water supply, when the fire department is using a fire hydrant, etc. Backpressure can occur when the potable water supply is connected to another system operated at a higher pressure or has the ability to create pressure. Principal causes are booster pumps, pressure vessels, and elevated plumbing.

The best way to protect the water supply is to avoid having a cross connection in the first place! However, where a cross connection occurs, the use of backflow prevention devices can greatly decrease the risk of contamination.

Backflow prevention devices are mechanical devices designed to prevent backflow through cross connections. However, for backflow prevention devices to protect as designed, they must be installed in the right applications and meet stringent installation requirements.

When backflow prevention devices are not installed properly, contamination of the drinking water supply can occur. Contaminants can be chemicals used in boilers, fire suppression or air conditioning systems such as ethylene glycol or chromium sodium dichromate. In lawn irrigation systems, chemicals used often include fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. Bacteria from stagnant water, such as Legionnaire’s disease, are another potential contamination.

Often, people exposed to such contaminants may experience symptoms similar to intestinal viruses and may never realize the source. In other cases, the contaminants can cause serious long-term health problems, even resulting in fatality.

Before the City’s drinking water is compromised, the first people exposed to contaminants will be those who live or work in the buildings with backflow prevention devices.

The United States Government realized long ago the importance of protecting lakes, streams and rivers from pollutants. In 1948 Congress passed the “Federal Water Pollution Control Act”. They amended it in 1972 and again in 1977, renaming it the “Clean Water Act". The “Clean Water Act” enables the United States Environmental Protection Agency to enforce water quality and pollution control standards. Responsibility for enforcing these standards was then passed onto each individual state.

In Illinois, legislation was created to specifically state that water supply officials are responsible for protecting their water mains from connections that have the potential to allow the backflow of contaminants into their respective distribution systems. The City of Evanston is required by state law to enforce Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) rules and regulations governing this legislation, along with our own local code.

• Information for Contractors
• Information for Property Owners

The C3 Contractor License can be obtained through the Utilities Department, Water & Sewer Division at no charge. To obtain a C3 Contractor License, please complete the application form below and return it to the Public Works Agency by mail at the above address, by fax to 847-475-8851, or by email to c3licensedcontractors@cityofevanston.org.

C3 Contractor Application Form

C3 Contractors must be licensed by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency as Cross Connection Control Device Inspectors (CCCDI). They must also have an approved C3 license from the City of Evanston. C3 Contractors must comply with all regulations related to the installation, repair, alteration, removal, certification and testing of cross connection control devices. In addition, all testing and certification of testable backflow prevention devices must be submitted using the approved City of Evanston Testing and Certification Report.

CCCD Testing & Certification Report

Yes. Each device installed requires a separate permit. Permits can be obtained from the Building Permits Desk located at Room 3510 at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Avenue.

CCCD Permit Application

CCCD Plumbing Worksheet 2014

Yes. An approved permit for each device must be obtained prior to the installation of a backflow prevention device. Installation must be done by a licensed C3 Contractor. The installation and initial certification must be witnessed by a City of Evanston plumbing inspector prior to the system being placed into service.

RPZ Retrofit Installation Guide

RPZ stands for Reduced Pressure Zone Backflow Preventer and is installed on various plumbing systems to protect your drinking water and the City water supply from contaminates. An RPZ is a specific type of backflow prevention device that is used when a higher level of protection is needed. Even small fluctuations in City water mains can cause drops in pressure large enough to allow contaminants from a non-potable system to backflow into the potable drinking water supply.

The State of Illinois regulates the use of RPZs as outlined in the Illinois State Plumbing Code and by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The law not only requires the use of RPZ devices, but also that the devices must be tested once per year. State law also requires that the local municipality provide oversight that all requirements are being met.

Yes. On September 26, 2011 the Evanston City Council provisionally adopted ordinance 50-O-11 requiring all those who install, repair, alter, remove, certify and test cross connection control devices within the boundaries of the City of Evanston to obtain a Cross Connection Control (C3) Contractor License. As of May 1, 2012 only City of Evanston Cross Connection Control Device Testing & Certification Reports submitted by a licensed C3 Contractor will be accepted by the City. Please verify that your contractor has obtained this license prior to completing any work.

The City of Evanston maintains a list of licensed C3 Contractors (see link below). If your contractor does not appear on this list, you may wish to contact them to determine if they have been recently licensed. There is no fee for a contractor to become licensed and contractors may be licensed at any time by submitting the appropriate application.

C3 Licensed Contractors Public List (updated 5/1/2019)

Yes. Unless the lawn irrigation system is permanently abandoned, the RPZ must be tested and certified annually. The proper procedure for abandonment of an irrigation system is shown in the link below.

Proper Procedure for Abandonment of an Irrigation System