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Information
> Backflow Information
Backflow protection is required when using EZ-FLO proportioning
systems.
This page discuss the minimum levels of backflow protections required when using EZ-FLO.
According to the American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA), “Backflow is the undesirable reversal of flow of non-potable water (irrigation water or other treated water) through a cross-connection and into the piping of a public water system or consumer's potable (drinking water) system. There are two types of backflow... backpressure backflow and backsiphonage.
Backpressure backflow is backflow caused by a downstream
pressure that is greater than the upstream or supply pressure in a public water
system or consumer's potable water system. Backpressure (i.e., downstream
pressure that is greater than the potable water supply pressure) can result from
an increase in downstream pressure, a reduction in the potable water supply
pressure, or a combination of both. Increases in downstream pressure can be
created by pumps, temperature increases in boilers, etc. Reductions in potable
water supply pressure occur whenever the amount of water being used exceeds the
amount of water being supplied, such as during water line flushing, fire
fighting, or breaks in water mains.
Backsiphonage is backflow caused by a negative pressure (i.e., a vacuum ~ or partial vacuum) in a Public water system or consumer's potable water system. The effect is similar to drinking water through a straw. Backsiphonage can occur when there is a stoppage of water supply due to nearby fire fighting, a break in a water main, etc.”
To protect a potable water systems from potential contamination, almost all local plumbing and building codes require irrigation systems to be equipped with a proper backflow prevention device to isolate it from the property owner’s drinking water source. In addition to having such a device on all systems upstream from an EZ-FLO fertigation unit, EZ-FLO has also designed in additional backflow prevention into our units.
Backflow Prevention Devices
There are a number of backflow prevention devices, but only two can be used with a EZ-FLO main-line system; an RPZ (Reduced Pressure Zone) or a PVB (Pressure Vacuum Breaker).
For the EZ-FLO hose and Drip units attached to a water faucet (bib), the minimum backflow prevention device is an anti-siphon valve (ASV) upstream from the hose bib connection point.
All EZ-FLO installations, main-line or hose and drip, must have the appropriate backflow prevention device installed.
According to the ABPA, “An RP is a mechanical backflow
preventer that consists of two independently acting, spring-loaded check valves
with a hydraulically operating, mechanically independent, spring-loaded pressure
differential relief valve between the check valves and below the first check
valve. It includes shutoff valves at each end of the assembly and is equipped
with test cocks. An RP is effective against backpressure backflow and backsiphonage and may be used to isolate health or non-health hazards.
A PVB is a mechanical backflow preventer that consists of an
independently acting, spring-loaded check valve and an independently acting,
spring-loaded, air inlet valve on the discharge side of the check valve. It
includes shutoff valves at each end of the assembly and is equipped with test
cocks. A PVB may be used to isolate health or non-health hazards but is
effective against backsiphonage only.”
-ABPA Website
PVBs are not appropriate for hilly landscapes where there are irrigation zones with elevations higher than the PVB installation since it will not protect against backpressure. An RP should be used in these conditions.
Review of EZ-FLO Systems by National Standards Setting Body
We submitted our fertigation system to the University of Southern California’s – Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research to determine the minimum backflow protection needed when using our units. This organization is responsible for testing and approving backflow prevention devices and is considered one of the foremost authorities on the subject of backflow. All major backflow prevention device manufacturers submit their backflow prevention devices to the Foundation for approval and certification.
In a letter dated May 14, 2004, the Foundation has determined that our systems are classified as aspiration devices. Although our fertigation systems are sometimes termed “injection” devices, they actually are not an "injector" in the technical sense of the word because they operate under ambient water pressure present in the irrigation system and cannot add any additional backpressure to the system like true injectors. As such the Foundation has determined the minimum backflow prevention device that may be used is a Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB). Of course it is also acceptable to use a more protective device such as a Reduced Pressure-High Hazard Zone (RP) backflow preventer if required by local code. Therefore there are two backflow prevention devices that are acceptable in use with an EZ-FLO Main Line system according to the Foundation, both an RP or a PVB.
Follow all local codes when installing an EZ-FLO unit or any other fertigation device!
Additional Protection Engineered into an EZ-FLO Fertigation Device
Even if a backflow condition were to occur in an irrigation system and the backflow prevention device failed, an EZ-FLO unit is designed to air-lock when flow reverses through the unit. At most, there will be up to 1/8 of a teaspoon of fertilizer that can be introduced in the inlet side of the water line before the unit stops proportioning. This means that only that amount and the already diluted amount in the irrigation lines could backflow.
Since EZ-FLO units main-line proportion at a maximum rate of 400 to 1 on the fast setting (15,000 to 1 on the slow setting) even if the residual of nutrient laden irrigation water in the irrigation system were to backflow, the concentration level of fertilizer or supplements in the main line water is so small that it presents only a miniscule risk. This of course assumes that the primary backflow prevention device has also failed, which is highly unlikely. Of course we recommend that only non-hazardous fertilizers and supplements be used with our systems, further reducing the risk for contamination
EZ-FLO knows of no situation in its corporate history where the backflow prevention device has failed where there has been backflow contamination with one of our devices. A copy of the University of Southern California-Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research letter is available upon request.
If you have any question about backflow prevention and the EZ-FLO fertigation units, please call Dan Gilmore, Chairman, at (916) 652-7748 or Contact Us for more information. We have presented our systems to many governmental authorities concerned with backflow prevention and we have been able to help educate them on the issue of backflow prevention when using fertigation and why it need not be a major concern when proper backflow prevention controls are in place.
This is especially true in light of the real risks to the environment through the overuse of traditional broadcast granular fertilizers and pesticides that are eliminated or drastically reduced when using an EZ-FLO fertigation system. Most governmental entities appreciate learning more about the potential reduction in fertilizer needed since they are also responsible for reducing Non Point Source Pollution and for reducing water usage.
For more information on significant negative effects from fertilizer runoff and from pesticide use and how you can the reduce the amount of fertilizer applied when using EZ-FLO fertigation, see our Whitepaper.