What is Backflow and how can it impact me?

Backflow is defined as the unwanted reversal of flow of water or other substances in the public water distribution system. The clean water we depend on every day is distributed to our homes and treated for safe use by the water provider.

The way they do it is by a network of water main piping that is under ground and pressure driven. There are times where the water supply can have a reduction in pressure from water main breaks or heavy demand like the use of fire hydrants. When this happens, the reduction of pressure forces the water that was supplied to your home, back into the main water piping.

The issue of backflow is due to our plumbing is not always connected to clean drinking water lines. Your home or business could also be connected to a lawn irrigation system, or fire protection system. Lawn irrigation systems can be hazardous in a backflow event due to the piping comes in contact with various lawn chemicals, fertilizers, and animal waste.

To stop these unwanted potentially hazardous uses of water from flowing back into our drinking water piping, the State of Missouri requires the installation and annual testing of backflow prevention assemblies.