Sewer Backflow

Clean water is distributed to homes and offices in one direction under high pressure. The Drain-Vent-Waste (DVW) network removes wastewater from homes and buildings, through to the sanitary sewer and into the main municipal sewer line. Like the name suggests, sewer backflows occur when wastewater changes direction and backflows into the home. Also referred to as sewer backups, sewer backflows pose a major health threat if waste water back siphons into the clean water supply entering homes and offices. In the most shocking sewer backflow emergency ever recorded, 1500 people become ill and 98 persons died.

The one way direction of clean water supply is maintained by high water pressure that is released when we open indoor faucets. Water main breaks or firefighting operations can suddenly draw gallons of water and decrease the main water pressure below that of wastewater. Major drops in main water pressure can back siphon effluent into the fresh water supply, and re-enter local homes and buildings.

Backflow prevention devices (BPD) are our first line of defense against deadly sewer backflows. Should water pressure suddenly drop, BPDs discharge wastewater before re-entering homes and offices. To protect the public clean water supply, commercial alternate water sources are installed with backflow assemblies in the points of cross connection between potable and non-potable water. Once a year commercial plumbers are summoned to maintain, repair or replace backflow prevention devices. When the sewer lateral line that connects between homes and main sewer is broken or blocked, domestic sewer backflows can ruin walls, floors, ceilings and foundation. Installing residential BPDs will protect homes against sewer backflow damages.