Backflow and Cross Connection Program

The Nebraska City Utilities backflow and cross connection program was started in 1994 to ensure that our drinking water is protected from possible contamination.  Our focus has been on identifying and isolating possible sources of contamination and pollution.  To do this we have sent out surveys to all of our customers, both residential and commercial, to help us locate possible problems.

In our residential survey the things we are trying to identify are the lawn sprinklers systems, boilers for home heat, swimming pools, and improperly plumbed water softeners.  In the commercial surveys we are looking for the same things as in the residential surveys but we are also looking for any equipment a business is using that uses water in its operation and fire sprinkler systems.

The one thing we always recommend is that each home owner should make sure that their outside faucets are equipped with a hose bib vacuum breaker.  This device will protect your family as well as your neighbors from anything that can be sucked back into your hose, such as insecticides and lawn fertilizers that are applied to your yard using a siphoning device on the end of your hose.  If you have any questions about our program, please call the utilities and ask for Shawn Gawart or Miki Van Renan.  If we are unavailable please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.