Eagle River Water & Sanitation District’s Backflow Program
The Eagle River Water & Sanitation District is committed to protecting the water supply from backflow and cross-connection risks.
Backflow refers to the reverse flow of water, fluid, or gas caused by either back pressure or back siphonage.
A cross-connection is any point within a water distribution system where chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants may come into contact with potable water.
During a backflow event, uncontrolled cross-connections risk allowing contaminants to enter the potable water supply. Examples of cross-connections include:
- Fire suppression systems
- Boilers
- Pumps
- Medical facilities
- Irrigation systems
Increased awareness has led to efforts to safeguard public water systems through two key steps:
Installing Backflow Prevention Assemblies
A backflow assembly must be installed where the public water system connects to the consumer's property. These assemblies, which contain two or more valves, prevent water from flowing in the reverse direction. Here's how they work:
- Normal Flow: The valve opens when water flows from the public system to the consumer.
- Reverse Flow: If water begins to flow backward, the valve shuts to prevent backflow.
Having multiple valves enhances the safety of public drinking water. Each assembly should be carefully selected for its intended purpose and tested periodically.
Testing Backflow Assemblies Regularly
Backflow prevention assemblies are mechanical and can eventually fail. To maintain safety, the state of Colorado requires annual testing of all backflow assemblies protecting high-risk connections. Routine testing helps identify and repair potential failures before they occur. The water provider assesses which connections are at risk and enforces annual testing to ensure compliance.
Regulatory Framework
Backflow and cross-connection control are regulated under Regulation 11.39 of Colorado's Primary Drinking Water Regulations. As a public water provider, the Eagle River Water & Sanitation District enforces these regulations to ensure that contaminants from customer properties do not enter the public water system.
By complying with these requirements, the district protects public health and safety, ensuring the integrity of the water supply for all customers.
Customers must meet the requirements of Regulation 11 and the district's Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control Program. Here's where we can help you. We will notify you of the need to have a survey conducted on your property to determine if you have, or should have, any regulated cross-connection control devices on your property. If you need a device(s), installed to comply with the regulations, we will notify you. Once you have the proper device(s) installed, we will notify you regularly when you need to have it tested to confirm it is working properly. You will be required to contract with a certified backflow tester to conduct the test and submit results to the district. If the test indicates that the device is not working properly (failed), you will need to contract to have the device fixed and retested. All requirements have a specified time period within which you must comply.
Suppliers must survey all connections to the public water system to determine if the connection is a cross connection. A survey may consist of a phone or mailed questionnaire and/or a physical inspection to assess whether there is the potential for cross-connection and/or backflow on your property. If no potential is found, there is no further action required of you until the next required survey.
The district will notify you by letter of next steps and specific requirements.
The letter you receive from the district will provide you with the time frame within which you must comply with the requirements.
If your property is not in compliance with the district's requirements by the dates communicated in the notification letter, you will be assessed a fine of $500/month. If any noncompliance on your property is anticipated to result in noncompliance with state regulations, your water service will be temporarily discontinued until the property is brought into compliance, in addition to the $500/month fine. Additional fees may be applied to cover district staff time due to noncompliance, such as property visits for turn-on and turn-off of service.
Surveys are conducted by district staff and customers are not charged for this service. Initial and yearly testing and inspection of regulated backflow devices, the cost of the devices, and installation, maintenance, repair, or replacement of the devices is the responsibility of the customer.
Please email backflow staff at [email protected] with questions or to schedule a survey. You may also call 970-477-5451 and asked to be connected to a backflow specialist.