January 12, 2011
Brian Johnston
This is the third and final part of the series of blog articles to explore why backflow prevention is important for any residential plumbing company. The article highlights the necessity of a backflow preventer and discusses the importance of certification.
Certification is needed!
Just like all working systems, they perform best when maintained and certified regularly. Backflow into a public water system can pollute or contaminate the water in that system and each water supplier has a responsibility to provide water that is usable and safe to drink under all foreseeable circumstances. Furthermore, consumers generally have absolute faith that water delivered to them through a public water system is always safe to drink. For these reasons, each water supplier must take reasonable precautions to protect its public water system against backflow.
As a residential plumbing company, we understand that mechanical backflow preventers contain internal seals, springs, and moving parts that have the potential to become fouled, worn, or fatigued. To prevent these issues from arising, mechanical backflow preventers and air gaps must be tested periodically with the latter requiring a visual inspection. However, mechanical backflow preventers require testing using properly calibrated gauge equipment to ensure they are functional.
Responsibility: Consumer
The consumer has the responsibility of backflow prevention. It is at the consumer’s expense in most areas that they shall install, operate, test and maintain approved backflow prevention assemblies as directed by the authority having jurisdiction. Check your records and make sure your backflow preventer is certified! Remember to look for a plumber who is certified to complete your inspection, make the repairs, and notify the water authority of your compliance.
July 23, 2026
