Manatee County Government
Backflow Information
As a Manatee County water customer, you expect pure and healthy water. Water suppliers across the continent spend millions of dollars to purify and treat water before it is delivered to you.
Table of Contents
What is a Cross-Connection? How does it relate to Backflow?
Most people are not aware of the extent to which water suppliers go to protect the water supply from contamination or pollution while it flows through their water lines. It is possible for this to occur when a water supply line is connected to equipment containing a non-potable (unfit to drink) substance. An example is a water line connected to a tank filled with acid, or a hose being dropped into a bucket of cleaning solution. These connections, called Cross-Connections, whether they are permanent or temporary, would be dangerous if no protective measures are taken.
Water distribution systems are designed with the intention of the water flowing in a certain direction – from the distribution system to the consumer. However, hydraulic conditions within the system may deviate from the “normal” conditions, causing the water to flow in the opposite direction in unprotected systems. This is called backflow.
Backflow occurs when the pressure in the distribution system drops, siphoning water from the consumer’s system in the distribution system. This would also siphon any substance, which may be in contact with the water system through a cross-connection. This type of backflow is called back-siphonage and may occur when there is an unusually high use of water or undersized piping in an area. For example, during a fire, or when a main water line breaks, water is “sucked” to the point of high usage, possibly drawing non-potable substances with it, filling the water line with this substance.
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What is the purpose of a Backflow Prevention device?
- Zoom
- Backflow Prevention Device adjacent to Meter Box.
Because of these potential dangers to the water consumer, it is necessary to control cross-connections. There are several types of mechanical assemblies, which serve as backflow preventers. Different types of backflow preventers are designed to work under back-siphonage or back pressure conditions. Some are acceptable for high hazard conditions while others are only acceptable for low-hazard (non-health hazard) conditions.
Manatee County Utilities, Building and Health Departments only recognize backflow preventers that have been stringently tested by the Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research at the University of Southern California. Approved backflow preventers are extremely dependable.
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Why do I need to test my Backflow every year? Who is qualified to test my backflow?
Federal law requires water suppliers to protect their water systems from contamination or pollution by cross-connections. To do this, Manatee County diligently conducts surveys of various facilities on their systems. Backflow preventers must be tested at least once each year to ensure that they are performing properly in preventing backflow. When necessary they must be repaired in order to assure proper operation.
Manatee County will only accept backflow certifications from plumbers or testers that have supplied the Cross-Connection Control office with copies of their plumbing license, backflow certification, liability insurance and current calibration of equipment.
For more information regarding Backflow Prevention, contact:
Cross Connection Control, Utilities Department
Telephone (941) 792-8811 Ext. 5267
Email: sue.glasgow@mymanatee.org
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Backflow Prevention Assembly Testing and Inventory
Registered contractors can record test result data from annual inspections in the Backflow Prevention Assembly Testing and Inventory application. Contractors must be registered with the Cross Connection Control office and possess a valid, up-to-date plumbing license, current insurance, backflow test/repair certification and calibration of equipment before access will be granted.
