Just north of the Bronx in Westchester County, New York, is the City of Mount Vernon. Its population of 73,000 makes it the eighth-largest city in the state and the second most densely populated. This diverse city is predominantly Black and African American, with a large Jamaican American community and a growing Hispanic population. The Median household income is $79,000, but about 15% of residents live below the poverty line.
Approximately 105 miles of water mains and over 1,100 fire hydrants are owned and operated by the Mount Vernon Board of Water Supply, who provide drinking water for domestic, industrial, and fire-fighting purposes. Mount Vernon has faced well-documented water infrastructure challenges in recent years, including aging sewer systems and lead service line concerns. Modernizing its water infrastructure has become a priority, and the city has been working with state and federal partners to improve public health protections.
SU-EFC began working with the Board of Water Supply to support the development and launch of a Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program. New York State Sanitary Code Section 5-1.31 requires water suppliers to implement cross-connection control measures to prevent contamination of the public water supply. While Mount Vernon recognized the need to comply with these regulations, the city lacked the capacity and specialized resources needed to develop the program’s regulatory framework, public outreach strategy, and communication materials from scratch.
Regulatory Research and Program Development
SU-EFC conducted comprehensive research into federal, state, and local regulations related to cross-connection control and backflow prevention. This included reviewing the requirements of the New York State Sanitary Code, Westchester County Department of Health guidelines, and applicable EPA guidance on protecting distribution system water quality. The research helped Mount Vernon understand the full scope of its regulatory obligations and informed the structure of the program, including which property types would be required to install and maintain backflow prevention devices.
Public Outreach and Communication Materials
A central component of SU-EFC’s assistance was the creation of public outreach materials to support the official launch of the program. The city needed to notify approximately 2,000 commercial and industrial properties of their requirements under the new Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program. SU-EFC developed clear, accessible communication resources—including program brochures in English and Spanish—that explained what cross-connections and backflow are, who is required to install a backflow prevention device, and the step-by-step process for installation, certification, and annual testing. These materials were designed to be understandable for property owners without technical backgrounds and to help the city build a cooperative relationship with its water customers around this public health initiative.
The resources that SU-EFC created are available on Mount Vernon’s website.
Looking Ahead
With the program officially launched, the Board of Water Supply has begun notifying commercial and industrial property owners throughout the city. As of February 2026, Mount Vernon has also partnered with BSI Online to administer the program digitally, streamlining the submission of backflow test reports and enabling water customers to track their compliance status. The transition from paper-based reporting to a digital platform represents a significant step forward in the city’s capacity to manage this program at scale.
The Cross-Connection Control program is one of several ongoing water infrastructure initiatives in Mount Vernon. The city continues to work on lead service line inventory and replacement efforts, sewer system improvements, and other projects aimed at ensuring safe, reliable, and affordable water services for its diverse and densely populated community. SU-EFC’s technical assistance helped the city build a strong foundation for the cross-connection control program and demonstrated how targeted capacity support can help urban communities meet complex regulatory requirements while protecting public health.
Facing a similar challenge in your community? SU-EFC and our bench of partners provide no-cost technical assistance to help communities across EPA Region 2 plan projects, access funding, and move water infrastructure priorities forward.
Learn more and request assistance today: efc.syr.edu/assistance
