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Cross-Connection Survey FAQs

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  • Why did I receive a water survey from the Village of Schaumburg and Backflow Solutions Inc. (BSI)?

    The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) requires every water supply provider to develop and implement a backflow prevention control program. The program mandates surveying all water customers every two years to identify and eliminate connections that could allow contaminants to accidentally flow back into the drinking water from sources such as fire protection sprinkler systems, boilers, lawn sprinklers and swimming pools.

    The Village of Schaumburg's Water Division is responsible for maintaining the village's water distribution system by providing residential, commercial and industrial public water supply users with water that is safe, clean and adequate in quantity and quality.

  • What is a cross connection?

    A cross-connection is a connection between a drinking water supply and a non-drinking water source, where a contaminant could potentially enter the drinking water supply. Cross -connections should be protected by a valve called a backflow preventer.

  • What is a backflow preventer?

    A backflow preventer is a device that allows the water to only flow in one direction and prevent a pipe or device connected to the water supply line to allow water to flow back into the municipal supply system.

  • Who has responsibility for installing backflow preventers?

    Property owners are responsible for installing, annual testing and maintaining backflow preventers. Water customers must contract with a licensed professional to perform the required annual tests and make any necessary repairs. Most plumbing contractors can install and repair backflow preventers and are certified to test them.

Regarding Solicitations

Recently, residents and businesses in the village with cross-connection control devices on their property may have received mailings from one or more plumbing companies concerning testing or servicing of a backflow prevention device or management of their backflow related data. Unless otherwise stated by the village as part of a community-wide program, the Village of Schaumburg does not recommend specific vendors to its residents. The efforts of any business with respect to backflow prevention devices working at any particular residence or business are not sponsored by the village.

Applicable law requires each water customer with a backflow prevention device to have the devices inspected annually. As it has done in the past, the village will continue to send written notification to those customers informing them 30 days prior to the testing date of their backflow prevention device. The only testing due dates that must be complied with are those set forth in the official notification from the village.