- Does your yard have an irrigation system?
- Does your home have a fire suppression system?
- Do you have both?
Washington State Law (WAC 246-290-490) requires annual testing for all backflow devices by a state certified backflow assembly tester. Annual test results must be submitted to the City of Redmond.
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, it is likely your home has one or more backflow devices installed somewhere in your water line. If backflow device testing is not being performed annually on your home, or this is the first time you're learning about it, read on and arrange to have your backflow device tested today.
What is a backflow device?
A backflow device (backflow prevention device) is a mechanical device designed to prevent
contaminated water from flowing back or reversing into the public
drinking water system. The public drinking water system is the
source for the water that comes out of the faucets in your home.
What causes a backflow?
Backflows can happen if the pressure in the water mainline drops.
A number of reasons can cause a drop in water pressure. An example
is a break in the water main pipe located under the street in front of
your home.
Where is the backflow device in my property?
Backflow devices are most likely installed a few feet from the water meter.
They are usually in a box similar to the water meter box with a green
lid. If
you're unable to find the backflow device quickly, it might be under
bushes, bark, or dirt.
Read "One
Call Locating Service" before digging to look for the backflow
device. Don't break your own water line!
This document was provided by the Redmond CCPM.
There is also the slight possibility that you don't have a backflow
device installed in which case you'll need to install one for the lawn
irrigation system and another one for the fire suppression system.
Why test annually?
Annual testing of backflow devices are required by Washington State Law.
Typical sources of water contamination include lawn irrigation systems and
fire sprinkler systems. Water from your lawn may contain
pollutants like pesticides and animal waste. Fire suppression
systems may have stagnant water in the pipes that run through your home.
Diligent annual testing of the backflow device will insure that
the device is functional and will prevent any backflow and contamination
of our
water.
Read "
Fire Systems and Safe Drinking Water" a document provided by the Redmond CCPM.
How do I find a state certified testing company?
Click
here for the list provided by the Redmond CCPM. The list
is provided for convenience only and does not constitute a recommendation
for the companies listed. The companies listed have current state
certifications and calibrated test equipments.
If you don't use a
tester from the list, make sure that they
are certified by the State of Washington as a Backflow Assembly Tester
and that their equipment has a current Certificate of Calibration.
Where do results go?
Results of the annual backflow device test can be sent by fax to Kathy
Caldwell at (425) 556-4222.
For more information with regard to backflow devices not found on this page, please contact Kathy Caldwell at (425) 556-2847 or by e-mail at kcaldwell@redmond.gov.
Copyright © Abbey Road Homeowners Association 17704 NE 105th Street, Redmond, WA 98052