Cross Connection Control Program

A cross-connection is any link between drinking water and a possible source of contamination.

Common Examples

• Garden hoses
• Dishwashers
• Toilets
• Pressure washers
• Boilers
• Pools
• Lawn sprinkler systems

Why This Program Exists

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 and Wisconsin DNR regulation NR Chapter 810 §15 , all municipal water utilities are required to:

• Remove existing cross-connections
• Prevent new cross-connections from forming

This helps protect public drinking water from contamination.

Water normally flows one way—from the public system into your home. Backflow happens when water flows in the opposite direction.

There are two main causes of backflow:

1. Back-siphonage:
   • Occurs when water pressure drops (such as during a main break or fire hydrant use), creating a vacuum that can pull contaminants into the system.
2. Backpressure:
   • Occurs when pressure inside a building (from pumps, boilers, or other systems) becomes higher than the public water system, forcing water to flow backward.

Our Commitment to Safe Water

The La Crosse Water Utility provides safe, high-quality drinking water every day.

Our Cross-Connection Control (CCC) Program helps:

• Protect public health
• Prevent contaminants from entering the water system

Who Manages the Program

We partner with HydroCorp, Inc., an environmental services company that specializes in:

• Backflow prevention
• Cross-connection control

What Inspections Include

HydroCorp inspects the following types of properties:

• Residential buildings
• Commercial properties
• Industrial facilities

They check for:

• Existing or potential cross-connections
• Need for backflow prevention devices

Goal: Ensure contaminated water cannot flow back into clean drinking water.

Inspection Schedule

Residential & Multi-Family Properties

• Inspections are completed during scheduled meter replacement.
• Meter replacement occurs every 20 years.

What Residential Inspections Include

• Meter exchange.
• Inspections focus on areas near the water meter.
• Do not include bathrooms or kitchens unless located on the same level as the meter.
• May include installation of free vacuum breakers on unprotected hose connections.
• Customers receive educational materials to help identify other risk areas.

Notification & Enforcement

Cross-connection requirements are enforced under City of La Crosse Municipal Code (Chapter 46 §40).

Inspection reports will:

• Confirm compliance, or
• Identify violations that must be corrected.

Inspection Notifications

Residential Properties

• First Notice (HydroCorp): Schedule inspection within 20 days.
• Second Notice (HydroCorp): Additional 20 days to schedule.
• Final Notice (Utility Office): 10 additional days to schedule.
• Disconnect Notice: Issued if no response is received.

Inspection Schedule for Commercial, Industrial & Public Authority Properties

Commercial (Low Risk): Inspected every 6–10 years (maximum of 10 years).

Commercial / Industrial (High Risk): Inspected every 2 years.

Low risk means the property has similar or lower risk than a residential property.

Notices and What to Expect

For businesses and other non-residential properties, HydroCorp sends scheduling notices on behalf of the La Crosse Water Utility.

The notice:

• Is mailed to the owner, manager, or utility account contact.
• Explains program requirements.
• Provides the scheduled inspection date.
• No follow-up reminders are sent.

You will receive the notice approximately 4 weeks before the inspection date.

On the Day of Inspection

• A HydroCorp inspector will arrive between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on the scheduled date.
• A full walkthrough will be completed from the water meter to all fixtures.
• Inspection time varies depending on building size.

After the inspection, a report will be provided listing:

• Any issues found
• Required corrective actions
• Compliance deadlines

Need to Change the Appointment?

If the scheduled date or time does not work for you, contact HydroCorp or the La Crosse Utilities Office to reschedule or request a specific time.

HydroCorp: (800) 315-4305
La Crosse Utilities Office: (608) 789-7536

After the Inspection

If Compliant:

• A compliance tag is placed on the water meter.

If Not Compliant:

You will receive a report explaining:

• Required corrections and next steps.

What Counts as Non-Compliance

• Failure to schedule an inspection or re-inspection.
• Failure to correct identified issues.
• Failure to provide property access.
• Missing a scheduled appointment.

Fixes & Re-Inspection

• Complete all required corrections before scheduling a re-inspection.
• Once corrections are complete, call the La Crosse Utilities Office at (608) 789-7536 to schedule a re-inspection.

Note: All corrections must be completed within 2 months of the initial inspection. For questions or scheduling conflicts, call (608) 789-7536.

Re-Inspections

• Typically completed by Water Utility staff.
• Approved properties may not receive the same compliance tag after re-inspection.

Non-Compliance Process (All Properties)

First Notice of Non-Compliance (HydroCorp)

• Sent within 7 business days.
• 20 days to correct issues and schedule re-inspection.

Second Notice of Non-Compliance (HydroCorp)

• Sent 20 days after the first notice.
• Additional 20 days to correct issues and schedule re-inspection.

Final Notice of Non-Compliance (Utility Office)

• Issued if no response after the first two notices.
• 10 additional days to comply.

Disconnect Notice

• Issued if there is still no response.

Special Circumstances

Extensions for compliance re-inspections may be requested. All requests are reviewed and approved by the Board of Public Works.