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  • Programs
  • Cross Connection Control / Water Protection Program

Cross Connection Control / Water Protection Program

Austin Water's Cross-Connection Control and Water Protection Program administers local, state and federal regulations to protect the public water supply. We work to prevent cross-connections by ensuring safeguards are in place to protect the water system from contamination hazards, and to prevent unauthorized use of or damage to fire hydrants to maintain constant fire suppression capabilities.

Program Updates

Ordinance update: Chapter 15-1 — Cross-Connection Regulations (PDF), ordinance #040108-3 was repealed and replaced by ordinance #20250410-002, effective April 21, 2025.

All Water Protection forms except Test and Maintenance Reports should be submitted by email to awcrossconnection@austintexas.gov or by mail to: 

Austin Water Utility Compliance Services Division 
3907 South Industrial Drive, Suite 100 Austin, TX 78744

All Test and Maintenance Reports must be submitted online through the WEIRS database. See the electronic TMR submission notice (PDF) for more information.

In-person visits are not accepted. To register as a Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester, see the Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Information page for the updated registration process.

General Resources
Water Service Technician Resources
Backflow Prevention

The core of our program is preventing backflow, events in which water flow reverses and non-potable water or other substances are siphoned into the drinking water system. Austin Water administers a backflow prevention program under federal, state and local codes to ensure that backflow prevention devices are installed and maintained wherever backflow may be a risk. The program establishes minimum requirements for backflow prevention assembly (BPA) installation, testing, maintenance and reporting.

Alternate Water Sources

Austin Water administers City, state and federal rules applying to alternate water sources, such as reclaimed water or well water, used alongside public water service. These sources may not meet drinking water standards. Alternate water is any water, except drinking water, or a mixture of water and anything else from any source that is pressurized for use, treatment or disposal on or available to a site served by Austin Water.

Temporary Water Service

Every withdrawal of water from a fire hydrant must be permitted, metered and paid for. Austin Water provides tap permits for temporary fire hydrant meters for those needing water for construction purposes.

There are two ways to legally withdraw metered water from a fire hydrant:

  1. Meter installed on a hydrant
  2. Meter installed on the customer's equipment

Note: Only Austin Water staff may handle a fire hydrant water meter. No one is permitted to set, move or possess a meter.

For information on temporary truck and hydrant meter applications, renewals and reading submissions, see the Utility Permitting Office page or email AWHydrants@austintexas.gov.

Private Fire Hydrants

Facilities with privately owned fire hydrants are responsible for ensuring those hydrants will function as designed for fire suppression. The following requirements apply:

  1. Private fire hydrant testing and maintenance is required annually in accordance with NFPA 25, Chapter 4 — see NFPA.org for more information
  2. Austin Fire must be notified before any work that could impair fire suppression capabilities
  3. Testing and maintenance must be performed by an approved Private Fire Hydrant Contractor
  4. A copy of the Test and Maintenance Report for each private fire hydrant must be submitted to Austin Water by the applicable annual due date

Fire hydrant recall resources:

Water Wells

In 2012, the City adopted rules regulating water wells under Austin City Code Chapter 15-12. These rules include registration requirements for drilling water wells, installing water well pumps and other closely related activities. See the Water Wells Program page for details.

Lake Water Protection

The City of Austin has established rules for boats, marinas and shore facilities to ensure sewage is managed appropriately and the water supply is protected. Rules address permit requirements and other requirements related to boat sewage and sanitation.

Permit Requirements

A permit is required for each excursion boat with an on-board toilet (also known as a marine sanitation device) and each boat pump-out facility used to remove sewage from any boat or watercraft. Owners or operators must apply for a permit and follow permit display requirements.

Note: Marinas with boat pump-out facilities on or adjacent to Lake Travis that hold a permit from the Lower Colorado River Authority and excursion boats operated from those marinas are not required to obtain this permit.

Other Requirements

All boats and boat pump-out facilities must comply with the State of Texas Clean Water Certification Program requirements, whether or not a permit is required. Owners and operators of all boats, marinas and shore facilities must also meet requirements related to design, installation, operation, discharge prohibitions, record-keeping and waste documentation.

Austin Water may inspect any boat, shore facility or boat pump-out facility at any reasonable time to verify compliance. Failure to comply may result in enforcement action, including fines of up to $2,000 per violation per day.