Frequently Asked Questions

Typical households do not require backflow prevention assemblies.  Modern homes are designed in a fashion to inherently defend against backflow.  Many of the appliances in your home are already designed with air gaps and other methods of backflow prevention.  Most white collar business water demands also will not require a backflow, but restaurants for example likely will need a backflow prevention assembly.  Industrial users will nearly always require protection due to typical needs of these facilities.  If you would like to know more please contact the Public Utilities Coordinator.

Under normal circumstances, all backflow devices should not leak.  However, nearly all of them are designed to leak if certain conditions exist.  For example, a reduced pressure principle (RP) backflow device may leak intermittently.  This would indicate pressure fluctuations on either side of the line, and to some degree is normal behavior. However, if your backflow is leaking continuously, then you likely have a fouled check valve inside the assembly itself.  The solution may be as simple as cleaning the check valves, but new seals may be warranted.  

Do not attempt to repair the device yourself.  This must be done by a certified backflow tester.  Tests must be performed to ensure that the device is placed back in appropriate working order.

If you have more questions, please call:

Larry Miller   935-1533 ext. 131

Only licensed professionals may test and work on backflow prevention assemblies.  If you require testing or repair on a backflow prevention assembly, please contact a licensed backflow prevention assembly tester.

A backflow tester is an individual that has gone through rigorous training to be able to test and troubleshoot backflow prevention assemblies.  The City of Coalinga recognizes certifications from both the American Water Works Association(AWWA) and American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA).  A backflow tester should be able to show you his credentials should you ask for them.  Be sure the tester you are hiring holds one of these two credentials.  If they do not, the city will not recognize your test report as valid.

A water use survey is a full survey your facilities' points of water use to determine what level of backflow protection is required.  Each water use will be evaluated for its degree of hazard. This process is to ensure the health and safety of the entire water distribution system.