Welcome to the City of Newport, Rhode Island Welcome to the City of Newport, Rhode Island
  • Report it! Newport
  • Calendars
  • Staff Directory
  • Bids and RFPs
  • I Want To...   
    • Pay
    • My Utility Bill
    • Parking Tickets
    • Taxes
    • Beach Sticker & Permits
    • Electrical/Building/Plumbing Fees
    • Recreation Registration Fees
    • Sign Up/Register
    • Emergency Alerts
    • For a Recreation Program
    • City Newsletter
    • Special Needs Registry
    • Learn More About
    • Easton's Beach
    • Recycling & Trash Info
    • Recreation Programming
    • Short-Term Rentals
    • City Charter
    • Park Rentals
    • Tax Assessor's Database
    • The Bare Root Tree Program
    • The Memorial Bench Program
    • Connect with Learning
    • Newport School Department
    • Newport Public Library
    • Community College of Rhode Island
    • Salve Regina University
    • Redwood Library
    • Do Business in Newport
    • Connect Greater Newport
    • Innovate Newport
    • Newport County Chamber of Commerce
    • View
    • City Council Agendas
    • Newport GIS
    • ReportIt!/311 Assistance
    • City Ordinances
    • City Council Meetings Online
    • Street Sweeping Schedule
    • Yard Waste & Holiday Calendar
    • City News
    • Parking Information
    • Order
    • Birth Certificate
    • Death Certificate
    • Marriage Certificate
    • Contact
    • Mayor's Office
    • My City Councilor
    • City Directory
    • Find Visitor Information
    • Discover Newport
    • Apply For
    • A Special Detail Request
    • A Bare Root Tree
    • A Job with the City
    • A Memorial Bench
    • A Position on a Board or Commission
    • Curb Cut or Excavation Permit
    • Electrical Permit
    • Building Permit
    • Business Application or License
    • Excavation Permit
    • Marriage License
    • Plumbing Permit
    • Residential Parking Permit
    • Special Event License
    • Victualing License
    • Request
    • Absentee Ballot Request
    • Proposals, Bids & Price Quotes
    • Public Information
    • ReportIt!/311 Assistance
    • Access Community Resources
    • Church Community Housing
    • East Bay Community Action Program
    • Edward King House Senior Center
    • MLK Community Center
    • Farmer's Market
    • James L. Maher Center
    • Newport County Veterans Affairs
    • RENEWport
    • Salvation Army
    • Women's Resource Center
    • Discover Health Resources
    • Boys & Girls Club
    • MLK Community Center
    • Newport County YMCA
    • Newport Health Equity Zone
    • Newport Hospital
    • Newport Recreation
    • Bike Newport
  • Residents   
    • Get in Touch with Staff
    • Quick Links
    • Pay Your Taxes
    • Sign up for Emergency Alerts
    • Tax Rates
    • Parking Stickers
    • Vital Records
    • Marriage Licenses
    • Civic Life
    • Boards & Commissions
    • City Council
    • Elections
    • Community Resources
    • Newport Public Library
    • Edward King House Senior Center
    • Newport Public Schools
    • Veterans Resources
    • Report a Complaint
    • Noise Complaints
    • Construction Updates
    • GIS Mapping
    • Online Services
    • Newport Outdoors!
    • Parking & Transportation
    • City Parking Lots
    • Metered Parking
    • Parking Violation Review
    • Resident Parking Program
    • Real Estate Information
    • Tax Rates
    • Tax Assessor's Office
    • Property Records
    • Request a Final Water Reading
    • Building & Inspections
    • Flood Safe Newport
    • Trash & Recycling Information
    • Clean City Programs
    • Recycling
    • Trash & Yard Waste Calendar
    • Recreation
    • Adult & Youth Leagues & Organizations
    • Concerts in King Park
    • Park Calendar
    • Register
    • Sponsorship and Donations
    • Online Registration
    • Our Facilities
    • Park Rentals
    • Park Rental Fees
    • Volunteering
    • Living in History
    • Historic District Commission
    • Historic District Maps & Bounds
    • Newport's Historic District Ordinance
    • Enjoying Newport Harbor
    • Harbor Amenities
    • Mooring Waiting List
    • Newport Harbor Shuttle
    • Newport Maritime Center
    • Providence-Newport Ferry
    • Newport Water Division
  • Government   
    • Get in Touch with Staff
    • Boards & Commissions
    • Apply to Serve
    • Boards
    • Planning Board
    • Zoning Board of Review
    • Tax Appeal Board
    • Authorities
    • Commissions
    • Affirmative Action Commission
    • Ad-Hoc Bridge Realignment Property Advisory Commisison
    • Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission
    • Beach Commission
    • Cliff Walk Commission
    • Energy and Environment Commission
    • Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission
    • Historic District Commission
    • Sister City Commission
    • Public Sculpture Commission
    • Miantonomi Park Commission
    • Revenue Review
    • Tree and Open Space Commission
    • Trust and Investment Commission
    • Waterfront Commission
    • Community TV
    • City Initiatives
    • Eastons Beach Study
    • Learn365
    • 2023-24 Reval
    • Property Records
    • 2024 General Obligation Bond
    • AIBC
    • American Rescue Plan Act
    • KeepNewportMoving
    • Language Access
    • Strategic Plan
    • Age Friendly Newport
    • City Charter & Ordinances
    • Real Estate Information
    • Tax Rates
    • Tax Assessor's Office
    • Property Records
    • Request a Final Water Reading
    • Building & Inspections
    • Flood Safe Newport
    • Trash & Recycling Information
    • Clean City Programs
    • Recycling
    • Trash & Yard Waste Calendar
    • Departments
    • Canvassing & Elections
    • City Clerk
    • City Manager
    • Finance
    • Fire
    • Harbormaster
    • Human Resources
    • Planning & Development
    • Building & Inspections
    • Police
    • Public Services & Trash/Recycling
    • Recreation
    • Resilience & Sustainability
    • Utilities & Water Division
    • City Council
    • Council Dockets
    • Councilor Bios
    • Mayor
    • Fireworks
    • Newport Water Division
  • Businesses   
    • Applications, Licenses & Permits
    • Business Registration
    • Curb Cut & Excavation Permit
    • Entertainment License
    • Holiday Selling Application
    • Second Hand License Application
    • Sidewalk Cafe License Application
    • Special Event License
    • Tattooing License
    • Tree Permit
    • Victualing License Application Procedure
    • Film & TV Production
    • Newport Film Protocol Form
    • Business Resources
    • Innovate Newport
    • Connect Greater Newport
    • Newport County Chamber of Commerce
    • Real Estate Information
    • Tax Rates
    • Tax Assessor's Office
    • Property Records
    • Request a Final Water Reading
    • Building & Inspections
    • Flood Safe Newport
    • Work Here
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Invest Here
    • Planning & Development
    • Innovate Newport
    • Arts and Entertainment District
    • Comprehensive Plan
    • Age Friendly Newport
    • KeepNewportMoving
    • Newport Health Equity Zone
  • Visitors   
    • Getting To Newport
    • Parking Guide
    • Hike the Cliff Walk
    • Points of Interest
    • Parking & Access Points
    • Explore Our Parks & Open Spaces
    • Easton's Beach
    • Bath Houses
    • Beach Parking
    • Lifeguards & Safety
    • Special Events
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Getting Around Newport
    • City Parking Lots
    • Newport Harbor Shuttle
    • Providence-Newport Ferry
    • Ride RIPTA
    • Parking Guide
    • Harbor Amenities
    • Newport Maritime Center
    • Getting Married in Newport
    • Marriage Licenses
    • Park Rentals
    • Vital Records
    • Newport Maritime Center
    • Visitor Resources
    • Discover Newport
    • Newport Out
    • VisitRI.gov
  • Upcoming Meetings





