In spite of CWLP's efforts to produce pure, safe drinking water, Springfield's drinking water can be placed at risk by contaminants that "backflow" into the system from our customers' homes or businesses. As such, every water supplier has a responsibility to provide water that is safe to drink and our customers should be able to trust that the water delivered to them is safe. In order to do this, we ALL must do everything we can to keep the water clean and safe by preventing the possibility of backflow.

Backflow is the undesirable reversal of flow of non-potable water or other substances through a cross connection and into the piping of the public water supply. This contamination can move throughout the distribution system and into the homes of your neighbors.

In residential homes, lawn irrigation systems are the most frequent cause of concern as lawn chemicals could be drawn into the water system if system pressures were to drop due to a fire flow or main break in the area. Commercial buildings need to protect the public water supply from their irrigation systems, fire suppression systems, boilers and specialty equipment like medical devices, ice machines and commercial laundries.

The Illinois EPA requires every water supplier to survey all of their water customers to identify these possible cross connections. Your voluntary compliance is greatly appreciated.

You can complete the survey online by entering the your customer number below to get started. After finishing your survey, be sure to place a reminder on your calendar to complete and submit another one every three years.

If you have any questions or wish to have a paper copy of the survey sent to you, please contact CWLP's Water Department at  (217)789-2323 ext. 1630. You may also send an email to: Backflow@cwlp.com

For more information about backflow contamination and how you can help prevent it, see our online pamphlet.
BackFlow Pamphlet