Backflow Prevention and Testing


Backflow Prevention and Testing

What is Backflow?
	Backflow is the reversal of normal flow in a system due to backsiphonage or backpressure. Backsiphonage backflow occurs when a vacuum is induced on a piping system, just like drinking from a glass with a drinking straw. A garden hose or a hose connected to a laundry tub can act as a “drinking straw” allowing undesirable liquids to be drawn through it by backsiphonage. Some typical situations which cause backsiphonage action include: watermain breaks or repairs occurring in the system at a point of lower elevation than your service point high water flow rates exerted on a watermain due to fire fighting, hydrant flushing, large system demands or major piping breaks booster pumps taking direct suction from potable water supply piping; or undersized piping.

What is the Law?

Cross connections with potable piping systems are prohibited by state plumbing codes. Additionally, Michigan water utilities are required to have a cross connection control inspection program of their water customers to eliminate and prevent cross connections. Common commercial and industrial users posing a public health threat include:

Industries with private wells
Industries with chemically treated boilers
Plating operations, chemical processing plants
Funeral homes, mortuaries
Marina facilities
Hospitals and nursing homes
Research laboratories
Car washes, laundromats
School facilities

Most utilities have made inspections of these facilities and have had corrective action taken where necessary. However, due to a lack of staff resources, many utilities cannot effectively carry out a residential cross connection inspection program. Consequently, residential water users could remain a potential health threat to the public water supply system and to other system customers.

At Aaron Swfit Plumbing, our Cross Connection cerfitied plumbers have the equipment and experience to test and when neccessary repair or replace backflow preventers.