Landscaping Houston, Landscape Houston, Paver Patios Houston
Houston Landscape
Backflow Prevention Devices
The State of Texas requires every lawn
sprinkler system installed in the State to be protected by a
certified backflow prevention device. These devices are required to
protect the quality and safety of the drinking water supply.
In accordance with state law, and Texas Administrative Code, a person who repairs or tests the installation or operation of backflow prevention assemblies must hold a license issued by the TCEQ. We are licensed from the TCEQ as a Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester, license #BP001613.
In addition to
being in compliance with state laws, it is very important that an
approved and working backflow device be installed to prevent the
cross contamination of water from your irrigation system into your
drinking water system. Without a backflow preventer, a loss of
pressure in the city water supply can cause the "backflow" of water
from the irrigation system into your drinking water, causing
possible contamination by fertilizers, pet wastes, and other toxic
materials.
What is Backflow and Why Should It Be Prevented?
Backflow is defined as the undesirable reversal of flow in a potable water distribution system as a result of a pressure differential or siphon condition that exists between two piping systems. Backflow is a problem where there is a desire to keep fluids from one piping system from re-entering another piping system as in the case of a cross-connection.
Simply put, backflow occurs any time the flow in your water system reverses direction.
Example #1. If a car strikes a fire hydrant water will gush out of the hydrant at full water pressure, causing a huge drop in water pressure at all buildings on the block. With this drop of pressure, the direction of water flowing through pipes can actually reverse. Whenever flow reverses, there is a strong likelihood of fresh water contamination.
Example #2. Imagine you have a garden hose in a bucket of soapy
water. The
water pressure supplied to your property drops unexpectedly. When
this happens, the water flow to the water hose in the bucket of
soapy water could reverse and suck the contents of the bucket into
the city's water system contaminating water to you and other nearby
users.
Backflow from a facilities that process acids, toxic chemicals, medical or bio-hazards, or sewage could be very dangerous.
This is where a backflow valve comes in. During a time of water pressure fluctuation, the valve will prevent your contaminants from flowing into the city's water system.
A cross connection is a connection (such as a lawn irrigation system) or potential connection (such as a garden hose) between any part of a potable water system and any other environment containing
other
substances (such as a lawn or a container of herbicide) in a manner
that under any circumstances, would allow such substances to enter
the potable water system. (other examples of common
cross-connections include water supplies to heating boilers and
hoses feeding utility sinks)
In other words, water that goes out to a faucet, sprinkler head, or emitter should never be allowed to be drawn back into the potable water system by siphon, pressure loss, or any other means.
The backflow prevention device is used to keep water that passes through it, and into the irrigation system, from coming back into the water supply. Since water in an irrigation system can be contaminated by chemicals, animal droppings, and other yard debris, it is considered non-potable. Very strict standards have been set by the TCEQ (the equivalent of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) and proper backflow prevention is required on all irrigation systems.
What Type of Backflow Protection is Required?
There are various levels of protection required for differing situations. In most parts of Texas, a lawn irrigation system is considered a moderate cross connection hazard to the water supply. Adding chemicals, such as fertilizers or herbicides, within the sprinkler lines is considered a high hazard cross connection. Septic systems are also considered a high hazard cross connection.
Some Frequently Asked Questions about Backflow Prevention Assemblies
How exactly are you testing the backflow prevention assembly?
Testing by a licensed professional is performed with specialty (expensive) test equipment that has been calibrated by a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) certified company. This test equipment and its calibration information are provided to the city at the time of test result reporting. Who requires installation of backflow devices? There have been many documented cases of drinking water being contaminated or polluted, by both commercial and residential sources, around the world, The United States Department of Environmental Protection, Adopted the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974 (revised in 1986 and 1996) Public Law 99-339. In Texas the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is the environmental agency for the state and enforces the Texas Administrative Codes concerning Public Drinking Water, specifically Chapter 290. This law made it the responsibility of the local water purveyors to enforce the cross connection laws. Several of the cities have begun enforcement efforts with major industries and small commercial accounts. All new construction both commercial and residential must install backflow devices and have those devices inspected upon installation and then inspected at least annually. This testing must be performed by a recognized certified Backflow Prevention Assembly tester. Contact your city's Public Work Department if you have any questions about compliance or concerns about the safety of your potable water supply. Most cities require certified backflow prevention assembly Testers be registered with the city, so you may contact the city to find a certified backflow Tester.
