TCEQ Cross-connection Rulings to be Enforced
Due to pressure from regulating authorities we are beginning to aggressively enforce TCEQ rulings on cross-connection, back flow prevention and double hook up to residential meters. Below you will find some ‘flexible’ definitions of cross connections and double hook-ups. If you find yourself in any of these or similar situations please contact our office to find out how we may help you correct the situation.
TCEQ’s Definitions:
Cross Connection: A physical connection between drinkable water and a liquid or gas that could make the water unsafe to drink. (Wherever there is a cross connection there is a potential threat to public health from the liquid or gas contaminants) e.g., private well connected to house without an air gap or a TCEQ recommended method of backflow prevention. Backflow: Water flowing in the opposite of its intended direction, either from loss of pressure in the supply lines or an increase in pressure on the customer side. (In either of these situations, if any affected customer pipes include a cross connection contaminants could be drawn through the cross connection into that customer’s pipes, if the backflow continues, perhaps into the water mains). All outside faucets must be fitted with at least a vacuum breaker or other method permanently installed to prevent contamination of water supply.
All the situations listed below without proper control will allow whatever the hose is dropped into to back up into the water supply system should pressure drop due to leak or other system failure.
- Hose pipe connected to outside faucet and dropped in swimming pool.
- Hose pipe dropped in mixing tank on tractors.
- Sprinkler systems connected to residential supply without proper backflow devices.
- Hose pipe left in animal water trough.
- Water hose left lying on ground. (Particularly bad if you have pets!)
Double Hook-Ups as defined by Woodrow-Osceola Tariff page 27 section 24. Prohibition of Multiple Connections to a Single Tap. No more than one (1) residential, commercial, or industrial service connection is allowed per meter. The Corporation may consider allowing an apartment building or mobile home/RV park to apply as a “Master Metered Account” and have a single meter (This refers to section E3 (c, d & e). Any unauthorized sub metering or diversion of service shall be considered a Multiple Connection and subject to disconnection of service. If the Corporation has sufficient reason to believe a Multiple Connection exists, the Corporation shall discontinue service under the Disconnection with Notice provisions of The Tariff (Section E16).
Unacceptable Situations of Double Hook-Ups:
- More than one residential home hooked to a single meter.
- Second building or workshop connected to a meter already supplying a residential home if that second building contains kitchen and/or bathroom facilities.
- A business that is connected to a residential meter but is in a separate building.
- A residential meter is being used as a master – meter to supply water to several businesses or homes. (Strip-Mall)
- Connecting one residence with another using a water hose.
Acceptable Situations:
- Private use barn or workshop using water to water animals, or wash room.
This may all seem unnecessary and just another way to get money, but it’s not, as I said at the start of this letter we are under pressure to “Get It Right” and make sure all our members are treated equally.
Remember, if you already have a ‘float’ meter all you need to do is request it be made active and we will put it in the ground for you. Some float meters are ‘fully paid’, that means it will cost you nothing to have your float put in the ground. But unfortunately a lot of ‘floats’ are just ‘membership’ paid only and that means installation of the ‘float’ will have a cost involved.
I sincerely hope that we can get any issues resolved as quickly as possible. I am at the office everyday and will be happy to answer any question you may have.
Regards,
Malcolm Tucker, General Manager
Woodrow-Osceola Water Supply Corporation