THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BACKFLOW

---

• Water is ordinarily distributed in one direction: from the supplier to the consumer. However, it is possible, and not all that uncommon for this to be changed by various hydraulic conditions.  The flow of water may be effectively reversed, flowing from the consumer to the water supplier.  This is called Backflow.  The water supplier is then faced with the problem of having water introduced into the potable water distribution system from a source it cannot control:  the consumer.  If this consumer happens to have non-potable substances (those not suitable for human consumption) on the premise, these substances could find their way into the customer’s water pipes when backflow occurs. These substances could, in turn, get into the water distribution system. This causes contamination or pollution of the water distribution system.
• The physical connections between drinking water pipes and substances which are not meant for consumption are called cross-connections. To control these cross-connections and prevent backflow, a Backflow Preventer must be installed at the point of the cross-connection.  These backflow preventers must be tested and inspected upon installation and yearly to determine their continued efficacy to prevent backflow.

• Contamination or pollution of a water system is usually brought about by a cross-connection to any system containing auxiliary water supplies which may be polluted or contaminated; irrigation systems which may be polluted or contaminated with fertilizers, pesticides or other objectionable materials. Thus, using a hose-attached sprayer for application of pesticides, solvents, cleaning products, etc; flushing a car’s cooling system with a garden hose; or filling a swimming pool can create situations where cross-connections can occur.  Without proper protection, devices as useful as your garden hose have the potential to poison your home’s water supply.  
• In fact, over half of the nation’s cross-connections involve unprotected garden hoses!

Except as provided in subsection (c), cross-connection control devices must be inspected at least annually by a person approved by the Agency or its designee as a cross-connection control device inspector (CCCDI). The inspection of mechanical devices must include physical testing in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

1. Records of the annual inspection must be submitted to the community water supply.
2. Each device inspected must have a tag attached listing the date of the most recent test, name of CCCDI, and type and date of repair
3. Maintenance log must be maintained at the site of installation and must include: 

A) make, model, and serial number of the backflow preventer, and its location at the site;

B) date of each test;

C) name and approval number of the person performing the test;

D) type of test kit used and date of its most recent calibration;

E) test results and a brief statement indicating whether the results pass or fail the test;

F) repairs or servicing required;

G) repairs and date completed; and

H) servicing performed and date completed.