In regulatory terms, cross-connection is defined as a physical connection that may lead to contamination of water provided by which entity through backflow?

• A. PWS
• B. POTW
• C. Municipal System
• D. Water Utility

Answer: (A)

Cross-connection is about a physical link that could allow backflow from a non-potable source into the drinking water being provided to the public by a Public Water System. The key idea is that backflow could contaminate the water supply delivered to customers, so the regulatory focus is on the Public Water System—the entity that distributes potable water to the public. A wastewater facility (POTW) handles discharged water, not the potable supply to consumers, and while municipal systems or generic water utilities may describe who delivers water, the regulation uses Public Water System to specify the entity at risk of receiving backflow contamination.