Ensuring Water Safety with Comprehensive Backflow Prevention

Ensuring Water Safety: The Importance of Annual Backflow Prevention Inspections

In the fast-paced world of restaurants, maintaining the highest standards of food safety is non-negotiable. Among the myriad of health and safety measures, backflow prevention often goes unnoticed but is crucial for protecting the integrity of your water supply. Here's why annual inspections of backflow prevention devices are essential for restaurant owners, chefs, and general managers.

Understanding Cross-Connections and Backflow

A cross-connection in your plumbing system is where the potable (clean drinking) water supply meets a potential source of contamination. This can lead to backflow, a condition where contaminated water flows backward into the clean water supply, posing serious health risks.

There are two main types of Backflow:

• Back siphonage: Occurs when a vacuum is created in the water supply, drawing contaminants into the potable water system.

• Back Pressure: Happens when the pressure downstream is greater than the supply pressure, forcing contaminants into the potable water.

Both situations can introduce harmful substances into your kitchen's water supply, leading to foodborne illnesses and compromising the safety of your restaurant.

Preventing Cross-Connections

The best way to prevent cross-connections is through proper installation and maintenance of backflow prevention devices. Here are key methods:

• Air Gaps: A physical separation between the potable and non-potable water systems. The air gap should be twice the diameter of the supply pipe but not less than one inch. This method is simple yet highly effective.

• Backflow Prevention Devices: These include vacuum breakers and other devices designed to prevent contaminants from entering the clean water supply. All water supply lines, including those connected to faucets, beverage-dispensing machines, and ice machines, must have an air gap or a backflow prevention device.

What is a Backflow Preventer & How Do You Know if It’s Working?

A backflow preventer is a device installed in the water pipes at each cross-connection point to ensure water only flows in one direction, preventing contamination due to backflow. It is critical to ensure these devices are in working order to protect your customers, staff, and community.

What Happens if Your Commercial Backflow Preventer Stops Working?

If a backflow preventer fails, contaminants can flow back into the clean water supply, leading to:

• Contamination of Public Drinking Water: Substances like dirty water from sinks, dishwashers, and chemical cleaning agents can enter the community’s water supply, potentially causing illnesses.

• Pollution of Restaurant’s Potable Water Systems: Contaminated water can infiltrate drinking water sources, beverage systems, sinks, and kitchen areas, directly threatening the health of customers and staff.

How to Tell if You Have a Backflow Problem

Signs of backflow issues include:

• Cloudy, muddy, or strange-looking/smelling/tasting water

• Reduced water pressure

• Outbreaks of illness among staff or customers

Regular inspections by certified technicians are essential to identify and address any problems promptly.

When Does Your Backflow Preventer Need to be Tested?

Testing requirements vary by region but typically include:

• Testing upon installation by a licensed plumber

• Annual inspections by a certified backflow prevention inspector

• Inspections after any repair, replacement, or relocation of the backflow prevention assembly

Legal Requirements for Backflow Prevention in Calgary

In Calgary, Alberta, installing and maintaining backflow preventers in commercial establishments, particularly restaurants, is mandated by law. These regulations are in place to safeguard public health and prevent the cross-contamination of the water supply. For more details, you can refer to page 30 of the Calgary Water Utility Bylaw. Non-compliance can result in significant fines and potential closure of the business.

Backflow Preventers Maintenance and Testing by Dealtwith Restaurant Solutions

Regular maintenance and annual testing of backflow preventers are essential to ensure they function correctly. Dealtwith Restaurant Solutions specializes in the installation, testing, and repair of backflow preventers. Certified technicians are knowledgeable about local codes and can help your restaurant stay compliant and safe.

Your Partner in Keeping Calgary's Water Safe

Dealtwith Restaurant Solutions understands the critical importance of maintaining a safe and hygienic environment in your restaurant. Providing comprehensive backflow prevention inspection services to commercial spaces across Calgary, Dealtwith ensures your establishment complies with local health and safety regulations, helping you protect your business, your customers, and the community's water supply.

Why Backflow Prevention is Essential for Your Restaurant

Backflow occurs when the normal flow of water reverses direction, potentially contaminating the public water supply with hazardous substances. This can pose serious health risks and lead to violations of health codes. Dealtwith’s annual backflow prevention inspection service ensures your restaurant's plumbing systems are functioning correctly, safeguarding against contamination and ensuring compliance with Calgary's water safety regulations.

Backflow Prevention Inspection Services Include:

• Comprehensive Inspection: A thorough examination of your restaurant's backflow prevention system by experienced and certified professionals.

• Certification and Reporting: Issuance of a detailed report and certification upon the successful inspection of your backflow system, as required by Calgary bylaws.

• Repairs and Maintenance: Should any issues be identified during the inspection, Dealtwith offers repair and maintenance services to address them promptly, ensuring minimal disruption to your operations.

• Education and Support: Guidance on maintaining your backflow prevention system and tips for preventing future issues.

Why Choose Dealtwith for Your Backflow Inspection Needs?

• Expertise in the Restaurant Industry: With over 20 years of experience in hospitality, Dealtwith understands the unique needs and challenges of restaurants.

• Certified and Skilled Technicians: The team is equipped with the knowledge and tools to perform thorough inspections and repairs.

• Commitment to Safety and Compliance: Dealtwith prioritizes your establishment's safety and compliance with local regulations.

• Personalized Service: Dealtwith values building strong relationships with clients, offering customized solutions to meet specific needs.

• Proprietary App for Device Inventory: Dealtwith inventories your backflow devices in our proprietary app, keeping records readily accessible. A simple glance at the app provides a list of your backflow equipment, the date of the last test, and when the next test is due. The app also tracks the history of repairs, ensuring you have all the information you need at your fingertips.

What Does It Cost to Have Your Backflow Devices Tested Annually?

The cost of annual backflow device testing can vary based on several factors, including the number of devices, the complexity of the plumbing system, and the specific requirements of your establishment. For a regular-sized restaurant, the cost is typically $195 per year for the first unit, which is often the only unit needed. For additional devices, the cost is $95 per unit. In the event of a failed test, the repair would be quoted at current plumbing rates. This investment not only ensures compliance with local regulations but also protects your business from potential health hazards and costly fines. Contact Dealtwith Restaurant Solutions for a tailored quote and to learn more about our comprehensive backflow prevention services.

Conclusion

Don't wait until it's too late to ensure your restaurant's backflow prevention system is up to code. Contact Dealtwith Restaurant Solutions today to schedule your annual inspection and take a proactive step towards safeguarding Calgary's water supply and your business's reputation.

Last updated June 1, 2024