PROTECT YOUR WATER FROM CONTAMINATION
Normally, your water supply is under 40 to 80 pounds of pressure when it enters your home or business. On rare occasions, this pressure is interrupted—perhaps by a water main break, a power failure, fire fighters battling a nearby blaze, or some other disruption in water service. When there is a significant loss of pressure, water can flow back into the public water supply system. When water flows backward into the public water supply, it is called “back-siphonage” or “backflow”. Backflow can also occur when the customer’s water system has a higher pressure than the ELCO water system.
In rare instances, backflow can contaminate the public water supply. Contamination occurs when a water supply line is connected to equipment containing a non-potable (unsafe to drink) substance. Such connections are called cross connections and they are dangerous if no protective measures are taken.
Backflow Testers
Download: LIST OF BACKFLOW TESTERS.pdf
Click on the above .pdf file to see a list of companies that have provided proof of calibration on their equipment and will test in the Fort Collins area.
ELCO Crossconnection Manual
Download: ELCO Crossconnection Manual.pdf
Here are a few examples of common cross connections:
- A hose is submerged in polluted or contaminated water
- A secondary source of irrigation water (from a well or pond) is pumped into an irrigation system that is directly connected to the potable water supply system
- A heating boiler with treatment chemical added to prevent internal corrosion is connected directly to the water supply for make-up water
- An underground lawn sprinkler system is directly connected to the water supply system
- A fountain or swimming pool has a direct connection with the water system for filling
In all of these examples, a sudden drop in water pressure could draw contaminants -- chemicals, fertilizer, soapy water or even bacteria -- back into your pipes and your drinking water supply. Any of these contaminants could be hazardous to your health if ingested.
The best way to prevent this potential contamination is to eliminate the cross connection. This could mean simply making sure that you never leave a hose submerged in a tub of water or that you never apply fertilizer to your lawn with a hose-aspirator device. In some cases (such as the lawn sprinkling system example noted above) the cross connection cannot be eliminated and the only means of protection is by installation of an approved backflow prevention device.
Commonly Used Backflow Prevention Devices
The three most common and effective devices installed to prevent backflow are shown below:
1. Air Gap
Used mainly on tanks and sinks, it is a gap between the outlet and the basin.
Requirements:
The gap needs to be a minimum 2 times the supply pipe diameter.
2. Pressure Vacuum Breaker
Used mainly on lawn irrigation systems. It has a one way check and a spring loaded air inlet valve that closes when water pressure drops.
Requirements:
•No backpressure (from fertilizer injection system or water well)
•12" above highest sprinkler head
•Protect from freezing
3. Reduced Pressure (RP) Principle Assemblies
A reduced pressure principle assembly is a mechanical valve assembly that consists of two internally loaded independently operating check valves and a mechanically independent, hydraulically dependent relief valve located between the check valves.
It is used for services that have either health hazards or non-health hazards and under conditions of backpressure or backsiphonage. It provides the highest level of protection among the mechanical backflow prevention devices.
1. Air Gap
Used mainly on tanks and sinks, it is a gap between the outlet and the basin.
Requirements:
The gap needs to be a minimum 2 times the supply pipe diameter.
2. Pressure Vacuum Breaker
Used mainly on lawn irrigation systems. It has a one way check and a spring loaded air inlet valve that closes when water pressure drops.
Requirements:
•No backpressure (from fertilizer injection system or water well)
•12" above highest sprinkler head
•Protect from freezing
3. Reduced Pressure (RP) Principle Assemblies
A reduced pressure principle assembly is a mechanical valve assembly that consists of two internally loaded independently operating check valves and a mechanically independent, hydraulically dependent relief valve located between the check valves.
It is used for services that have either health hazards or non-health hazards and under conditions of backpressure or backsiphonage. It provides the highest level of protection among the mechanical backflow prevention devices.
Cross Connection Control Program
Each customer is responsible for preventing contaminants from entering their system as well as the water distribution system. This responsibility starts at the point of delivery and includes the customer’s entire water system. As a condition of receiving water service, the customer must allow ELCO personnel access to inspect and survey the customer’s system for potential contamination and backflow hazards.
All costs associated with installation, operation, testing, and maintenance of a backflow prevention device are the responsibility of the customer. Accurate test and maintenance records must be maintained by customers. Documentation of installation, testing, and any repairs must be forwarded to the Backflow Prevention Coordinator at ELCO Water District. Any re-piping or relocation of water lines also requires re-testing.
To help maintain the safety and quality of water supplied by the District, it has established a Backflow Prevention Program designed to:
Backflow prevention devices are like seat belts; they protect you, your customers, employees and family members from a contamination event that may never occur. But, if an accident occurred and an unprotected cross connection resulted in contamination of your water supply, you would be glad that you took the time and trouble to install and maintain a backflow prevention device.
If you have a backflow prevention device on your property, please do your part by making sure that your device is tested annually. If repairs are needed, be certain to have those repairs made as quickly as possible. Remember that if the device is repaired or replaced it must be re-tested.
Backflow prevention can be accomplished by installing a vacuum breaker on an outdoor faucet.
Customers with questions about backflow prevention can contact the District’s Backflow Prevention Coordinator at 970-493-2044.
All costs associated with installation, operation, testing, and maintenance of a backflow prevention device are the responsibility of the customer. Accurate test and maintenance records must be maintained by customers. Documentation of installation, testing, and any repairs must be forwarded to the Backflow Prevention Coordinator at ELCO Water District. Any re-piping or relocation of water lines also requires re-testing.
To help maintain the safety and quality of water supplied by the District, it has established a Backflow Prevention Program designed to:
- Enforce Backflow Prevention provisions of the East Larimer County Water District Rules and Regulations and comply with the requirements of the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations.
- Inform customers of the hazards associated with cross connections and their responsibilities to prevent contamination of their water supply.
- Promote the elimination of cross-connections through inspection and regulation of plumbing and water piping within a customer’s facility.
- Insure the proper installation and maintenance of Backflow Prevention devices on water services to facilities where actual or potential cross connections exist to prevent backflow or back siphonage of contaminants or pollutants from the customer’s facility into the public water system.
Backflow prevention devices are like seat belts; they protect you, your customers, employees and family members from a contamination event that may never occur. But, if an accident occurred and an unprotected cross connection resulted in contamination of your water supply, you would be glad that you took the time and trouble to install and maintain a backflow prevention device.
If you have a backflow prevention device on your property, please do your part by making sure that your device is tested annually. If repairs are needed, be certain to have those repairs made as quickly as possible. Remember that if the device is repaired or replaced it must be re-tested.
Backflow prevention can be accomplished by installing a vacuum breaker on an outdoor faucet.
Customers with questions about backflow prevention can contact the District’s Backflow Prevention Coordinator at 970-493-2044.