Back-flow Inspections

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL WATER SAFETY REPORT -IMPORTANT NOTICE !!!

Warning! –It Is Possible For Your Sprinkler System

To Pollute Your Drinking Water!!!

…and your drinking water is very important to a happy healthy life.

What is a Back-Flow Device?

A proper Back-Flow device prevents contaminants from seeping back into your drinking water supply. “Backflow” is the unwanted reverse flow of water, gases or other substances into your drinking water supply.

Many people that have a sprinkler system don’t have a back-flow device …and they don’t even know it! If you don’t have one, you are in danger of having your drinking water contaminated.

Also, many sprinkler systems have back-flow devices that are out-dated; these may not give you the protection you need. If your system has been in for more than 7 or 8 years, it IS possible you are not protected properly.

There are 3 different types of Back-Flow devices:

** Make sure you have the proper back-flow device (anti-siphon) installed in your sprinkler system **

3 IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS to ensure your drinking water is safe:

Do you have the RIGHT BACK-FLOW DEVICE on your sprinkler system?

Is your Back-Flow device INSTALLED CORRECTLY?

There are city and county codes that are very clear about how back flow devices need to be installed. Also the manufacturer gives really clear instructions. Each back flow has minimum clearances etc. so that the device will work right when a back-siphonage happens.

Do you get your Back-Flow DEVICE TESTED every year BY A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN?

The State requires them to be tested every year. If testing wasn’t mandatory you’d want the peace of mind knowing that your water is safe. IF you don’t check it yearly, you won’t know if it is working right. That leaves you unprotected & vulnerable.

** When was the last time you had your back-flow device tested? **

Unwanted Guest

Residents find parasites in tap water

By Carol Baldwin, Staff Writer

Southgate-

Parasitical worms were found in the water at two homes on Netherwood last week after a malfunctioning lawn sprinkler system coupled with a water main break sucked the nematodes into the water system.

The nematodes first showed up the evening of Oct. 1 after the backflow prevention system on the privately owned underground sprinkler malfunctioned.

Stan Jarski, the City’s Department of Public Services (DPS) director, said Monday, “ The Wayne County Health Department determined that a backflow device had malfunctioned and was in the open position. We had a water main break, and that caused a vacuum in the system.”

When the water pressure dropped, the vacuum in the system sucked some water from the sprinklers into the city water, but only disturbed two homes, according to Jarski.

Homeowner Jerry Blick found the worms swimming around in his bathtub when he started to fill the tub for his child. He said he was appalled to find the critters, as well as rust and other debris, in his water.

“This happened Tuesday and I was still getting living things in the water Wednesday night,” Blick said. “It’s disgusting. If these have always been in the lines, then how come no one’s ever seen them before?”

“The only reason I noticed it is because I have children and was giving my kids a bath. If you have a screen on your faucet or you were taking a shower, you wouldn’t see it.”

Jarski explained that the nematodes never would have found their way into the water if the sprinkler’s backflow mechanism had worked properly.

He said the contractor who installed the sprinkler system didn’t pull a city permit and used a “cheap” backflow device, and when it malfunctioned the nematodes were pulled right in.

“You can get a cheaper price, but it can cost you in the long run,” Jarski said.

He said the resident who owns the sprinkler system would be cited by the county for improper installation.

Jarski said the problem shouldn’t happen again if residents have their sprinkler systems checked by professionals.

What happened to Jerry Blick in this article doesn’t have to happen to you and your family. But his story does emphasize three important things you need to think about concerning your sprinkler system to make sure your drinking water is safe.

EDUCATION

FREEZE WARNING!!!!

Anyone who has a BackFlow Device above ground could be in danger of it being damaged from the COLD and especially if you already have your water turned on for the Spring!

Take precautions to protect your device!

Anyone who currently has their water turned on and has a BackFlow device above ground needs to take measures to properly insulate their BackFlow device when there is ANY impending cold temperatures and/or freezing weather. Even if the temperature doesn't seem too cold, with a wind chill factor, temperatures can fall below freezing.

BackFlow devices have internal organs (ie poppits) made of plastic and others made of brass (ball valves) and are susceptible to breaking when the weather conditions fall below 32 degrees. If a sprinkler system is turned on and the weather falls below freezing and the internal organs break, water will spray out, and the price to repair the damage could be costly, not to mention the water lost and possible flooding.

The best way as a homeowner to protect and insulate your BackFlow device against potential damage is to cover it with a box, a garbage can or wrap it in blankets; however, there are no guarantees, so protect early and take precautions!

In addition, WINTERIZING (blowing out) your sprinkler system is no guarantee that your BackFlow device won't break . Condensation (from our winters warming, then snowing, then warming, then getting colder) can collect inside the device. Cold temperatures can cause the condensation to freeze thus causing the brass ball valve to break and possibly other internal organs - so insulate throughout the cold months - it's better to be safe than repair!

If you're one of the unlucky ones who needs their BackFlow device repaired or simply needs an annual inspection (under state and city requirements), Ernie and Howard's has a certified BackFlow Inspector on staff, Mark Deary, Sprinkler Technician Supervisor and is willing to assist you with all your BackFlow and Sprinkler needs.

“Customers First, Foremost & Always”