Back-Siphoning Pesticides Into Your Home

The Direct Connection

A newsletter dedicated to Cross Connection Control and Backfl ow Prevention- www.abpa-sa.orgFebruary 2004 Vol. 14 Issue 2

Contʼd on Page 5

Many people are busy at this time of year spraying fruit trees, vegetable gardens, and lawns with pesticides and herbicides. Most people use small hand-held sprayers attached to a garden hose. We have seen several situ-ations where those pesticides have siphoned back into the home water system, and people have become ill. In one case, a man died from drinking contaminated water from his home. We would like to take a moment to tell you about how some of these incidents occurred, and how you might prevent that happening to you.

History In Nampa, Idaho two homes and a large acreage all take their water from one well. The acreage is primarily alfalfa, and the well is used to supply water for sprin-kler irrigation. 2,4-D is a herbicide, which is used to kill broad-leafed weeds. It is relatively low in toxicity to humans, but can be fatal if taken in very large quan-tities. As 2,4-D was being injected into the sprinkler system for weed control in the alfalfa, the pump failed. Water fell back down the well, and that created a back-siphon, which pulled the 2,4-D backward in the water line. Most of it ended up at one home. The safe level for 2,4-D in a domestic water system is 0.1 parts per mil-lion, or one drop in ten 55-gallon drums (that is a high safe level for a pesticide). The accident happened Satur-day. The people could still taste the chemical Tuesday, so they had the Health Department test the water. On Tuesday the 2,4-D concentration was 1.3 parts per mil-lion, or 13 times the acceptable level. The people had to carry in water for some time, and the well still has not cleared up. So far, the people have had their water tested 10 times to try to isolate the problem and see if it has cleared up. Those samples cost $75 each. The Poison Control Center in Pocatello recently received a call from an individual in Weston, Idaho. The person said they were spraying fruit trees with a hand-held sprayer on a hose, using 2,4-D. There was

some problem in the well, and the chemical siphoned back into the house line. They ran the well 12 hours and could still taste the chemical, so they wanted advice on how to clean the line. In actuality, that individual had back-siphoned 2,4-D into their water system twice, and had tasted the chemi-cal in their water for 5 days! The Poison Control Center gave them limited advice, and gave them the phone number of the State Pesticide Lab where they could get more specifi c information on clean-up procedures. The people in Weston have never even bothered to call the Lab. They are potentially drinking contaminated water, and they could correct the problems with relatively little trouble. In Blackfoot, Idaho a farmer was fi lling his stock tank. He left the hose in the full tank, turned off the hydrant, and went to town for coffee. Two hours later, the tank was empty. Two check valves in the hydrant had failed and the entire tank had drained down into the well. That was six years ago. The farmer is well aware of water supply systems and their problem, but has not yet replaced the check valves! In Utah a man was spraying malathion on fruit trees. He set the hose down to answer the phone. At that time, there was a fi re two blocks away. Fire hydrants placed such a demand on the water system that malathion was sucked into the water line. Pressure built up and the water fl owed again. When the man came back out, the water was fl owing so he thought there was no problem. Actually, the water leaving the hose was malathion that had fi rst entered the hose a few minutes ago. He took a drink of the clean water. He was dead in 20 minutes.

Problem These problems are examples of what is called a cross-connection; a place where contaminated water

2

February Meeting De tailsMeetings of the San Antonio Chapter ABPA are usually held the second Thursday of every month. Dinner and refreshments are served at 6:00 p.m. sharp with the meeting at 6:30 p.m. The next meeting is:

Date: Thursday, February 12, 2004Time: 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.Location: Bexar Met Water District 2047 W. MaloneProgram: Ferguson (John Boyers)Meal: Provided by ABPA-SA

No alcoholic beverages allowed by Bexar Met Water District policy

FutureMeetings: March - Dig Test

No alcoholic beverages allowed by Bexar Met Water District policy

February A.B.P.A. San Antonio Chapter Meeting Agenda

5:00 – 5:59 pm Directorʼs Meeting5:15 – 6:00 pm Meal6:00 – 6:30 pm Business Meeting President Fallon Foster Presiding

Training ScheduleTraining Schedule6:30 – 7:30 Ferguson (John Boyers)

Call our valve specialists with any ques tions!

