Protecting the Water Supply: Backflow and Back-Siphonage Prevention

In Protecting the Water Supply: Backflow and Back-Siphonage Prevention, you'll learn ...

• How pollution and contaminants can enter the public water supply through backflow or siphonic action
• Common residential, commercial and industrial backflow contamination sources
• Backflow and back-siphonage prevention using air gaps, barometric loops, vacuum breakers and various dual check valve backflow preventer devices
• Field testing techniques for backflow preventers and back-siphonage devices

Overview

Credit: 4 PDH

Length: 53 pages

Plumbing cross-connections, which are defined as actual or potential connections between the public water supply and a source of contamination or pollution, constitute a serious public health hazard. There are numerous, well documented cases where cross-connections have been responsible for contamination of drinking water, and have resulted in the spread of disease. The problem is a dynamic one, because piping systems are continually being installed, altered, or extended. Control of cross-connections is possible, but only through thorough knowledge and vigilance. Education is essential, for even those who are experienced in piping installations fail to recognize cross-connection possibilities and dangers.

In this course the student will learn some of the basic principles of plumbing cross connections. The course provides multiple examples of cross-connection illustrations and provides a discussion of the cause of flow reversal and suggested corrective actions. In addition there is a discussion of the various cross-connection prevention methods and devices that can be used to prevent backflow.