Instant Backflow Program

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Instant Backflow Program

• A foundation to start your backflow program

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Why should you invest in a backflow program?

• Backflow events occur every day in all types of
  water systems.
• People become sick or ill from these events.
• Your water system quality can be trashed in just
  a few moments.

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Prevention is very cost effective

• It takes only a little structure to prevent
  backflow
• Backflow incidents can cost millions.

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Real incidents

• Termite poison siphoned into a picnic lemon-aid
  cooler.
• Fertilizer and anti-fungicide pumped into water
  system.
• Acetylene gas from a carbide gas system flamed
  out in a residential neighborhood
• NV school heating system contaminated school
  water fountain.

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Common enough issues

• Fire systems, industrial applications
  agricultural pumps etc.
• Water shut off or low pressure for
• Main break
• Flushing
• Fire

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The law puts the responsibility on the water
utility

• Documented health impacts (death and illness)
  going back more than a century.
• Subcontracting your backflow program doesnt
  relieve your responsibility.
• Both California and Nevada Law require backflow.

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What are the key components?

• Have a simple and clear backflow program
• Require backflow compliance as a prerequisite of
  service.
• Track the annual testing.
• Document your program

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• The customer contract must explain compliance
  with backflow protection
• Typically everybody but residences must have an
  airgap or reduced pressure principal backflow
  device at the meter or cross connection
• I (personally) would argue FOR requiring a
  non-testable dual check on residences (at the
  meter) 25 each.

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Who does what

• Customer installs, owns and pays for annual
  testing.
• If it fails a test they can have it repaired and
  retested.

• Explain rules
• Send letters which educate as well as remind of
  obligation
• Provide a list of approved testers
• Track compliance

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What will it cost?

• Simplest program is index cards of backflow
  devices
• More advanced systems track with computer
  software
• A water system may chose to offer in house
  testing.

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What are the backflow devices?

• Air Gap
• RP (double check valve with a dump valve
• Double check
• Vacuum breaker (two flavors)

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Backflow Control Methods Devices

• Air Gap
• Most effective and is accepted in all cross
  connection situations and for all degrees of
  risk.
• The gap between the supply outlet and the
  overflow of the downstream receptacle must
  measure (2) times the diameter of the outlets tip
  but no less than 1

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The basics

• Statement in customer contract requiring backflow
  compliance as a term of service
• All single family houses to have a dual check
  valve all other connections to have a Reduced
  pressure device
• Reduced pressure devices to be checked annually
  by a certified tester.

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• All Reduced Pressure devices to be installed at
  the __________ (cross connection or meter).
• At least 12 clearance all around, above ground
• For more information
• http//www.usc.edu/dept/fccchr/intro.html

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www.h2osolutions.com

• University of Southern California
• http//www.usc.edu/dept/fccchr/intro.html
• Our own section
• http//ca-nv-awwa.org/CA-NV/
• Backflow training at its best
• http//www.bandlbackflow.com/
• Four page summary of backflow
• http//www.nesc.wvu.edu/ndwc/ndwc_tb_available.htm
  Cross