Shop online at ouraward-winning Web site:

www.AIWnet.comOr call toll-free: 1-800-292-7817

PRIZE POOL WINNERSPrize Winner Winner Winner Donated byDonated byHunting Trip Marty Roy Ron RenoufAuctioned to David HadleyKnack Job Box Lee Foster Lee Foster Lee Foster Ferguson EnterprisesFishing Trip Frank Pena David HadleyShotgun Bill Hamrick Backfl ow UnlimitedFishing rod & reel Dan Fernandez Backfl ow UnlimitedGame Processing Kit Game Processing Kit Game Processing Kit Dan Fernandez Backfl ow UnlimitedUltimate Nut Driver Ultimate Nut Driver Ultimate Nut Driver Hector Flores Russell WalkerHunting Vest Hunting Vest Hunting Vest Ronnie McGovern David HadleyTool Sharpener Tool Sharpener Tool Sharpener Steve Walker Steve Walker Steve Walker Shafer ServicesGolf Balls Jeff Hoffman David Hadley

Backfl ow Trivia:

When you test a containment backfl ow preventer for the Purvey-ing Authority Having Jurisdiction and it fails, can you remove the assembly until it is repaired or replace?

Directorʼs Meeting February Agenda5:00-5:20 pm General discussions, quorum building5:20 pm Call to Order5:21 pm Reading and acceptance of the Minutes of

the December Meeting.5:25 pm Treasurerʼs Report followed by commnets,

questions, acceptance.5:30 pm Supply Offi cerʼs Report with action as

appropriate.5:34 pm Membership Committeeʼs Report with

action as appropriate5:40 pm Vice Presidentʼs Report on Audit of

Newsletter Advertisements with action as appropriate

5:46 pm Web Masterʼs Report5:48 pm New Business

Formation of a Ways and Means Standing CommitteePreparations for / participation in upcoming Home and Garden ShowsAdvocate the stocking of bottled water in First-Responder vehicles

5:59 pm Directorʼs Meeting Adjourns

3

303 NORTH PARK DRIVE (78216-2726) P.O. BOX 460169 • SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78246-0169

Stocking Distributors of Industrial, Commercial, and Res i den tial Plumbing Supplies

Phone: (210) 344-3013 • FAX: (210) 344-8120

FERGUSON ENTERPRISES, INC.

Contact:Febco

PO Box 8070, Fresno, CA 93747PH. (209) 252-0791 FAX (209) 453-9030

Backfl ow Prevention As sem blies

®®®

Model 825YReduced Pressure Assemblies• All sizes are USC approved.• Lowest independently documented head loss in the industry.• Available from inventory now.

Advertise in The Direct Con nec tion

Business Card1/4 Page1/2 PageFull Page

$100$150$300$500

HOT BOX®ENCLOSURES

Insulated EnclosuresFor: Pipes, Valves and

EquipmentFAX (904) 783-6965

(800) 736-0238http://www.hot-box.com

See

Us In

SweetsourceCERTIFIED

ASSE

THE ORIGINAL

Post Offi ce Box 16045, Houston, Texas 77222-604533 Lyerly, Suite B-5, Houston, Texas 77022Phone (713) 699-5778FAX (713) 699-0842

WWIP CORP.

11410 Grissom LaneDallas, Texas 75229

Phone (214) 243-3633FAX (214) 243-3632

ADSIZE

ONEYEAR

4

Call or visit our Website for Spring 2004 Schedule.

BAC-FLO UNLIMITED, INC: “Don’t Settle for Less!”

(210) 698-0411 www.bacfl o.com 1-800-638-6232

• Free gauge test• TCEQ training credits• ABPA nationally recognized• Two instructors

• More hands-on training• All courses TCEQ approved• Separated practice stations• Learn from experience

5

can get back into the supply. In all cases, the chance for a problem is very slim, but the effects of the problem are usually major. In the example of the 3 families on the well in Nampa, the pump had pulled a long column of water up from the ground. There is supposed to be a check valve that lets water fl ow from the well to the line but not fl ow the other way. In this case, the check valve failed, the water fell down the well, and created a siphon from the irrigation sys-tem. When someone turned on the water in the house, they got water fl owing from the irrigation line and not from the well. The problem was similar in the other cases; a little piece of the system failed and someone got badly hurt.

