What is a cross-connection?
Cross-connections are connections between drinking water and other water or fluids of unknown quality. When that occurs, the drinking water supply can become contaminated during a backflow condition.

Sarasota County’s backflow prevention program, required by the State of Florida, is designed to identify and prevent cross-connections.

A backflow preventer may be required if water or fluids of unknown quality co-exists on the same property with drinking water. Indirect cross-connections are made by garden hoses and temporary connections that may be connected for only a short time. Direct cross-connections are permanent hard pipe installations.

What is backflow?
Backflow is the backward flow of water through a pipe. The normal direction of water flow is from the utility water main into homes or businesses. The backflow of water from home plumbing systems into the community drinking water supply happens when water is pulled backward due to a pressure loss in the utility main pipe or pushed back by a pressure source like a well pump.

Back siphonage creates a vacuum as water drains toward the community water system. Water or fluid can be siphoned or pulled into the utility main water line.
Example: a garden hose with one end immersed in a pail of soapy water or a hose immersed in a swimming pool

Back pressure can develop when irrigation well pumps are connected to drinking water for pump priming or blending drinking water with well water to reduce a “rotten egg” odor or driveway staining.

Why are backflow preventers needed?
Backflow preventers are designed and installed to prevent the flow of water backwards through a pipe. Two commonly required backflow preventers are the Double Check Valve Assembly (DC) and the Reduced Pressure Zone Assembly (RP). Both of these protect your public utility drinking water system from backflow created by back siphonage and back pressure.

The RP backflow preventer is used to protect against potential health hazards such as sewage, medical fluids, and chemicals.

The double check or DC is used to protect the utility system from non-health hazards such as odor, color and taste. These include well water, swimming pool water or nontoxic industrial fluids such as dye or food products.

Who needs a backflow preventer?
Backflow preventers will be required if there exists an actual or potential hazard for a cross-connection. Some of these hazards include:

• Commercial and Residential Irrigation systems
• Fire sprinkler systems
• Medical facilities
• Processing plants
• Well, lake and reclaimed water sources

What is a backflow prevention program?
A progressive program required by the State of Florida since 1977, to detect and prevent possible sources of non-drinking water from entering your public utility drinking water system. Beginning in 2003, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has required all providers of public drinking water to implement these programs.

How can this contamination happen?
Contamination of drinking water is usually the result of cross-connections of piping between your drinking water and some other source such as irrigation well or pond. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) estimates over 100,000 cross-connections occur each day - half of these from garden hoses.

What is an indirect cross-connection?
This is a temporary cross-connection that may exist for a short time. A good example of an indirect cross-connection is a garden hose with the end of the hose submerged in a pail, sink, swimming pool or pesticide dispenser. Some people use the garden hose to flush out sewers and drain pipes.

If I have a well that is not connected to drinking water, do I still need a backflow preventer?
Yes. The State of Florida requires utility systems to have a program to detect and prevent cross-connections. Sarasota County Ordinance 89-19 requires a backflow prevention device for wells. Although your well may not be currently cross-connected, the potential still exists for a connection to occur during pump priming, maintenance or alteration of your irrigation pump and well.

Why does this backflow preventer need to be installed in front of my house?
To protect the community water system as much as possible and meet state requirements, the backflow preventer needs to be installed as close to the water meter as possible.

Can I cover or hide the backflow preventer?
Yes, there are several methods to cover and protect the backflow prevention assembly from weather, vandals and lawn mowing equipment.

Why do backflow preventers need to be tested every year?
The backflow preventer is a mechanical device that needs maintenance just like a car. The annual test indicates if the parts are working properly to protect your water supply.

My backflow preventer sometimes leaks water from a relief valve. Can I remove or plug the valve to prevent water loss?
The relief valve is installed to prevent water pressure from building up too high when the water in a water heater expands. The relief valve can be replaced with a small expansion tank that does not leak. Plugging or removing the relief valve, however, could cause damage to your water heater or plumbing.

What is the optional testing program?
This is a program approved by the Sarasota County Commission to give Utilities customers a more affordable method of complying with the sate-mandated Backflow Prevention Program. It gives customers the option to use one of several licensed plumbers who have contracted reduced group rates for Sarasota County customers.

What is the cost? (Private versus county program)
Sarasota County Commissioners approved the following rates on Aug. 28, 2007 for backflow testing, repair and replacement. If you participate in the optional testing program, these rates will be applied to your water bill. (See attached table)

Is the monthly fee temporary or permanent?
This depends on your choice to contract with a private plumber or participate in the county’s plan. Privately contracted plumber charges will vary, depending upon the plumber’s individual rates. Because testing is an annual requirement, these charges will continue on a monthly basis.

What is the $5 administrative fee for?
This fee was enacted to help pay for the paperwork necessary to process the current backflow prevention program and to help with costs to maintain the optional testing program.

Will the device be tagged when inspected?
Yes. A technician will attempt to contact you before the test, since the water will be turned off for a short time during the testing process. After the test is complete, a tag with an identifying number and year will be applied to your assembly. The number on the tag will identify your test history.

What if I don’t participate at all?
This is a statewide rule enacted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Customers who do not participate in the optional testing program have a maximum of 45 days beginning Nov. 1, 2007, to prove Sarasota County with acceptable backflow preventer test results from a licensed plumber. Non-compliance of the testing will result in automatic enrollment in the county’s optional testing program. A licensed contracter will test your backflow prevention assembly, and the county will apply charges to your next utility bill.

If I do nothing, will I be automatically enrolled?
You do not need to respond to this notice or take any action to participate in the new program. If you do not wish to participate, please prove a current copy of your backflow test results, along with the attached form (will attach as separate PDF) to the following address:

Sarasota County utilities
Douglas Bailey
1001 Sarasota Center Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34240

What is the pipe size?
Residential pipe sizes average.058, which is a 5/8-inch meter, or a ¾ inch backflow preventer. Some commercial backflow preventer devices may be larger, depending on the size of the commercial system.

I already have a backflow preventer device. Why did I receive a letter about the optional testing program?
To advise customers about the optional testing program. The intent of the optional program is to provide residents a more affordable option for paying for the program.

I had my backflow preventer device tested three months ago. Do I need to have it re-tested?
The optional program goes into effect Jan. 1, 2008. If you wish to participate in that program, your backflow preventer device will be tested again some time in 2008. If you choose not to participate, you may wait nine months before your next testing. However, that nine months will fall within 2008, so it may be advantageous for you to consider enrolling now.

If you have questions about backflow preventers or cross-connection control, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 861-5000 or e-mail us.