Spring Hill, Tennessee

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Backflow, Crossconnection & Safe Drinking Water



What is Backflow?



Water Safety

Every year across America, hundreds of people re injured or killed because of drinking water system related accidents in their own homes. Examples include drain cleaner being sucked back into the water system and comming out in the shower; pesticides being sucked back into the garden hose, and then being filled into some's dringing glass.

While these incidents are not very pleasant to think about, the good news is that you can prevent them.

The key to water system safety is this: whenever safe drinking water leaves the piping, it must do so through a physical air gap or a mechanical backflow preventer, as required by the plumbing code, to keep any contaminated water from entering the safe drinking water.



50 Cross-Connection Questions, Answers & Illustrations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cross Connection

Cross connection is any physical arrangement whereby public water supply is connected, directly or indirectly, eithor inside or outside of a building, with any other water supply whether public or private, sewer, drain, conduit, pool, storage reservoir, plumbing fixture or other device which contains or may contain contaminated water, sewage or other waste, liquid, gas or solid, of unknown or unsafe quality which may be capable of contaminating the public water supply as a result of back flow caused by manipulation of valves, because of ineffective check valves or back pressure valves or bacause of any other arrangement.

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Backflow

Backflow is the reversal of the intended direction of flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids, gases or other substances into the distribution pipes of a potable water system from any source.

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Swimming Pool Owners

HELP PROTECT YOUR WATER

Which way will you be protecting your water supply?

--- Reduced Pressure Zone Assemblies

A Reduced Pressure Zone Assembly prevents the reverse flow of polluted water from entering into the potable water supply due to backsiphonage and/or backpressure. It consists of a bronze body construction, bronze ball valve shutoffs and bronze test cocks. A patented "air-in/water-out" design principle for protection during emergency combined backsiphonage and backpressure conditions. It is ideal for health hazard cross-connections or for contamination of the service line.

This type of backflow device will be u sed for swimming pools that are hard piped to the water supply. With this direct piping system the water supply is at all times exposed to a contamination possibility. Because of this type of piping, a reduced pressure principle assembly is required.

--- Hose Connection Vacuum Breakers

Hose Connection Vacuum Breakers are designed specifically for wall and yard h ydrants to prevent the reverse flow of polluted water from entering into the potable water supply due to backsiphonage. It consists of a brass body construction or chrome finish, stainlesss steel working parts, a rubber diaphragm and disc, and a draining stem. Some types permit manual draining for freezing conditions.

This type of backflow protection is for swimming pools that are filled or refilled or topped off by use of a hose. The only time the main water supply is at a contmination risk, is when water is being placed into the pool. With a hose bib vacuum breaker and some education about cross connection, the home owner will have the assurance that their water is safe.

Important: When filling or refilling your swimming pool (or any container) with a hose; DO NOT submerge the hose end under the water level. Place the filling end above the water line and let the water fall into the pool or container.

• The proper way to fill your swimming pool or hot tub:

Never allow a garden hose be submerged in the water of your pool or hot tub. Instead, allow the hose to hang above the water level where the water will fall into your pool or hot tub. This will help prevent back siphoning of the water into your house drinking water.

 

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Staff

Backflow Testing
Mike Burick
Brian Maxwell