The City of Grand Prairie, Texas, has this to say about Grand Prairie backflow prevention on the City’s website:

Backflow Tester Registration Requirements

All backflow tester must register with Environmental Services annually to test in the City of Grand Prairie.  Registration form and required documents may be faxed at 972-237-8228 and payments over the phone at 972-237-8055 or in person at Environmental Services 206 W. Church St., 2nd Floor Grand Prairie, TX 75050.

Registration Requirements

• Backflow Tester Registration Form (PDF)
• TCEQ cross-connection backflow prevention assembly tester license
• Any other related licenses held, including drivers license and applicable fireline testers license
• Current gauge calibration report
• $100 registration fee
• $25 test booklets – backflow testers must use the approved test booklets

 

Let’s discuss this thing called backflow and then the specifics of the backflow regulations.

What is backflow?

Without getting too technical, backflow is the reversal of flow direction in the main water supply system of a city. Instead of water flowing from the potable water supply to the homes and businesses, it reverses direction; contaminated water flows from homes and businesses back towards the city’s water supply.  Obviously this is something to avoid at all costs.

What causes backflow?

There are a number of factors which can cause backflow, but the most common is a sudden drop in water pressure.  You see, water flows from the city supply to residents and businesses by means of water pressure.  When that water pressure drops, there is actually more water pressure occurring at the other end of the supply line, and that propels contaminated water back to where it came from.

How common is backflow?

More common than you might think, and that is why backflow preventers were invented.  It is the job of those little pieces of machinery to sense the drop in pressure and to shut down the water flow until matters are fixed.

Which brings us to backflow testing and backflow prevention.

Which brings us to the city’s backflow prevention program; only licensed and certified backflow testers are allowed to work on a backflow system. They must register with each city (and be approved by that city), they must keep accurate records of all yearly testing, and they must file those records with the city in question.  This is all in accordance with Federal laws passed in the 1970’s, laws which are applicable in every city in the United States.

Who must have backflow testing done?  It depends on the individual city, but almost always commercial buildings, governmental buildings, and other buildings with a high volume of water use must have annual backflow testing.  Also any residence with an irrigation system is usually included.

Which brings us to City Backflow Testing and our backflow service.  We are licensed and certified in practically every city in the Greater Fort Worth area, and Grand Prairie backflow prevention is definitely in our wheelhouse.  We’ve been doing this for a number of years, doing it well enough to be trusted by the Grand Prairie water department, so give us a call if you have backflow concerns. Our number is (817) 996-2000.