WHAT IS BACKPRESSURE & HOW DOES IT OCCUR IN A COMMERCIAL SETTING?
Backflow is the reversal of flow of any substance into the safe drinking water distribution system. Backflow is due to backpressure.
In all the examples below we are talking about backpressure, we have shown the main water lines above ground, however, in most circumstances, they are buried below the ground.
When certain conditions occur, such as in the example below, any unprotected cross-connections on premises can cause contamination within the city’s drinking water.
FIGURE 1:
In this example, everything is operating correctly. The Water Source (1) (the place where our water comes from) is the water tower. The water then flows out of the tower into the city’s main water lines (2), then from there each premises is connected to the main water line, also known as a service connection (3).
FIGURE 2:
In this example, the hospital has some pressure pumps that are part of a cooling tower process connected to the potable water supply. One of the pressure pumps has malfunctioned and is creating a higher pressure than the pressure in the main water line (2). Due to the higher pressure from the malfunctioning pressure pump, backpressure may occur and any unprotected cross-connections on your premises can cause backflow & contamination within the city’s drinking water. Backflow & contamination (noted red water lines) is passed onto your neighbors and anybody else connected to the main water line.
FIGURE 3:
In this example, the hotel has a boiler system. This boiler system is malfunctioning and is creating a higher pressure than the pressure in the main water line (2). Due to the higher pressure from the malfunctioning pressure pump, backpressure may occur and any unprotected cross-connections on your premises can cause backflow & contamination within the city’s drinking water. Backflow & contamination (noted red water lines) is passed onto your neighbors and anybody else connected to the main water line.
