In January 2022, Raleigh Water's Cross Connection Program will complete an extensive multi-year project by creating and going live with an in-house master database.
The Cross Connection Program is responsible for ensuring potable water provided by the City remains safe throughout the water distribution system and is protected from “backflow events.” (an undesirable reversal of potentially contaminated water from a customer to the City’s system.)
This protection is achieved through the installation of backflow devices or assemblies after each metered service or the right-of-way for dedicated fire service lines. For most residential customers, backflow protection is provided by a dual check device in the meter box. For other services with higher risk, testable backflow assemblies are installed and required by Raleigh City Code to be tested by a Certified Tester.
Failing to adequately prevent or control backflow events could have significant negative health and economic impacts, as evidenced by the Corpus Christi, TX incident in December 2016.
Additional Resources
Residential Irrigation Backflow Requirements
Find out more about requirements about backflow assemblies for residential irrigation systems.