An Engineer's Guide to Plumbing Cross-Connections

Randall W. Whitesides, P.E.

Course Outline

Public health officials have rightfully been concerned about cross-connections and back-flow connections in plumbing systems and in public drinking water systems. This web-based course will help Civil, Sanitary, and Mechanical Engineers increase their knowledge of the probability of contamination of drinking water through cross-connection. Numerous documented cases of cross-connection contamination are presented in the course as illustration.

This course includes a multiple choice quiz at the end.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this three hour course, the student will be familiar with the:

• Theory of back-flow and back-siphonage; methods and devices for their prevention;
• Public health significance of plumbing cross-connections; and
• Administration of a cross-connection program.

Course Content

In this course, you are required to study the following document published by The United States Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Clean Water:

EPA document 570/9-89-007: Cross-Connection Control Manual Third Edition (PDF, 1.5 MB)

This forty-five-page manual was developed by EPA from Water Supply and Plumbing Cross-Connections (PHS Publication No. 957) authored by Floyd B. Taylor and Marvin T. Skodje.

At the site, you will be presented with the following course content in the form of links:

Cover & Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Purpose & Scope
Chapter 2 - Public Health Significance of Cross-Connections
Chapter 3 - Theory of Backflow and Backshiphonage
Chapter 4 - Methods and Devices for the Prevention of Backflow and Backsphionage
Chapter 5 - Testing Procedures for Backflow Preventers
Chapter 6 - Administration of a Cross-Connection Control Program
Chapter 7 - Cross-Connection Control Ordinance Provisions
Appendices

There are two ways to proceed with the course:

1. From the opening page, select (click on) the desired course section listed above and view the material on your monitor. Proceed from Chapter 1 through Chapter 7 in this manner. Since the lessons are in PDF format, you may optionally print each course section individually.

2. Select the "download entire manual" option presented. WARNING: If you are connected via modem, the download time may be long.

Additional Resources

The American Water Works Association, 6666 W. Quincy Avenue, Denver, CO 80235, phone 303.794.7711, or fax to 303.794.3951, offers the following publication:

Recommended Practice for Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control (M14)

You'll find all the information you need to eliminate the threat of backflow and backsiphonage in your distribution system. Describes current accepted practices for initiating and managing an effective cross-connection control program. Certain to help those involved in detection and elimination of unprotected cross-connections to establish uniform procedures and practices. Describes selection criteria, and outlines latest techniques for inspection and maintenance. ISBN 0-89867-527-8. Softbound, 132 pp. 1990. Catalog No. 30014

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDHonline.com or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered professional engineer. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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