What is Backflow?

In simplest terms, backflow is when water flows opposite of how it was intended to flow in a pipe or hose.  What makes this dangerous is that the action that causes water to flow the wrong way can also draw foreign substances into your water system.  When certain conditions occur, substances such as dirt, fertilizers and soap can end up in your drinking water if there isn't an approved backflow preventer installed to protect your system.

Hose immersion is always a risk, but is also very common. Most people don't think about the possibility of backflow when they are diluting weed killer in a bucket, filling a wading pool, or flushing a vehicle's cooling system.  The hose often ends up immersed in the bucket or receptacle and any sudden drop in pressure can cause a potentially-harmful substance to get sucked up into the water system.  Once the contaminated water is back in the piping, it could easily come out somewhere else like your kitchen or bathroom faucet.

There are a few simple precautions that can be taken to help keep your drinking water safe:

Use a "hose bib vacuum breaker" on any faucet used for connecting hoses.  This small device keeps a hose connection safe by preventing the reverse flow of liquid into your water pipes.  They only cost about $5.00, but their "value" in keeping your family safe is priceless.