How To Write Guidelines and Policies for Public Water Systems

Clear, actionable policies protect your water system and the people who depend on it. But as a water jurisdiction professional or design engineer, you know the reality: writing guidelines and policies can be time-consuming and frustrating, especially when there’s no standard framework to follow.

This challenge is especially evident when it comes to backflow prevention. Despite the risks posed by substandard or outdated installations, many municipalities lack the modern standard details needed to guide safe, efficient designs. 

We meet with water authority officials from across the country on a regular basis. Regardless of location, there’s widespread uncertainty about where and how these assemblies should be installed, particularly when balancing safety, accessibility and long-term maintenance.

That’s where Safe-T-Cover can help. We’ve developed a guide that has pre-built CAD templates for many common scenarios. Get the guide here and read on to see why standard details matter so much for safe drinking water and protecting natural resources.

Why Strong Backflow Policies Matter

Backflow assemblies protect the public water supply from contaminants caused by backpressure or backsiphonage. When these devices are installed below ground or indoors — practices still common in many areas — they introduce real risks to the water quality and water systems:

• Confined space hazards that endanger maintenance crews
• Cross-connection risks due to flooded vaults
• Expensive water damage from relief valve discharge inside buildings

Strong policies can steer municipalities away from these outdated practices and toward safer, above-ground solutions that prioritize health, safety and efficiency.

Common Gaps in Existing Guidelines

Although the safety of our public water systems has come a long way since the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, the regulatory framework remains complex. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues guidelines for public water systems, which states are expected to enforce. Those states then oversee water purveyors and local municipalities, each of which must adopt and implement the policies.

Because backflow prevention wasn’t explicitly outlined in the original federal law, responsibility for cross-connection control often falls into gray areas. To uphold safe drinking water standards, public water suppliers have rules and regulations. It makes sense that the equipment responsible for protecting this water quality should, too.

Unfortunately, there are common issues across jurisdictions:

• No standard details for above-ground backflow installation
• Confusing or inconsistent clearance and location requirements
• Lack of enforcement based on ASSE 1060 compliance
• Poor attention to aesthetics or placement, leading to public pushback

Without clear, updated policies, even well-intentioned jurisdictions may unintentionally allow unsafe or non-compliant installations. Clean tap water ultimately depends on each local authority adopting and enforcing the right standards to protect public health.

The Case for Above-Ground Standard Details

When municipalities include clear, modern standard details in their specifications, the benefits ripple across the board:

• Jurisdictions improve safety and compliance while reducing maintenance costs and liability
• Design engineers get a clear framework to follow, making plan reviews smoother and faster
• Property owners avoid expensive repairs, liability and downtime
• Public water systems stay better protected from contamination

In short, strong guidelines ensure consistent, safe and efficient installations and eliminate the risks associated with underground vault installs.

Get the Free Guide

If your jurisdiction doesn’t yet have standard details for above-ground backflow assemblies, you don’t have to start from scratch.

Safe-T-Cover has developed a comprehensive Standard Details Guide based on years of collaboration with water authorities across the country. This resource walks you through the critical components of a successful policy, including:

• 5 designer-friendly CAD files
• Proper location and clearance guidelines
• ASSE 1060 compliance and best practices
• Common-sense design considerations for aesthetics and access
• Real-world examples from forward-thinking jurisdictions

It’s more than just a guide. It’s a proven framework and the assistance you need to write, revise or reinforce policies that actually work.

Let’s Raise The Standard, Together

Download the Standard Details Guide now and start building safer, smarter aluminum enclosures for water equipment.