The surveys indicated that 9.6% of the homes were found to have direct cross-connections to a health hazard. On average, 73% of water use was unprotected, constituting cross-connections. Only 4.3% of the homes had either no unprotected cross-connections or had unprotected cross connections to a non-hazardous substance.

Homes with a cross-connection (either direct or indirect) to a health hazard constituted 95.7% of the homes. Although this is a large percentage, the greatest concern was with the 9.6% of the homes having a direct cross-connection to a health hazard.

In most cases, these cross-connections were due to improperly plumbed toilet fixtures, or specific toilet fixtures that could create a backpressure situation and force hazardous water from the toilet tank into the drinking water supply.

Most of the residents were completely unaware of what cross-connections were or what could be done to prevent them. When the on-site survey was conducted, the residents were given a brochure describing typical household cross-connections and what could be done to abate them. It would appear that further study would be needed to get a better overall picture of household cross-connections.

Even without further study, however, it is evident that better public education is necessary. Public education for the homeowner or resident would go a long way in helping to reduce the problem of cross-connections in the home.