A backflow prevention device is used to protect potable water supplies from contamination or pollution due to backflow.
In water supply systems, water is normally maintained at a significant pressure to enable water to flow from the tap, shower, or other fixture. Water pressure may fail or be reduced when a water main bursts, pipes freeze, or there is unexpectedly high demand on the water system (for example, when several fire hydrants are opened). Reduced pressure in the pipe may allow contaminated water from the soil, from storage, or from other sources to be drawn up into the system.
Backflow prevention devices are an important component of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection’s drinking water protection program and are legally mandated under the New York State Sanitary Code and the Rules of the City of New York for those businesses identified as posing a risk to the public water supply.
Premises with multiple water service lines;
Premises with roof tanks and elevated storage lines
Canneries
Slaughterhouse / Live Poultry Processing Facilities
Ice Manufacturing Facilities
Printing Facilities
Supermarkets
Premises with large boilers or chemically treated boilers
Warehouses (with toxic chemical storage)
Premises with Commercial or Public Kitchens
Premises with water cooled equipment or chillers
Premises with Groundwater Wells
Premises that Reuse or Recycle Water
Shipyards and Marinas
Schools and Colleges
Food Preparation Facilities
Nursing Homes
Barber Shops & Beauty Salons
Properties with in-ground irrigation sprinklers
Metal plating, cleaning, processing or fabricating facilities
Photo-processing facilities
Laundries and dry cleaners
Commercial car washes
Greenhouses
Hospitals, Clinics and Laboratories (including veterinary hospitals)
Medical and Dental Offices
Funeral Parlors
Food processing plants and meat / fish packers
Dye Plants
Paper processors
Auto Repair Shops
Breweries
Tanneries
Exterminators
Large residential dwellings with water boilers that use rust-inhibitors or other water treatment chemicals, (“treated water boilers”)
Sewage treatment plants or handling facilities
To determine whether or not your property requires a backflow prevention device, you must retain the services of a Licensed Professional Engineer (PE), Licensed Registered Architect (RA), Licensed Master Plumber (LMP) or request a property inspection from DEP. Feel free to fill out the contact form or give us a call 646-741-9470
Every water line to the property must have a backflow prevention device. If your property is required to have a backflow prevention device and has multiple water service lines, you must install a device on each line.
First, you will receive a 30 day installation notice from the New York DEP . If you do not show proof that a device is being installed, after the 30 days you will receive a notice of violation and are susceptible to fines of up to $2500.