In August 2010, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC*) began requiring annual inspection of all cross-connection and backflow prevention devices by licensed plumbing companies. Non-testable devices are to be replaced or re-built every 5 years or as needed “for optimum performance and safety”. Records detailing the installation, inspection and testing of backflow prevention devices must be maintained by property owners & forwarded to WSSC. If you live in the Maryland, Washington, DC or Northern Virginia area and are looking for a local plumbing company to provide backflow preventer testing, call Magnolia Plumbing today!
What is a backflow preventer?
A backflow preventer is a device used to protect water supplies from contamination or pollution. It prevents water from backing up in pipes when there is a sudden drop in pressure. Regular testing and maintenance of your backflow preventer is critical to prevent your family from getting sick from contaminated water. Backflow preventers can be found on more devices than you can imagine. Common applications include:
- Restrooms
- Sinks
- Dishwashers
- Exhaust hoods
- Hose bibs
- Ice makers
- Coffee makers
- Cooling towers
- Heat exchangers
- Swimming pools
- Wall hydrants
- Hospital equipment
- Culinary pressure cookers
- Carbonated beverage systems
- Fire sprinklers with chemical additives
Those are just some of the items using backflow preventers. WSSC maintains a listing of certified cross connection technicians. Magnolia Plumbing has been certified by WSSC to service backflow preventers in its jurisdictions. As a licensed plumbing company in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia, Magnolia Plumbing can provide testing and maintenance services for backflow preventers in many other jurisdictions as well.
Why should you test your backflow preventer?
Having your backflow preventer tested by a local plumbing company is crucial to the safety to everyone using your water. The following are documented incidents that resulted from improperly functioning backflow preventers, all of which could have been avoided with proper backflow preventer testing:
- According to the CDC, a cross-connection aboard an Alaskan crab processing ship resulted in backflow of sewage causing 189 employees to become ill and endangering about $35 million worth of processed crab.
- Copper sediment contamination in a beverage mixing tank resulted in four cases of illness in a residence hall at a Michigan university.
- Carbonated water back-pressured into the potable water supply through faulty check valves on soda dispensing equipment in a San Antonio lounge.
- At a large public meeting facility and sports arena in Seattle, bright blue water was flowing from drinking fountains in the lobby and sinks in the concession area. Several people reported general nausea. The pressure of the carbonation equipment far exceeded pressure in the water main.
Need backflow preventer testing service?
If you are looking for a local plumbing company in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia for backflow preventer testing, call Magnolia Plumbing today. We offer a variety of backflow preventer support services, including:
- Backflow preventer testing services: our certified and well trained technicians can test your backflow preventer
- Backflow preventer repairs: our certified trained technicians can make any required repairs so your backflow preventer can protect your family
- Install new backflow prevention devices: we can determine the proper backflow prevention method and the type of backflow protection required for your device
- Complete your paperwork: from tagging all your backflow prevention devices to completing the required paperwork & submission
When you need a plumbing company for backflow preventer testing, call Magnolia Plumbing. We are the local experts in backflow prevention testing in Maryland, Washington DC and Northern Virginia and can provide all the backflow preventer testing, repair and maintenance services you need.
*The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) is the 8th largest water and waste water utility in the nation, serving nearly 1.8 million residents and approximately 460,000 customer accounts in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties in Maryland. WSSC operates and maintains eight water and waste water plants, more than 5,500 miles of fresh water pipeline and nearly 5,400 miles of sewer pipeline.
The program is outlined in its “Cross-Connection Manual” and can be obtained from the WSSC website or their One Stop Shop department.