This summary from Barwon Water's website, perfectly sums up backflow....
Backflow occurs when water within a property is drawn back into the water mains, compromising the integrity of our reticulated water supply system, and possibly contaminating our drinking water.
This can happen when:
- pressure within the main drops
- there is a cross connection between your water supply and a contaminated source, or
- a nearby property working with chemicals or other contaminants uses the water supply.
Contaminants in our drinking water endanger people’s health and can be deadly. By minimising the risk of this occurring, backflow prevention protects and preserves the quality of our water supply, and safeguards the health and wellbeing of our community.
Under Barwon Water's backflow prevention containment policy, new and existing commercial, industrial and residential properties rated as medium or high risk of contaminating the water supply are required to have appropriate backflow prevention device/s installed at the main water meter.
Each device must be tested annually by an accredited backflow prevention plumber to ensure it continues to work efficiently to stop backflow from entering the water supply.
Give us a call on 5261 2422 if you need your backflow valve tested - we have the necessary accreditation.