Backflow Ordinance

1
Backflow Ordinance

• Public Health
• Public Responsibility

2
Why Do We Need Backflow Protection?

• We all have the potential of polluting our own
  drinking water without even realizing it. 
• The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 established
  national standards for drinking water. 
• State and Local Governments are responsible for
  the enforcement of these standards, and for the
  supervision of all public water supplies. 
• The Environmental Protection Agency Mandates it
  is the responsibility of Local Government to
  deliver safe drinking water to your tap.

3
Backflow Lingo and Definitions

• CROSS CONNECTION - arrangement of drinking water
  piping that is or can be connected to a
  non-potable source.  Examples are the common
  garden hose submerged in a swimming pool, or
  supply lines connected to boilers, process
  equipment, or bottom-fed tanks.
• BACKSIPHONAGE - the reversal of normal flow in a
  system caused by negative pressure (vacuum or
  partial vacuum) in the supply piping.
  Backsiphonage can be created when the normal
  water supply is interrupted due to a break in the
  city main or increased demand at a location for
  fire fighting.
• BACKPRESSURE - Backpressure is the reversal of
  normal flow in the system due to downstream
  pressure being greater than the supply pressure.
  This can occur when private system have pumps for
  industrial processes.

4
What is a Backflow Device

• Any device that has been approved to prevent
  backflow or backsiphonage into the public
  drinking water supply. 
• The appropriate device will need to be certified
  according to ASSE standards.
• This busy picture illustrates three backflow
  protection devices in one area they are used to
  protect systems used for
• Domestic use
• Fire protection
• Irrigation system

5
Domestic Backflow

• 2 Reduced Pressure Principle backflow device for
  domestic use.
• It is hooked to a domestic water supply to
  protect against the intrusion of pesticides or
  other chemicals or in boiler installations, among
  other uses
• These devices are suitable for use in high-hazard
  areas and provide the highest level of protection

6
Industrial Backflow Protectors

• 4 Double Check Valve assembly.
• These devices are suitable for use in low-hazard
  or medium hazard conditions, depending on
  site-specific evaluations.
• Note the valves on each side of the device are
  chained open to prevent accidental closure and
  shut down of the water supply.

7
Fire Protection Backflow Devices

• 6 Double Check valve assembly attached to fire
  lines.
• As in the previous slide, valves are chained open
  to prevent accidental shut down of fire flow to
  the building.

8
WHO WILL NEED TO GET ONE

• The City of Laramie has approximately 700
  commercial accounts .
• Currently 308 are properly backflow protected
  many commercial accounts have more than one
  backflow device in place.
• 392 commercial accounts need evaluation to see if
  backflow protection is required. Of these,
  approximately 350 are lt 2 in size.
• Determination for protection will be based on the
  potential degree of public health hazard.
• Any use that could present a public health hazard
  due to backflow will need an installed backflow
  device.

9
How much will it cost to have a backflow device
installed and tested?

• Estimated Installed Prices
• - 3/4 double check 50 50 labor 100
• - 1 reduced pressure 100 dollars 50 labor
  100
• - 2 double check 300 100 labor 400
• - 2 reduce pressure 450 100 labor 550
• - 3 double check 1100 300 labor 1400
• - 4 reduced pressure 3000 300 labor 3300
• - 6 double check 4000 400 labor 4400
• Annual testing of backflow devices will average
  between 50 and 75 dollars per device.

10
Who can test or install backflow prevention
devices?

• A certified backflow prevention device tester. 
• A trained and licensed professional who has
  successfully proven their ability through testing
  and satisfies the requirements for ASSE Certified
  Testers.

11
Where can I obtain a list of certified testers?

• City of Laramie Utility Department
• 307-721-5280
• Over 70 licensed testers in this area can be
  contacted

12
Are all backflow prevention devices testable?

• Testable backflow prevention devices are
• -Double Check Valve Assembly
• -Double Detector Check Valve Assembly
• -Pressure Vacuum Breaker
• -Reduced Pressure Backflow Preventer Assembly
• -Reduced Pressure Detector Assembly
• -Spill Resistant Vacuum Breaker
• Non-testable are
• -Dual Check valves built into the Citys meter
  hangers for residents. Residential water
  systems are considered low health risk and do not
  need to be tested.

13
Will my water service be interrupted during the
test?

• Yes, the water supply to the backflow preventer
  must be turned off during testing. 
• Depending upon the type of device, the time for
  testing typically takes 10 - 30 minutes. 
• Additional time may be needed for repairs, if
  required.