Cross-Connection Control & Backflow Prevention

The City of Snyder works to ensure that your drinking water remains clean, safe, and protected from contamination. Backflow devices are an important part of that protection. Through the Backflow Prevention Program, the City helps prevent cross-connections to maintain the safety and quality of the water system.

Backflow and cross-connections can occur in everyday settings. Understanding how they happen and how to prevent them helps reduce water quality risks.

What Is a Cross-Connection?

A cross-connection is any physical link between drinkable water and a potential source of contamination. Wherever there is a cross connection, there is a potential threat to public health. 

Common examples include:

  • Garden hoses submerged in pools, buckets, or chemical containers
  • Irrigation systems without backflow prevention
  • Fire sprinkler test connections

Commercial examples include:

  • Carbonators for soda machines
  • Coffee and tea brewers
  • Chemical dispensers
  • Boilers and chillers
  • Certain manufacturing processes

What is Backflow?

Backflow occurs when water flows backward through the plumbing system and enters the public drinking water supply. If that water carries soil, chemicals, bacteria, or other contaminants, it can compromise the quality of the water system. There are two main types of backflow: back siphonage and back pressure. 

Back siphonage occurs when a negative pressure in the water system “sucks” water back into the pipes. This can happen during:

  • Main water line breaks
  • Large-scale firefighting activities
  • Sudden drops in pressure from heavy water use

Back pressure happens when the pressure in a private system exceeds the pressure of the public water supply, pushing contaminated water back into the pipes. Common causes include:

  • Boiler or pump systems
  • Elevated tanks or water heaters
  • Certain industrial processes

Backflow is often unnoticeable, making prevention essential.

Reporting & Questions

If you notice a potential cross-connection or have questions about your property’s requirements, contact the Utility Department at 325-573-4960.