Backflow Prevention Keeps City Water Safe

Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Customers should be aware of simple precautions to prevent water contamination from backflow.

What is backflow? Normally, city water flows from the public water main to your home’s water pipes and out your faucets. When water flows in the opposite direction, from your home’s water supply into the city system, it’s called backflow.

Backflow creates a contamination hazard, because water flowing into the city system from a private water supply may contain lawn chemicals, detergents or household products that are not safe to drink.

Backflow can happen when fire fighting, hydrant flushing, a water main break or some other event causes abnormally low pressure in the system. Newer homes typically have anti-siphon faucets to prevent backflow. On older outdoor faucets, install an inexpensive hose bibb vacuum breaker to prevent backflow from your garden hose.

Private lawn irrigation systems are the most common backflow hazard. These systems are fitted with a backflow prevention assembly. A yearly inspection is required to make sure it’s working properly.

Find a list of local testing companies and a test reporting form in the Water Utility section at cfu.net. If you have questions about the irrigation system inspection, please call CFU at 268-5331.