Contaminants may enter the drinking water system through a cross connection caused by:
• faulty plumbing
• hoses submerged in buckets, tanks or pools.
Contaminants may include chemicals, oil, bacteria, mud and debris.
What Are Willoughby Plumber Backflow Devices?
Backflow prevention devices stop water flowing back into water carrying pipes.
Backflow prevention devices have one of the following elements to stop water flowing backwards:
• a valve that only lets water go in one direction
• an air gap
• a break tank.
These devices are important as they protect our water quality - and the health of people using it.
Who Is Responsible for Backflow Problems?
Property owners are responsible for getting the right kind of backflow device installed.
If you're the property owner, you must ensure that:
• you have the right kind of backflow prevention device installed at your property
• the device is properly maintained.
What do you need to do?
Assess the hazard rating
You must engage an accredited backflow plumber to assess your site's hazard rating. The hazard Willoughby Back Flow plumbers are specialists if your property has more than one connection to our water main. This may affect your hazard rating and the type of device the plumber must install.
Install the device
You must get a licensed plumber to install the right kind of device as are Willoughby Back Flow plumbers
You're responsible for ensuring your plumber sends us a certificate of compliance when they install high and medium hazard devices.
Test the device
Your accredited Willoughby Back Flow Plumber must test high and medium hazard devices:
• when they're installed
• every year after the device is installed.
Ensure your accredited backflow plumber sends the results within two days of the test.
What Backflow Device Do You Need?
Your backflow device must be suitable for your property's hazard rating.
Your accredited Willoughby Back Flow plumber will assess your rating.
Examples of hazard ratings for different businesses are shown in the Australian Standard, AS/NZS 3500:1This external link will open in a new window.
What type of device do you need?
Low hazard properties
Owners of low hazard properties must get a non-testable backflow prevention containment device installed.
Our 20 and 25 mm meters have a simple backflow prevention device in them. These are suitable for low hazard connections.
You must get a separate device installed if you have:
• a larger meter
• an unmetered water connection
• a high or medium hazard rating.
Medium hazard properties
Owners of medium hazard properties must get a testable double check valve assembly installed.
High hazard properties
Owners of high hazard properties must get a registered break tank, reduced pressure zone or registered air gap installed.
Metered standpipes
If we've given you permission to use a metered standpipe on our pipes, your standpipe must have a testable double check valve incorporated into its design.
Construction sites
You need a backflow prevention device on water main connections you use for construction and renovation.
If you're building more than a single stand-alone house, we consider it to be a high backflow hazard.
Sprinkler and fire services
If your property has separate sprinkler and fire services, you must get a testable double check detector assembly. It must be installed near where the water service enters your property or upstream of any booster assembly or off-take from the fire service.
If your property has a window or wall drencher system, you must install a non-testable low hazard device.
Unknown hazard rating
If you don't know your site's hazard rating, or don't get it assessed, we'll assume it's a high hazard.
Owners of properties with unknown hazard ratings must get a registered break tank, reduced pressure zone or registered air gap installed.
Who Can Fit Your Back Flow Device?
You must use accredited backflow plumbers and licensed plumbers.
An accredited backflow plumber must assess your site's hazard rating and test your backflow device.
A licensed plumber must install your device.
