The Direct Connection

A newsletter dedicated to Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention- www.abpa-sa.orgMarch 2006 Vol. 16 Issue 3

Preventing Backflow is Good-Bad on Gardening

January 29, 2006

by Tony BertauskiThe Post and CourierPermission to reprint article

Some things in life are a good-bad thing. Take my dentist, for instance. She keeps my teeth fixed and cavities filled, but then she sticks a needle into my gums and doesnʼt let me spit when I have to. Itʼs the price I pay for good teeth.

Another good-bad thing is backflow prevention on irrigation systems. It would seem that an irrigation system is plenty easy, just hook some pipes up to your water line and turn them on. However, this set-up creates a cross-con-nection, which could potentially pollute or contaminate the integrity of potable water. Your potable water supply, which is water fit to drink, is now connected to a source of contamination. Fertilizer and pesticides can collect around a sprinkler, and if backflow should occur these contaminants can be sucked back through the pipes and into the potable water supply. Thatʼs not a good-bad thing, itʼs all bad.

Backflow is the reversal of the normal direction flow of water. One way this phenomenon can happen is backsi-phonage. If youʼve ever cleaned a fish tank, you know all you need is a hose filled with water with the fish tank higher than the bucket. As long as air doesnʼt get into the hose, gravity and vacuum draws the water out of the tank.

Hereʼs another example. Say you have one of those really old claw-foot, porcelain bathtubs with the faucet below the rim. Youʼre soaking in the tub, letting the water run, and fall asleep. The water level gets above the faucet at the same time a construction crew breaks the city water main. Now there s̓ a reversal of water flow out the water main, and is siphons all the dirty water out of your bathtub back into the water lines. They stop the leak and patch the pipe. Now when you turn on the sink, youʼre going to get yummy glass of bathwater.

A more serious example is when youʼre filling a pesticide sprayer and leave the garden hose submerged in the tank when thereʼs backflow. Youʼll be sucking Round-up into your house (by the way, a $7 hose-bib vacuum breaker can be attached to your faucet to prevent this).

continued on page 9

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March Meeting DetailsMeetings of the San Antonio Chapter ABPA are usu-ally held the second Thursday of every month except December. -Dinner and refreshments are served at 6:00 p.m. sharp with the meeting starting at 6:30.The next meeting is:

Date: Thursday, March 9, 2006Time: 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.Location: 6425 Evers Rd. (Leon Valley Community Center)Program: TCEQ Brannon Chatham and Gene Reagan TTIAMeal: Provided by Longhorn Pipe and Supply

No alcoholic beverages allowed by Leon Valley

FutureMeetings: TBA

No alcoholic beverages allowed by Leon Valley

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

4:45 - 5:15 pm Directorʼs Meeting

5:15 – 6:00 pm Meal

6:00 – 6:30 pm Business Meeting President Bruce Pearson Presiding

Training Schedule6:30-8:30pm- Presentation

Call our valve specialists with any questions!

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Backflow Trivia:

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Directorʼs Meeting March Agenda

5:00-5:20 pm General discussions, quorum5:20 pm Call Meeting to Order5:21 pm Reading and acceptance of the Minutes of

the February Meeting.5:25 pm Treasurerʼs Report followed by comments,

questions, acceptance.5:30 pm Supply Officerʼs 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 Committee Education to the Public5:59 pm Directorʼs Meeting Adjourns6:00pm Meal is served6:30pm General Meeting and Program8:30pm Ajourn

Tester WantedCurrent BPAT and Plumbing License Required.

Send Resumé To: 1662 Encino Rio Suite 105-101 San Antonio, TX 78259-1826

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Contʼd on Page 7

Safety Tip

Dogs Really are Man’s (and Woman’s) Best Friend

When you think of the many hazards that may be encountered when working on a customer’s premises, one of the first that comes to mind is a dog. Take steps to protect yourself before entering the premises and while working there.

Entering the Customer’s Premises: Before you enter the customer’s premises, contact the resident to find out if there is a dog in the yard and, if there is, ask about the dog’s tempera-ment. Whenever possible, have the owner confine the dog in a fenced area or indoors while you are on the premises. Before you enter the area, be sure the dog is confined or that the owner can handle the dog. When talking to a customer through a stormdoor, hold your foot on the door; a dog jumping against the door could open it. If you must enter a yard when the resident is not home, look for signs of a dog, such as a doghouse, rope or chain, dog drop-pings, prints in dirt areas, scratches on the door, or warning signs posted by the customer. Knock or rattle the gate; if a dog appears, determine what sort of temperament it has.

