Frequently Asked Questions
Backflow Assembly Testing
Q. What is a Cross Connection? 
A. A cross connection is a permanent or temporary connection between potable
drinking water and anything which can pollute or contaminate the water supply.
Q. What is Cross Connection Control?
A. Cross connection control is simply a program that is designed to take the
safeguards necessary to protect one of the worlds’ most essential assets..... water.
Only through education and the combined cooperation of the public and the water
purveyor, can we ensure a safe supply of drinking water.
Q. What is backflow?
A. The City of Bastrop’s Water distribution system is designed to keep the water
flowing from the distribution system to you, the customer. However, when hydraulic
conditions within the system deviate from the "normal" conditions, water flow can be
reversed. When this backflow happens, contaminated water can enter the
distribution system.
Q. What causes backflow?
A. Backflow is possible in two situations, backsiphonage and backpressure.
Backsiphonage occurs when there is a sudden reduction in the water pressure in
the distribution system, such as during firefighting or when a water main breaks,
water flow can be reversed. This can create a suction effect, drawing the non
potable substance into the potable water system. Backpressure is created when
pressure in a nonpotable system, such as in a recirculating system containing
soap, acid, or antifreeze, exceeds that in the potable system that provides make up
water to the system. This can force the potable water to reverse its direction of flow
through the cross connection. Nonpotable substances can then enter the potable
water system.
Q. How can backflow be prevented?
A. The City of Bastrop recognizes four methods of backflow prevention:
Air Gap
Double Check Valve Assembly
Reduced Pressure Principal Assembly
Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly
The City of Bastrop’s Building Official / Inspector will determine which type of protection is
required based on the degree of hazard that the property represents to the potable water supply.
Q. What is a backflow assembly?
A. A backflow prevention assembly is an approved, testable assembly which uses
valves in different configurations to prevent polluted or contaminated water from
reversing direction and flowing backward.
Q. Is there a general compliance schedule and process?
A. Yes. The Texas Administrative Code Rules and Regulations for Public Water
Systems states “An adequate internal cross-connection control program shall
include an annual inspection and testing by a certified backflow prevention
assembly tester on all prevention assemblies used for health hazard protection.”
The Texas Administrative Code is available upon request. Feel free to contact
the City of Bastrop’s Water and Wastewater Department at (512) 321-2124.
Q. Where should a backflow prevention assembly be located?
A. Generally, the backflow prevention assembly must be located as close as possible
to the water service connection, but must remain on private property.
Q. Who is responsible for the testing and maintenance of the backflow
assembly?
A. It is the sole responsibility of the customer to ensure that the assembly is in
satisfactory operating condition at all times. The City of Bastrop’s Water and
Wastewater department will send notices to the customer advising them when an
annual test is required on their backflow assembly. The customer must contact a
recognized Backflow Assembly Tester to perform the test. If any repair work or
maintenance is performed on the assembly, a recognized Tester must retest the
assembly immediately and submit the test results to the City of Bastrop.
Q. How do I find an approved Certified Tester?
A. The City of Bastrop’s list of recognized Assembly Testers can be obtained from the
City of Bastrop’s Water and Wastewater department. Due to the fact that test prices
vary among testers, you may want to call several Certified Testers to obtain quotes
for your test.
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