Purpose of the Program
In order to ensure the delivery of safe, clean drinking water to the residents and businesses within the municipality, the City Of Peterborough has passed a by-law requiring all Industrial, Commercial, Institutional and some Multi-residential properties to comply with the CSA Standard for the installation and maintenance of backflow prevention devices.
Definitions
- "Backflow" is the undesired reversal of water flow against the normal direction;
- "Backflow Prevention Device" is a mechanical device that prevents backflow and is sometimes called a backflow preventer;
- "Cross connection" is a connection between the municipal water system and any source of contamination.
How Backflow Can Happen
- Backflow can occur when the water pressure in the municipal delivery system drops, as in the case of a water main break or when the Fire Department is drawing water from a fire hydrant.
- Backflow may also occur when pumps on a private plumbing system raise the water pressure within a building to a level higher than the water pressure in the municipal water main.
- Backflow can also occur within a building and can be very dangerous, such as when a boiler with chemical additives is connected to the same water lines as a drinking fountain.
