ALPINE INSPECTION SERVICES, LLC
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LEARN ABOUT
BACKFLOW
We are here to answer your backflow questions.
If you are curious about water backflow, click on the info below.
Backflow is when water that’s meant to flow into a house or building reverses direction and goes back into the main water supply. This usually occurs when there’s a sudden drop in water pressure, like a broken pipe or a fire hydrant being used nearby. The problem is that backflow can pull dirty or contaminated water into the clean water supply, which can make it unsafe to drink or use. That’s why backflow prevention is so important—it keeps the water flowing the right way and stays clean for everyone.
What is "Backflow"?
A backflow prevention device is a safety tool that ensures water flows in one direction. It makes sure that water can flow into your house or building but stops it from going backward into the city’s clean water pipes. This is really important because if something happens, like a broken water pipe or a natural disaster, the water pressure can drop and cause dirty or contaminated water to flow the wrong way. Backflow prevention devices, like check valves, keep that from happening, protecting the clean water we all use.
What Is a Backflow Prevention Device?
Anyone who has a water system that could mix dirty water with clean water needs a backflow prevention device. This includes houses or buildings with wells, sprinkler systems, swimming pools, or other setups that could send water backward. If you live in California or Nevada, most new buildings after 1988 (California) or 1997 (Nevada) may need one, especially if there’s a risk of backflow. The device makes sure water flows the right way and stays clean for everyone to use.
Who Needs a Backflow Prevention Device?
Backflow prevention devices are required because backflow can contaminate clean water, making it unsafe to drink or use. Contaminated water in the municipal supply can lead to serious health risks, and over 10,000 cases of backflow-related contamination are reported every year. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires local water suppliers to maintain safe, clean drinking water, and backflow prevention devices are one way to ensure this. By law, these devices must be installed according to plumbing and building codes to protect the water supply and keep everyone safe.
Why Are Backflow Prevention Devices Required?
In California and Nevada, backflow prevention devices usually need to be tested every year to make sure they’re working properly. If a device is new, moved to a different location, or has been fixed, it also has to be tested before it can be used again. These tests help make sure the device is doing its job and keeping the water supply safe.
When Must a Backflow Prevention Device Be Tested?
As a certified backflow inspector, we use special tools to measure water pressure and see if everything is working like it should. A backflow prevention devices are tested annually.
How Is a Backflow Prevention Device Tested?
