Backflow Prevention: What It Is and Why It’s Required
Backflow prevention is a set of plumbing safeguards designed to keep contaminated water from moving in the reverse direction—back into a community or building’s potable (drinking) water supply. Without these controls, everyday conditions like pressure changes can allow pollutants to travel backward through pipes and fixtures.
When backflow happens, the danger is not theoretical. Chemicals, wastewater, fertilizers, pesticides, or other unsafe substances can be drawn into drinking lines through cross-connections, creating risks for residents, workers, and customers.
What “backflow” means
Backflow occurs when the normal direction of water flow is reversed. This can happen if the pressure in the building’s plumbing becomes higher or lower than the pressure in the public water main. Common triggers include water main breaks, sudden water demand spikes, or pump failures that temporarily ... Read more »

Comments
Post a Comment