Backflow Testing

Backflow Testing: Is it really necessary?

Protecting our drinking water is a huge task, and is becoming of primary importance to all cities and municipalities in British Columbia and throughout Canada. In order to protect our water from contamination most municipalities have introduced “Cross Connection Control” bylaws mandating annual backflow device testing to insure that all assemblies remain in good working order and have not failed due to fouling, internal damage or wear, creating a potential for the undesirable reverse flow of potable water as a result of backpressure or backsiphonage.

PureWater Installation Technicians are trained and certified by the BC Water and Waste Association (BCWWA) to perform testing and any required maintenance or repairs on all types of backflow devices, both residential and commercial.

Common backflow device installations may include lawn irrigation, fire sprinklers, dental office vacuum pumps and chair line, restaurant pop machines, dishwashers, and mop sinks, boiler feeds, and commercial premise isolation, to name but a few.

“A cross connection shall be defined as an existing connection or a potential connection between any part of a potable water system and any other environment containing other substances in a manner which, under any circumstances, would allow such substance to enter the potable water system. Other substances may be gases, liquid or solids such as chemicals, waste products, steam, water from other sources (potable or non potable), or any matter which may change the colour or add odour to the water.”
AWWA Canadian CCC Manual#1, 2009