What is equipment that utilizes water for cooling, lubrication, washing or as a solvent always susceptible to?

• A. Backflow
• B. Cross-Connection
• C. Contamination
• D. Filtration

Answer: (C)

Water-using equipment like cooling, lubrication, washing, or solvent systems can introduce contaminants into the potable supply if a path exists for backflow. When pressure in the system changes, non-potable fluids or chemicals from that equipment can be drawn back into the water main through a cross-connection, contaminating the distribution system. Because this contamination risk is inherent to such setups, the concept being tested is contamination. To prevent this, backflow prevention devices and proper separation of potable and non-potable sources are used.

Backflow describes the unwanted reverse flow itself, not the contaminant. A cross-connection is the risky link that allows backflow to occur. Filtration is a treatment that removes contaminants, not the susceptibility of the equipment.