WHAT IS BACKSIPHONAGE?
Backsiphonage a form of Backflow. Backflow is the reversal of flow of any substance into the safe drinking water distribution system. Backflow is due to backsiphonage.
In all the examples below we are talking about backsiphonage.
When certain conditions occur, such as in all the examples 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, a neighbor’s house (house #2) is on fire, the fire department is on the scene, they are connected to the fire hydrant, the connection to the fire hydrant has created a loss of pressure in the city’s main water lines. Due to the loss of pressure, backsiphonage may occur and any unprotected cross-connections on your premises can cause contamination within the city’s drinking water.
FIGURE 3:
In this example, the city is digging up the road and in the process has punctured the city’s main water line creating a loss of pressure in the city’s water system. Due to the loss of pressure backsiphonage may occur and any unprotected cross-connections on your premises can cause contamination within the city’s drinking water.
