Backflow Prevention

Certified Backflow Prevention Device Tester Registration Fee

An annual registration fee of $100 has been established for any person registering as a tester of the program.

Transient Certified Backflow Prevention Device Tester Registration Fee

A registration fee of $50 has been established for persons not wanting to be registered annually. This is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.

Test Tag Fee

A test tag fee of $25 per tag has been established. Test tags expire 5 years after first being affixed to a backflow prevention device. Authorized test tags are only available from Peterborough Utilities Commission. Only Registered Testers may purchase test tags.

Late Filing Fee

A late filing fee of $100 per report has been established for any report that is not submitted within a specified time-period or for any person not renewing their Certified Backflow Prevention Device Tester Registration within 30 days of expiry.

What is a cross-connection?

A cross-connection is any actual or potential connection between a potable (drinking) water system and any source of pollution or contamination.

What does a typical cross-connection look like?

A common example is a garden hose connected to a hose bib at one end and the other end of the hose lying in a pool, puddle or any other source of non-potable water. Another example would be the make up water for a hot water heating boiler. The water in these systems can be rusty and oily and could pose a health threat if consumed.

Are there any other common types of cross-connections?

• A water softener drain or other type of water conditioning equipment directly connected to a sanitary sewer,
• A chemical sprayer attached to a hose without a backflow preventer,
• A high pressure washer utilizing soaps or cleaners connected to a hose bib or other source of water without a backflow preventer,
• A lawn irrigation system installed without an approved type of backflow preventer,
• Using a hose to unplug blocked toilets and sewers,
• Photo developing equipment,
• An auxiliary water supply connected to a municipal supply,
• A toilet that does not have an anti-siphon float valve installed.

What is backflow?

Backflow is a flowing back of water or reversal of the normal direction of flow. Backflow may occur due to either back siphonage or back pressure.

What is back siphonage?

Back siphonage is backflow caused by a negative pressure (i.e. a vacuum or partial vacuum) in a public water system. The effect is similar to drinking water through a straw. Back siphonage can occur when there is a stoppage of water supply due to nearby fire fighting, a break in a water main, high velocities in pipe lines, line repair or break that is lower than a service point, lowered main pressure due to high water withdrawal rate such as fire fighting or water main flushing or reduced supply pressure on the suction side of the booster pump.

What is back pressure

Back pressure is pressure that is greater than the municipal water system supply pressure. It can happen when there is a connection to a non-potable supply operating at a higher pressure than the water distribution system. Increases in pressure can be created by booster pumps, temperature increases in boilers, interconnections with systems operating at higher pressures and elevated piping (e.g. 30 feet above finished grade).

What causes backflow?

An example is when there is a water main break and the area must be isolated and repaired. When the valves around the repair site are closed, the flow of water is stopped to all points of use such as homes and businesses and begins to flow backwards towards the repair. This is back siphonage and if there are cross connections, contaminants can be drawn into the water system.

What happens after backflow occurs?

When the repair is completed and the regular pressure is restored everything starts to flow in the proper direction. Any contaminants that had a chance to enter the water supply will start to flow towards any point of use (plumbing fixtures) in homes or businesses. The degree of hazard to health will be dependant on the type and amount of contaminant, the amount of time the situation goes unnoticed and whether or not a protective device is in place.

Why do water purveyors need to control cross-connections and protect their public water systems against backflow

Backflow into a public water system can pollute or contaminate the water in that system. The hazard created by backflow is generally identified in three groups: severe (high), moderate and minor. A severe hazard is likely to result in serious injury or death while a minor hazard may simply affect the colour, odour or taste of the water with little or no health affects. Each water purveyor has a responsibility to provide water that is usable and safe to drink under all foreseeable circumstances. Further, the expectation of the public is that water quality supplied by the water purveyor is potable and safe to use and it will remain so regardless of its use. For these reasons, each water purveyor must take reasonable precautions to protect its public water system against backflow.

What should a water purveyor do to control cross-connections and protect their public water systems against backflow?

A water purveyor should ensure that a proper backflow preventer is installed and maintained at the water service connection to each system or premises that poses a hazard to the public water system (premise isolation). Generally, this would include water service connections to each dedicated fire protection system or irrigation piping system; premises with an auxiliary or reclaimed water system; industrial, medical, laboratory, marine or other facilities where objectionable substances are handled in a way that could cause pollution or contamination of the public water system; premises exempt from Part 7 (Plumbing) of the Ontario Building Code and premises where an internal backflow preventer required under the Ontario Building Code is not properly installed or maintained; classified or restricted facilities; and tall buildings. Zone protection within a facility may be required in addition to premise isolation, a requirement in order to protect users of the facility.