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Backflow Prevention is simply a method of keeping contaminating substances from entering the public potable water supply. It has nothing to do with sewage “backing up” or clogged storm drains. It does affect every person who uses any public water supply and is one way to help prevent sicknesses or injury due to the use of, or the consumption of, contaminated water. Waterborne bacteria can cause digestive disturbances, diarrhea, allergic reactions and in severe cases result in death. Caustic or other chemical substances entering the public water supply could result in widespread instances of skin irritation, tissue damage, or infection, and, if ingested, might have the same effect as drinking lye or other poisons.
One method of contamination, called “back siphonage”, occurs when a contaminate is drawn back into the public water system due to a loss of pressure in the supply line.
The following are just a few examples where contamination could occur:
But there is another way contamination can occur. It is called “backpressure” and a common source is heating system boilers. Many boilers are connected directly to the public water supply yet use anti-scale chemicals which are often toxic. The heating of the water often raises the pressure in the boiler lines to a pressure level above the supply line pressure. That pressure could cause the chemicals in the boiler to be forced backward into the waterlines. Other possible sources of contamination include pressure washers, mortuaries, permanently connected restaurant dish washers, manufacturing machine cooling lines, soda/beverage machines, garden aspirator sprayers, and air conditioner cooling towers.
The Rules and Regulations of the Augusta Water Cross Connection Control Policy can be found in the links below. The purpose of the policy is to eliminate and/or control cross connections in order to protect the public potable water supply. These Rules and Regulations are based on the authority and requirements of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, Virginia Code, Virginia Department of Health Waterworks Regulations, Virginia Plumbing Code, and the Code of Augusta County.
Augusta Water Cross Connection Control Policy
Augusta County Code, Chapter 24 Water and Sewer Service
For customers subject to the Cross Connection Control Policy who employ a backflow preventer, each backflow prevention device must be tested on an annual basis. Below are links to the Backflow Prevention Assembly Test Report, which must be provided to Augusta Water annually following the testing of the Backflow Prevention Assembly. We are also pleased to provide a list of local Backflow Testing Companies with contact information. Each customer/company is responsible for ensuring the tester is properly licensed with Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) at the time of the backflow device testing.
Backflow Prevention Assembly Test Sheet
Local State Certified Backflow Testing Companies (last updated 2024)
Backflow Prevention is simply a method of keeping contaminating substances from entering the public potable water supply. It has nothing to do with sewage “backing up” or clogged storm drains. It does affect every person who uses any public water supply and is one way to help prevent sicknesses or injury due to the use of, or the consumption of, contaminated water. Waterborne bacteria can cause digestive disturbances, diarrhea, allergic reactions and in severe cases result in death. Caustic or other chemical substances entering the public water supply could result in widespread instances of skin irritation, tissue damage, or infection, and, if ingested, might have the same effect as drinking lye or other poisons.
One method of contamination, called “back siphonage”, occurs when a contaminate is drawn back into the public water system due to a loss of pressure in the supply line.
The following are just a few examples where contamination could occur:
But there is another way contamination can occur. It is called “backpressure” and a common source is heating system boilers. Many boilers are connected directly to the public water supply yet use anti-scale chemicals which are often toxic. The heating of the water often raises the pressure in the boiler lines to a pressure level above the supply line pressure. That pressure could cause the chemicals in the boiler to be forced backward into the waterlines. Other possible sources of contamination include pressure washers, mortuaries, permanently connected restaurant dish washers, manufacturing machine cooling lines, soda/beverage machines, garden aspirator sprayers, and air conditioner cooling towers.
Backflow Prevention is simply a method of keeping contaminating substances from entering the public potable water supply. It has nothing to do with sewage “backing up” or clogged storm drains. It does affect every person who uses any public water supply and is one way to help prevent sicknesses or injury due to the use of, or the consumption of, contaminated water. Waterborne bacteria can cause digestive disturbances, diarrhea, allergic reactions and in severe cases result in death. Caustic or other chemical substances entering the public water supply could result in widespread instances of skin irritation, tissue damage, or infection, and, if ingested, might have the same effect as drinking lye or other poisons.
One method of contamination, called “back siphonage”, occurs when a contaminate is drawn back into the public water system due to a loss of pressure in the supply line.
The following are just a few examples where contamination could occur:.
But there is another way contamination can occur. It is called “backpressure” and a common source is heating system boilers. Many boilers are connected directly to the public water supply yet use anti-scale chemicals which are often toxic. The heating of the water often raises the pressure in the boiler lines to a pressure level above the supply line pressure. That pressure could cause the chemicals in the boiler to be forced backward into the waterlines. Other possible sources of contamination include pressure washers, mortuaries, permanently connected restaurant dish washers, manufacturing machine cooling lines, soda/beverage machines, garden aspirator sprayers, and air conditioner cooling towers.
The Rules and Regulations of the Augusta Water Cross Connection Control Policy can be found in the links below. The purpose of the policy is to eliminate and/or control cross connections in order to protect the public potable water supply. These Rules and Regulations are based on the authority and requirements of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, Virginia Code, Virginia Department of Health Waterworks Regulations, Virginia Plumbing Code, and the Code of Augusta County.
Augusta Water Cross Connection Control Policy
Augusta County Code, Chapter 24 Water and Sewer Service
For customers subject to the Cross Connection Control Policy who employ a backflow preventer, each backflow prevention device must be tested on an annual basis. Below are links to the Backflow Prevention Assembly Test Report, which must be provided to Augusta Water annually following the testing of the Backflow Prevention Assembly. We are also pleased to provide a list of local Backflow Testing Companies with contact information. Each customer/company is responsible for ensuring the tester is properly licensed with Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) at the time of the backflow device testing.
Backflow Prevention Assembly Test Sheet
Local State Certified Backflow Testing Companies (last updated 2024)
