A backflow tester can be a person who tests / inspects backflow equipment or it can also be the actual equipment used to monitor the flow of water in a plumbing system. The backflow testing process is used to test a plumbing system to check for contamination in the water supply.
Since backflow preventers are not required for residential properties, your home may not have one. But if you have an irrigation system then your local city / town may require that you do install one.
The purpose of a backflow preventer is to keep your drinking water from getting contaminated due to a backflow.
This preventer device is attached to the water pipes to our home and it works by allowing the water to flow in only one direction but never in the opposite direction.
How Is Backflow Testing Done?
Typically, the backflow testing process takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. This is, of course, if there are no repairs or replacements that need to be made. The report is then submitted to your local city and kept on file.
Your backflow preventer should be tested every year to ensure that it is still working properly and keeping you and your family safe from contaminated water.
The City of Atlanta expects all affected property owners to have backflow prevention assemblies installed and tested before your business opens. If your business existed prior to your first inspection, get the assemblies installed as soon as possible. – atlantawatershed.org
We recommend that you contact your local city government to find out if you are required to have a backflow preventer installed in your business.
Most municipalities also have backflow preventers at water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants and municipal water utilities. Certified individuals are the ones who test these larger scale backflow preventers to ensure they are working properly.
Why Is Testing Important?
Whether it’s a home or a business, clean and safe drinking water is important to our health.
If the water that flows through your plumbing system flows in the opposite direction (i.e. backflows) it can easily become contaminated thus potentially causing health problems to anyone who drinks or uses that water.
According to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), it is necessary to perform backflow testing in all plumbing systems. Different plumbing codes have different requirements when it comes to piping materials and sizing. It is also important to note that some areas may not require piping materials to be tested. When testing for compliance with local plumbing code standards, backflow testing is the only way to ensure that pipes are correctly sized.
Why is testing for compliance with local drinking water regulations necessary?
In most cases, the supply of city water is treated at treatment facilities before being distributed to homes and businesses. However, some wastewater from a municipal sewage plant may be diverted to private sources without filtering and treating the treated water.
The treated wastewater enters the water system where it is mixed with other sources before it is released into the distribution system. If the plumbing system or appliance does not undergo stringent testing to ensure compliance with local drinking water standards, harmful chemicals and toxins in the treated water can leak into the community’s drinking water supply, causing illness and health problems.
What should I expect from a qualified and licensed plumbing professional who performs backflow testing?
A certified technician should complete an in-depth inspection of your system and identify the source of contamination.
Based on the inspection, the technician should recommend testing. If testing is recommended, the technician should provide you with a detailed description of the testing procedures, the equipment used and the results of the tests.
When you have a licensed plumber performing your backflow prevention device replacement, he will explain the procedure to you in detail, answer any questions you might have and sign a written estimate of the cost of the project.
If you have any questions about backflow testers or are having some problems with it, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-443-8229. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.