Protecting the public water supply from contamination.
Cross Connection contamination of the public water supply is the leading cause of waterborne disease in public water systems. It can occur when any fluid or gas that is contaminated is introduced into the public water supply. Anywhere in the public or customer water lines where this can occur is considered a “cross connection.” Clackamas River Water is mandated by the State of Oregon Drinking Water Rules to eliminate or control all cross connections.
Cross connections can include garden hoses left submerged in buckets, hose-end chemical spray attachments, including pump type garden sprayers, lawn sprinkler systems, fire sprinkler systems, and auxiliary private water systems to name just a few. Cross Connections are controlled by the installation and annual testing of backflow prevention assemblies.
Backflow prevention assemblies are devices that can be installed in your water system to prevent water from flowing back into the public water supply. Backflow prevention assemblies are required by Oregon law to be tested at least annually by a State certified tester. If you know of backflow prevention assemblies at your property, be sure to have them tested. For a CRW list of testers, click here.
Who to contact for more Cross Connection Control information
To learn more about the cross connection contamination safety of your home or commercial building, or about the required annual testing, contact Clackamas River Water's cross connection specialist, Jon Sleight, at 503-722-9238 or by email at
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Listed below are links to helpful information that may assist your efforts to comply with both CRW and State backflow prevention requirements. Your cooperation in helping keep our public water supply safe is greatly appreciated.
