Backflow Devices and Water Meters: How They Work Together to Protect Our Water Supply
If you’ve ever looked at your water meter and wondered what all the pipes and devices around it do, you’re not alone! Many property owners don’t realise that backflow prevention devices and water meters often work closely together to keep your water safe.
At Tomlinson Plumbing, we test and maintain backflow devices across Torquay Geelong, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads & surrounding areas, helping homes, businesses, and commercial properties stay compliant — and keeping local drinking water clean.
What Is a Water Meter?
A water meter measures how much water your property uses. It’s usually installed by the water authority (like Barwon Water) at the boundary of your property.
Water meters help:
• Calculate your water bills
• Monitor for leaks or unusual usage
• Ensure fair use across the water supply network
What Is a Backflow Prevention Device?
While the water meter tracks usage, a backflow prevention device protects the quality of our water supply. It’s a one-way valve system that stops contaminated water from flowing back into the main water supply, which can happen if there’s a sudden drop in pressure or a plumbing fault.
Backflow prevention devices are essential for properties such as:
• Commercial kitchens and cafés
• Hairdressing salons
• Medical or dental clinics
• Funeral homes
• Petrol stations
• Schools
• Day care facilities
• Car yards
• Panel shops
• Factories
How Water Meters and Backflow Devices Work Together
Often, a backflow device is installed just after the water meter, so it protects both your property and the wider community. Here’s why:
- Water Meter Comes First: The meter tracks usage and gives the water authority control over the flow into your property.
- Backflow Device Protects Next: After the meter, the backflow device ensures that no used or contaminated water can flow back into the main supply.
- Combined Safety: Together, they help maintain accurate billing, prevent leaks from affecting the network, and protect public health.
Why Testing Both Is Important
Even though water meters don’t usually fail in ways that affect safety, backflow devices can wear out or fail over time. If a backflow device isn’t working correctly, water from your property — possibly containing chemicals, bacteria, or other contaminants — can flow backward into the mains.
Regular testing by a licensed backflow plumber ensures your device is working as intended and keeps Barwon Water compliance up to date.
Local Expertise You Can Trust
At Tomlinson Plumbing, we handle everything:
• Testing backflow devices near your water meter
• Repairing or replacing faulty devices
• Submitting reports to Barwon Water
We work with homes, businesses, and strata complexes across Torquay, Geelong, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads and surrounding areas, making compliance simple and stress-free.
Book your annual backflow test with Tomlinson Plumbing today. Call 5261 2422.
Sometimes facilities that require backflow prevention devices, also require thermostatic mixing valves to prevent scalding. TMVs require annual testing for safety. Find out further info here.