Camrosa Water District is committed to delivering safe, high
quality water to its customers. The District operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a
year, to ensure that the water delivered to our customers is kept free from
harmful contaminants.
If you have questions regarding your backflow device or annual testing certifications contact us at (805) 469-6413 or by email at DDaniel@camrosa.com.
Camrosa has a backflow prevention program to protect the
drinking water supply from pollution and contamination caused by
cross-connections and backflow. When a water line is connected to equipment
containing a non-potable substance, this is known as a cross-connection.
Contamination may occur when water flows through a cross-connection from a
non-potable source, such as a sprinkler system or heating and cooling system,
into the potable water system. This can happen through a process known as
backflow.
What is backflow?
When hydraulic conditions within system deviate from "normal",
the direction of the water flow can be reversed. This creates a backflow
condition and the potential for contaminated water entering the distribution
system.
How can backflow occur?
Backflow can occur two different ways, by backsiphonage and
backpressure.
What is backsiphonage?
When there is a sudden reduction in the water pressure in the
distribution system, such as during fire fighting or when a water main breaks,
water flow can be reversed. This can create a suction effect, drawing potential
contaminates into the potable water distribution system.
What is backpressure?
Backpressure is created when pressure in a non-potable system,
such as in a recirculating system containing soap, acid, or antifreeze, exceeds
the pressure in the potable system providing the make-up water. This can force
the potable water to reverse its direction of flow through the cross-connection
between the two systems. Potential contaminates can then enter the potable water
system.
How can backflow be prevented?
Camrosarecognizes four
methods of backflow prevention:
Air Gap
- Double Check Valve
Assembly
- Reduced Pressure
Principal Assembly
- Pressure Vacuum
Breaker Assembly
Camrosa will determine which type of protection is required
based on the degree of hazard that the property represents to the potable water
supply.
What is a backflow prevention assembly?
A backflow prevention assembly is an approved, testable
assembly which uses valves, in different configurations, to prevent potential
contaminates from flowing into the potable water system.
Who is responsible for the testing and maintenance of the
backflow prevention assembly?
It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that the
backflow prevention assembly is in proper operating condition at all times.
Backflow prevention assemblies must be tested annually. Camrosa sends notices to
customers reminding them when the annual test is due. The customer must contact
an approved certified tester to perform the test. If any repair work or
maintenance is performed on the assembly, a certified tester must retest the
assembly immediately and submit the test results to Camrosa Water District.
How do I find an approved Certified Tester?
For a list of Certified Testers, please visit: http://www.ventura.org/rma/envhealth/EHD_FACILITY_LISTS/backflow_testers.pdf
Click here to download the test report form[Backflow
Assembly Test Report Form]
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