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Backflow Prevention
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As required by state code, the City of Mesa has a cross-connection control
program, also known as backflow prevention. Backflow is the undesirable reversal
of flow which could allow water that has gone through a customer's water meter
back into the distribution system. References to residential and
commercial situations are provided in this section. For more information
about backflow, you can contact Water Quality Services at 480-644-2885
robert.judd@Mesaaz.gov
or
480-644-4155 dottie.pettycrew@Mesaaz.gov.
Around Your Home
Commercial Backflow Requirements
Backflow FAQs
List
of Premises
Backflow
Prevention Assembly Standard Details
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Around Your Home
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Be aware of
cross-connections or backflow hazards, and where they might occur. A
cross-connection occurs when there is a connection between potable, safe to drink, and
non-potable water supplies. Properly installed and maintained backflow
prevention assemblies are critical to maintaining safe drinking water
supplies.
Examples of cross-connections include:
- Garden hoses
attached to the water supply that are placed in buckets of standing water or chemicals, or in swimming pools, pet watering bowls,
or garden
sprayers.
- Faucets not high enough to avoid contact with standing water or chemicals.
- Improper height of the overflow tube in the toilet tank, which could allow
the fill valve to become submerged.
- Landscape watering systems that inter-connect City water with an irrigation
water supply.
- Unprotected landscape watering systems that can allow water and chemicals to be
drawn back into the
home if a drop in water pressure occurs.
Avoid creating
the potential for a cross-connection or backflow. Education is the
greatest tool in helping to prevent water contamination.
Backflow prevention assemblies should be tested for proper operation on an annual basis. If
the assembly needs repair, have a qualified professional repair it
immediately. An assembly that is not functioning properly can be just as hazardous
as not having one at all. A qualified plumber or backflow prevention assembly
tester can determine if the assembly is functioning properly.
Make sure their certifications and licenses are valid and current in your state, and that
the individuals are recognized as "qualified and accepted" by your
local water purveyor.
When installing a
backflow prevention assembly or other piece of equipment that requires a direct
connection to the potable water supply, obtain a permit from the City to insure
you meet the minimum backflow requirements. Not all backflow prevention
assemblies meet minimum requirements.
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Commercial Backflow Requirements
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Obtain a permit through the City of Mesa Development Services prior to
installing backflow protection in a commercial or industrial
setting. The Water Quality Services office maintains a
list
of premises requiring backflow prevention assemblies.Potentials for
cross-connection in public places.
- Drinking
fountains. Water nozzles below the flood rim of the fountain.
- Hoses
attached to the potable water supply faucets and extended into sinks, buckets,
drains, chemical mixing containers, etc.
- If the water
supply to a fountain is below the flood rim, then a potential for contamination
exists.
- Hoses should
not be submerged in swimming pools or hot tubs.
- Faucets
should be high enough to never come in contact with standing water, chemicals,
etc.
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Other Sources of Information:
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Children:
http://www.classicbackflow.com/children/12345.html
Buster Backflow Comic Book: http://www.abpa.org/busterb.htm
University of Southern California List
of Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies
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