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A Backflow test form is now available at the bottom of this page. WHAT IS BACKFLOW The flow of water from the public water mains into homes and business properties is taken for granted as flowing in only one direction, towards the point of use. In most cases this is true. However certain conditions such as a major fire or a water main break can reduce the pressure within the water mains to a point where water from the building's plumbing will flow from the building to the public water mains - backflow. Why be concerned, the water in my pipe was delivered by the water company anyway. While this is true, if backflow should occur while you are irrigating your lawn or filling your swimming pool or doing one of several common water using tasks, contaminated water can be drawn into pipes. This contaminated water can be introduced into the public water system through your service line by siphoning or back pressure. How do we prevent backflow? We can effectively prevent backflow of "possibly" contaminated water by installing a backflow prevention device into the public water service line as near the property line as possible, usually just inside the building, near the water meter. But why must I protect the public water system? It's the law! About 1972 the Federal E.P.A. finalized the national regulations and presented them to the various states for action. Each state then promulgated health laws as strong as the Federal law or stronger. It took New York state nearly ten years to effect a health code covering "backflow prevention" or cross connection control. Commonly known as "part 5". This can be found in the N.Y. State Code book ten, health section "A", Part 5- 1.31 cross connection control which became effective 24 June 1981. Enforcement of the code was handed down to the local health departments and in turn to the various water purveyors for enactment and administration. At the time the law was not totally enforceable because provisions for certified testers, required in the law, had not been implemented. The first N.Y. State approved course for local training of certifiable testers was conducted in 1983. The newly formed cross connection control foundation of Long Island, Inc. graduated the first 24 certified local testers in that class. If you read part 5- 1.31 you will see that there are levels of responsibility in the implementation of the law. They all filter down to the fact that the property owner is financially responsible for installation, maintenance and testing of devices required. This responsibility includes the health code requirements that a professional engineer or registered architect prepare and submit plans, specifications and engineering report for each proposed installation. That each installation receive approval of concept and design from the water purveyor and health department before installation. That each installation be made in accordance with the approved plans and specifications and be certified by the engineer or architect. That once the installation is made have the device tested by a New York certified tester within 45 days of installation and least annually thereafter. Because of the method of requirements implementation by the state, each water purveyor is interpreting the regulations as they individually understand it. Therefore, not every water account is on the same schedule of compliance. Even within a water district, because of there size or lack of information about how water is being used by a customer, not every similar account will receive notification to have a device installed. This inequity will be overcome in time as information becomes available to the water companies. What protection do I get form this? As the program matures and every service requiring protection is protected, you can be assured that the water contaminated by your neighbor will not be delivered to you by the water company. Has it ever happened that public systems have been contaminated by customers? Yes, there are many severe cases that have been documented and probably thousands more, minor in scope, that have not been documented. How does this backflow prevention device protect me from my own contamination? It does not! But if you have been
cited for a particular problem you should |
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