Drains, overflows, and blowdown provisions for cooling towers should be how connected to an approved disposal system?

• A. Directly
• B. Indirectly
• C. Temporarily
• D. Not connected

Answer: (B)

The correct answer is that drains, overflows, and blowdown provisions for cooling towers should be indirectly connected to an approved disposal system. An indirect connection is important to prevent contamination of the potable water supply. By using an indirect connection, such as a trap or an air gap, the risk of backflow contaminating the drinking water supply is minimized. This method ensures that any potential contaminants from the cooling tower’s blowdown or overflow do not have a pathway back into the drinking water system.

Direct connections, on the other hand, can pose a significant risk of cross-contamination, as they could allow for backflow situations where dirty water could enter the clean water supply. Temporary connections might not provide a reliable or safe means of disposal, as they could be easily altered or improperly managed. Lastly, not connecting the drains to a disposal system at all would be impractical and potentially hazardous, as it could lead to overflowing or pooling of water and associated health risks. Thus, an indirect connection is the most effective and compliant method for handling these drainage scenarios.