An irrigation backflow preventer refers to a specific piece on a complete irrigation system. In most areas, this will be a required feature in your irrigation system. Furthermore, not all backflow preventers are allowable because many models do not provide adequate protection. So don’t be surprised if you are told precisely what type of backflow preventer you need. Backflow prevention might also be referred to as cross-connection control.
The reason why an irrigation backflow preventer is so important is because all irrigation systems will release something called dihydrogen monoxide. It is an odorless and tasteless substance, but wouldn’t you know, it has the potential to kill you if you inhale it! Wait a minute, doesn’t this sound familiar? Indeed, dihydrogen monoxide is nothing more than water. However, unclean water (tainted by landscape and other irrigation pollutants) does have the capacity to make you sick or even fatally ill. Therefore, water that has been used in irrigation is considered contaminated and highly dangerous water.
Irrigation water will take the worst of fertilizers, pesticides, animal waste and other unclean chemicals and juice them all up together. The problem with irrigation systems is that ordinarily this unclean water would come back up through your pipes. That means you would be drinking contaminated water straight from your faucet if not for an irrigation backflow preventer. Everyone must have such a device, from the local city water supply to a person that owns a well.
An irrigation backflow preventer actually protects you from the threat of a valve break or a valve leak. Valves on their own are not powerful or foolproof to the extent that they can contain backflow. Why is backflow a problem when the water pressure in an irrigation system keeps the water moving forward? Mainly because of water pressure drops. Though these drops do not often happen, they do happen, and they can pose a significant health risk. After all, you are sharing your water with construction sites and the fire department. Whenever they manipulate the water, this causes pressure drops, and this can lead to backflow occurring in other neighborhoods.
Even if a valve is closed, it will not prevent the possibility of tainted water coming through. An irrigation backflow preventer does what valves cannot, as valves are directional, whereas a backflow preventer is designed specifically to stop backflow. Some popular types of preventers include a reduced pressure type, a double check type and a pressure vacuum breaker.
There are many types of irrigation backflow preventer models, though the local city office might have some suggestions (or requirements) about what type is appropriate for your city. When trying to choose a preventer device, ask yourself if you want an underground installation or if you want above the surface sprinkler heads. Some models are ideal for smaller areas, whereas others are meant for large yards or irrigation sites. In the end, remember that as much as this piece might cost you, it is a small price to pay when compared to huge hospital bills and lawsuits!
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