Solution

Prevention The solution to cross connection control problems is to prevent them from occurring. Municipalities are now re-quired to have cross connection control ordinances. Those laws must specify certain backfl ow prevention devices for different industries. Car washes, hospitals, and mortuaries are examples of facilities that must have backfl ow prevention devices. It is a much more common problem for pesticides to be taken into private or municipal water systems. Homes do not have backfl ow prevention devices. A fi re on your block might put so much drain on the line that water from your neighborʼs house gets back into the line and out of your tap. A failed check valve in your well or hydrant may put contaminated water into your water supply line. The solution is to maintain your water supply in good repair. Replace failed check valves and be aware of water supply problems. Self-contained, pressurized sprayers that are not connected to hoses are the safest. Hose-connected pesticide sprayers are now available with backfl ow pre-vention devices built in. They prevent any water or other material from fl owing back into the water line from the spray gun. All spraying should be done with sprayers clearly marked as having backfl ow prevention devices. Even that will not totally ensure safety. Use of self-contained pressurized sprayers is recommended.Disinfection If you know that pesticides, or other materials, have been siphoned back into your water supply, ask for help. There are several ways to try to clean the contaminated material out of the system. The easiest solution is to pump the water for an extended period. If you run the water from all the taps in the house for 24 hours, you will often draw all contaminated water out of the system. If the water does not clean up, try leaving the system alone; no use at all, for 12 hours, then pump for 2 hours. Charcoal fi lters placed on the tap will often absorb many organic compounds from the water. The only way to be sure the problem is cleared up is to have the water tested, but the samples have to be collected in special containers which are pretreated with a sol-vent. A mayonnaise jar of water is of no use to you or the lab. Let your County Health Department representative collect the samples, and advise you on clean up of the well.

Adapted from Idaho Safety News

“United”… Contʼd from Page 1

6

ABPA-SA CHAPTER2003 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive CommitteePRESIDENT – FALLON FOSTER........................495-9991 • 218-3723 • 684-85491st VICE PRESIDENT – DAVID MYERS.................................................................2nd VICE PRESIDENT – JOE JONES.......................................................827-2112TREASURER – FRANK SNYDER............................................................................SECRETARY – SCOTT OKLAND ......................... 235-7466 PGR • 354-6573 WKSGT. – AT-ARMS – JEFF HOFFMAN (parliamentarian) ...................633-3296 HMTROY BAIRD (Supply Offi cer) ...........................................................698-0411 WK

Directors at LargeROBERT STRICKER *.....................207-8279 WK • 545-1832 HM • 207-3315 FXBILL HAMRICK **........................ 736-1892 WK • 242-8765 PGR • 736-1893 FXCARL MICHAUD **.................... 699-3614 HM • 215-5264 MBL • 688-3177 WKFRED BAIRD *....................................................................................698-0411 WKJIM HOLT *.................................... 658-5324 WK • 658-5325 FX • 413-6790 MBLJORGE LOPEZ *..................................................................................354-6555 WKDAVID TROUSDALE * .................................... 733-8001 WK • 830-228-5844 HM................................................................................. 603-5424 PGR • 846-3101 MBLFALLON FOSTER ** ............................................495-9991 • 218-3723 • 684-8519MATTHEW WILGEN **....................................................webmaster@abpa-sa.orgDAVID MYERS * ................................................................................599-1304 HMMIKE ALDRUP........................................................................................... 481-2030BRUCE E. PEARSON .........................................................................704-7134 WKJIM MABRY.........................................................................................681-3502 HMJEFF HOFFMAN (parliamentarian)BILL SAHM (Honorary)* Term expires Oct. 2002 ** Term expires Oct. 2003

NEWSLETTER COMMITTEEEDITOR BRUCE RATHBURNASST. EDITOR ALL BOARD MEMBERS (assigned month ly duty)

PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEECHAIRMAN BRUCE PEARSON 704-7136

JEFF HOFFMANROBERT STRICKER

BILL HAMRICKTIM HOPKINS

TRAINING COMMITTEE MEM BERSJORGE LOPEZ

(gauge test)STEVE BAILY

(gauge test)

ABPA-SA DISTRICTTRAINING COMMITTEE

CHAIRMAN CARL MICHAUD 699-36141ST ASSISTANT FRED BAIRD 698-04112ND ASSISTANT RON RENOUF 696-14113RD ASSISTANT BILL HAMRICK 736-1892

7

Safety Tip of the MonthThe water utility industry has continually ranked

back injuries, due to strains and sprains, as its most common injury, and National Safety Council statistics show that oc-cupational back injuries “account for at least 20 percent of all occupational injury cases.” This means that approximately 400,000 disabling back injuries occur at work each year.

Special Note: 25 percent of all occupational back injuries occurred to both men and women who work in the offi ce. Bending over to retrieve items from bottom fi le cabinet drawers, reaching over desktops, stooping to pick up items from the fl oor.

AWWA statistics show that approximately 18 percent of reported disabling injuries resulted in back injuries. Ob-viously, prevention of back injuries should be an issue of unanimous concern.

What can we do about preventing back injury? Cer-tainly one of the most practical things we can do is to be in good physical shape through proper diet, regular exercise, and adequate rest. Another thing we can do is to realize that there are certain objects, due to size, weight or bulkiness that one should not lift alone. Too often, we say to ourselves, “Heck, I can lift this, No Problem! ” We donʼt acknowledge the aging process of the body as readily as that of our aging eyes. Donʼt assume that because you could lift that load for the last few years, you will always have that ability!

Oddly, the weight of the load doesnʼt have to be ex-treme to bring about an injury. If it has an irregular shape, that requires you to twist or bend in an awkward position to lift, the back becomes much more susceptible to injury. Do you realize that if you bend from the waist to pick up a 50-pound object that in reality you are applying 10 times the weight to your back? You must lift properly. What is the proper technique? The proper technique can be stated very simply: “ Bend Your Knees.”

Thatʼs right. If you will remember these three short words, you will have accomplished what we are trying to instruct you to do. Obviously, there are more proper lifting techniques such as grip, being able to see over the object that you lift, wearing the proper personal protective equip-ment (i.e., back support belt, gloves, and safety shoes), and realizing that fi ngers can get caught in “pinch points” if you arenʼt careful. But when it comes to basics, remember those three simple words---Bend Your Knees.

Back injury is not just an occupational injury. We can also injure our backs working at home, while playing sports, on vacation and so on. Keep in mind the lessons we learn from work when we leave work. No one is exempt from a back injury. The pain is the same no matter if your injury occurred at home, at work, or a play. Safe Behavior and At-Risk-Behavior applies no matter where we are. Play it safe.

Experts estimate that approximately one third of all back injuries are result of excessive mechanical stress on the back and spinal column. In our daily routine we lift, carry, hold, and push objects in many sizes, weights, and shapes, placing stress on the structure of the back. We incorrectly lift because of lack of help or poor initiative to do it right.

While trying to become more productive and save time on the job or at home, we often attempt to handle more than we are physically able. In the short term this appears to be of no harm, but we are setting the stage for a debilitating injury. Back injuries are caused by repeated stress and strain throughout one s̓ lifetime. The stress and strain creates many little “micro fractures” that scar joints and result in loss of elasticity and inability to bend.

A back injury is a direct result of poor lifting tech-niques. Your back consists of a series of muscles and bones, and contains your spinal chord and nerves, which pass signals from your brain to the many parts of your body. A pinched nerve due to a back injury is very painful. The spinal chord, an S-shaped bone structure with stacked bones and cushions (discs), is much like a jelly donut. As a personʼs back is injured, some of the “jelly” is removed. In time, as most of the jelly has exited, the bones rest directly on each other and grind away their substance. Then the pain increases.

Use Your Brain and Prevent a Strain

Use a fl at straight clear route (even if it is longer)

Move objects that you might trip over.

Clear the loading and unloading area.

Bend at your knees and keep your back vertical.

Grip with your hands, not your fi ngers.

Let your legs do the lifting work.

Lift your head and shoulders fi rst.

Do not twist as you lift or carry.

Back safety is not a question of strength; it is one of sensibil-ity and longevity. To protect our backs, we need to do it right all the time. So itʼs up to you to take care of your back.

Remember, you need your back pain free, at home, at work and at play.

