The City of Roswell has developed a Backflow Prevention Program to comply with Federal and State laws regarding safe drinking water. The purpose of this program is to prevent the introduction of contaminates or pollutants into the potable water system. The program applies to all commercial and residential customers of the City of Roswell's Water Utility.
Backflow is the undesirable reversal of flow of a liquid, gas, or other substance in a potable water distribution piping system as a result of a cross connection. Backflow contamination of a public water system by contaminants and pollutants through uncontrolled cross connections could occur as a result of the reversal of flows brought about by fluctuations in water pressure within the water system (i.e. main break, fire fighting, etc.).
High Hazard: A facility considered as a possible source of contaminates. Contaminates are toxic substances or those creating a health hazard due to the nature of the product. This category would include multi family dwellings, hospitals, doctors, dentists offices, metal plating operations, chemical companies, facilities that have the capabilities of exerting back pressure on their water tap and other industrial businesses using toxic substances. These operations would be required to install a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly (RPZ) for maximum protection.
Medium Hazard: A facility considered as a possible source of pollutants. Pollutants are substances considered to be objectionable in nature such as those causing discoloration, odor, or taste in water. This category would include commercial businesses such as grocery stores, restaurants, day care centers, office buildings, and any business that has an auxiliary water supply. Automatic sprinkler systems would also apply to this category. These operations would require and double check backflow prevention assembly (DCV) for their required degree of protection.
Low Hazard: Considered to be the least likely to be a source of contaminant or pollutant. Typically this would include only a single or duplex family dwelling served by a single water meter. The City of Roswell's Water Utility has installed dual check valves at the meter.
For questions the City of Roswell's Backflow Prevention Program, please contact Chris Boyd at 770-641-3707.
When water is heated and stored in a distribution system or a branch of the system that has been closed by the installation of a backflow prevention device or any other checking device, an approved auxiliary relief valve, or expansion chamber should be installed to limit thermal expansion of the water being heated to not more than 80 PSI no-flow pressure at any fixture on the system. The installation of such a device shall be in accordance with State Plumbing Code (Section 1112.8) and shall be the responsibility of the customer.
It is the customer's responsibility to determine whether thermal expansion is a possibility. City of Roswell is not responsible for damages occurring within the customer's water system.