Backflow Prevention

A cross connection control program is a cooperative effort between health officials, water purveyors and property owners to ensure that the water supply remains uncontaminated as a result of backflow. The program involves the isolation of private water systems from the public waterworks through the installation of a backflow prevention device immediately after the water meter. This is called “premise isolation.”

The Cross Connection Control Program focuses on Industrial, Commercial, Institutional (ICI) and Agricultural properties where there is a greater potential for backflow and contamination to the water supply. The elements of a program define the type of protection required and responsibility for the administration and enforcement.

The program's goal is to protect the drinking water supply from contamination due to backflow. We do this by preventing water that has been used for washing, heating, cooling, etc., within a facility from backflowing into the drinking water system.

A cross connection is any actual or potential connection between a drinking water system and some other environment which could allow a backflow of contaminants to enter the drinking water. This could be a pipe connecting a customer's water system to the heating/cooling system, irrigation, fire system or other.

Backflow is the flow of water or other liquids, gases, or solids from any source in the direction opposite to normal or intended flow. Examples of backflow could include back-siphonage and/or back-pressure

Back-siphonage is backflow caused by negative pressure in the supply system. Back-siphonage occurs when water system pressure is reduced to below atmospheric pressure. This could occur in a public water system when a water main is shut down to repair a leak. If a garden house was submerged in a hot tub nearby, the non-potable water from the hot tub could be siphoned back through the submerged hose (a cross connection) into the household plumbing, and then into the water main.

Back-pressure is backflow caused by pressure in the customer’s plumbing being greater that the pressure in the water main. The higher pressure may be form a customer’s booster pump, heating boiler, or irrigation system. This could be introduced into the public water system by a customer’s irrigation pump while low-pressure conditions exist in the water main (due to fire flows, or a water main shut down).
 

A backflow preventer is a device or method installed in a water system to prevent the occurrence of backflow. The type of device that is suitable for your property is based on the degree of hazard your property presents to the public water system. Find out more about backflow prevention devices.

The City of Pitt Meadows is currently assessing connections to the water distribution system. Our program is focused on Industrial, Commercial, Institutional (ICI) and Agricultural properties, which are higher-hazard water use properties. The City has and will be contacting property owners directly to communicate the requirements of a backflow prevention assembly.

Contract a Certified Tester (i.e. journeyman plumber, mechanical contractor) to apply for a building permit and install the cross connection control on the identified water supplies. Contact the City of Pitt Meadows Building Department at 604-465-2428 or building@pittmeadows.ca for a list of certified testers. 

The type of device required will depend on the hazard level based on the use of your property as it relates to the AWWA Canadian Cross Connection Control Manual Level of Risk Standards. Properties classified as a “moderate hazard” require the installation of a Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA) assembly. Properties classified as a “severe hazard” require the installation of a Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA). Both devices require annual testing and should activities on the site change, the risk level could also change.

Yes, the installation of a backflow preventer requires a building permit.

The property owner can apply for a building permit, however in many cases, the plumbing contractor will do it on the owner's behalf. For more information, please contact the Building Inspection department at 604-465-5454 or building@pittmeadows.ca.

Testing can be completed by an individual who is certified by the British Columbia Water and Waste Association (BCWWA). Contact the City of Pitt Meadows Building Inspection department at 604-465-2428 or building@pittmeadows.ca for an updated list of certified testers.

A backflow prevention device may not show visible signs of failure. Backflow prevention assembly devices contain internal components that are subject to wear and failure. A backflow prevention assembly device, such as Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA), or Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA), must be tested by a certified individual with a properly calibrated test gauge to ensure that they are functioning properly.

You must have a certified tester to test the backflow prevention device(s) at the subject facility. Contact the City of Pitt Meadows Building Department at 604-465-2428 or building@pittmeadows.ca for an updated list of certified testers.

In order to ensure the proper operation of a backflow prevention device, it must be tested upon installation, repair, relocation or replacement, and at least once a year thereafter. To ensure that backflow prevention devices are functioning properly, a certified tester must test them annually.

The owner of the property or building that currently has a service connection to the City's water supply or has applied for a new service connection is responsible for the installation of the premise isolation backflow prevention devices, as well the annual testing of the device by a certified tester.

Results must be submitted on the City of Pitt Meadows Backflow Prevention Device Test Form on our website or contact the Building Inspection department at City Hall for a copy.

Device tags may be any size, colour, and must be made of a moisture resistant material. The City of Pitt Meadows Cross Connection Control Policy requires that:

"The owner shall cause to be displayed a legibly marked record card on the premise isolation backflow prevention device that indicates the address of the property, the location, type and date of installation of the device, manufacturer, serial number and size of the device, the test date, the tester's initials, the tester's printed name, the printed name of the tester's employer and the tester's certificate number."

Single-family homes, where no moderate or severe activities are permitted, pose the least threat for contamination of the water supply. They are considered a minor hazard and lesser protection is required, unless in farming areas where more stringent requirements apply or where actual or potential moderate or severe hazards exist. Homeowners can however help to protect our water supply and the water within their own homes by installing backflow prevention devices on their garden hoses. These are called hose bibs and they can be purchased from hardware stores. Using a hose bib is not a law, but it is good practice in protecting homeowners and their families from contaminated water. Everybody has a role to play in protecting the health and safety of our drinking water.

It is the property owner's responsibility to notify City of Pitt Meadows Building Department and install an accepted backflow prevention device if there is a change in risk level.

Failure to comply with the notification may result in fines and or other actions to bring the property into compliance.

The City of Pitt Meadows Waterworks Bylaw No. 2891, 2021 and Cross-Connection Control Policy C022.

No, the City’s Cross-Connection Control Program and the backflow requirements were established in November 2010, when a Water Assessment was completed for the City and then informed the creation of the Cross-Connection Control Policy C022.