8

WATTS, THE BROADEST LINE IN BACKFLOW PRE VEN TION...

offers as stan dard a double check valve assembly that can be mount ed in a meter box with test cocks & ac cess covers pointing up for ease of main te nance. Fully ap proved.

§ Top access - testing/main te nance§ One cover for all main te nance§ USC approved ori en ta tion§Replaceable seats§ Captured springs

For Improved Per for mance, True Line Size Valves!

Watts true line size valves give you exactly what you've want ed in back fl ow pre- ven ter valves: bet ter per for mance, smaller ven ter valves: bet ter per for mance, smaller size, light er weight and sig nifi -size, light er weight and sig nifi - cant ly in creased depend-ability. Unlike typ i cal "Y" pattern valves, true line size valves pro vide an even dis tri bu tion of fl ow, reduce wear on

BACKFLOW PRE VEN TION DIVISION

WATTSHouston offi ce 1-800-460-1940Dallas offi ce 1-800-568-5686

in ter nal parts and allow more dirt and debris to pass without caus ing failures. Avail able in three of our most pop u lar per for mance mod els, 007,

008 and 009, true line siz ing will forever change the way you forever change the way you

look at backfl ow look at backfl ow preventers.preventers.

9

Backfl ow Preventer & Water Meter Assembliesfor Fireline, Domestic, & Irrigation Water Ser vice

City Approved:Austin

Dallas/FWSan Antonio

HoustonCorpus ChristiCorpus Christi

Brownsville& More...

Other Products:Other Products:Grease/Lint TrapsGrease/Lint Traps

Oil-Water InterceptorsOil-Water InterceptorsAcid Neutralization Tanks

Wastewater TreatmentManholes/Catchbasins

Pump Lift StationsAboveGround Fuel Tanks

Water Storage/Break Tanks• Preassembled in Concrete Vault• Pre-Engineered & Pre-Tested• Certifi ed Brand Name Components• Saves Time, Labor, & $$$$• Immediate Delivery & Setting Service Throughout TexasService Throughout TexasService Throughout Texas

800-256-8041800-256-8041800-256-8041

“The Direct Connection” is published month ly and may be obtained by becoming a member of the ABPA-SA. Due “The Direct Connection” is published month ly and may be obtained by becoming a member of the ABPA-SA. Due “The Direct Connection”to the ex pens es as so ci at ed with printing and mailing, future edi tions will be mailed to mem bers only. Opin ions or facts within “The Direct Con nec tion” are not nec es sar i ly rep re sen ta tive of the opin ions of the American Backfl ow “The Direct Con nec tion” are not nec es sar i ly rep re sen ta tive of the opin ions of the American Backfl ow “The Direct Con nec tion”Pre ven tion Association and may or may not rep re sent an offi cial policy. Ad di tion al ly, the opinions or facts of con- trib u tors or ad ver tis ers may or may not rep re sent an offi cial policy.

Published by the ABPA-Region IV,Editor: Bruce Rathburn,Assistant Editor: Robert Stricker.Layout, Publishing & Circulation:Alamo Advertising - Fernando Galdeano

For further information about ABPA, contact:Bruce Rathburn3930 E. Houston(210) 704-1751

Gauge StolenGauge StolenGauge StolenGauge StolenSerial #240375

If you have information relating to the location of this gauge please contact704-7136

Backfl ow Trivia Answer: Not without direction given by the PAHJ on the process of replace or repair.

10

AMERICAN BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSOCIATION

NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION To join the American Backflow Prevention Association, simply fill out the membership application form and mail it with your check to the address listed below, or if paying by credit card you may fax the completed form to 979/846-7607. Annual dues for individual membership is $30.00. Local chapters have additional fees. Below is a listing of chapters by region. To find out if there is a local chapter in your area please review the chapter information on this web site or call the National Office at 979.846.7606. Membership in the Association constitutes paying National dues.

