Cross Connections Program

The City of Taylor has started a new “Residential Cross Connection Program” to help eliminate possible contamination of the public water distribution system. The program is mandated by State of Michigan Public Act 399, which makes it the City’s responsibility to protect the water system from cross connections through a program of inspections and testing. 

A cross connection is an arrangement of piping that could allow undesirable water, sewage or chemical solutions to enter your drinking water system as a result of back flow. There are two required components of the program: Site inspections and testing of backflow prevention assemblies. 

The Water Department will be working with Customer Service Crews to conduct theses inspections. When the department performs this job, they will be in City of Taylor vehicles and will always have a ID badge. The City will start inspections in October 2020 and residents will receive a notice that Customer Service Crews will be in the neighborhood. It will take several months to complete this program.

Every residence in the City of Taylor will require an inspection mandated by the state. Water Service Crews will inspect the outside and inside of each home. Inspectors are looking to ensure all of your water sources have proper working backflow prevention systems.  Homeowners must be home for the inspection, because workers need access to the front, backyard and inside the home. Inspections will also take about 10 to 15 minutes. 

Before the inspection, homeowners can take steps to prevent the most common form of cross connection, which is the ordinary garden hose checks to make sure your hose has a “Hose Bibb Vacuum Breaker.” The Hose Bibb Vacuum Breaker can be purchased at a local hardware store.

Homeowners can call the City at (734) 287-6550 to schedule an inspection. Take time to fill out a water backflow questionnaire (below) and mail it back to the City of Taylor Water Department, 25605 Northline Road, Taylor, MI 48180, or put it in the dropbox outside the building. Label it “Cross Connections Program.” This will help the inspection to be completed faster and more accurately. Make sure to provide your phone number on the questionnaire and the Water Department will contact you to schedule an appointment 

You will be notified of the inspection if modifications and or testing of backflow prevention assemblies are necessary. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the City of Taylor at (734) 287- 6550.