Homes that are dual reticulated for drinking and recycled water must be inspected for any cross-connections. hi
Recycled water is provided for the following uses in the home:
- Irrigation via outdoor taps
- cold water washing machine
- all toilet flushing.
Prior to connecting a new home, the Office of Fair Trading completes a final plumbing and drainage inspection which includes a cross-connection check. Prior to connecting, Altogether also completes a cross-connection check. Connections are dependent on the outcome of the cross-connection check.
How to check for recycled water cross-connections:
step 1: turn off the drinking water
Turn off your drinking water supply at the water meter outside your house. Leave the recycled water meter on.
One by one turn on all sink, bath, and shower taps inside your house (hot and cold) and flush all toilets. Taps should run dry after a short period of time indicating they are connected to the drinking water supply. Toilets should refill as normal to indicate they are connected to the recycled water supply.
Turn on all drinking water taps and purple recycled water taps outside your house. The drinking water taps should run dry after a short period of time indicating they are connected to the drinking water supply. The purple recycled water taps should run as normal indicating they are connected to the recycled water supply.
Do not attempt to check appliances with the drinking water supply turned off. To check appliances, turn the drinking water meter back on, but turn the purple recycled water meter off. Turn on appliances to ensure they fill. Your dishwasher should fill as normal, but your washing machine should not, indicating it is correctly connected to recycled water.
Remember to check that all recycled water taps inside and outside your home are lilac coloured, have a removable handle and have the correct ‘Recycled Water Do Not Drink’ sign installed. If your tap is missing the sign, these can be purchased from your local hardware store.
To download a pdf of this checklist, click this link: cross connection checklist
If you detect a problem with your water connection you may request a cross connection check from Altogether via the following link: cross connection check