Section 810.15. Cross connections and interconnections.

  Unprotected cross-connections are prohibited. Cross-connections shall be protected as required in s. SPS 382.41 . Water system interconnections are prohibited except as provided in sub. (2) . In addition the following requirements shall be met:

(1)   Cross connection control program. In order to protect the public water supply system, the water supplier for every municipal water system shall develop and implement a comprehensive cross connection control program for the elimination of all existing unprotected cross-connections and prevention of all future un-protected cross connections to the last flowing tap or end-use device. The program may include providing public education materials in lieu of inspections of low hazard portions of residential or commercial facilities. Low hazard areas consist of normal kitchen and bathroom fixtures. The water supplier shall keep a current record of the cross connection control program available for annual review by the department. The cross connection control program shall include:

(a) A complete description of the program and the administration procedures, including designation of the inspection or enforcement agency or agencies.

(b) Local authority for implementation of the program, such as ordinance or other governing rule.

(c) A time schedule for public education materials, surveys and follow up surveys of consumer premises for cross connections including appropriate record keeping. Unless otherwise authorized by the department, water suppliers for each municipal water system shall cause a survey to be conducted for every residential service a minimum of once every ten years or on a schedule matching meter replacement. Public educational materials, when being provided in lieu of low hazard inspections, shall be provided to the customer no less than every 3 years and with every cross connection survey. Unless a detailed alternative schedule is included in the cross connection control program and is approved by the department, water suppliers for each municipal water system shall cause a survey to be conducted for every industrial, commercial and public authority service a minimum of once every 2 years. Commercial properties of similar or lesser risk to residential properties may follow the same schedule as residential properties. Completed survey results shall be maintained by the water supplier until corrections and follow up surveys have been made.

(d) A complete description of the methods, devices, and assemblies which will be used to protect the potable water supply. Compliant methods, devices and assemblies are listed in s. SPS 382.41 .

(e) Provisions for denial or discontinuance of water service, after reasonable notice, to any premises where an unprotected cross connection exists or where a survey could not be conducted due to denial.

(f) Submission to the department of a copy of an ordinance establishing a cross connection control program, an annual report including a total number of all service connections by category, and a report indicating the number of surveys completed in each category for that year.

(2)   Interconnections with other acceptable water sources. Interconnections between the public water supply system and another source of water are prohibited unless permitted by the department in individual cases. Approval of the department shall be obtained prior to the interconnection.

History: CR 09-073 : cr. Register November 2010 No. 659 , eff. 12-1-10; correction in (intro), (1) (d) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7. , Stats., Register January 2012 No. 673 .