Backflow Program

In order to protect public health, federal and state laws require all water providers to meet certain standards to obtain, treat, and deliver water. Procedures enforced by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) require that all water providers establish a Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program (a ‘Program’). Generally, this includes establishing requirements for the installation of backflow assemblies or devices that prevent flows or back-siphonage from unwanted connections that may threaten public health. In brief, the TCEQ requires that all backflow devices or assemblies:

•    Must be tested upon installation and at least once annually or tri-annually. More testing may be required, depending on the health hazard.

•    Must receive a periodic Customer Service Inspection. These inspections are intended to identify and validate all device locations and their appropriateness and determine if additional devices are required.

The City of Snyder is required to protect the public drinking water supply from an alternate water source by an approved backflow assembly or a CSI. In order to comply with this law, Snyder City Council approved Ordinance 2046, which requires that a backflow assembly to be installed at the water meter and tested annually for services that propose a health hazard and tri-annually for non-health hazard services.

What is backflow?

Simply put, backflow means an undesirable reversal of flow in the water distribution system. Common causes for backflow are main pipeline breaks and high rates of water withdrawal, however these incidents can be avoided with the use of backflow prevention devices. The City of Snyder works hard to prevent backflow through ordinances requiring backflow prevention devices on home irrigation systems and at commercial businesses. Irrigation systems are required to have some sort of backflow prevention installed at the system’s source (where it connects to a drinking water supply). The backflow prevention assembly ensures that any substance on your lawn does not end up in your cup of coffee or glass of tea. Some substances that can enter the drinking water supply include pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers.

There are two types of backflow: 

•    Backpressure backflow, the pressure outside the water distribution system exceeds the pressure within the system. 

•    Back siphonage, potentially contaminated water flows back into the drinking water system. As a result, from the pressure in the drinking water system falling below atmospheric pressure of the plumbing fixtures.

For more information: Please call 325-573-4960. 

Simple Steps to Prevent Backflow:

Guard against cross connections. A garden hose is directly connected to the drinking water in a home and is the most common cross connection. When using a chemical sprayer that connects to a garden hose or filling a swimming pool, a Hose Bib Vacuum Breaker attached to your hose faucet is required. Hose Bib Vacuum Breakers are inexpensive, widely available and easily screw on to your hose faucet. 

Make sure a backflow prevention device is installed on your home sprinkler system. Common devices are a Double Check Valve Assemblies and Pressure Vacuum Breakers. If you decide to install a lawn sprinkler system on your property, make sure that the water from your sprinkler system cannot contaminate your drinking water. You are You are required to install an approved backflow prevention device to prevent possible contamination of the drinking water supply.

TCEQ-20700 Backflow Prevention Assembly Test and Maintenance Report Form