What is Minnesota Backflow Prevention Testing?
Potable (clean) water flows under pressure through municipal water lines to homes and businesses. Backflow happens when dirty water, which can be contaminated with feces, pesticides, chemicals, fertilizer and other hazardous materials, flows backwards through the water lines due to a drop in water pressure. This poses a serious health hazard to everyone in the community. It can also occur in homes and businesses that are equipped with irrigation systems (sprinkler systems).
A backflow prevention device, also known as an RPZ valve or Reduced Pressure Zone valve, prevents this dirty water from flowing back into the clean water supply in the event of an unexpected or drastic change in water pressure. The most common testable backflow device found in Minnesota homes is a pressure vacuum breaker. This device is found on nearly every residential lawn irrigation system (sprinkler system) and looks like this:
All testable devices include:
• Reduced pressure principal backflow prevention assemblies
• Reduced pressure detector fire protection backflow prevention assemblies
• Double check backflow prevention assemblies
• Pressure vacuum breaker backflow prevention assemblies
• Double check detector fire protection backflow prevention assemblies
• Spill resistant pressure vacuum breakers.
Annual Backflow Prevention Testing is Required
Minnesota plumbing code requires backflow prevention testing of valves to protect the water supply in your home and city from contamination. If you already have a testable backflow prevention assembly on your irrigation system, you will need to have it tested annually by a certified Minnesota backflow prevention tester. If you are installing a new sprinkler system, you must have backflow testing performed prior to using it.
As a certified ASSE and state of Minnesota backflow prevention tester, I will perform your backflow prevention testing in a quick, professional and friendly manner. If needed, I will also submit written records of testing and maintenance to the administrative authority and the community public water supplier within 30 days following the test.
My service area includes Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Elko New Market, Farmington, Lakeville, Minneapolis, Prior Lake, Rosemount, Savage, Shakopee and St. Paul. Don’t wait to schedule your required annual Minnesota backflow prevention testing. Contact me today.