Got an Irrigation System?

GOT AN IRRIGATION SYSTEM?

What is backflow prevention, and why is it necessary?

Defining and Understanding Backflow

Backflow occurs when the water pressure that enters your house drops suddenly; a siphon effect is created which can result in contaminated water being drawn back into your clean water supply (an underground water main or a private well, etc.).

Sources that Cause Backflow:

• Neighborhood pipe break
• House fire
• Household devices: dishwashers, garbage disposals, toilets, hand-held shower heads, bath whirlpools, etc.
• Outdoors: faucets you attach a hose to, irrigation systems, swimming pools, ponds and fountains.

What are the Effects of Backflow?

The water pressure drops and a backflow occurs while you are . . .

• using fertilizers and/or pesticides on the lawn, pets using your lawn for waste, or muddy water on your lawn will come in contact with your irrigation system. Contaminated water, which collects around a submerged sprinkler head could be drawn into the irrigation system and end up in your water supply.
• using your garden hose to clean out the gutters which can cause the pollutants to be drawn back into your main water supply.
• filling your swimming pool, chemicals, bacteria, etc. can be brought into your water supply.
• spraying fertilizer or insecticide via an attachment on your hose will potentially add those chemicals into your drinking water.

What is a Backflow Preventer?

Backflow preventers is similar to a one-way gate for water that stops water that enters private irrigation lines from re-entering the city’s water lines and potentially leading to a contamination.

Without a working backflow preventer, water from a sink, bathtub, hose or dirty irrigation line can easily be pulled back into the main lines. Think about the amounts of lawn chemicals, insecticides, bacteria, etc. that could backflow into your drinking water.  How long could that go unnoticed before you notice serious symptoms that effect your health?  Backflow preventers help to prevent this from happening.  It’s worth it – don’t you think?

It’s the law!

The state of Indiana requires annual backflow testing for residential customers with irrigation systems and every six months for most commercial customers (even those who do not have an irrigation system). If you do not get tested, you may receive a fine and/or lose your privilege to be hooked up to the water system.

Please remember that only state certified personnel can perform backflow testing.  Ricci’s Landscape Management (RLM) is certified and ready to test both residential and commercial systems.  When you sign up for irrigation services with RLM, you can rest assured your system will receive proper startup in the spring, shut down in the fall, and any maintenance required in between. Through one of our irrigation maintenance service programs, our certified and professionally trained technicians will help you avoid unwanted brown grass spots and overwatering your plants, as well as ensuring that your irrigation system is good to go throughout the season!

Ready to sign up?  Call our office today at 219.996.2682, or fill out our contact form here.