Residential Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention

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Cross Connection Control Prevention

JEA is required to protect its potable water supply form the possibility of contamination. JEA will eliminate or control existing cross connections in the JEA jurisdiction, both actual and potential, between the customers’ plumbing fixtures, piping, and the public water supply.

Backflow is often initiated by accident or unexpected circumstances. Backflow can be partially controlled by good design, proper maintenance, and following the guidelines of the JEA Cross Connection Control Program.

Customer Responsibility

The customer’s responsibility starts at the point of delivery from the public potable water system and includes all their water systems. The customer is required, at their own expense, to install, operate, test, and maintain approved backflow prevention assemblies. Installation of backflow preventers shall be installed by certified plumbers and tested by JEA Qualified Vendors. The JEA Qualified Vendors shall submit the test results to JEA on behalf of the customer. In the event of accidental pollution or contamination of the public or consumers’ potable water system due to backflow on or from customer’s premise, the owner shall promptly take steps to confine further spread of pollution or contamination and shall immediately notify JEA of the hazard.

JEA and JEA contracted vendors shall have free access to the premises of any user of its water supply for the purpose of inspecting, and/or testing the backflow device installed or to inspect the premise to determine if there are any cross connections. Devices shall be installed so that they are easily accessible for inspection, testing, maintenance, and repair.

In most cases, a cross-connection to the public water supply is eliminated by the presence of an approved backflow preventer. The following details the types of backflow prevention required on residential services.

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Closed Title:Residential Devices and Equipment

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If an in-ground irrigation system was installed prior to May 4, 2014, a DCVA may be used until January 2024 when every residential irrigation connection is mandated to be protected by a Reduced Pressure Zone Device.

DVCA

Air Gap

Reduced Pressure Zone Backflow Assembly

Minimum Type of Protection Reside
Premises utilizing an auxiliary water system, (well, pond or other system connected or not connected to the public water supply	RP
Premises Utilizing a solar hot water system with chemical addition	RP
Premises with a swimming pool using a pipe filled line	AG or RP
Premises with pipe filled line for fountains	AG or RP
Premises utilizing in-ground irrigation systems	DCVA¹, RP²
Premises that have reclaimed water available for irrigation and other uses	DCVA, RP, RDC³

¹ DCVA is allowed in residential irrigation if the connection was established prior to May 4, 2014. (currently under review for RP requirement in JEA jurisdiction)
²RP is required if backpressure may exist, a pump is utilized, or chemicals are added to the residential irrigation system
³Residential dual check devices can be added if there is a customer agreement signed stating that no cross connection will be created from the reclaim system to the potable water system, or they are managed by a third party where the customer is prohibited from tampering with the facility’s potable water system, auxiliary water system, or reclaimed water system. Residential dual checks must be replaced every 5 years

Any device, equipment or situation not covered by this cross-connection control policy that may constitute a potential hazard will be examined for appropriate treatment by JEA's authorized agent.

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Closed Title:Testing of Backflow Preventers

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Customers are responsible for testing devices at any premise where backflow preventers are required to be installed at their expense. Tests must be conducted by JEA Qualified Vendors The test results will be reported to JEA by the JEA Qualified Vendor. No test reports can be accepted from customers. Tests should be done according to the schedule code. The residential schedule codes are listed in the tables below. The minimum frequency for residential testing is once every two years.

Residential Reclaim Testing Schedule
Test Date	Test FY	SA Group	Zip 1	Zip 2	Zip 3	Zip 4	Zip 5	Zip 6	Zip 7
January 2022	FY22	SA2	32081	32211	32224	32225	32246	32256	32258
July 2022	FY23	SA3	32259
January 2023	FY23	SA4	32259	32034	32092	32097
July 2023	FY24	SA1	32081
January 2024	FY24	SA2	32081	32211	32224	32225	32246	32256	32258
July 2024	FY25	SA3	32259
January 2025	FY25	SA4	32259	32034	32092	32097

*Reclaim customer notifications and the tester worklist will be sent in the month corresponding to the SA group that needs testing. Only an initial courtesy notification will be sent to customers before testing begins by the contracted tester.

Residential Irrigation Testing Months
	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026
Q1	January		January		January
Q2	April		April		April
Q3	July		July		July
Q4	October		October		October
Q5		January		January
Q6		April		April
Q7		July		July
Q8		October		October

*Irrigation customers will receive an initial opt-out notification and then 30 days following the opt-out notification those that did not opt-out will receive a courtesy testing is beginning notification. The tester worklist will be sent to the contracted tester after the testing notification has been sent to the customers.

Residential Irrigation Zip Codes
Q1	32256	32258
Q2	32211	32216	32225	32277
Q3	32206	32207	32224
Q4	32223	32246	32250
Q5	32217	32259
Q6	32065	32073	32081	32082	32084	32092	32095	32221	32222	32257
Q7	32202	32204	32205	32208	32209	32220	32234	32244	32254
Q8	32034	32097	32218	32226	32210

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Inspections and Discontinues of Service

Continued failure to respond to notices of violation may necessitate a site compliance inspection by JEA. JEA will assess a $100 inspection fee on the customer of record.

The Water purveyor shall cause discontinuance of water service if the required backflow prevention assembly has been bypassed or failed to be tested or properly maintained per JEA’s CCC Policy.

The Water purveyor shall cause discontinuance of water service if an air gap separation system is compromised. In lieu of discontinuance of service, JEA may install, test, repair, or replace a backflow device at the customer’s point of service and bill the customer for all costs associated.