What is a cross-connection?
A Cross-Connection is a permanent or temporary connection between potable or drinking water and anything that can pollute or contaminate the water supply.
Cross connection control is simply a program that is designed to take safeguards necessary to protect the public water supply.
Potentially all water services can be affected by cross connections including residential garden hoses, decorative fountains and ponds, or irrigation systems.
Protection from contamination from a cross connection can be provided by disconnecting the source of potential contamination, or installing a backflow preventer that allows water to flow in only one direction.
A Backflow Prevention Assembly looks complicated, but is a simple and very sound way to safeguard a cross connection to a potential hazard. There are several different types of devices and according to the degree of hazard represented determines which device will be required.
Backflow valves must be tested and certified when first installed and at least once per year thereafter. Most commercial and residential devices can each be tested in about one hour. Many cities are contacting water customers about their backflow devices and requiring them to show that they are in compliance with the state and local ordinances and have a current test report showing that the backflow device assembly connection to the public water supply has been tested and successfully passed.
After completion of the test, the owner of the backflow device is provided a copy of the certified test report. Most valves pass inspection. But if the device fails you must have it repaired or replaced.
What is the cost of a Backflow Prevention Assembly inspection/ Test and repair?
The cost to inspect and test is based on the type, size and quantity of Backflow Devices being tested at the time. A typical residential or commercial business Backflow Device inspection/test starts at a approximately $75 plus tax within the Houston area. Repairs typically can range in the neighborhood of $85 and up plus tax depending again on type and size of the device and the extent of repair.
Where do I find a Certified Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester?
The TCEQ maintains a record of current certified backflow assembly Testers. Certification is authorized and managed by the TCEQ. Each certified tester has completed an approved course of study on cross-connection control and Backflow Prevention Assembly testing, and passed an examination administered by the TCEQ and holds a current professional irrigator's license and Backflow Prevention Assembly tester license from the state.
We service and install all types of backflow devices. Our service are normally completed within 48 hours and we service the entire Houston and all surrounding areas. We have 16 years of experience in the irrigation industry. We are insured and also hold a licensed by the State of Texas LI0006414.
In accordance with state law, and Texas Administrative Code, a person who repairs or tests the installation or operation of backflow prevention assemblies must hold a license issued by the TCEQ. We are licensed from the TCEQ as a Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester, license #BP001613.
What is Backflow and Why Should It Be Prevented?
Backflow is defined as the undesirable reversal of flow in a potable water distribution system as a result of a pressure differential or siphon condition that exists between two piping systems. Backflow is a problem where there is a desire to keep fluids from one piping system from re-entering another piping system as in the case of a cross-connection.
Simply put, backflow occurs any time the flow in your water system reverses direction.
Example #1. If a car strikes a fire hydrant water will gush out of the hydrant at full water pressure, causing a huge drop in water pressure at all buildings on the block. With this drop of pressure, the direction of water flowing through pipes can actually reverse. Whenever flow reverses, there is a strong likelihood of fresh water contamination.
Example #2. Imagine you have a garden hose in a bucket of soapy
Backflow from a facilities that process acids, toxic chemicals, medical or bio-hazards, or sewage could be very dangerous.
This is where a backflow valve comes in. During a time of water pressure fluctuation, the valve will prevent your contaminants from flowing into the city's water system.
A cross connection is a connection (such as a lawn irrigation system) or potential connection (such as a garden hose) between any part of a potable water system and any other environment containing
In other words, water that goes out to a faucet, sprinkler head, or emitter should never be allowed to be drawn back into the potable water system by siphon, pressure loss, or any other means.
