A Cross Connection is a connection between the City's drinking water supply and a potentially polluted or contaminated source. Some examples of this would be a hose attached to a pesticide spray bottle or leaving the end of a hose in a paddling pool while filling it. If a drop in water pressure occurs, the hose could act as a siphon and suck contaminants into your water supply. This makes the water unsafe to drink and dangerous for you, your family, and your neighbours. There are easy and simple ways to prevent this -- see Frequently Asked Questions for residential tips. The City is also working with commercial and industrial water users to help keep our water safe.

The Cross Connection Control Program maintains public safety by ensuring that proper backflow prevention devices are installed and properly working to prevent foreign substances from entering the water distribution system.

Cross connections between water supplies and sources of contamination represent one of the most significant threats to health in the water supply industry.

The Cross Connection Control Program was established in the City of Saskatoon on May 15, 2003, as a result of provincial legislation and by following general industry best practices. The program is supported by City Bylaw #7567, The Waterworks Bylaw. The program is ongoing and dynamic as drinking water piping systems are continually being installed and altered.

Inspections:
The Cross Connection Control Program works with private backflow prevention installers and testers to ensure that industrial and commercial companies comply with Bylaw #7567.

Upon notification of new installations, the Meter Shop’s Cross Connection Inspectors conduct on-site inspections.  Each inspection includes documents and photographs of serial numbers, devices used, whether these devices have been tested, and if appropriate devices have been installed.  The contractors or building owners are notified if changes or corrections to the installed backflow prevention system are required.   If these changes are not made within the allotted timeframe, water distribution to the property may be terminated until the corrections are made.  All testing and inspection reports, photographs, and correspondence are kept on file for that specific service address.  

Once installed, backflow prevention devices must be tested annually by a licensed backflow tester.  See the Licensed Backflow Tester page.

It is our commitment to you to provide the residents of Saskatoon with a high standard of drinking water. Together we can fulfil this commitment.

Cross Connection Control Brochure (pdf)