Many may not be aware of the importance of backflow prevention. The potential for contamination can severely impact health. That’s why protections and regulations, inspections and testing, and more are in place for large multi-level residential structures, buildings, apartment buildings, retirement residences, hospitals, restaurants, and commercial and industrial businesses.
Backflow occurs when water reverses its normal direction and introduces bacteria and other contaminants into the municipal water supply. It can occur when there are changes in pressure such as a watermain break or a massive demand for water from nearby firefighting.
There are many different types of devices to prevent backflow. They vary by manufacturer and are geared to varying levels of hazard which can range from severe to minor. A backflow prevention specialist determines the potential for hazard, toxic or non-toxic to health, by conducting a survey of cross-connections to identify potential sources of contamination and the probability of backflow occurring. The result of this assessment determines the type of backflow preventer needed for the job.
Backflow devices are tested annually by a licenced professional to make sure they are functioning properly.
Plumbtech Plumbing Inc. has several backflow specialists available at all times to do the work of installing, maintaining, repairing, and testing. Backflow specialists are licenced plumbers who have undergone additional education, training, and certification to the guidelines of the OWWA (Ontario Water Works Association). More training is required every five years for re-certification. This takes into account any upgrades and changes over the period.
A backflow specialist starts the monitoring process with an initial “survey” on any new builds. On existing buildings, once a survey is in place, it is reviewed every five years. This addresses any changes in building ownership, use, upgrades to equipment, as well as any changes to hazard levels.
The Backflow Prevention Survey, also called a Cross-Connection Control Survey, identifies potential hazards to the drinking water system. It is required for industrial, commercial, institutional, and multi-residential facilities and is enforced by various backflow by-laws.
The backflow preventer, once installed, is inspected and tested every year to make sure it is working properly. The device is tagged and the annual test results are submitted to the municipality and the property owner.
If it receives a fail, the city’s water operations is notified and the device is either repaired or replaced and tested again.
If the device is replaced, the serial number of the failed backflow preventer is submitted and the process of surveys, testing and maintenance begins again. It is against the law to remove a backflow preventer without written approval from the City of Barrie Water Operations Branch.
In addition to the annual test, a backflow prevention device is also tested after cleaning, if it has been repaired, overhauled, or relocated as well as after the installation of a new device.
The city of Barrie has a Backflow Prevention & Cross Connection Control By-law in place to regulate the protection of municipal drinking water. The by-law applies to all industrial, commercial, institutional, and multi-unit residential properties. The city’s water operations issue reminders for annual testing to property owners.
