An Inside Look at Backflow Prevention

An Inside Look at Backflow Prevention

Protecting our drinking water supply is a top priority for water providers. Therefore, as the industry continues to improve, so do the products that transfer this resource from the water supply to the water meter. One of the ways in which this is achieved is through backflow prevention.

Nowadays, there is more and more concern with the backflow of water from a residence into the public water supply, also known as a ‘cross-connection.’ A cross connection typically happens when a pressure fluctuation occurs in a public water system that causes a vacuum. This is a potentially lethal event if household chemicals, fertilizers, or other dangerous liquids get siphoned back into the public water supply from a residence or business. A simple solution to a cross-connection is to install a backflow preventer or check valve on the outlet side of the water meter. By effectively ‘closing’ a building’s plumbing system, this valve also helps protect the public water supply from contamination.

Unfortunately, backflow prevention can also cause a condition for the plumbing system of the building known as thermal expansion. Before the backflow protection device was in place, the hot water heater warmed the water, causing it to expand. As the water warmed, thermal expansion pushed it back into the public water supply, another example of backflow. Once a backflow preventer or check valve is installed, the water can no longer expand in this direction and a plumbing system that is not up to current code could experience leaky faucets or set off the pressure relief valve (PRV) on a hot water heater.

In the event of a faulty PRV, an overheated water heater could lead to a potentially dangerous situation. To combat this problem, A.Y. McDonald offers a meter-setting device complete with backflow protection and thermal expansion protection all in one unit. It is perfect for retrofitting existing meter settings that do not currently offer backflow protection. The installation is as simple as removing the existing meter, “re-setting” the A.Y. McDonald meter setter device and replacing the existing meter in the A.Y. McDonald resetter.

The backflow of water and the steps taken to prevent it is a hot topic in the water industry. Knowing this, A.Y. McDonald experts had to walk through every possible scenario in order to create the optimal backflow prevention solution for our customers.

If you’re willing to give our meter setters or other backflow preventing valves a try, reach out to our customer service department at 1-800-292-2737.