Backflow Prevention

March 7, 2005: Stratford Ontario

• Detergent from car wash was pumped into the municipal water system, making the municipal supply non-potable for 7 days

Labour Day Weekend 1997: Guelph Ontario

• A petroleum chemical backflows into the municipal drinking water system

October 1989: Edmonton, AB

• Contaminated water from a fire hose cabinet was discovered coming out of a drinking fountain

June 14, 1987: Kitchener, ON

• On June 14, 1987 the employees of an electroplating plant in Kitchener, Ontario noticed the water from one of the plant's drinking fountains "looked like Kool-Aid" and had a metallic taste. By Friday, June 19, twenty-nine workers had reported being exposed to nickel contamination. Eleven were in the hospital, and six others were under observation by their family doctor for symptoms of nickel poisoning. Ingested nickel could harm the lungs, kidneys, liver and immune system.The nickel solution most likely entered the plant's water system by backsiphonage through a submerged inlet (cross connection) to a plating rinse tank.  The submerged connection was not protected by a backflow prevention assembly.

An Inspector from the Amherstburg Building Department will conduct a survey of all Industrial, Commercial, Institutional and some multi-residential properties to determine what action, if any, is required to bring these properties into compliance with the Cross Connection Control By-law.

Each property owner will be notified in writing of any action that may be required and a reasonable amount of time will be given in order to complete the necessary work.

The installation of testable backflow prevention devices will require a plumbing permit from the Amherstburg Building Department.  A copy of the Permit application is on the "Forms" page of this web site.

Some types of backflow prevention devices require annual testing to ensure that they are operating properly. A copy of the Device Test Report is available on the "Forms" page of this web site.  If your property requires the installation of a testable backflow prevention device, you will be notified by the Town each year, prior to your annual testing date. A permit is not required for the testing of Backflow Preventers.

Please note that the Cross Connection Control By-law allows only plumbers who are Cross Connection Control Specialists to install and test backflow prevention devices.  A list of contractors who are qualified to install and test backflow prevention devices can be found on this page. 

Permit Application and Device Test Report are available by contacting below:

Contact Information

Amherstburg Building Department Office: 519-736-5408
Email: Send email to Public Works

What is a cross connection?

• A cross connection is any connection, either actual or potential, between a potable water supply or system and a source of contamination or pollution.

What is backflow?

• Backflow is the undesired reversal of water flow against the normal direction.

What is a backflow prevention device?

• A backflow prevention device, sometimes called a backflow preventer, is a mechanical device that prohibits a backflow of contaminants from getting into the drinking water.

Why do backflow prevention devices have to be tested regularly?

• Backflow prevention devices have internal seals, springs, and moving parts that are subject to fouling, wear, or fatigue. Therefore, backflow preventers have to be tested regularly to ensure that they are functioning properly. Typically, backflow preventers are tested once each year.

Who is responsible for having a backflow prevention device tested?

• Generally, the owner of the facility or facility manager is responsible for having a backflow device tested.

Who can test backflow prevention devices?

• Only a plumber who is a Certified Cross Connection Control Specialist and who has been certified by the Ontario Water Works Association is permitted to test backflow preventers located within the Town of Amherstburg.

I have received a letter stating that my backflow prevention device is due for testing, what am I required to do?

• Contact a Certified Cross Connection Control Specialist to test the device. Following the test, a Test Report Form must be completed and submitted to the Amherstburg Building Department by the due date shown on your notification letter.

For your convenience, a list of companies employing Certified Testers is provided on this page titled "Certified Contractors & Testers".  A Test Report Form is provided on this page under "Forms"

Take Notice that on January 23, 2012 the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Amherstburg passed a by-law for the purpose of implementing a Cross Connection Control Program.

The purpose of the Cross Connection Control Program is to minimize the possibility of contaminants entering the plumbing systems within buildings and subsequently, entering the municipal drinking water supply. 

The Cross Connection Control Program encompasses all Industrial, Commercial and Institutional properties as well as large multi-residential buildings. 

A Municipal Building Official will be conducting a survey of the plumbing systems within all Industrial, Commercial and Institutional properties as well as large multi-residential buildings during normal business hours to determine what steps, if any, are required to bring each property into compliance with the new by-law.  The Building Official will inform each property owner in writing of the required action along with a reasonable amount of time to complete the work.

Each municipality has a duty of care to provide safe drinking water to its residents.  Protecting drinking water quality is a top priority. The Cross Connection Control Program is a means of fulfilling this responsibility by reducing the possibility of the contamination of our drinking water.

Department of Development Services
Angelo Avolio, CBCO
Chief Building Official

Click here to access the Cross Connection Control By-law