Automatic Lawn Sprinklers - Maintenance - Repairs - Installations

A backflow prevention valve on a lawn sprinkler or drip irrigation system can come in many types and brands. Each device offers an additional level of protection against the possible chance of the irrigation water from backing up into and contaminating your domestic drinking (potable) water. Many city and town water departments and water authorities mandate that specific backflow preventers are installed on every water service/ supply line to an underground irrigation system. This is also true for a drip irrigation system, garden irrigation system or any water service line that could have a potential chance of contamination with irrigation water.

A backflow preventor helps prevent your irrigation water from ever backing up and siphoning into the main water supply. Fertilizer, weed killers, pesticides and pet waste have the potential chance of entering the water supply through your irrigation system. This backflow test ensures that your backflow preventor is working properly to eliminate this possible hazard.

Pacific Lawn Sprinklers' trained technicians are licensed and certified to perform a backflow test for you. In addition, we will file all of the necessary paperwork with your water company. For your convenience, we can perform a backflow test along with your spring start up, sprinkler inspection or wet check or fall winterization, you just simply have to let us know!

The DIY lawn sprinkler installer, the landscaper or a handyman is not properly trained or licensed to test the proper backflow preventer that will protect your home and family. Not only must they be licensed and file the proper permits and provide the mandatory "Backflow Preventer Performance Test" forms but they may unintentionally create a cross connection that could be potentially dangerous or even lethal.

Some of the most common backflow preventers are listed below in their order of potential hazard levels. The lower the hazard the less likely the possibility of contamination.

1. Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (also known as)- ASV valve - This is lowest level of prevention and is required only when the degree of potential contamination is at its lowest.
2. Pressurized Vacuum Breaker (also known as) - PVB valve - This is usually required for most residential lawn sprinkler installations in New York City, areas of Westchester County, New Jersey and Connecticut.
3. Double check (also known as) - a DCV assembly - This device is required by certain water authorities in Nassau County, Westchester County and Suffolk County
4. Reduced Pressure Zone Valve (also known as) - RPZ valve - This device is the highest level of backflow prevention available. It is extremely expensive and is usually required on commercial lawn sprinkler installations. But in certain areas of Westchester and Connecticut it is required on specific residential lawn sprinkler system installations.

FEBCO Backflow Prevention Products	APOLLO Backflow Preventers	WATTS Backflow Prevention	CONBRACO Cross Connection Devices