Home  >  Government   >   Departments   >   Utilities & Water Division   >   Newport Water Division   >   Cross Connection Control Program

In This Section
  • Get in Touch with Staff
  • Departments
    • Canvassing & Elections
      • Elections
      • Candidates
      • Voting by Mail
      • Forms & Applications
    • City Clerk
      • Applications & Forms
        • Certificate of Guesthouse Hotel
      • Fireworks Calendar
      • Probate Court
      • Vital Records
      • Marriage Licenses
      • Property Records
        • Recording Fee Schedule
        • Recording Requirements
    • City Manager
    • Finance
      • Tax Assessor's Office
        • Applications & Forms
          • Business Registration Form
          • Change of Address Form (Real Estate and Tangible Accounts)
          • APPLICATION for SENIOR PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION CLAIM
          • Residential Tax Rate
            • Resident Rate Application
        • Tax Appeals
        • Tax Rates
      • Purchasing Division
        • Award & Protest Procedures
        • Claim Processing
        • QBS Process & procedures
      • Collections Office
        • Collections Office Forms
        • Parking Stickers
        • Pay Your Taxes
    • Fire
      • About Us
      • Emergency Management
        • COVID19
          • COVID Resources
          • COVID19
          • Vaccine
        • Storm Damage
        • RadioReady
        • Special Needs Registry
        • Shelter Information
        • Evacuation Maps
        • Volunteer
        • Warming Centers
        • Cooling Shelters
      • Fire Prevention Systems
        • Fire Alarm Plan Review Worksheet
      • Inspections
      • Newport Safe Stations
      • Permits & Information
      • Santas Ride
    • Harbormaster
      • Harbor Amenities
      • Moorings/Anchorage
        • Anchorage
        • Mooring Permit Holder Information
        • Mooring Waiting List
        • Small Boat Mooring Application
        • Transient Moorings
      • Newport Maritime Center
    • Human Resources
      • Collective Bargaining Agreements
      • City Employment / Application
        • Employment Opportunities
        • Senior Volunteer Work Program
      • Employee Healthcare
        • Affordable Care Act
        • Senior Healthcare
      • City Retirement Plans
      • Group Life Insurance
      • Time Away
    • Planning & Development
    • Building & Inspections
      • Flood Safe Newport
        • Be Prepared
        • National Flood Insurance Program
        • Our Natural Environment
        • Real Time Information
        • Storm Gallery
    • Police
      • Vision Statement
      • Administrative Services Division
        • Accreditation Office
        • Police Dispatch
        • Training Office
      • Office of Professional Standards
      • Criminal Investigation Division
        • BCI
      • Honor Guard
      • Patrol Division
        • Animal Control
        • Bike Patrol
        • Community Policing
          • Broadway COP Office
          • Brick Market COP Office
          • LBTQ+ Liaison
          • Lower Thames COP Office
          • North End COP Office
          • Return Home Safe
        • Crime Scene Investigators
        • Public Information Officer
        • Special Response Team
      • Records
        • Camera Registry
        • Access to Public Records Act
        • Access to Public Records Form
          • Receipt
        • Access to Public Records Law
        • Bicycle Registration Form
        • Business Emergency Contacts Form
          • Receipt
        • Home and Business Alarm Permit Application
          • Receipt
        • Online Incident Report
        • RISP Gaming Unit
        • Underground Piping Private Hydrants Sprinkler Supply
        • Vacant Home Business Check Form
          • Receipt
      • Recruitment – Become an Officer
      • Special Detail Request
        • Receipt
        • Receipt
      • Traffic Enforcement
        • Child Safety Seats
        • Parking Enforcement
        • Traffic Complaints
        • Traffic Laws and Ordinances
        • ITC Citizen Concern Request Form
      • VIN Checks
    • Public Services & Trash/Recycling
      • Forms & Applications
      • Trash & Recycling Information
        • FAQs
        • Clean City Programs
        • Special Events
          • Fall Recycling Day
        • Recycling
      • Trees, Parks & Open Space
        • Cliff Walk
          • Amenities
          • Cliff Walk Together
          • Getting Here
          • Parking & Access Points
          • Points of Interest
            • Trail Marker 1
            • Trail Marker 2
            • Trail Marker 3
            • Trail Marker 4
            • Trail Marker 5
            • Trail Marker 6
            • Trail Marker 7
            • Trail Marker 8
            • Trail Marker 9
            • Trail Marker 10
            • Trail Marker 11
            • Trail Marker 12
            • Trail Marker 13
            • Trail Marker 14
            • Trail Marker 15
            • Trail Marker 16
        • A Guide to Newport's Parks
        • Programs
        • Historic Cemeteries
        • Pet Friendly Newport
        • Tree Programs
      • Public Works
        • Street Lights
        • Street Sweeping
          • Street Sweeping Calendar
        • Snow Removal
    • Recreation
    • Resilience & Sustainability
    • Utilities & Water Division
      • Newport Water Division
        • Water Meters
        • Cross Connection Control Program
        • Consumer Confidence Reports
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Forms & Applications
          • Request for Service Form
        • Lead and Drinking Water
          • Identifying Lead Service Lines
          • Lead and Copper Rule
        • Water Quality
        • Watershed Protection
      • Water Pollution Control Division
        • Annual Report
        • CSO Control Plan
          • Building Inspection Program
          • Background
          • CSO Control Plan Reports
          • CSO FAQs
          • CSO Master Plan
          • CSO Newsletters
          • CSO Stakeholders Working Group
          • Harbor Monitoring Program
        • Forms & Applications
          • Sewer Fee Abatement Request Form
        • Industrial Pretreatment Program
        • Capital Projects
        • Prescott Hall Flooding
        • Dudley Ave - Pell School Flooding
        • Almy Pond Management Plan
      • Billing Office
        • Filing Dockets
  • Boards & Commissions
    • Apply to Serve
    • Boards
      • Planning Board
      • Zoning Board of Review
      • Tax Appeal Board
    • Authorities
      • Canvassing Authority
      • Housing Authority
    • Commissions
      • Affirmative Action Commission
      • Ad-Hoc Bridge Realignment Property Advisory Commisison
      • Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission
      • Beach Commission
      • Cliff Walk Commission
      • Energy and Environment Commission
      • Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission
      • Historic District Commission
        • Minutes & Agendas
      • Sister City Commission
      • Public Sculpture Commission
      • Miantonomi Park Commission
      • Revenue Review
      • Tree and Open Space Commission
      • Trust and Investment Commission
      • Waterfront Commission
  • City Council
    • Council Dockets
    • Councilor Bios
    • Mayor
      • Fireworks
  • Community TV
  • City Initiatives
    • Eastons Beach Study
    • Learn365
    • 2023-24 Reval
      • Property Records
    • 2024 General Obligation Bond
    • AIBC
    • American Rescue Plan Act
    • KeepNewportMoving
    • Language Access
      • LEP Compaint
    • Strategic Plan
    • Age Friendly Newport
  • Real Estate Information
    • Tax Rates
    • Tax Assessor's Office
    • Property Records
    • Request a Final Water Reading
    • Building & Inspections
    • Flood Safe Newport
  • Trash & Recycling Information
    • Clean City Programs
    • Recycling
    • Trash & Yard Waste Calendar
  • Newport Water Division
  • City Charter & Ordinances

Cross Connection Control Program

In accordance with Rhode Island Department of Health Rules & Regulations for Water Suppliers, the Newport Water Division (NWD) has developed a Cross-Connection Program to safeguard public drinking water and protect the health of our customers by maintaining a high level of backflow prevention and cross-connection control.


Cross-connections between water supplies and non-potable sources of contamination represent one of the most significant threats to health in the water supply industry. Our program is therefore designed to maintain the safety of the water in the system by preventing the introduction of any containment(s) by providing protection from actual or potential cross-connections.

In order to provide this safeguard NWD must protect the public drinking water supply from the possibility of contamination from private water service connections. The Program is detailed in Chapter 13.06 of the City Ordinances. NWD recognizes the difference in the threat to the public water system arising from different types of connection.  The backflow device required by NWD is based on the degree of Hazard as determined by NWD.  NWD uses the following classifications:
 
Class I – Low Degree of Hazard: If backflow were to occur, the resulting health significance would be limited to minor changes in the esthetic quality such as taste, odor or color. The foreign substance must be non-toxic and non- bacterial in nature and not have significant health effect.
 
Class II – Moderate Degree of Hazard: If backflow were to occur, the resulting effect on water supply would be significant changes in esthetic qualities.  The foreign substance must be non-toxic to humans and non bacterial in nature.
 
 Class III – High Degree of Hazard:
If backflow were to occur, the resulting effect on the water supply could cause illness or death if consumed by humans. The foreign substance may be toxic to humans either chemically, bacteriologically or radiologically. Toxicity may result from either short or long term exposure.
 

 
Use Degree of Hazard HazardHazard Backflow Preventer
Single Family Residential I Residential Dual check
Home Occupation (Restrooms Only) I Testable Dual check
Home Occupation (All Other Use) II or III RPZ
Apt. Building (up to 2 units) I Residential Dual check
Apt. Building (3 units or more) III RPZ
Pools III RPZ
Commercial Food Service III RPZ
Barber/Beauty Shops III RPZ
Laundromats, Dry Cleaners III RPZ
Laundromats III RPZ
Gas Station, Garage, Equipment Repair III RPZ
Office Buildings III RPZ
Hospitals, Medical, Dental Offices III RPZ
Wells III Air Gap
Fire Service I, II or III Per Approval
 
Degree of Hazard Table is an example and not intended to be a complete list
  
The Newport Water Division’s Program containment strategy for the Cross Connection Control Program is generally summarized with low hazards being protected by Double Check Valve Assemblies and almost everything else Reduced Pressure Zone Assemblies.
 
The use of an atmospheric vacuum breaker (AVB) or pressure vacuum breaker (PVB) are limited in use with containment as a result of installation criteria.
 
  • AVB may be used only on connections to a nonpotable system where the vacuum breaker is never subjected to backpressure and is installed on the discharge side of the last control valve. It must be installed above the usage point. It cannot be used under continuous pressure. 
  • PVB may be used as protection for connections to all types of nonpotable systems where the vacuum breakers are not subject to backpressure. These units may be used under continuous supply pressure. They must be installed above the usage point.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is cross-connection?

A cross-connection is any connection or arrangement, physical  or otherwise, between a potable water supply system and any plumbing fixture, tank, or any receptacle, through which it may be possible for non-potable, used, unclean, polluted, contaminated water, and/or other substances to enter into any part of such potable water system under any condition. It is not necessary for contamination or backflow to have actually occurred. A cross-connection is simply the connection through which it may be possible for backflow or contamination to occur.

Why does the backflow assembly need to be tested?

A backflow assembly is a mechanical assembly that is subject to failure. It is impossible to tell if it is working by appearance only. An operational test using a differential gauge is required to determine if the backflow is working properly.

Does the NWD provide backflow testing service?

No, testing of all backflow prevention devices shall be performed by a Certified backflow tester at the Owners expense.

When am I considered in compliance with Cross Connection Control Program ?

All testable backflow preventers are to have annually passed and report submitted by September 1st.

What do I do if my backflow assembly fails a test?

A failed assembly will need to be cleaned, repaired or in some cases it may need to be completely replaced. After cleaning, repair or replacement a successful re-test needs to be performed and turned into the Cross Connection Control Program within 7 days. Please note, High degree of hazard situations will not be allowed to continue unprotected if the backflow preventer fails the test and cannot be immediately repaired.

City of Newport

43 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840
Phone: (401) 845-5300 (M-F 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
Fax: 401-848-5750

News »
Jobs »
Staff Directory »

Non-Discrimination Statement | Privacy Statement | Sitemap   © 2025 City of Newport, RI. All Rights Reserved.