Fertilizer. Fire protection chemicals. Pool chemicals. Weed killer. These are among the toxins that can make their way back into your drinking water at home, which is why backflow testing is required by many municipalities.
Water is at risk of flowing backward and into the water system – which contaminates your drinking water — when the pressure in a water system isn’t maintained. Backflow testing helps prevent that.
Water systems are designed so that the water flows in only one direction, thanks in part to water pressure. Water pressure is what keeps the stream flowing from the water supply to your home. However, the water, could potentially change direction if the water pressure in the water supply system loses strength. Water in sprinkler systems, fire suppression systems, pool water feed systems, and other sources could flow backwards into the water supply lines. When the water pressure is restored this contaminated water could wind up in the drinking water of your home.
A backflow prevention device keeps dirty or contaminated water from flowing backward into the water supply. There are two types of common backflow devices: an air gap and a check valve. An air gap connects to your plumbing system from your water storage area; a check valve forces the water to flow in only one direction, thereby keeping it out of your home.
Water can actually flow backward when the water pressure is low. That’s why many municipalities require yearly backflow testing by a certified agency and are required to have a backflow prevention program in place to check for water purity. Annual backflow testing ensures your backflow prevention devices are working properly and helps protect the potable water supply.
