Cross Connection Control Program

The Department of Environment and Climate Change in Nova Scotia (NSECC) requires the installation of Backflow Prevention (BFP) Devices on water service lines to prevent water from flowing back into the municipal system.

All new commercial, industrial, institutional and apartment buildings with more than four units must have a BFP device installed and tested each year.

Properties who require the installation will be contacted by the Municipality and given the appropriate information and deadlines to bring their property into compliance.

There will be 4 phases of the retrofit program, with the properties with the highest risk going first.

Properties who are notified of the retrofit program must submit their information to the Municipality.

Download the Application

Financing and testing of devices is the responsibility of the property owner. Costing can depend on the size of the device and water meter on the property.

A $400 credit is available to those eligible to help offset the cost of purchasing, installing and testing the device.

To be eligible for the credit, the device must be newly purchased and successfully tested AFTER April 1, 2025. When filling out the application that will come along with the notification for the retrofit, the property owner can identify a new device on the property and once that device is accepted, the credit will be applied to the water bill account.

For questions please contact:

Shawn Harris
Environmental Engineering Technician
Municipality of East Hants
[email protected]
902-883-6151

The Municipality’s first step in our Cross Connection Control Program is to monitor the installation and maintenance of BFP devices to minimize risk of a potential contaminant entering the distribution system

BFP devices are required in the Municipality of East Hants.

• Municipal Standards
• East Hants Water Utility Rules & Regulations

Program Definitions

Cross Connections: Any actual or potential connection between a potable water system and any source of pollution or contamination

Backflow: A flowing back or reversal of the normal direction of flow

Backflow Explanation: A backflow occurs when there is a difference in pressure (back pressure or back siphonage) in a continuous fluid system (i.e. your municipal water supply). Once backflow or back siphonage has ended, the flow of water in the distribution system will return to normal. Any backed water will now flow forward in the distribution system. Depending on how far back the contamination was pushed, it could be re-distributed to drinking water taps elsewhere on the property or to other properties in the neighborhood. When this water is re-distributed to drinking water taps, it may no longer meet the water quality standards that it did when it left the water treatment plant.

Back Pressure: Pressure higher than the supply pressure

Back Pressure Explanation: Pressure from a boiler or other pressurized system can overcome the pressure of the distribution system. Water from the boiler will be pushed back into the pipes of the distribution system, along with any chemical additives or bacteria that may have accumulated in the boiler

Back Pressure Examples:

• Boost pumps
• Boilers with increased temperature
• A private water supply system inter-connected with public water supply systems
• Elevated tanks or other water pressure altering scenarios

Back Siphonage: Backflow caused by pressure below atmospheric in the supply system.

Back Siphonage Explanation: Sometimes large water use in one part of the distribution system can result in less delivery pressure in another part of the distribution system. The delivery pressure drops so low that it is actually negative. Water is sucked back into the pipes of the distribution system along with any pollution or contaminants.

Back Siphonage Examples:

• Breaks in a water main
• Drainage of the water supply system for repairs
• Shut-off of high-raised water supply
• Nearby fire fighting

In East Hants, backflow prevention devices are required on buildings where there is a greater potential for backflow and contamination to the water supply.

These include:

• Industrial, commercial and institutional buildings
• Apartment buildings with more than four units
• Sprinkler service lines in new buildings

It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that all backflow prevention devices must be tested upon installation and annually thereafter. If the assembly fails its test, maintenance or repair is immediately required. The assembly must be retested immediately after any repairs, maintenance, or when the assembly has been removed, reinstalled or changed locations.

Backflow prevention assemblies must be annually tested, at minimum, because they have internal seals and springs that are subject to wear or fatigue.

East Hants Rules and Regulations specify that the Municipality may give notice to correct any non-compliance with the Cross Connection Control & Backflow Prevention section of the schedule. This includes the annual testing of BFPs. As a last resort in cases of non-compliance, the Municipality may suspend water service. We will always prefer to work with the property owner towards a solution, but backflow hazards will be taken seriously as they are potential risks to public health.