What is a Cross Connection?

Cross-connection means any actual or potential connection or structural arrangement between a public water system, including a piping system connected to the public water system and located on the premises of a water user or available to the water user, and any source or distribution system containing liquid, gas, or other substances not from the City of Lompoc’s approved water supply. These other substances can be either a low hazard (pollutant/non-health hazard) or high hazard (contaminant/ health-hazard).

What is Backflow?

Backflow means an undesired or unintended reversal of flow of water and/or other liquids, gases, or other substances into a public water system’s distribution system or approved water supply. 

What causes Backflow?

Backflow can occur via two different methods. Either via Backpressure or Back siphonage. 

Backpressure means any elevation of pressure in the downstream piping system (by pump, elevation of piping, or steam and/or air pressure) above the supply pressure at the point of consideration which would cause, or tend to cause, a reversal of the normal direction of flow.

Backsiphonage means a form of backflow due to a reduction in system pressure which causes a sub atmospheric pressure (vacuum) to exist at a site in the water system.

How do you protect against cross-connections/backflow?

Water users can fight against cross-connections/backflow through the installation and maintenance of Backflow Prevention Assemblies/BPA's or an Air Gap. The devices include RP's (Reduced Pressure Principle Assembly), DC's (Double Check Valve Assembly), PVB's (Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly), or SVB's (Spill-Resistant Vacuum Breaker Assembly).

Why does the city have a Cross-Connection Control Program?

The City of Lompoc Water Division works year-round to meet federal, state, and local water quality regulations to produce, treat, and distribute an adequate supply of safe drinking water to the citizens of Lompoc. This State mandated program works to protect this supply from hazards entering back into the distribution system after being delivered to the citizens of Lompoc at their water meter. The city does this by having routine testing requirements of existing assemblies and conducting hazard assessments of water user premises to see if the installation of assemblies is needed. (Please note that while the city maintains a cross-connection control program, the Water Divisions responsibility ends with the safety of the distribution system. Water users are responsible under state plumbing code to maintain their site plumbing free of cross connections.)

Received a green test form?

The green test form and accompanying paperwork are your annual notice to have your backflow prevention assembly tested. The form should specify the assembly information such as manufacturer, type, model, size, and serial number. Testing needs to be done with someone holding a backflow prevention assembly tester certification from an organization recognized by the state to perform the testing. A list containing testers that have submitted paperwork verifying their certifications and gauge calibrations is available upon request.

Questions/Concerns?

Please reach out to:

Luis Pezqueda

Water Regulatory Compliance Specialist

805-875-8704

Important Links:

City Ordinance:

Chapter 13.12: CROSS-CONNECTIONS - City of Lompoc, CA

Approved Backflow List:

USC Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research: List of Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies

State Regulatory Handbook:

Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH) | State Water Resources Control Board