Backflow

When consumers turn their water taps on, they believe "Safe Drinking Water" is immediately available, pure and plentiful. They assume the water is safe simply because no one has warned them otherwise.

"Safe Drinking Water" is regulated by the DETR, and as a professional body the water utility is responsible for ensuring overall protection of safe drinking water under all foreseeable circumstances.

However despite strict regulations, extremely dangerous situations continue to occur when backflow contaminants are inadvertently allowed to enter our safe drinking water supplies.The purpose of this section is to provide an understanding of how far-reaching and critical backflow contamination problems are and to urge the development of the most effective backflow prevention programs possible.

To illustrate this, we shall highlight a number of case histories true accounts of hazardous, even fatal, situations where ineffective backflow prevention techniques have been employed:

Backflow problems and prevention

Grant Phipps managing director of Watts UK explains how legislation allows installers freedom to fit PRZ valves to avoid backflow prevention.

What is backflow contamination?

Surprisingly, there are numerous situations present in our own homes that cause backflow contamination.

Backflow: Levels of risk

The water utilities have a duty to supply water, which complies with the water regulations, and the water industry act 1991. This ensures the supply of clean wholesome water suitable for domestic or food production purposes. Drinking water should therefore be obtained direct from the mains water supply without any intervening storage before use.

Backflow prevention: Nobak Triton valve

The easiest way to protect your family against the risk is to install the Nobak Triton valve; a double check valve which simply fits onto your existing tap. The Nobak Triton Valve is the first double check valve to be WRAS approved. It complies with all regulations, prevents contamination and is easy to fit.