Florida Water Geek

  Yesterday was National Backflow Prevention Day! I'm a day late - but wanted to bring your attention to these critically important devices and the people who work on them. What is a Backflow Preventer? A backflow preventer is a device that is used to protect the drinking water systems from contaminants that could backflow into them. All industries and commercial businesses are required to have backflow preventers on their incoming potable water service lines. As an example, an industrial plant may use water to mix with chemicals. Normally, the water distribution system is pressurized. But if pressure is lost, for instance due to a fire or large water break, the water in the industrial plant could flow backwards into the utility's distribution system. The backflow preventer keeps this from happening.  In addition to industrial and commercial facilities, backflow preventers must also be installed if a property has a private well that could possibly be connected to the water se...