Backflow Prevention Program
The Municipality of Thames Centre has put in place a Backflow Prevention Program, under By-Law 6-2019, to ensure that the treated water in any watermain, buildings, and homes stays free of any contaminants, pollutants, and un-potable water. The way in which this is done is by installing a backflow prevention device to the water connection to ensure no backflow event occurs.
What is the Backflow Prevention Program?
What is Backflow?
Backflow is the reversal of the normal direction of water from the customer’s premises into the municipal drinking water system. Potential backflow hazards can be caused by fire sprinkler systems, solar heating systems, swimming pools, boilers, or lawn irrigation systems.
What is a Cross-connection?
A Cross-connection is any potential, or current connection between the potable municipal water supply, and any non-potable water, substances, or hazardous materials. Improper cross-control management can lead to a potential Backflow event.
Diagram
What is a Backflow Prevention Device?
A Backflow Prevention Device is a mechanism that allows water to flow only in a single direction. A testable backflow prevention is required under By-Law 6-2019. A testable backflow prevention device can be seen below.
Do I need a Backflow Prevention Device?
- All existing or future industrial, commercial, institutional and multi-residential buildings and structures connected to the municipality of Thames Centre drinking water system, except buildings or structures of residential occupancy where each dwelling unit is individually serviced from the municipal drinking-water system
- If you own an individually serviced residential home, a Backflow Prevention Device is required you have any of the following: any auxiliary water supply, private well, lawn sprinkler or irrigation system, or fire protection system
- Any condition exists that may be hazardous to the municipal drinking water system
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