Which term describes the undesirable connection between a potable water supply and a non-potable source?

Which term describes the undesirable connection between a potable water supply and a non-potable source?

• A. Backflow
• B. Contamination
• C. Cross connection
• D. Cross contamination

Answer: (C)

Cross connection is the term for any physical link between a potable water supply and a non-potable source. This arrangement creates a pathway for contaminants to enter drinking water if pressure changes cause backflow. The other terms describe the event or the contaminants rather than the linkage itself: backflow is the reverse flow, contamination refers to the presence of unwanted substances, and cross contamination describes the spread of contaminants but not the actual connection between systems.

Cross connection is the term for any physical link between a potable water supply and a non-potable source. This arrangement creates a pathway for contaminants to enter drinking water if pressure changes cause backflow. The other terms describe the event or the contaminants rather than the linkage itself: backflow is the reverse flow, contamination refers to the presence of unwanted substances, and cross contamination describes the spread of contaminants but not the actual connection between systems.