Industrial water pumping station
For the past 80 years, the USC Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research (FCCCHR) has played a crucial role in protecting public water supplies globally. Specifically, the Foundation addresses issues related to water safety and quality by preventing contaminants from entering public water systems due to improper plumbing or backflow events.
“Through extensive research and testing, developing standards, and educational efforts, we advocate for best practices to ensure safe drinking water for everyone,” explained Henry Chang, the Foundation’s chief engineer and program manager. “Our members include municipal water authorities, health agencies, manufacturers, engineering firms and plumbing and testing companies – we have hundreds of such members throughout the United States and abroad.”
A cross-connection occurs when the potable water supply is connected to a non-potable (potentially contaminated) water source, which can allow contaminants to flow back into the public water supply due to changes in water pressure or backflow. The Foundation investigates and develops solutions to mitigate backflow risks, which can be caused by a drop in water pressure or other hydraulic issues.
Laboratory evaluation of backflow prevention assemblies
One of the programs that stands out in the industry is the approval program of the backflow prevention assemblies. This is an extensive program that requires not only a successful completion of a laboratory evaluation, but also a one-year field evaluation.
Furthermore, the Foundation provides educational programs, seminars, and certifications for professionals involved in plumbing, water utility management, and public health to help them understand and implement best practices for cross-connection control and backflow prevention.
The manuals, newsletters and updated set of standards produced by the Foundation provide municipalities, water utilities and industry professionals with the tools to ensure safe operation of water systems; as members, these organizations can also call directly on the Foundation for technical assistance.
“Our work is grounded in 80 years of hydraulic research,” explained Lucio Soibelman, Fred Champion Chair in Engineering and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “By studying the movement of fluids within pipelines and other infrastructure, we are able to better understand how water flows in different systems and how pressure changes can lead to backflow, as well as how to design systems to prevent such issues.”
“In the coming years we look forward to building upon our 80-year foundation, furthering our research, evaluation work and outreach efforts, as well as working with national and international regulatory agencies,” said Chang.
You might be surprised to learn of how much work goes into ensuring that the water you pour from the tap is ready for drinking. To read more about the water-related research taking place at the USC Sonny Astani Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, click here.
Published on December 10th, 2024
Last updated on December 10th, 2024
