backflow prevention devices - frasercoast.qld.gov.au

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Backflow Prevention Devices WHAT IS BACKFLOW? Backflow is any unwanted flow of potentially contaminated water into the potable (drinking water) distribution system. This can occur when water flows backwards, or opposite to its normal and intended direction of flow, which can result when water pressure to a property is not maintained or if a pump is connected to a property’s water plumbing system. Backflow can occur when, for example: the water delivery main (reticulation system) is at a lower pressure than a property’s plumbing system. This can occur when there is a burst in the supply main or during fire-fighting operations; if a pump is connected to a property’s internal water plumbing system; a property is using water at a pressure higher than the pressure in a water main; if a pump is connected to a non-potable supply and there is a town water top-up or interconnection. Many rainwater tank installations are fitted with a pressure pump on the delivery side of the tank; high water usage downstream causes a pressure reduction upstream; the water outlet on a property is significantly higher in elevation than the water utility’s main with a constant back pressure; or if an alternate water supply (e.g. bore water) is connected to a property’s water supply system. WHAT IS A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE? A backflow prevention device prevents this reverse flow of water from a potentially polluted source into the regional drinking water supply system. You may have a backflow prevention device fitted on your property if you have any of the following: an irrigation system; fire hose reels or hydrants; a commercial or industrial activity or machinery connected to the mains; water outlets in proximity to pollutants, grease traps or chemicals; an underground rainwater tank that has mains water backup; or a black or greywater dump point. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT INSTALLING A NEW DEVICE? The majority of new backflow prevention devices will require a plumbing application and an inspection by Council’s plumbing inspectors. Some devices may be installed under the notifiable work category. It is the responsibility of the licensed plumbing contractor to submit a Form 4 to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission and forward a copy of the completed Form 9 to Council. The Form 9 can be found on the Queensland Department of Housing and Public Works website at: http://www.hpw.qld.gov.au/aboutus/ReportsPublicatio ns/FormsTemplates/Pages/ApprovedPlumbersDrainers Forms.aspx WHAT IS COUNCIL’S BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE PROGRAM? Council has a responsibility under State Government legislation to maintain a program for the registration, maintenance and testing of testable backflow prevention devices installed in its area. The information supplied to Council from test reports is recorded in a register. Council charges an annual administration fee per device which is used to maintain the register and for any correspondence that may need to be sent to owners.

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Page 1: Backflow Prevention Devices - frasercoast.qld.gov.au

Backflow Prevention Devices

WHAT IS BACKFLOW? Backflow is any unwanted flow of potentially contaminated water into the potable (drinking water) distribution system. This can occur when water flows backwards, or opposite to its normal and intended direction of flow, which can result when water pressure to a property is not maintained or if a pump is connected to a property’s water plumbing system. Backflow can occur when, for example: • the water delivery main (reticulation system) is at a

lower pressure than a property’s plumbing system. This can occur when there is a burst in the supply main or during fire-fighting operations;

• if a pump is connected to a property’s internal water plumbing system; a property is using water at a pressure higher than the pressure in a water main;

• if a pump is connected to a non-potable supply and there is a town water top-up or interconnection. Many rainwater tank installations are fitted with a pressure pump on the delivery side of the tank;

• high water usage downstream causes a pressure reduction upstream;

• the water outlet on a property is significantly higher in elevation than the water utility’s main with a constant back pressure; or

• if an alternate water supply (e.g. bore water) is connected to a property’s water supply system.

WHAT IS A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE? A backflow prevention device prevents this reverse flow of water from a potentially polluted source into the regional drinking water supply system.

You may have a backflow prevention device fitted on your property if you have any of the following:

an irrigation system;

fire hose reels or hydrants;

a commercial or industrial activity or machinery connected to the mains;

water outlets in proximity to pollutants, grease traps or chemicals;

an underground rainwater tank that has mains water backup; or

a black or greywater dump point.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT INSTALLING A NEW DEVICE? The majority of new backflow prevention devices will

require a plumbing application and an inspection by Council’s plumbing inspectors.

Some devices may be installed under the notifiable work category.

It is the responsibility of the licensed plumbing contractor to submit a Form 4 to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission and forward a copy of the completed Form 9 to Council.

The Form 9 can be found on the Queensland Department of Housing and Public Works website at:

http://www.hpw.qld.gov.au/aboutus/ReportsPublications/FormsTemplates/Pages/ApprovedPlumbersDrainersForms.aspx

WHAT IS COUNCIL’S BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE PROGRAM? Council has a responsibility under State Government legislation to maintain a program for the registration, maintenance and testing of testable backflow prevention devices installed in its area. The information supplied to Council from test reports is recorded in a register. Council charges an annual administration fee per device which is used to maintain the register and for any correspondence that may need to be sent to owners.

Page 2: Backflow Prevention Devices - frasercoast.qld.gov.au

June 2019 #3816951v2

DO I NEED TO HAVE MY BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE REGISTERED? In accordance with S102(2) of the Plumbing & Drainage Regulation 2019, an owner of an installed testable backflow prevention device must register the device with the Fraser Coast Regional Council. Non-compliance with S102 of the Regulation may result in penalties being applied (maximum penalty – 20 penalty units). The registration of a new backflow device is completed via Form 9 which is to be submitted to Council by a licences plumber.

DO I NEED TO MAINTAIN BY BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE? The ongoing maintenance of backflow prevention devices is to be carried out in accordance with AS/NZS 3500.1-2018. Where test results are unsatisfactory, Council will: i. Send an initial letter to the property owner requesting

rectification within 30 days; and ii. If rectification works are not carried out within 30 days,

an Enforcement Notice will be issued under S143 of the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018, requiring that repair or replacement of the device be carried out; and

iii. If (i) and (ii) above are not complied with, arrange for repair or replacement to be carried out by a suitably licenced plumber under a Remedial Notice issued in accordance with the Local Government Act. The property owner will be liable for all costs incurred and Council may recover these, including the placement of a charge on Rates notices.

DO I NEED TO TEST MY BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE? In accordance with S102(4) of the Regulation, the owner of a testable backflow prevention device must, at least once a year, have the device inspected or tested by a person who is licenced to do the work. A person who is licenced to inspect or test a backflow prevention device is a suitably qualified and licenced

plumber and drainer with a current Backflow Prevention licence endorsement. The inspection and testing of backflow prevention devices must be carried out in accordance with AS/NZS 3500.1-2018. In accordance with S103(3) of the Regulation, a person who inspects or tests a testable backflow prevention device must, within 10 business days after inspecting or testing the above, give the Fraser Coast Regional Council written results of the inspection or test in the approved form, being a Form 9. Non-compliance with S103(3) of the Regulation and the paragraph above, may result in penalties being applied (maximum penalty – 20 penalty units).

AUDITING Council may carry out a random audit of all backflow devices to confirm location and serial numbers of devices.

FURTHER ADVICE Council Officers are available between 8.15am and 4.45pm Monday to Friday via telephone on 1300 79 49 29 or via email [email protected].