7/7/04

Town Names Cross Connection Program Coordinator
Wilhelm Begins Fiscal Year at Helm of New Program

While not a new face to the Town of Holly Springs, employee Wayne Wilhelm (pictured below) is beginning the fiscal year in a new position. This July 1, Wilhelm became the Town’s first Cross Connection Control Program Coordinator – head of a new initiative to protect the Holly Springs public drinking water supply.

The Cross Connection Control initiative, established in response to a new state law and a subsequent Town ordinance, is an effort to ensure that backflow prevention devices (devices that prevent water from flowing backward from a property owner’s water supply into the public drinking water supply, possibly contaminating the drinking water) are in place and in compliance with state law.

“I work here every day and drink plenty of water,” Wilhelm said. “As a Town employee and frequent consumer of Town water, I’m looking forward to helping protect the integrity of Holly Springs drinking water through this new program.”

Wilhelm said that the first task on his agenda is to visit businesses, as well as residences with secondary water meters, to make certain that backflow prevention devices are in place and working properly. Wilhelm plans to mail letters soon to all businesses to give an update on the Town’s Cross Connection Control Program and on his plans to visit them.

In 2003, the state passed a law requiring municipalities to establish a Cross Connection Control Program that monitors which properties need backflow prevention devices to prevent the potential contamination of the public drinking water supply. The program will also make certain that the devices are maintained.

A cross connection is any physical connection that ties the public drinking water system with another source of water or water system that has questionable water quality. For residential property, some examples of cross connections include irrigation systems, swimming pools and the usage of well water. Under certain circumstances, such as a break in a water main or a firefighting effort, and without the proper prevention devices, there is a possibility of contaminated water entering the public drinking water supply through the cross connection.

Backflow prevention devices use a system of check valves to prevent water and potential contaminants from the secondary water system or source – for example, the irrigation system or swimming pool -- from being forced backward into The Town’s drinking water supply.

After the site inspection, if Wilhelm finds a backflow prevention device that is not up to Town and state standards, or if he finds a property that needs a backflow prevention device, Wilhelm will mail the property owner a letter. The letter will detail the necessary steps the property owner will need to take to comply with Town standards and state law.

Because the Town of Holly Springs will only inspect outside devices and water meters, residents will not need to be present during the visit. Eventually, all Town water customers will be visited to ensure that backflow prevention devices are installed properly where needed.

For more information, contact Wilhelm at (919) 552-5920. For a list of certified installers of backflow prevention devices or for backflow prevention device installation procedures, visit the A-Z Services Guide “Backflow Prevention Devices” entry.

Town of Holly Springs - PO Box 8 - 128 South Main Street - Holly Springs, NC 27540 - (919) 552-6221 - Holly.Springs@hollyspringsnc.us