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Water Protection Resources

This page contains information on Austin Water's Cross-Connection, Backflow Prevention, and Water Wells programs.

Cross-Connections and Backflow

A cross-connection is any temporary or permanent connection between a public water system or a consumer's potable water system and any source or system containing non-potable water or other substances — for example, a connection between a potable water system and an irrigation or cooling system.

Backflow is the undesirable reversal of flow of non-potable water or other substances through a cross-connection and into the piping of a public water system or potable water system. Backflow into a public water system can make water unsafe or unusable to drink. Because consumers rely on public water systems to deliver safe water at all times, Austin Water is required to take precautions to protect against it.

There are two types of backflow:

  • Backpressure backflow occurs when downstream pressure exceeds the upstream or supply pressure. This can result from increased downstream pressure, such as from a pump, or from reduced supply pressure, which can occur during water line flushing, firefighting or a main break.
  • Back-siphonage occurs when a negative pressure (vacuum or partial vacuum) develops in the water system pulling water backward, similar to drinking through a straw. It can occur when nearby firefighting activity, a main break or other events stop normal water flow.

Austin Water's Approach to Cross-Connection Control

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality gives public water suppliers two options for controlling cross-connections: require a backflow prevention assembly at each service connection that may create a threat to the supply, or require assemblies at service connections and within premises as outlined in state plumbing codes.

Austin Water generally requires backflow prevention assemblies at the water service connection to each dedicated fire protection or irrigation system, and at the following types of premises:

  • Premises with an alternate or reclaimed water system
  • Industrial, medical, laboratory, marine or other facilities where objectionable substances are handled in a way that could contaminate the public water system
  • Premises exempt from the State Plumbing Code and premises where a required internal backflow prevention assembly is not properly installed or maintained
  • Classified or restricted facilities
  • Tall buildings

Additional Resources

Backflow Prevention Assemblies

A backflow preventer is a device or mechanism that prevents backflow. The two basic approaches are an air gap, which eliminates or creates a barrier at a cross-connection, and a mechanical backflow preventer, which provides a physical barrier. The principal types of mechanical backflow preventers are described below.

  • Air gap — A vertical, physical separation between the end of a water supply outlet and the flood-level rim of a receiving vessel. The separation must be at least twice the diameter of the water supply outlet and never less than one inch. An air gap provides maximum protection against both backpressure backflow and back-siphonage but is not always practical and can be bypassed.
  • Reduced-pressure principle backflow assembly (RPBA) — A mechanical assembly with two independently acting, spring-loaded check valves and a hydraulically operating, spring-loaded pressure differential relief valve between and below the check valves. It includes shutoff valves at each end and test cocks. An RPBA protects against both backpressure backflow and back-siphonage and may be used to isolate health or non-health hazards.
  • Pressure vacuum breaker assembly (PVB) — Available in two styles: Pressure Vacuum Breaker and Spill Resistant Vacuum Breaker. A PVB has an independently acting, spring-loaded check valve and an independently acting, spring-loaded air inlet valve on the discharge side. It includes shutoff valves and test cocks. A PVB protects against back-siphonage only and may be used to isolate health or non-health hazards.
  • Double check valve assembly (DCVA) — A mechanical assembly with two independently acting, spring-loaded check valves, shutoff valves at each end and test cocks. A DCVA protects against both backpressure backflow and back-siphonage but should only be used to isolate non-health hazards.

Testing Requirements

All mechanical backflow prevention assemblies must be tested and certified upon installation and at least once a year thereafter when installed to protect against a health hazard. Mechanical assemblies contain internal seals, springs and moving parts subject to fouling, wear or fatigue, and can be bypassed. Testing must be performed with properly calibrated gauge equipment. The TCEQ and local water suppliers oversee these requirements.

Hose Faucets

A non-removable hose bib vacuum breaker is required by the Uniform Plumbing Code on all hose bibs (see §603.3.3 and §603.5.7) to protect potable water. The device prevents backflow that could contaminate a home's water supply and potentially the community's public water supply.

Soft Drink Dispensers

Post-mix carbonated drink dispensers mix carbonated water under pressure with syrup. When carbonated water contacts copper piping, it chemically dissolves the copper. Ingesting large amounts of copper can cause gastrointestinal distress, vomiting and diarrhea. The Austin Plumbing Code requires a reduced-pressure backflow assembly (RPZ) for post-mix carbonators. No copper piping may be installed downstream of the RPZ assembly supplying a carbonator.

Water Wells

Austin Water's Water Wells Ordinance, Chapter 15-12 of the Austin City Code, ensures that public and private potable water systems are not interconnected without necessary backflow prevention controls. The ordinance prevents threats to public health and safety by requiring that all applicable trade permits (plumbing and electrical) are obtained. An up-to-date registry also enables tracking of well locations within the city for further study of groundwater use and quality.

Which Wells Must Be Registered?

A Water Well Registration Form is required for each of the following types of wells:

  • Domestic
  • Public supply
  • Industrial
  • Stock
  • Irrigation

Registration is not required for injection wells, geothermal wells, de-watering wells, test wells, monitoring wells or environmental soil boring projects.

New Water Wells

A water well is considered new if drilling, re-drilling, plugging or capping is completed after Oct. 22, 2012. For any new well, the property owner must submit an Advance Notice of Water Well Activity Form (PDF) at least five business days before work begins. After completion, the owner must submit the Water Well Registration Form (PDF) with required attachments within 70 days of completion.

Wells completed before Oct. 22, 2012 were required to have been registered by April 20, 2013. The Director may allow a longer registration period for existing wells for good cause, see §15-12-21.

Required Documentation

Registration requires a copy of the property plat showing the well location and a State of Texas Well Report.

Drillers and Pump Installers

Each water well driller must register with the City individually. Company registration does not cover individual employees. Registration is required before drilling, constructing, repairing, plugging or capping any water well, or installing or repairing any water well pump. Submit the Water Well Driller and Water Well Pump Installer Registration Form (PDF).

All work on water wells must comply with:

State and National Resources


State


National

For more information, please contact the Austin Water Utility Compliance Services Division:

Glen Bell Service Center
3907 South Industrial Drive, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78744 

Phone: 512-972-1060, option 5, then option 1 
Fax: 512-972-1260 
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 


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