Backflow Prevention and Testing

As a potable water supplier, the Village of Farmingdale is required to implement a Backflow Prevention Program.  The requirements for this program are detailed within Village Code. 

 

What is Backflow and Why Prevent it?

The water system seeks to maintain high water pressure which makes the treated water flow outward from the water plants and into the pipes within your home.  Under certain rare conditions, this pressure can reverse and the water can temporarily flow back from your pipes and back into the water main in the street.  This water could contain bacteria or other contaminants that would impact water quality for everyone connected to that water main.  Your device will protect all of your neighbors from any potential threats in your building plumbing.  You are protected from your neighbors plumbing by their backflow preventors.  The system works fully only when every water service line has a functioning backflow preventor in place.

 

What is a Backflow Prevention Device?

These devices are installed on your building piping and prevent water from flowing backward to the water main in the street.  They can be a simple vacuum breaker installed on your hose bibs; an air gap installed on a process in an industrial building; or a Double Check Valve (DCV) or Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) device installed on your water service line.  A check valve only allows water to flow in one direction.  A double check valve is more reliable, as a single check valve can get stuck open or leak.  A reduced pressure zone device is essentially a double check valve with a vacuum breaker and discharge port located in between the two check valves, to further decrease the chance of a backflow event.

The level of protection required is decided by the water supplier, and will reflect the complexity of the particular building.  Many residential buildings will require DCVs be installed, while commercial buildings most often require the higher level of protection provided by RPZs.

 

Who Needs a Backflow Prevention Device?

The degree of threat is decided by the water supplier.  In general, businesses are more likely to have processes or machinery, such as compressors, pumps, use of hazardous chemicals, etc., that can make a backflow condition more likely.  Residential service lines are considered to pose a greater threat if you have a pool, hot tub or in ground sprinkler system.  

 

Why Does My Backflow Prevention Device Need to be Tested?

When your backflow preventor is first installed it will be tested by the installing plumber.  Certified test results get submitted to the Village and the Health Department.  As devices age, they can fail to hold the necessary pressure, or the check valves can become stuck.  While it is the property owner’s responsibility to install, maintain and test their device, the Village is working with a company that will perform an inspection and test for a nominal fee.  The inspection and test must be done annually for both Commercial and Residential accounts.  This testing must be performed by a NYSDOH certified tester, as required under the New York State Sanitary Code Subpart 5-1.31(a)(3).  Any repairs are the responsibility of the building owner.  The Village reports these results directly to the Health Department.