How to Approach a Strange Dog: Observe the dog’s body language. In an aggressive stance, the hair on the back or near the tail is raised, the tail is held high and wagged stiffly, and fangs are bared. Signs of friendliness include a tail wagging in broad sweeps or in a hori-zontal position. A timid dog will hold its tail down, sometimes between its back legs. The dog may approach in a semicrouch. Do not make any sudden moves around a timid dog. Speak in a quiet, calm, friendly manner and let the dog come to you. Never force your attention on a dog. Extend the back of your hand to the dog. This is a sign of friendliness. Be extremely careful around a dog that is tied or chained. As a rule, a restricted dog is an aggressive dog. Most dogs are loyal and protective; however if they feel their territory or owners are threat-ened, they can become very aggressive. Exercise extreme caution when approaching a dog that is eating, chewing a bone, playing with young children, or caring for newborn puppies.

If You Are Attacked: If a dog attacks you, do whatever you must to protect yourself. Try to get something between you and the dog to act as a barricade and break the dog’s visual con-tact.

Don’t face the dog squarely, but take a position at a right angle to the dog. Extend an arm as a target, and prepare to retract it quickly should the dog lunge at you. If the dog will go for it, offer it your notebook, flashlight, hard-hat, or anything else you have handy. This may give you enough time to escape. Try picking up a stick or stone, or simply act like you are reaching for something. It is not always necessary to throw something; sometimes pretend-ing works as well. As a last resort, try to knee or kick at the attacking dog. The areas that are most vulnerable are the nose, throat, and rib cage. Remember, you are attempting to protect yourself, not injure or kill a customer’s dog.

7

Contʼd from Page 6

The Latest…March Happenings

We are definitely beginning to see the sites and sounds of spring all around us at this time. This promises to be an interesting warm and hot season if we get no rain in the next few months. We all will realize possible wa-ter restrictions that most certainly will placed on our community if it remains dry. Letʼs all be reminded of those things that we can do to help conserve our water resources and continue to educate others as well in our daily travels.

This also brings another thought to mind in that we should all take a few minutes to perform, a water use survey whether we are called to a sight or repair, test, or inspect. Whether it is an annual test on a backflow pre-venter or the repair of an existing water or wastewater utility line, take just a few minutes to insure that all water using equipment on the site is properly protected and that the site has containment if necessary. This is a health and safety issue and owners and site managers depend on our expertise to not only know but to also keep them informed about the facilities that they operate.

We have some excellent speakers lined up for this month from TCEQ and former TCEQ staff. You do not wonʼt to miss this meeting for we will hear about new possible changes for backflow prevention and also the licensing requirements for irrigators.

Also letʼs not forget to register and attend the international conference and trade show in April the 10-12th. with the opening social on the night of the 9th. This conference promises to be one of the best from the training perspective that has been offered for some time with special emphasis on irrigation as well as plumbing, recycle water, and legionella just to name a few.

See you at that the next meeting.

Bruce E. Pearson ABPA-SA Chapter President

You may wish to use dog repellant. However, donʼt try this if you are upwind of the dog; you may hurt yourself and give the dog an advantage if you temporary blind yourself or get the repellant in you mouth.

Never run away from a dog, except as a last resort.

Summary: Be alert and observant to avoid surprises. Determine the demeanor of the dog confronting you, and act accordingly. Always carry dog repellant, and never turn your back on a dog. Act confident when you are around dogs. If you are bitten, seek medical attention and report the injury to your supervisor. If you injure a customer’s dog, report if to your supervisor.

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ABPA-SA CHAPTER

2005 - 2006

BOARD MEMBERS

1) President - Bruce Pearson

2) 1st Vice President – Greg Shean

3) 2nd Vice President – Mark Ochoa 4) Treasurer - Jeff Hoffman

5) Secretary - Scott Okland

6) SGT-AT-ARMS – Dan Fernandez & Gilbert Palomino

7) Supply Officer - Troy Baird

8) Public Relations/ Speakers/ Program Topics – Manny Hernandez

DIRECTORS AT LARGE

1) Mike Aldrup*2) Fred Baird**3) David Hadley*4) Gauge Testing and Certification - Bill Hamrick (Parliamentarian)**5) Jim Holt*6) Jorge Lopez**7) Jim Mabry*8) Jeff Meeks**9) Carl Michaud*10) Region 4 Director, ABPA-USA - Bruce Rathburn**11) Ron Renouf*12) Honorary - Bill Sahm13) Johnnie Ivy, Jr.**14) Frank Snyder*15) Robert Stricker **16) David Trousdale* 17) Webmaster - Matthew Wilgen**

NOTE: If the director has one * next to their name it means their term is good for one year, if two ** it means term is good for two years.

NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE

EDITOR BRUCE RATHBURNASST. EDITOR ALL BOARD MEMBERS (assigned monthly duty)

9

In both of these examples, all thatʼs needed to stop the bathwater and pesticides from being sucked into the water supply is air to break the vacuum. But thereʼs another type of backflow called backpressure. This occurs when wa-ter is forced back through the pipes. Elevation creates pressure. Every foot of elevation creates about half a pound of water pressure (0.433 PSI to be exact). Thatʼs the whole science of water towers - once water is pumped up into the tower, gravity provides free pressure. With backpressure, contaminants will flow back through the pipes until something stops it, whether air is introduced or not. In this case there needs to be a check valve, or what we call a backflow prevention assembly.

In the Charleston Water System service area (formerly the CPW, or Charleston Commissioners of Public Works, which serves about 430,000 customers), there are only two types of backflow-prevention assemblies recognized for lawn irrigation sprinkler systems: Reduced Pressure Principle assembly (RP) and a Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB). Hereʼs the good thing about backflow prevention assemblies: When properly installed, they both will pre-vent the potable water supply from being contaminated.

Hereʼs what many people consider the bad. Both of these components need to be installed above ground with cop-per pipe. The RP is required to be at least 12 inches above ground. The PVB has to be installed 12 inches above the highest sprinkler in the system because it is not equipped to handle backpressure. If the highest sprinkler is 10 feet above a PVB, there will be about 5 pounds of backpressure should backflow occur. Now you have an unsight-ly copper thing sticking up in your yard. You can hide it with shrubs or cover it with one of those fake rocks, but either way, donʼt forget to insulate it when freezing temperatures get here or youʼll end up with a leak.

In order to ensure the protection for everyone connected to the water supply, it is a plumbing code requirement and a CWS ordinance to have a backflow prevention assembly installed and maintained on your irrigation system. The Cross-Connection Control Program here in the Lowcountry is considered a benchmark that other programs follow.

You also are required to have a certified backflow prevention assembly tester to check it every year to be sure it is working properly. To get a list of CWS certified testers or answer any other backflow-related questions, call CWS Cross-Connection manager Dale Strong at 727-6981.

One more good-bad thing. Dentists used to give us jewelry after a teeth cleaning. I loved those things, even if they turned our fingers green.

Tony Bertauski is a horticulture instructor at Trident Technical College.

Web Page: http://www.charleston.net/stories/?newsID=67717&section=garden

continued from page 1

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Chris, with American Automatic Sprinklers, recently had his van broken into and his testing device stolen. Backflow Testing Brand: Midwest, Serial number 225219. His telephone number is 789-1225, please contact him if you have any further questions.

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“The Direct Connection” is published monthly and may be obtained by becoming a member of the ABPA-SA. Due to the expenses associated with printing and mailing, future editions will be mailed to members only. Opinions or facts within “The Direct Connection” are not necessarily representative of the opinions of the American Backflow Prevention Association and may or may not represent an official policy. Additionally, the opinions or facts of con-tributors or advertisers may or may not represent an official policy.

Published by the ABPA-Region IV,Editor: Bruce Rathburn,Assistant Editor: Robert Stricker.

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

Gauge StolenSerial #240375

If you have information relating to the location of this gauge please contact

704-7136

Backflow Trivia Answer:

Normally a test due notice is sent to the customer requesting the test, this document should provide the information that will allow the tester to get the T&M to the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

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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 theAssociation 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, TX77805-3051. 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 MaineNew EnglandWestern New YorkRhode IslandREGION 2 DelawarePennsylvaniaREGION 3 CarolinasGeorgiaGold Coast MississippiTennesseeREGION 4 ArkansasCorpus Christi Gulf CoastLone Star

$18.008.00

13.0018.00

$ 5.00 10.00

$10.0028.0010.0025.0020.00

$10.0023.0023.0010.00

Lower Rio Grande ValleyNorth TexasN.E. LouisianaRio Grande Int. San AntonioREGION 5ColoradoUtahREGION 6ArizonaCentral Coast Central Valley CaliforniaHawaiiSilver State Southern ArizonaSouthern CaliforniaREGION 7 OregonSpokane

$15.0023.0020.0015.0020.00

$25.0012.00

$10.0010.0010.0023.0023.0023.0015.00

$20.0020.00

REGION 8 No LocalREGION 9 New BrunswickOntarioREGION 10 WisconsinREGION 11 IndianaIllinoisMichiganOhioREGION 12 Central MissouriEastern NebraskaHeart of AmericaPanhandleWestern Nebraska

$16.0050.00

$25.00

$5.0023.0037.0010.00

$20.0010.0012.005.008.00

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

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