Is Your Water Safe? Why Backflow Device Maintenance Matters

backflow device maintenance

Unusual smells or changes in water color reported by building occupants are often the first signs that backflow may be contaminating the water supply. Suddenly, a bustling commercial property, multi-housing, or public facility is disrupted by a preventable health scare affecting every faucet and sink.

That’s why finding a trusted company that provides backflow testing is so important. It shows proactive prevention and goes a long way toward preventing pollutants from entering your water supply and ensuring clean-tasting water. Let’s look at everything you need to know about backflow testing and understand why it’s so important.

Why Backflow Testing Matters? 

Before getting into the details of backflow device testing, it’s helpful to know what a backflow is. Backflow happens when non-potable water reverses its normal flow direction and enters a potable water piping system. This can occur when the water pressure in the pipes leading to your commercial building falls below the pressure of the contaminated water source, causing reverse flow of contaminated water through clean water in cross-connection systems. 

When non-potable water flows backward into a potable water supply, it can contaminate public drinking water and pose a health risk to consumers using the water from the system.

Backflow prevention devices are set up in a water supply system to prevent this contamination. 

For instance, if you use an irrigation system and apply chemicals to your lawn, a backflow device prevents these chemicals from entering and contaminating your water supply.  These devices are also crucial in preventing hazardous water from re-entering your irrigation system, such as contamination from dog waste, main breaks, or lake water. They typically feature a pair of mechanical valves that prevent the backward flow of contaminated water during unexpected changes in water pressure.

It’s for this reason that backflow testing is essential—to verify that these devices are operating as intended and protecting the water supply from potential contamination. Indeed, regular backflow testing safeguards the broader community and ensures the safety of everyone entering your building. Plus, it brings peace of mind, so you can focus on other important aspects of your business.

Engaging a certified technician to conduct a backflow test can help identify a few other problems found in these systems, including:

  • Broken valves
  • Clogs
  • Corrosion
  • Improper installation

Your Backflow NEEDS To Be Tested Annually

According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), if your facility has one or more backflow prevention valves or assemblies installed on its piping system, annual backflow prevention testing or certification is mandatory. Failure to test the backflow function or even using a malfunctioning backflow preventer can result in hefty fines and penalties from the local government and a massive inconvenience to your business.

During the inspection, we check several components, such as valves, relief valves, buffers, air inlets, and shut-off valves, to ensure your system is operating properly. Once the backflow prevention test is complete, we’ll submit the results to your utility department so they know you’re in compliance.

Real-Life Backflow Nightmares

The importance of backflow testing cannot be overstated, as demonstrated by real-life cases like the ones below.

The Norfolk Salty Water Incident

On January 29, 1981, a fast food restaurant in Norfolk, Virginia, reported salty-tasting drinks to the Water Department. Nearby water customers, including a ship-repair facility, had similar complaints. An investigation revealed that the backflow preventer at the shipyard had burst and had been replaced with a sleeve, eliminating backflow protection. 

Consequently, high-pressure seawater was pumped into the public water system. The issue was resolved by removing the prime line and installing a new backflow preventer wrapped with heat tape to prevent freezing.

The Marshalltown Meat Packing Plant Crisis

In Marshalltown, Iowa, a meat packing plant faced a major contamination incident when wastewater from a newly drilled well was mistakenly connected to the production line. This resulted in $2 million worth of pork being contaminated as employees inadvertently sprayed tainted water on hog carcasses and cuts during cleaning. 

The issue arose due to a cross-connection, allowing sewage water from the kill floor and deodorizing operations to enter the potable water supply. To address the problem, the plant installed, tested, and maintained backflow preventers at a cost exceeding $3 million. This incident temporarily halted operations, affecting around 200 employees.

Pesticide Found in Water Supply Affecting 63 Homes

In northern New Jersey, a pesticide used for termite control contaminated a municipality’s water supply after a construction crew accidentally broke a water main while widening a bridge. 

Residents noticed milky, foul-smelling water shortly after the main was repaired, prompting officials to cut off water to 63 homes. The affected residents were advised against using the water for drinking, cooking, bathing, or washing clothes due to the potential health risks from pesticides like Dursban, chlordane, heptachlor, and lindane.

Backflow incidents like these have unfortunately occurred numerous times across various parts of our country. When you do the math, it’s clear that backflow preventers are a business’s first line of defense in protecting public health. And it’s what makes their installation and testing indispensable for any commercial property. We recommend using trusted manufacturers like Wilkins and Febco for reliable backflow prevention devices.

Had a Backflow Test Yet? If Not, Now’s the Time!

Would you confidently say your property is safe from backflow? If your device is not tested and thus malfunctions, clean drinking water is at risk of being contaminated by dirty water.

EarthWorks’ licensed landscape irrigation technicians specialize in installing and testing backflow prevention devices for commercial buildings throughout the DFW area. With expertise in performing all types of backflow testing, we guarantee timely inspections and certifications to ensure your backflow device is always in top-notch condition and regulatory compliant.

Contact us to schedule an immediate test.

 

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