Name the three degrees of hazard connections.

• A. Minor, Moderate, Major
• B. Mild, Moderate, Severe
• C. Low, Medium, High
• D. Light, Severe, Critical

Answer: (B)

Hazard connections are categorized by the risk they pose to the potable water supply. The three degrees used are mild, moderate, and severe because this set clearly communicates increasing risk and the corresponding level of backflow protection needed. A mild hazard implies a low chance of backflow from a non-threatening source, usually requiring basic protection or routine inspection. A moderate hazard indicates a real contamination risk to health, calling for more robust backflow prevention and regular testing. A severe hazard represents a high risk of contaminating drinking water, necessitating the strongest protections, such as an air gap or reliable backflow preventer with stringent maintenance. The other term groups don’t reflect the standard terminology used in plumbing practice for cross-connection risk, so they aren’t the norms for this concept.