BACKFLOW TESTER AND REPAIR EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS VERIFIED GRADED A+
Backflow
anything that causes the water to flow in the opposite direction; the reversal of the
normal direction of flow.
When does backflow occur?
whenever the pressure from the customer becomes greater than the pressure in the
public water distribution system.
Backsiphonage
backflow that occurs whenever a cross-connection exists and a negative or reduced
pressure is generated in the public water supply.
Cross-connection
an actual or potential connection between a potable water supply and any non-potable
substance or source.
Potable water
water that is chemically, biologically and radiologically safe and is aesthetically pleasing.
Non-potable water
any liquid, gas or other substance that can be diluted, dissolved, suspended or mixed in
water that adversely affects the quality of water
Examples of non-potable water
industrial water, well water and irrigation water
Air gap
,the unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest
opening from any opening or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other
device and the flood level of the receiving vessel.
Contaminant
any substance that when introduced into water can adversely affect human health.
Pollutant
any substance that when introduced into the water does not adversely affect human
health but does affect the aesthetic quality of the water.
Containment program
refers to placing of a backflow preventer just downstream of the water meter thereby
containing any contamination that may occur within a plumbing system to that system
and preventing the contamination from spreading to the water distribution piping.
Isolation program
refers to placing a backflow assembly at the point of use within the customer's plumbing
system.
American Water Works Association (AWWA)
recognizes that the water purveyor has the responsibility to provide customers at the
service connection with water that is safe under all foreseeable circumstances.
Who has the primary responsibility to prevent backflow?
Water purveyor
Where does the customer's responsibility begin?
at the point of delivery from the public water system and includes all of his/her plumbing
system.
, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
responsible for promulgating and enforcing laws, rules, regulations and policies to be
followed for an effective cross-connection control program.
Arkansas Department of Health Engineering Section
responsibility for promulgating and enforcing laws, rules, and policies to be followed for
an effective cross-connection control program.
Arkansas Department of Health Plumbing and Natural Gas
responsible for promulgating and enforcing laws, rules, regulations and policies to be
followed for preventing backflow within and from plumbing systems.
Examples of biological contaminants
bacteria, viruises, protozoan's and algae
Examples of chemical contaminants
mercury, arsenic and lead
Define inorganic compounds
metals or other compounds that do not contain carbon
University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control &
Hydraulic Research (USC FCCC & HR) sets what standards?
list of approved assemblies; conducts extensive lab test and field trials
American Water Works Association (AWWA) sets what standards?
Inspections
American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE) sets what standards?
testing and repair certifications; lab analysis, certifications
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) sets what standards?
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS VERIFIED GRADED A+
Backflow
anything that causes the water to flow in the opposite direction; the reversal of the
normal direction of flow.
When does backflow occur?
whenever the pressure from the customer becomes greater than the pressure in the
public water distribution system.
Backsiphonage
backflow that occurs whenever a cross-connection exists and a negative or reduced
pressure is generated in the public water supply.
Cross-connection
an actual or potential connection between a potable water supply and any non-potable
substance or source.
Potable water
water that is chemically, biologically and radiologically safe and is aesthetically pleasing.
Non-potable water
any liquid, gas or other substance that can be diluted, dissolved, suspended or mixed in
water that adversely affects the quality of water
Examples of non-potable water
industrial water, well water and irrigation water
Air gap
,the unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest
opening from any opening or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other
device and the flood level of the receiving vessel.
Contaminant
any substance that when introduced into water can adversely affect human health.
Pollutant
any substance that when introduced into the water does not adversely affect human
health but does affect the aesthetic quality of the water.
Containment program
refers to placing of a backflow preventer just downstream of the water meter thereby
containing any contamination that may occur within a plumbing system to that system
and preventing the contamination from spreading to the water distribution piping.
Isolation program
refers to placing a backflow assembly at the point of use within the customer's plumbing
system.
American Water Works Association (AWWA)
recognizes that the water purveyor has the responsibility to provide customers at the
service connection with water that is safe under all foreseeable circumstances.
Who has the primary responsibility to prevent backflow?
Water purveyor
Where does the customer's responsibility begin?
at the point of delivery from the public water system and includes all of his/her plumbing
system.
, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
responsible for promulgating and enforcing laws, rules, regulations and policies to be
followed for an effective cross-connection control program.
Arkansas Department of Health Engineering Section
responsibility for promulgating and enforcing laws, rules, and policies to be followed for
an effective cross-connection control program.
Arkansas Department of Health Plumbing and Natural Gas
responsible for promulgating and enforcing laws, rules, regulations and policies to be
followed for preventing backflow within and from plumbing systems.
Examples of biological contaminants
bacteria, viruises, protozoan's and algae
Examples of chemical contaminants
mercury, arsenic and lead
Define inorganic compounds
metals or other compounds that do not contain carbon
University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control &
Hydraulic Research (USC FCCC & HR) sets what standards?
list of approved assemblies; conducts extensive lab test and field trials
American Water Works Association (AWWA) sets what standards?
Inspections
American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE) sets what standards?
testing and repair certifications; lab analysis, certifications
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) sets what standards?