Name:_________________________________________________________________________________

Employer:______________________________________________________________________________

Address:_______________________________________________________________________________

City:_______________________________________State:_____________________Zip:_______________

Work phone:(____)____________________________Fax:(_____)_________________________________

E-mail address:__________________________________________________________________________

Local Chapter:__________________________________ Local Dues:_____________________

Total Amount Paid:______________________

Please make checks payable to: American Backflow Prevention Association, PO Box 3051, Bryan, TX 77805-3051. If paying by credit card include the following:

Credit Card No.:_______________________________________________Expiration Date:_____________

Name as it appears on the card:_______________________________________________

LOCAL CHAPTER DUES LISTED BY REGION: REGION 1 Maine New England Western New York Rhode Island REGION 2 Delaware Pennsylvania REGION 3 Carolinas Georgia Gold Coast Mississippi Tennessee REGION 4 Arkansas Corpus Christi Gulf Coast Lone Star

$18.00

8.00 13.00 18.00

$ 5.00 10.00

$10.00 28.00 10.00 25.00 20.00

$10.00 23.00 23.00 10.00

Lower Rio Grande Valley North Texas N.E. Louisiana Rio Grande Int. San Antonio

REGION 5 Colorado Utah

REGION 6 Arizona Central Coast Central Valley California Hawaii Silver State Southern Arizona Southern California REGION 7 Oregon Spokane

$15.00 23.00 20.00 15.00 20.00

$25.00 12.00

$10.00 10.00 10.00 23.00 23.00 23.00 15.00

$20.00 20.00

REGION 8 No Local REGION 9 New Brunswick Ontario REGION 10 Wisconsin REGION 11 Indiana Illinois Michigan Ohio REGION 12 Central Missouri Eastern Nebraska Heart of America Panhandle Western Nebraska

$16.00 50.00

$25.00

$5.00 23.00 37.00 10.00

$20.00 10.00 12.00 5.00 8.00

POST OFFICE BOX 3051 . BRYAN, TX 77805-3051 . 979-846-7606 . 979-846-7607 FAX 3829 OLD COLLEGE ROAD . BRYAN, TX 77801-4112 . www.abpa.org

11

WILKINSWILKINSWILKINSWILKINSWILKINS

SAN AN TO NIO STOCKSTOCKING:

1/4" thru 8" DCs & RPs (NRS & OSY Gates)

100s of devices...plus THE NEW TOP AC CESS/TOP REPAIR

WILKINS Dou ble Check. Why go to Dallas or Houston?

USE A SAN ANTONIO SOURCE. Save freight, time & money!

CMR, Inc. - mfrs. rep.4446 Centergate

San Antonio, Texas 78217(210) 654-8015fax: 654-1327

Model 950XL Top Access Double Check Valve Assembly

FINDING BACKFLOW REPAIR PARTS A PROB LEM??

BAVCOBACKFLOW AP PA RA TUS

&VALVE CO.

Call the partsparts ex perts

BE GUARANTEEDNO PROBLEMS

(800) 458-3492

RIGHT PARTS

RIGHT INFO

RIGHT NOW

✓ ✓

✓ ✓

✓ ✓

Here’s the best way

to keep for eign

substances

out of a

water sup ply sys tem.

U.S. made backfl ow preventers from Conbraco Industries make your job easier.

You get a complete selection for commercial, residential, and industrial applica-tions. Choose from sizes as small as 1/4 inch to as large as 8 inch. Select con- tin u ous pressure, RPZ, dual check, double check, and vac u um breaker devices.

Each Conbraco backfl ow pre ven tion device is engineered and manufactured with precision for worry-free performance.

You get tested, proven per form ers, conforming to AWWA, ASSE, LAPMO, and CSA spec i fi ca tions and designed to meet USC Research Foundation approval.

They're easy to install. Easy to maintain in line. Easy to fi eld test in line.

Our extensive distributor net work is ready to serve you anytime, anywhere. Call today for more technical information.

(704) 847-9191 FAX: (704) 847-4610

MANUFACTURERS REPRESENTATIVE

KNOX& ASSOCIATES

Houston (713) 462-7766GENE LAKE Wats 800-231-7191830-583-2448 Fax (713) 690-6228

707 Loma Vista Offi ce/WarehouseKenedy, Texas 78119 10002 Grover Houston, Texas 77041

Conbraco Industries, Inc.P.O. Box 247Matthews, NC 28106

ABPA - S.A. ChapterP.O. Box 17381San Antonio, TX 78217

M

AAD E

II N UU

SSA

AA

II UU

SS