Back-Flow Prevention Devices

A little over a year ago, I wrote about back-flow valves and the rash of commercial irrigation and domestic water back-flow preventers that were being stolen and sold for their scrap metal, particularly brass and copper. It was happening with frequency in Lake Worth.

Tonight back-flow will be discussed with the water department giving a presentation where they will touch on back-flow prevention devices. "Backflow is the undesirable reversal of the flow of water from its intended direction in any pipeline or plumbing system. Backflow is dangerous because it can allow drinking water in plumbing systems to become contaminated and unusable.

Backflow preventers are mechanical plumbing devices installed in a plumbing system to prevent water from flowing backward in the system. A properly installed, tested and maintained backflow preventer at the service entrance to a building or property can reliably prevent the backflow of water of an unknown quality from flowing back into the community water system." Source:  AmWater

Due to the Florida Dept of Environmental Protection rule 62-555.360, the City will begin enforcing ordinance 88-39, article 18.2, testing of backflow devices starting January 1st 2015. This will include sending letters requiring testing of backflow prevention devices, requiring repairs of backflow that fail the testing, and shutoff of water service if the devices are not tested or repaired. We will work with customers to assist them during this process. Please refer to the< ordinance section restated below.
Sec. 18-2. - Testing.
(a)
All required backflow prevention devices shall be tested upon installation and thereafter at least once per year by a person certified to do so.
(b)
If a user of the city's water system fails to have a required backflow prevention device tested within thirty (30) days of receipt of notice from the city, the city may test the device and charge the user a reasonable fee therefore. In the alternative, the city may issue a second notice to have the device tested. The failure to do so within thirty (30) days of receipt of same will be grounds for termination of service.
(c)
If a backflow prevention device fails a test required by this section, the user of the city's water system who is responsible for the proper operation of the device shall, within fourteen (14) days of receipt of notice of such failure, have it repaired and submit certification of proper operation to the city. The failure to do so will be grounds for termination of water service.