Backflow Prevention

Cross-Connection Control & Backflow Prevention

Cross-Connection Control is the prevention of actual or potential connections between the public water supply and a source of contamination or pollution. Backflow prevention devices prevent the unwanted reversal of flow from an end user’s water system back into the public water supply.

The Technical Services section provides expert consultation for installation of backflow prevention devices of industrial, commercial, and residential applications for domestic, fire protection, and irrigation systems. Water connections are assessed for the degree of hazard they present and backflow preventer requirements are determined by city staff.

Property owners are responsible for the installation, operation, testing, and maintenance of required backflow prevention devices.

The Cross-Connection Control Program serves as a technical reference for policy requirements and industry standards. For more information, please call 336-650-7651.

Test Report Submittal

Test reports are only accepted from testing companies registered with WSFC Utilities. All test reports must be submitted by PC fax or email only. Test reports with failed test results will not be accepted on behalf of any owner. All failed assemblies must be repaired or replaced at the owner’s expense. An initial test report with passing results is required for all new or replaced assemblies. To register as a testing company, submit a completed Testing Company Application with tester certifications and test kit calibrations by fax or email to:
Tommy McEwen
Cross-Connection Control Supervisor
Fax: 336-747-9342
Email Tommy McEwen

Permits for Fire Hydrant Connection or Tanker Water Use

Print and submit our Fire Hydrant Connection/Tanker Water Use Permit Application (PDF) in-person with payment by cash, check, Visa, Mastercard or Discover at Utilities Customer Service:
Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building
100 East First Street, Suite 121
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday

The following is a summary of application information from Winston-Salem, NC Water System Policy, Article I, Sec. 17 (b).
View the official policy.

  1. Fire Hydrant Meter
  2. Tanker Water Use
  1. Applicants requesting water service from a fire hydrant must apply to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities (WSFC Utilities) at least five business days prior to the first date of requested service.
  2. Complete the Fire Hydrant Connection/Tanker Water Use Permit Application with all required information and submit with a $500 non-refundable application fee. Incomplete applications will not be approved.
  3. A $3,000 deposit is required for each reduced pressure backflow hydrant meter assembly and will be applied to the cost of water consumption, potential damages to the hydrant or backflow hydrant meter assembly or any additional costs incurred by WSFC Utilities.
  4. Fire hydrant connection permits are valid for 30 days and require review by WSFC Utilities to continue service. Permits for fire hydrant connections can be renewed twice, for up to 90 days of continued service, at which time the applicant will be required to reapply and pay the fee for a new permit.
  5. Applicants must clearly demonstrate an engineering requirement for a higher volume of water than can be delivered through a temporary two-inch or smaller water service connection.
  6. WSFC Utilities reserves the right to deny any application for any fire hydrant connection, and at the applicant’s expense may require installation of a temporary two-inch or smaller water service connection with an approved reduced pressure backflow preventer assembly.
  7. WSFC Utilities owns and maintains a limited number of reduced pressure hydrant meter assemblies and may deny an application due to lack of availability.
  8. Only one specific fire hydrant will be authorized for use by an approved fire hydrant connection permit. A separate permit application is required to use any other fire hydrant, even if located at the same work site.

See next tab for Tanker Water Use information.