Backflow Prevention
Singleton Council has a responsibility to provide safe drinking water to our community from the point of treatment to the point of use. It is the responsibility of any commercial or industrial property owner to ensure that they do not affect the mains supply with any contaminated water from their property.
Working together we can protect public health and protect the environment.
Council’s water supply system is designed to ensure that water flows to a customer’s property under pressure, but if this pressure is not maintained or a cross connection occurs, there is a chance that water could be drawn back into our system. This is known as backflow.
Backflow is the reverse flow of water into our service lines, pipes and/or mains. All connections to our water supply system must be protected with backflow prevention devices, including fire service connections. Backflow prevention devices will stop water flowing back into our system from individual properties and protect the quality of the treated water.
Backflow Preventation Program
Council’s Backflow Prevention Program aims to ensure:
- All residential properties have an approved potable cold water meter installed with a non-return valve.
- Water meter replacement program (ongoing)
- Available backflow prevention information and policy
- Assessment of backflow needs as part of any development application process, and
- Registration and annual testing program of testable devices.
Annual Backflow Prevention Device Testing
Customers who have a testable backflow control device installed are required to have the device test annually by an accredited backflow prevention device tester to ensure the backflow prevention device continues to operate correctly. A defective device can:
- Cause a backflow incident
- Allow water to escape through leaking devices and
- Reduce the water pressure to your property.
- A backflow incident can cause health issues for water supply customers.
If you are an accredited backflow compliance plumber, you can submit a Backflow Prevention Device Inspection and Test Report.
Additional Information
Further information on backflow prevention and your responsibilities can be found in the following related documents: