B A C K F L O W S
Mary Tranchell | SAAA Vice President | Vamvoras , Ltd .
“ Backflows ? We Don ’ t Need No Stinkin ’ Backflow Devices !”
T here are a lot of things we assume in this country on a daily basis . A major assumption is that when we turn on a water faucet , the water flowing out will be clean , safe , potable water . No muss , no fuss , just turn on the faucet and take a drink .
Now picture this . Your landscaping company just laid fertilizer , and your residents aren ’ t necessarily good about picking up after their dog ’ s business . The sprinklers are on and , for some reason or other , the main water has to be shut down . The sprinkler head stays in the up position rather than dropping down , and it begins to siphon back the double “ fertilized ” water around the sprinkler head . Depending where in the system this occurs , the water is siphoned back into the main . When the water is restored , that contaminated water is sent directly to the faucets that you assume has clean , safe , potable water . No muss , no fuss , right ? This is an example of a low hazard , but there are high hazards as well , some lethal .
There are checks and controls throughout the water system to ensure the water delivered to you is clean and safe . One of those controls is the backflow device . A backflow device protects the potable drinking water from the backflow of contaminated water . When the flow of water is reduced or stopped , there are two discs ( checks ) that swing down and stop the water from back-flowing into the potable water . Water is trapped in the space between these two checks . When the water is restored , the trapped water continues on to the sprinklers or whatever it was serving . Depending on the degree of the hazard , there may be a valve that opens and dumps the trapped water , eliminating the contamination .
The Flint , Michigan water issues have really brought to light the need for controls and safe water . Even though Flint ’ s issue was not caused by a backflow issue , it has made entities more aware of their programs and their responsibilities to the public to provide safe drinking water . The second notices that have been received throughout the SAWS customer base is their way of ensuring you receive safe drinking water .
While you may have never received a notice in the past , chances are strong that you have at least one backflow device on your property . If you have internal fire sprinklers , you have multiple .
If you have the following on your property , you should have a backflow preventer : in-ground lawn sprinklers ( plastic rectangular box , near main meter or at buildings ), inside fire suppression ( inside sprinkler closet ), pool fill line ( with pool equipment ), chiller system ( mechanical room ), a separate fire line for your fire hydrants ( steel vault at property line ), or newer buildings with 3 stories or more ( mechanical closet ). Older properties with 3 stories probably do not have devices as that is a newer code requirement .
I recommend you ask your maintenance staff if they are aware of the location of these devices as testing costs are usually for the test only , pass or fail . Not locating or , in some instances , excavating these devices .
The mass mailings of these notices from SAWS has caused a heightened awareness of everyone ’ s responsibility for safe drinking water , and the need to keep these devices operational and tested . Believe it or not ...
You DO Need a Stinkin ’ Backflow Device !
www . saaaonline . org | May / June 2016 11