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YOUR HELP IS NEEDED TO
PROTECT THE QUALITY OF OUR COUNTY’S DRINKING WATER
WHAT IS BACKFLOW?
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, possibly
even deadly.
WHAT IS A BACKFLOW PREVENTER?
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.
IS IT REALLY IMPORTANT TO PREVENT BACKFLOW?
Absolutely. The Tennessee Division of Water Supply requires all
public water systems in the state to operate an on-going program
to protect the public water supply from contamination from
possible cross-connections. The most effective method for the
water utility to meet this requirement is to require customers
to install backflow preventer on the main supply line to their
property or facility, thus protecting the community water system
from any cross connections that may be present inside a
customer’s plumbing system. All water users benefit from an
active, on-going cross-connection control program that includes
the installation of backflow preventers where required by state
regulations and local codes.
WHY DOES THE CUSTOMER HAVE TO PAY FOR AND
INSTALL THE BACKFLOW PREVENTER?
The backflow preventer is installed to protect the public water
supply against possible hazards in the customer’s plumbing
system. The actual or potential cross connection belongs to the
property owner and not to regulatory officials or the water
utility. Once the water goes beyond the meter, in many cases the
water quality is altered. The water utility does not want the
water back, nor do the water customers want to purchase used
water. If a backflow preventer is required to keep the water
safe, then the person who purchased, installed and maintained
the cross-connection (actual or potential) should purchase,
install and maintain the backflow preventer.
CROSS CONNECTION DEFINED:
Any pipe, valve, fixture, etc., in a drinking water plumbing
system that may allow the drinking water within the system to
become contaminated or questionable in quality.
Cross-connections can either be eliminated or protected by an
air gap or mechanical backflow preventer.
If you would like to learn more about backflow preventers, or if
you need help to determine proper installation or how to
maintain a backflow preventer assembly, please call Bedford
County Utility District at 931-684-1667, or come by our office
at 214 Bethany St., Shelbyville, TN. |