I'm going to install the backflow preventer today. While replacing water meters with the wireless system Seminole county said they noticed there was a well pump (irrigation) on the property and sent a letter requiring a BFPA on the potable water line even though the irrigation system was totally separate from the potable water lines. Will be giving them a call on this before anything starts!
An irrigation system off the city water is not the same as a well pump feeding an irrigation system. A well pump or separate source of water on site requires a High Hazard type backflow preventer.hello...I live in mass....we are not require to have bfp at the main...you would need one for your irrigation IF it was connected to your main you would need one on a residential fire protection system IF it was connected to you main.....your system was engineered...that may be the reason...I was involved with a reno in an OFFICE BLD
there was no need for a bfp on the water main there was one on the fire protection but he would not sign off on the plans unless this was done our project managers should have fought this now we have to test them for the life of the bld 2 time a year at 100 bucks + and it was dual containment!!!!!!!!!(2 bfps!!!!!!!!
There's a difference between having a well and having the ability to drill one in the future. The line must be drawn somewhere and the general public would not want to have to pay to have a testable backflow preventer installed and test annually(+/-) based on potential.Using that logic, every house should have a backflow preventer. A future owner may decide to drill a well, build a cistern, or any number of things that could cause backwards flow.
The reality is that most people have limited budgets so adding expensive plumbing just because it's a good idea is not going to be on my to-do list if I can help it.
All irrigation systems require some type of backflow protection device. typically they are the non-testable type and not a big deal. It's not until you have a separate piped water source on site that would kick in the requirement for total containment with a testable backflow preventer. If for some reason you used an irrigation pump on the puplic water supply that would not kick in the total containment requirement. A slightly different backflow device would typically be required due to the potential of back pressure on the public water supply.Nothing to add but I have to say that it's good to know that if I am ever in a situation with city water plus an irrigation pump, I should go to some extra effort to hide the pump so it is not easily found.
Of course I would never connect two systems.
Enter your email address to join: