Trusted Resources & Industry Information

Backflow prevention involves regulations, technical standards, water-system management, and ongoing education. The organizations below provide reliable information and resources that help define, regulate, support, and educate the water industry.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Provides federal drinking-water guidance and information on cross-connection control and backflow prevention, including the potential risks backflow can pose to public water supplies.

Virginia Department of Health (VDH) — Office of Drinking Water (ODW)
ODW is Virginia's primary regulatory authority for public waterworks and drinking-water protection. It administers Virginia's waterworks regulations and oversees requirements related to cross-connection control and backflow protection.

American Water Works Association (AWWA)
AWWA is a leading water-industry organization that develops technical standards, guidance, and educational resources used by water professionals, including resources related to backflow prevention and cross-connection control.

Virginia Rural Water Association (VRWA)
VRWA provides training, technical assistance, and educational resources to Virginia's water and wastewater professionals. It supports water systems and operators in understanding and meeting industry and regulatory requirements.

Virginia Administrative Code — 12VAC5-590
The Virginia Administrative Code contains the Waterworks Regulations established under Virginia law. These regulations provide the legal framework governing public waterworks in Virginia, including requirements related to protecting public water supplies from contamination.

BRANHATT Utility Services
We believe customers should have access to the same reliable information that water professionals use. We encourage property owners, businesses, and water-system customers to review these resources to better understand backflow prevention, cross-connection control, testing, and Virginia requirements