Backflow Prevention
As a water supplier, Council must provide you, the consumer, with wholesome potable water. Potable' means the water is safe for human consumption.
The water supply can be contaminated if water is drawn back into the mains from your property. This backflow can be caused by
- back siphonage - when the water pressure in the supply is less than the pressure in your piping system. This may be the result of a burst water pipe, the water being shut off or a fire hydrant being used.
- back pressure - when the pressure in your piping system is higher than the pressure in the supply. This can happen when header tanks or booster pumps are used on the property.
Council policy on backflow prevention
- That all new non-domestic connections are fitted with an approved backflow prevention device appropriate for the level of risk associated with the activities undertaken within the property.
- That all new domestic connections and any new non-domestic connections that are not assigned as a medium or high risk shall have a non-testable double check valve installed on the connection.
- That a programme of investigation be progressively undertaken to assess all existing connections and, where required, have the appropriate backflow device installed.
Levels of risk
Council assigns one of three levels of risk, in terms of backflow, to each property in the district.
| - High: | Where contamination of the supply by backflow may result in serious health problems or death. |
| - Medium: | Where contamination of the supply by backflow may result in minor health problems and/or cause aesthetic problems (taste, smell, colour contamination). |
| - Low: | Where contamination of the supply by backflow may result in minor aesthetic problems (taste, smell, colour contamination). |
Your responsibilities as a property owner
If you use or connect any piping system in a way that might lead to contamination of the water supply, you must protect the service connection at the point of supply with an approved backflow prevention device.
You must have the device tested annually by a registered Independently Qualified Person. The testing and maintenance of the backflow prevention device is your responsibility.
