JHP Backflow Information

Cross Connection -

As defined by the Environmental Protection Agency, is any actual or potential

connection between the public water supply and a source of contamination or

pollution. Such cross connections constitute a hazard to the building occupants

and can jeopardize the cleanliness and potability of the public water system, in

the event of a backflow or backsiphonage event.

Backflow -

Means the reversal of flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids, gases or other

substances into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply from any sources other than an

approved water supply source.

Backflow prevention assembly -

Means an assembly which, when properly installed between the city water supply system and the

terminus or point of ultimate use will prevent backflow.

Examples -

Include, but not limited to, Reduced Pressure Zone  Assemblies (RPZ), Double Check Valves

(DC) & Anti-Siphon Vacuum Breakers.

Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester -

Means an individual licensed in accordance with (TCEQ) Texas Commission on Environmental

Quality rules as amended, for the purpose of testing backflow prevention assemblies &

providing cross connection control.

January 2002

Newsletter - Texas Turf Irrigation Association

Gene Reagan:

Formally - Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission.

Currently - Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

A Keller Texas homeowner was surprised to find dozens of squiggly little worms in his upstairs

toilet bowl recently. Later as he was pouring water into his coffee maker, he noticed something

moving in the water, another little worm. He collected samples of the worms and presented them

to Angela Wallis, Environmental Services Coordinator for the City of Keller, Water Utilities Dept.

Angela, who is also a Certified Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester, advised him they were

nematodes and that they most likely came through his landscape irrigation system. It turns out the

irrigation system had a nine-year old Double Check Valve Assembly (DC) that had not been tested

since it was installed. When the homeowner tried to turn off the water to the irrigation system at

the device, both gate valve handles crumbled. He was able to turn one valve off with a wrench,

though. The story gets a little more interesting. When the homeowner contacted a company to test

the DC, the person who arrived to do the test told him it would be cheaper to replace the device

than to test it. $275 later, he had a new DC. However, the homeowner later discovered that the

company did not obtain a permit from the city, nor had they tested the new device. At the time of

this writing, Ms. Wallis is investigating possible City of Keller ordinance violations.

TNRCC Landscape Irrigation Program is inquiring into possible violations of State law.