BACKFLOW PREVENTION

Help prevent backflow contamination. A cross connection is a connection between a drinking water pipe and a non-approved source.

Did you know that contamination can come from your own home? For instance, you’re going to spray fertilizer on your lawn and you attach your hose to the sprayer that contains the fertilizer. If the water pressure drops when the hose is connected to the fertilizer, the fertilizer could be sucked back into the drinking water pipes through the hose. Using an attachment on your hose called a backflow-prevention device can prevent this problem.

We recommend the installation of backflow prevention devices, such as a low cost hose bib vacuum breaker, for all inside and outside hose connections. They can be purchased at any hardware or plumbing supply store and at the Sudbury Water District business office.

You can learn more about backflow prevention by visiting these links:

50 Cross Connection Questions, Answers and Illustrations

EPA Cross Connection Control, Best Practices Guide