Cross-Connection Control & Backflow Prevention
A cross-connection is a connection between a drinking water supply and a source of pollution or contamination. The undesirable reversal of flow that may allow entry of pollutants and contaminants into the drinking water supply is called “backflow.”
NOTICE: Effective July 1, 2025, all water purveyors have taken over managing the cross-connection control program for its customers. VCEHD will no longer be providing Notices to Test or accepting test report forms for backflows. All backflow prevention assembly test results for customers are required to be submitted directly to your respected water purveyor. VCEHD will no longer be providing Notices to Test or accepting test report forms for backflows. See Water Purveyor Contact List below.
To ensure drinking water supplies are protected from contamination, Cross-Connection Control Program staff inspect commercial facilities, industrial buildings, irrigation systems, and water distribution systems for proper installation and maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies. Additionally, staff monitor the installation, repair, and annual testing of over 19,000 backflow prevention assemblies installed on distribution systems operated by public water purveyors throughout the County.
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH) to become effective July 1, 2024. The primary objective of the CCCPH is the protection of public health through the establishment of standards intended to ensure a public water system’s (PWS) drinking water distribution system will not be subject to the backflow of liquids, gases, or other substances. The CCCPH and its standards apply to all California PWSs, as defined in California’s Health and Safety Code (CHSC, section 116275 (h)). Compliance with this CCCPH is mandatory for all California PWSs.
Water users are responsible for the annual testing and maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies to ensure their proper operation. All backflow tests submitted to this Division are public record available on Ventura County Citizen Access. For a tutorial on how to use this tool, please contact VCEHD staff.
Contact Us
General Questions
EHDBackflow@venturacounty.gov
(805) 654-2436
Ron Ventura
Program Manager
Ron.Ventura@Venturacounty.gov
(805) 654-3519
Anyssa Gonzalez
Program Technician
Anyssa.Gonzalez@Venturacounty.gov
(805) 654-3056
