Cross Connection Control

Federal and State law requires the City of Sioux Falls to protect the drinking water supply from potential contamination or pollution. Contamination can occur when a water service line to a customer is connected to equipment containing a substance not fit for drinking. These connections are called cross-connections. In order to prevent contamination of drinking water supply from these cross-connections, the City has developed ordinances, including adopting the 2015 Uniform Plumbing Code, which requires all customers to install, test and maintain backflow prevention assemblies. These assemblies must be installed on the customer's service line after the water meter but before any branching piping.

Both new and existing customers of the City's water supply may be evaluated by Cross-Connection Control staff to determine which hazards, if any, exist and the type of backflow preventers that will be required.

After an approved backflow prevention assembly has been installed and tested, it must be tested annually by a certified backflow tester who is on the City of Sioux Falls approved tester list. The City maintains a list of Companies who employ these approved testers.

The City of Sioux Fall’s Cross Connection Control Program is a vital component of the City's potable water distribution system. The Cross Connection Control program dictates that testers complete a 40 hour training course and becomes certified in accordance with the City of Sioux Falls Cross-Connection Control manual. Once the tester becomes certified and is approved by the City of Sioux Falls, he or she may test backflow devices within the City for a period of three years prior to recertification so long as their approval or certification does not lapse or become revoked.

Individuals who are interested in becoming certified testers should review the Cross Connection Control Manual and Backflow Tester Instructions and Application.

For more information, please call Darin Freese at (605) 373-6971.