Protect your family by maintaining your sprinkler systems backflow preventer!

Did you know that your sprinkler system in most places,  is required by law to have a backflow device that is maintained and checked by a professional every year?  And even if it isn’t required by law, the only smart choice is to do an annual test to ensure you are protecting your family and pets from cross-contamination.

Your landscape has all sorts of nasty things in it that can make you and your family very sick if you were to drink them.  Things such as chemicals used on your lawns such as fertilizers, pesticides and even animal waste.  All of these harmful things can come back up in your irrigation pipes into your families’ drinking water if you do not stop them by using a backflow preventer.  The backflow preventer is used to protect you when the valve breaks or leaks, which eventually will happen over time.

And remember that if your backflow preventer is not installed correctly it will not work!  Having a professional installation is worth the extra cost to make sure it is done right.  Also, have your backflow preventer checked annually to make sure it is operating properly; it is recommended early spring as you are getting your irrigation system ready for the season.

So protect your families’ health and by maintaining your backflow preventer on your sprinkler system.  It is the only choice!

If you would like more information or to schedule your backflow preventer installation, testing and certification, call Apex and talk to one of our technicians about how we can help.  (970)221-1274 or visit www.apexrooter andplumbing.com

Apex Rooter, Plumbing and Septic Services Shares Backflow Prevention Q&A – Part II

·         Who can perform a backflow test and certification - Only qualified testers that have completed cross connection training courses and hold the appropriate state certification(s) may perform the backflow device test.

·         I have an in ground lawn sprinkler system at my residence. Am I required to have a backflow device and have it tested - In ground sprinkler systems are required to have a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device installed on the water line servicing the system. The backflow device must also be periodically tested in accordance with the state testing requirements.

·         What can you do to prevent backflow situations in your home or business?

o   Be aware of and eliminate and/or protect cross connections.

o   Maintain air gaps on sinks and when using hoses.

o   Do not submerge hoses or place them where they could become submerged.

o   Use hose bib vacuum breakers on fixtures (hose connections in the basement, laundry room, and on outside faucets/spigots).

o   Install approved backflow prevention devices on lawn irrigation systems and on fire sprinkler system services.

o   Do not create a connection between an auxiliary water system (well, cistern, body of water) and the water supply plumbing.

·         Why should you be concerned?

o   Backflow may affect the quality of the drinking water at your facility and has the potential to create health hazards if contaminated water enters your water supply plumbing system and is used for drinking, cooking or bathing.

o   Backflow events occur more often than you might think although most do not create health hazards.

o   Unprotected cross-connections with water supply plumbing or public drinking water piping systems are prohibited by law.

o   You are responsible for protecting your water supply plumbing from backflow that may contaminate your drinking water and the drinking water of others. This includes complying with the plumbing code and not creating unprotected cross connections.

If you would like more information on backflow installation, testing and certification for your home or business, call Apex and talk to one of our technicians.  (970)221-1274 or visit www.apexrooter andplumbing.com.  Apex is licensed and insured – License No. 000189979

Apex Rooter, Plumbing and Septic Services Shares Backflow Prevention Q&A's – Part I

·         What is a backflow preventer device?  A properly working backflow preventer does not allow water, once it enters a building, to return to the municipal potable water supply thus insuring safe drinking water.  The Safe Drinking Water Act requires all backflow prevention devices to be tested and certified annually. 

·         What is backflow? Backflow is the reversal of water flow through a cross connection from a possible source of contamination into the public drinking water system. Backflow may be caused by either backpressure or backsiphonage. A loss of pressure in the public drinking water system may lead to backsiphonage through unprotected cross connections, or backpressure may be created when the water pressure of a facility’s internal water system is elevated above the supply pressure of the public drinking water system resulting in backflow through unprotected cross connections.

·         What is a backflow prevention program? Backflow prevention is a program, which combines the efforts of water producing companies, property owners and certified testers to ensure safe and healthy potable drinking water for everyone.

 

·         What is Cross-Connection? Cross-connection means any unprotected actual or potential connection or structural arrangement between a public or a consumer's potable water system and any other source or system through which it is possible to introduce into any part of the potable system any used water, industrial fluid, gas, or substance not meeting drinking water requirements in these regulations. By-pass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeover devices and other temporary or permanent devices through which or because of which "backflow" can or may occur are considered to be cross-connections.

 

 

·         Why do you need to have your backflow preventer tested? Federal, State and Local Laws, regulations and ordinances require that backflow preventer assemblies be tested annually.  It is the responsibility of the business/building owner to insure safe drinking water for their customers and employees.

·         Who is responsible for having the backflow device tested? It is the responsibility of the property owner to have the backflow device tested by a qualified tester. It is also the responsibility of the property / business owner to schedule their own test appointment.

If you would like more information on backflow installation, testing and certification for your home or business, call Apex and talk to one of our technician at (970)221-1274 or visit www.apexrooter andplumbing.com.  Apex is licensed and certified – License No. 000189979