Why is Backflow prevention so important?
Backflow is a situation that can occur
when hydraulic conditions in the water
system deviate from normal conditions
potentially allowing contaminated water
from a customer’s plumbing system to
enter the public water distribution
system (cross connections). This
contaminated water can impair the
aesthetic quality of the water or
possibly be a health risk.
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What
Causes Backflow?
Backflow is possible in two situations:
backsiphonage and back pressure.
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What
is Backsiphonage?
When there is a sudden reduction in
water pressure in the public drinking
water distribution system, such as
during fire fighting or when a water
main breaks, water flow can potentially
be reversed. This could create a suction
effect, possibly drawing contaminated
water into the drinking water system.
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What
is Backpressure?
Backpressure is created when the
pressure in a private non-drinking water
system, such as in a recirculating
system containing soap, acid or
antifreeze exceeds the pressure in the
public drinking water system that it is
connected to. This could force
contaminated water to enter the public
drinking water system.
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How
can backflow occur?
The supply line to the pressurized
boiler at the fertilizer plant was
leaking, which allowed chemicals in the
boiler to backflow into the water main
supplying the fast food restaurant next
door. A backflow prevention assembly
would have prevented this type of
contamination from occurring.
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How can Backflow be prevented?
To protect the public water system, the
City of Odessa requires a backflow
prevention assembly (BFPA) to be
installed in certain water use
applications. The type of BFPA which
must be installed is dependent on the
type of hazard the BFPA is protecting
the system against.
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What type of Backflow Prevention
Assemblies must be installed?
The Texas Commission of Environmental
Quality (TCEQ) requires different types
of Backflow Prevention Assemblies to be
installed based on whether the assembly
is protecting against a non-health or
health hazard. A health hazard is one
which could cause illness or death and
must always be protected by an air gap
or reduced pressure backflow prevention
assembly. Non-health hazards may be
protected by other less protective
assemblies (e.g. double check valves,
atmospheric vacuum breakers, etc.). A
list of common hazards and the
assemblies required by the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality
rules 30 TAC 290.47 (i) Appendix I can
be viewed by checking [Here].
This list and other information
concerning the customer’s operations and
plumbing are taken into consideration by
the City’s Building Inspection Division
as they determine the type of assembly
required.
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How do I know if I need a backflow
prevention assembly?
Contact the Building Inspection
Division at 335-4144 for assistance. In
general, if you have process water
directly connected to the public water
system or an automatic sprinkler system,
you will need an assembly.
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Where should a backflow prevention
assembly be located?
Unless otherwise authorized, the
assembly must be located on the
customer’s property between the water
meter and the first connection on the
customer’s service line. In some cases,
a backflow prevention assembly must be
installed within the customer’s plumbing
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Who can install a backflow prevention
assembly?
Only a licensed plumber is allowed to
install the assembly.
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How is an assembly approved?
The Building Inspection Division will
determine the type of backflow
prevention assembly and where it must be
installed. A permit will be issued to a
licensed plumber to install the
assembly. After installation an
inspector from Building Inspection will
determine if the assembly is properly
installed. A backflow prevention
assembly tester registered with the City
must test the assembly and certify that
it is functioning properly through
completion of a “Backflow Prevention
Assembly Test and maintenance Form.”
Until this form is received, the
assembly will not be approved and a
Certificate of Completion will not be
issued.
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Does the backflow prevention assembly
have to be tested and how often?
Every backflow prevention assembly must
be tested upon installation by a
backflow prevention assembly tester who
has registered with the Utilities
Department. Assemblies which protect
against health hazards must be tested at
least annually. If the assembly fails
the test, it must be repaired or
replaced and tested.
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How much does it cost to have the
backflow prevention assembly tested?
The cost will depend on the type of
assembly and other factors taken into
consideration by your tester. As long as
you use a tester registered with the
Utilities Department, you can shop for
the best price. It should be noted that
the testers must use the Test and
Maintenance form provided by the City.
To cover the cost of the Cross
Connection Control Program, the City
charges $10 for the form, This cost will
likely be passed on to you by the
tester.
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How do I know when my annual testing is
due?
The Utilities Department will send you a
letter reminding you to have the
backflow prevention assembly tested if
you should forget.
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What will happen if I fail to comply
with the requirements of the Cross
Connection Control Program?
Under Ordinance 99-61, civil penalties
(up to $1000 per day) and criminal
penalties (up to $2000 for each offense)
can be assessed. In emergency situations
where failure to have a functioning
backflow prevention assembly in place
could affect public health and safety,
water service can be disconnected until
the assembly is properly installed and
tested.
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In Case Of
EMERGENCIES please call: (432) 335-4625
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