What is Backflow and Why Should I Care?
In our modern plumbing systems, there is nothing more vital than backflow prevention. But what exactly is backflow? Backflow is the unwanted reverse flow of fluids, gases, or other substances in a plumbing system due to a backpressure or a backsiphonage situation.
Backflow Basics
Protecting the Safe Water Standard
Water flowing from a faucet, whether commercial or residential, is expected to be clean and safe. As water professionals, we are responsible for maintaining these standards and continuing to provide communities with safe, potable water. Despite our best efforts, there will always be an underlying threat to these safety standards, coming in the form of backflow.
The Two Types of Backflow
Occurs when downstream water pressure of a non-potable system surpasses the pressure of the water distribution lines containing potable water.
Happens when normal flow is reversed because of negative or subatmospheric pressure in a piping system.
How Can Backflow Be Prevented?
Local plumbing codes developed and enforced by organizations like municipalities, water purveyors, and plumbing inspectors are the key safeguards against backflow dangers. Municipalities provide the expertise in backflow prevention by viewing plumbing through a broad lens of the community need.
Backflow Training
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The Who, the What, and the Wye
Backflow Incidents That Could Have Been Prevented
Top 10 Considerations for Specifying Backflow
Backflow Basics
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