Cross Connections FAQ's

In cooperation with the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, the City of Garden Grove's primary goal is to ensure the distribution of safe and potable water to all water users within its service area. To achieve this goal, the City has developed a Cross-Connection Control Management Plan (CCCMP) with an effective date of July 1, 2025. The City's CCCMP was developed pursuant to the requirements of the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH), adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board on December 19, 2023, with a statewide effective date of July 1, 2024. The CCCPH replaced the cross-connection control regulations previously contained in California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Sections 7583 through 7605, and applies to all California Public Water Systems as defined in the California Health and Safety Code, Section 116275(h).

Premises containment protection is required at all existing service connections that have been assessed and found to have actual and/or potential hazards to the City's water distribution system. The City of Garden Grove requires premises containment as the primary means of cross-connection protection. Internal protection in lieu of premises containment is not accepted unless premises containment is not feasible and State Water Board review and approval has been obtained in accordance with CCCMP Section 4.1(c)(3). All new non-residential service connections shall have a City of Garden Grove-approved backflow prevention assembly (BPA) installed at the service connection.

There is no grandfathering of this requirement. Backflow prevention is a public health and safety requirement. If a hazard assessment determines that a backflow prevention assembly is required, installation of an approved assembly is a condition of continued water service. The customer will be notified in writing and given 60 calendar days from the date of the initial notice to comply. If a customer fails to comply, the City of Garden Grove will proceed with enforcement actions, up to and including termination of water service to the premises.

Where a backflow prevention assembly has been determined to be required, the minimum level of protection shall be a lead-free Reduced Pressure Principle backflow prevention assembly (RP), with the exception of fire protection system service connections, which shall require no less than a Double Check Detector Assembly (DCDA). A high hazard fire protection system — including systems that may utilize chemical additives or an auxiliary water supply — shall require no less than an RP in accordance with CCCMP Section 4.1(e)(1). A customer may install a higher level of protection than the City's minimum — for example, an air gap in lieu of an RP — only with prior written City approval.