Logo
Logo

Your Role in Guarding Against Water Contamination – What is Backflow?

In most respects, the quality of the water you drink is determined by the source of the water and the treatment it receives. We are fortunate to have a primary water source of exceptional quality that requires only minimal disinfection to meet strict state drinking water standards, but did you know that if you have an in-ground irrigation system or pool you also play a role in preserving the quality of our water?

You might ask, “How can my pool or irrigation system impact water quality?”

The answer involves “backflow”. Backflow can occur when conditions cause water to reverse its normal direction of flow, causing tainted water to be drawn back into your private household plumbing or the public water system.

Since water within irrigation pipes can contain microbes or garden chemicals, in-ground irrigation systems are the most widespread potential sources of backflow. Plumbing systems associated with pool equipment, solar panels, fire sprinkler systems, and auxiliary water supplies such as wells are also possible sources. It can even happen when a hose is left in a pool, pond, or cleaning bucket.

Due to the risk of contamination, state health codes require irrigation systems to be equipped with backflow prevention device(s), and most are required to be tested every 12 months. Our Residential Backflow Program provides single-family residential customers with annual testing and routine repair services for their privately-owned backflow devices, to maintain safe drinking water and make the process easier for customers.

The people most likely to be endangered by a backflow incident at your house are those closest to it, which includes your family and neighbors. Working together, we can prevent this type of contamination from occurring. For more information, go to our Backflow Prevention page, or call us at 541-774-2430 if you have questions about your residential backflow device or testing.

Share: