Backflow Testing
Backflow testing is a process that is used to test your Backflow Prevention device to make sure that drinking water is not being contaminated by dirty water infiltrating the water supply.
Why Backflow Testing?
Municipal and State plumbing codes typically require the installation of backflow prevention devices in most commercial building, and some residential irrigation systems whenever there is a chance that a “back flow” of water could be sucked into the clean water system. The size and complexity of the installed backflow preventor will coincide with the specific back-flow risks that each situation presents. Bottom line, backflow preventors are the key to protecting the clean water supply, federal law states that they must be tested annually.
What is Backflow?
In it’s simplest form a “backflow” occurs when clean (potable) water reverses direction causing a suction that pulls dirty water into the clean supply system. Needless to say the “dirty” water can contain any number of harmful chemicals, fertilizers and even human waste…yuck! Anytime there is a cross-connection between clean (potable) water and “dirty” (non-potable) water the chance of a back-flow exists. Consequently backflow preventors are normally required at any cross-connections in residential, commercial or industrial water systems.
What is a Backflow Prevention Device
Ranging from simple to extremely complex, these units are a series of check valves that prevent water from flowing “backwards” into the clean water supply during times of unequal water pressure or other unique pressure conditions or fluctuations. When installed and maintained correctly, a backflow preventor keeps the clean water supply safe. Typical device types are a Double Check (DC), Reduced Pressure Assembly(RPA), and a Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB)