From the City of Southlake’s Cross Connection page regarding Southlake backflow prevention:

Annual Test of Backflow Prevention Devices

Because backflow prevention devices can degrade over time the device must be tested annually to ensure it is in working order. If you recently received a letter from the city stating a device has not been tested in the last year and are unsure of the status of our records you may search our records at southlake.veporeports.com. If you find any information you would like updated, please contact us at 817-748-8638.

That paragraph is the law in the City of Southlake, Texas, but what does it all mean to you, a property owner in Southlake?

It all begins with backflow and preventing backflow from happening

We go back to 1972 and the passing of the Clean Water Act in Washington, D.C.  That Act included provisions concerning backflow and the prevention of backflow.

Backflow has been around for several hundred years.  It is a simple matter of physics. Water arrives at your home or business because water pressure is applied by the city at their potable water supply center.  That pressure pushes water through the system of pipes to your home or business.

Water can, however, reverse its directional flow if the water pressure should drop in volume, and that means it is entirely possible for polluted water to flow back into the potable water supply of the city.

And that would be a health hazard.

Since it is impossible to guarantee that water pressure will not suddenly drop (think busted water main), a system had to be devised which would prevent water from reversing flow in the pipes, and that system consists of the use of backflow preventers which are one-way valves, valves which do not allow water to flow two ways, but only one.

Are you with us so far?

All cities across the United States require that backflow assemblies and backflow parts be inspected annually by licensed and certified backflow preventer repair technicians.  Those technicians will come to your home, or business, and follow these steps:

Notify- Notify the customer we are here for testing

• Identify- Make sure serial number is correct and that we have the right assembly
• Inspect- Make sure there are 4 test ports and 2 Shut off handles and determine if backflow repair is necessary
• Observe- Attach test equipment and follow proper testing  procedures  for this assembly
• Test Reports- Enter values for the  assemblies
• Turn in all test Reports to the local water Purveyor or City after the backflow inspection

Who is a certified backflow preventer technician?  A list of certified and licensed backflow technicians can be obtained through the Southlake Cross Connection website page.  If a company is on that list you can rest assured that they will handle your backflow/cross connection concerns to the letter of the Southlake law, and you will meet all of your city requirements.

For more information on Southlake backflow prevention, give us a call. We are City Backflow Testing, and the prevention of backflow in Tarrant County, Texas, is our business. Our number is (817) 996-2000.  Call for rates, an appointment, or for information.