Kralendijk, March 25, 2025 – During a recent inspection, employees of Water -en Energiebedrijf Bonaire (WEB) discovered multiple cases of cross-connections in various neighborhoods on Bonaire. This issue can lead to contamination of the drinking water supply. WEB Bonaire wants to inform customers about the health risks of cross-connections and remind them that such connections are strictly prohibited.
A cross-connection is an unsafe link between two different water sources, such as the drinking water system and a septic tank. This can cause clean drinking water to come into contact with contaminated water, posing serious health risks.
Why are cross-connections dangerous?
Water from a septic tank is untreated wastewater and may contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Never connect a drinking water system to a septic tank!
Although a cross-connection may initially seem cost-effective, it presents significant health hazards. Not only can it contaminate the water in your home, but it can also affect the broader water distribution network.
How does a cross-connection occur?
If there is a cross-connection between a drinking water system and a septic tank, contaminated water can enter the drinking water supply through a process known as “backflow.” This can pollute the drinking water supply and pose a health risk to residents, as untreated wastewater contaminates the clean water.
What can you do?
Cross-connections are strictly prohibited. Always ensure that drinking water systems and other water sources, such as septic tanks, remain completely separate.
If you want to use septic water for irrigation purposes, use a drip system that is never connected to the drinking water supply, not even with a backflow preventer.
By following these guidelines, you not only protect your own health but also contribute to the safety of the drinking water system for the entire community.
