Information about Watauga backflow prevention, backflow inspections, backflow repair, and backflow regulations can be found by following this link.

What follows is a quick summary of the Watauga backflow prevention program.

What is backflow?

Any  explanation of a backflow prevention program must begin with a definition of backflow.  Backflow is the reversal of direction in the flow of water within the distribution system of a city  In other words, instead of water flowing from Watauga’s water source to homes and businesses, it is possible for it to reverse direction and polluted water flow back into the city’s potable water source.

Obviously this must be avoided because of the health risk, and the Watauga backflow prevention program addresses that issue.

The origins of backflow prevention

The official battle against backflow began back in 1972 with the passage of the Clean Water Act.   The Federal regulation laid the groundwork for all state and local legislation regarding backflow prevention.  Although every jurisdiction is slightly different, the core of all local legislation is in compliance with the Clean Water Act of 1972.

What are the backflow requirements?

Any backflow prevention program will have these three main components:

• At-risk properties must have a backflow inspection annually
• Backflow inspections, backflow repairs, and backflow installations must be conducted by licensed and certified backflow professionals
• Only approved backflow parts can be used in any backflow repair or installation.

Let’s look at each of these requirements a little closer

What is an at-risk property?  Any property which requires a greater-than-average flow of water, which in turn puts added stress on cross-connections within the system.  Every property in Watauga is considered individually, but generally speaking only commercial buildings or properties where irrigation exists are considered at-risk properties.

Although backflow prevention is essentially a plumbing activity, not all plumbers are trained in proper backflow prevention techniques.  There are backflow courses in an approved backflow training program offered in every state, and a backflow technician must pass those courses to be licensed and certified.  In addition, every city requires licensing and certification in that city, so a backflow professional who is licensed in Fort Worth may not be licensed in Watauga.  Check all licenses before hiring someone for backflow work.  And a list of licensed backflow professionals is available on the Watauga website, so you always know who to call for backflow work.

And any licensed backflow technician will know which backflow prevention devices are certified and approved.  These parts usually include parts made by Ames or FEBCO, but leave that to the licensed professional doing the work for you. They will know which parts to use.

And that, basically, is all you need to know about Watauga backflow prevention.  For more information, or clarity about what you have read here, give us a call at (817) 996-2000. We are City Backflow Testing, a trusted name in backflow prevention in most cities in the DFW Megaplex.  We are trusted and approved by over thirty governmental department heads, so we must be doing something right?

Contact us today!  Let’s get you updated and safely within the letter of the Watauga backflow law.