The backflow prevention device is used to keep water that passes through it, and into the irrigation system, from coming back into the water supply. Since water in an irrigation system can be contaminated by chemicals, animal droppings, and other yard debris, it is considered non-potable. Very strict standards have been set by the TCEQ (the equivalent of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) and proper backflow prevention is required on all irrigation systems.
What Type of Backflow Protection is Required?
There are various levels of protection required for differing situations. In most parts of Texas, a lawn irrigation system is considered a moderate cross connection hazard to the water supply. Adding chemicals, such as fertilizers or herbicides, within the sprinkler lines is considered a high hazard cross connection. Septic systems are also considered a high hazard cross connection.
Some Frequently Asked Questions about Backflow Prevention Assemblies
How exactly are you testing the backflow prevention assembly?
Testing by a licensed professional is performed with specialty (expensive) test equipment that has been calibrated by a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) certified company. This test equipment and its calibration information are provided to the city at the time of test result reporting. Who requires installation of backflow devices? There have been many documented cases of drinking water being contaminated or polluted, by both commercial and residential sources, around the world, The United States Department of Environmental Protection, Adopted the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974 (revised in 1986 and 1996) Public Law 99-339. In Texas the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is the environmental agency for the state and enforces the Texas Administrative Codes concerning Public Drinking Water, specifically Chapter 290. This law made it the responsibility of the local water purveyors to enforce the cross connection laws. Several of the cities have begun enforcement efforts with major industries and small commercial accounts. All new construction both commercial and residential must install backflow devices and have those devices inspected upon installation and then inspected at least annually. This testing must be performed by a recognized certified Backflow Prevention Assembly tester. Contact your city's Public Work Department if you have any questions about compliance or concerns about the safety of your potable water supply. Most cities require certified backflow prevention assembly Testers be registered with the city, so you may contact the city to find a certified backflow Tester.
What is a cross-connection?
A Cross-Connection is a permanent or temporary connection between potable or drinking water and anything that can pollute or contaminate the water supply.
Cross connection control is simply a program that is designed to take safeguards necessary to protect the public water supply.
Potentially all water services can be affected by cross connections including residential garden hoses, decorative fountains and ponds, or irrigation systems.
Protection from contamination from a cross connection can be provided by disconnecting the source of potential contamination, or installing a backflow preventer that allows water to flow in only one direction.
A Backflow Prevention Assembly looks complicated, but is a simple and very sound way to safeguard a cross connection to a potential hazard. There are several different types of devices and according to the degree of hazard represented determines which device will be required.
Backflow valves must be tested and certified when first installed and at least once per year thereafter. Most commercial and residential devices can each be tested in about one hour. Many cities are contacting water customers about their backflow devices and requiring them to show that they are in compliance with the state and local ordinances and have a current test report showing that the backflow device assembly connection to the public water supply has been tested and successfully passed.
After completion of the test, the owner of the backflow device is provided a copy of the certified test report. Most valves pass inspection. But if the device fails you must have it repaired or replaced.
What is the cost of a Backflow Prevention Assembly inspection/ Test and repair?
The cost to inspect and test is based on the type, size and quantity of Backflow Devices being tested at the time. A typical residential or commercial business Backflow Device inspection/test starts at a approximately $75 plus tax within the Houston area. Repairs typically can range in the neighborhood of $85 and up plus tax depending again on type and size of the device and the extent of repair.
Where do I find a Certified Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester?
The TCEQ maintains a record of current certified backflow assembly Testers. Certification is authorized and managed by the TCEQ. Each certified tester has completed an approved course of study on cross-connection control and Backflow Prevention Assembly testing, and passed an examination administered by the TCEQ and holds a current professional irrigator's license and Backflow Prevention Assembly tester license from the state.
We service and install all types of backflow devices. Our service are normally completed within 48 hours and we service the entire Houston and all surrounding areas. We have 16 years of experience in the irrigation industry. We are insured and also hold a licensed by the State of Texas LI0006414.
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