Compliance is mandatory

The city of Somerton has a Backflow Prevention plan for all commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-residential water services. This is under the Safe Drinking Water Act Public Law 99-339 Amendment of 1986, The State of AZ R18-4-215, and also adopted by the City of Somerton Ordinance No. 209 on December 7, 1993. 

A clean water supply is our responsibility

The City of Somerton Water Division is responsible for protecting the public water supply, which begins at the source, includes the entire water distribution system and service connections, and ends at the point of delivery to the consumer. The city requires backflow prevention devices to contain pollution sources. 

The City of Somerton Water Division is responsible for regulating the protection of the consumer's water system, which begins at the point of delivery from the supplier and includes all piping installations inside the consumer's premises. The required backflow devices isolate pollution sources within the building. 

Compliance is yours

Customers are responsible for providing backflow prevention devices and having them Inspected, tested, and repaired. Tests are required at installation and at least every twelve (12) months thereafter. Inspections, tests, and repairs of backflow devices are at the expense of the water customer and must be performed by a certified tester. 

Backflow Prevention Program
Backflow refers to any reversal of flow within a piping system. The City of Somerton's Water Division diligently upholds the high quality of our water until it reaches a customer's premises. However, once the water enters a customer's piping system, our division no longer controls its quality or usage. Allowing water to flow backward from a customer's piping into the distribution system poses a significant risk to the public water supply's safety and integrity.

Backflow can result from two distinct forces: backsiphonage and back pressure.

Backsiphonage occurs due to a sudden decrease in water pressure within the distribution system, often caused by events such as a water main break or a collision with a fire hydrant by a vehicle. This abrupt pressure drop creates a suction effect, capable of drawing water from your pipes and anything connected to them back into the distribution system.Tri-Folded_brochure-backsi

On the other hand, back pressure can lead to backflow when the pressure inside a boiler or other connected equipment surpasses that of the distribution system. Specific pressurized systems may contain substances like soap, acid, anti-freeze, or other undesirable materials, making backflow a potential hazard.
Tri-Folded_brochure0pressure

A cross-connection refers to any temporary or permanent link between potable (drinkable) water and another substance. An example of a temporary cross-connection is when a hose is attached to a faucet, with its opposite end immersed in the contents of a utility sink, swimming pool, car radiator, or industrial cooling system. Another instance could be a garden hose connected to an insecticide dispenser. Cross-connections pose a significant risk as they can compromise your plumbing system's built-in backflow prevention mechanisms, potentially leading to the backflow of harmful substances into your water supply.

It's crucial to address cross-connections and employ appropriate backflow prevention devices to prevent backflow effectively. For household applications, simple devices designed for hoses can suffice. However, more robust solutions are necessary for industrial, commercial, and multi-family settings. These may include:

  • Air Gap Separation
  • Double Check Valve
  • Reduced Pressure Double Check Valve
Selecting the correct type of protection hinges on the risk of backflow and the potential hazard it poses to the public water supply. By implementing these measures, we can ensure the integrity of our water systems and safeguard public health.
To ensure water safety, the City of Somerton mandates the installation of reduced-pressure backflow prevention assemblies on all water lines entering commercial buildings, industrial facilities, or multi-family residential buildi with more than three units. These devices must be situated inside the building unless adequately shielded from freezing temperatures by a hot box. Additionally, installations in pits or below grade level are strictly prohibited. Furthermore, fire lines must also have backflow prevention assemblies to maintain safety standards.

Backflow Form