BACKFLOW PREVENTION TEST REPORTS - Australian Institute of ...

Backflow Members Newsletter October 2004
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
It is very exciting to hear that our members want more input in regards to sharing
workplace experiences and writing technical papers. The members survey,
although not responded to by all, proved to us that your interest in the industry,
experience and knowledge will benefit all backflow members and help develop a
greater communication between us. Please send any information you would like
presented to emma@airah.org.au.
MEMBERSHIP
We always welcome new members, so if you meet other interested people (or even those that are not
so interested) who will benefit from backflow prevention knowledge, please encourage them to join.
I would ask your input with any ideas for promoting backflow prevention, news items or stories that
we can share with our members. If you have the story we can have someone write it for you.
Call Emma on 03 8623 3003 if you have any suggestions or know someone.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION TEST REPORTS
Yarra Valley Water recently issued a letter to testers that have lodged test reports with them, advising
to please continue to forward annual test reports for containment backfow prevention devices to
Backflow Prevention Project Co-ordinator, Connections
Yarra Valley Water Limited
Private Bag 1
Mitcham VIC 3132
In addition they advise that they intend recording failures as well as passed test reports, therefore
they request that the reports indicate when the device fails and passes. Where there is a delay in the
repair of the failed device, two reports should be forwarded. If you have any history of device failures
please inform them.
Damian Kipouridis, backflow prevention co-ordinator, can be contacted on 03 9872 1637 to answer
any questions about their program.
All water authorities should be informed of device failures and repairs required.
Reminder
We believe it is timely to remind you that BPD test equipment must be tested annually and details of
the equipment used for a test should be included on the test report form.
Please note that some authorities may not accept your test report if it does not indicate that the
equipment has current certification.
To assist members we can supply names of testing agencies that can carry out the certification as
required by the Australian standards. For further details contact AIRAH.

HOT NEWS
Backflow Web Site
The backflow prevention special interest group is now revamped and well worth a look at
www.airah.org,au . You can also get there via www.bpaa.com.au
Orders can be made online for backflow test tags, inspection booklets and other publications.
New Plumbing Regulation
The Victorian Government has recently passed through Parliament the Plumbing (Water and Energy
Savings) Regulation 2004, Statutory Rule # 79/2004.
These new regulations are in addition to the existing Plumbing Regulations 1998 Statutory Rule
#148/1998 that call up Australian/New Zealand Standards AS/NZS 3500 – 2003, Plumbing and
Drainage Code.
The new regulations relate to:
Water supply flow rates ( Limiting pressure to 500kpa)
Rainwater tanks
Solar water heaters
These sections have reference to the use of backflow prevention devices and therefore all members
should obtain a copy from Information Victoria.
To obtain your copy contact Information Victoria ( 356 Collins Street, Melbourne)
1300 366 356 or by fax 03 9603 9920.
Plumbing and Mechanical Connection
The spring quarter September 2004 magazine has several articles on backflow prevention. Of
particular note is the one by member John Mulvey titled Backflow the risk is there.
It is well worth a read as he provides several examples of cross connections and incidents that have
been very serious.
FEEDBACK WANTED
Currently Yarra Valley Water is issuing annual test notices with the due test date as the date of first
test, even if the device was tested on a different date previously.
Is this a problem for members?
A member has raised this issue as a problem, what is your view?
FIRE SERVICES AND BACKFLOW PREVENTION
This year one Melbourne water company has had two incidents where repairs to a burst water main
were prevented as the flow of water in the pipe did not stop. This was due to the nearby factory
having fire services that provide alternate supply and the old non-return valves not shutting off. Water
was able to flow from the adjoining street’s water main through the fire service to the burst. The water
company staff checked valves and the adjoining properties services to try and stop the flow of water.
If the valves were serviced regularly or replaced with backflow prevention devices then such incidents
would not occur. The two companies have been directed by the water company to upgrade the valves
in accordance with AS/NZS 3500. 1:2003.

JUST FOR FUN!
A Day Off!!!
A 1 st year apprentice asks his boss, Mr Plumb-Right for a day off.
“So you want a day off. Let’s take a look at what you are asking for: There are 365 days per year
available for work. There are 52 weeks per year in which you already have two days off per week,
leaving 261 days available for work.
Since you spend 16 hours each day away from work, you have used up 170 days, leaving only 91
days available. You spend 30 minutes each day on coffee break which counts for 23 days each year,
leaving only 68 days available. With a one hour lunch each day, you used up another 46 days,
leaving only 22 days available for work.
You normally spend two days per year on sick leave. This leaves you only 20 days per year available
for work. We are off five holidays per year, so your available working time is down to 15 days. We
generously give 14 days vacation per year which leaves only one day available for work and I’ll be
damned if you are going to take that off!
Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute Site Visit Report
On September 30 th , AIRAH Geelong organised a site visit to the new Marine and Freshwater
Resources Institute facility in Queenscliff. The visit was open to all AIRAH members, including the
Backflow special interest group. The MAFRI facility has been constructed over the past 18 months
and is programmed to be fully operational in late November this year. The tour was hosted by Mr
John Barry, facilities manager, South West Region Department of Primary Industries.
It was a fascinating tour. The building has been designed to be ecologically friendly and the facility
includes many innovative and specialised features.
For example, all of the timber panels and flooring are made from recycled materials. There is also a
soil/grass and crushed rock roof, with the roof water used for the fire / irrigation water combo tank
(they assured me there was a proper air gap for backflow prevention).
Internally the building has natural ventilation and a hydronic heating system.
One of the highlights of the tour was the seawater pumping system, which included two 150mm pipes
(with direct digital control) horizontally bored for 750 metres into the bay. The seawater is filtered and
pumped into tanks ready for distribution into the numerous laboratories around the facility.
There were many other systems, including seawater electric heat pumps, air cooled chillers, boilers,
constant temperature rooms, fume cupboards and various different types of water systems for marine
and freshwater studies.
I would like to thank AIRAH Geelong for organising this most interesting tour, and I would urge all
backflow prevention members to keep their eyes open for any future site tours organised by AIRAH.
Jeff Parsonage

American Backflow Prevention
As more recycled water systems are implemented across Australia this incident is a timely reminder
that plumbers and water companies should remain diligent and follow correct procedures.
A recent recycled water incident
Another example of a recycled water service being connected to the potable water service at four
properties in Cape Coral, Lee County has been widely reported by a number of media outlets.
The city’s water and sewerage company became aware of the problem after complaints from several
families were received in July 2003 regarding the pressure and taste of the water. The water is
supplied to the neighbourhood for irrigation purposes only, but one of the families had been using it
for three months.
The city’s contractors failed to dig deep enough to establish which pipe was the correct one to
connect to, identified by tape laid with the pipe during installation.
According to the local health authority, although the irrigation water is filtered and treated with
chlorine, it is not permitted for drinking and can cause gastrointestinal problems, such as vomiting
and diarrhoea.
A thorough examination of the 580 properties covered by this recycled system was carried out and
only the original four properties where the owners complained where identified. The City of Cape
Coral was required to spend many hours and US $72,000 fixing the error.
New frontiers in rainwater harvesting
Davey Products has unveiled “an innovative new product in household water saving” – RainBank ® .
According to the company, RainBank ® is the first water harvesting product to automatically switch
between rainwater and mains water supply. A dual-check valve is used to ensure backflow
prevention - a novel development in plumbing. Davey Products cites water saving benefits of up to
40%, which it believes will be popular with builders seeking approval for new designs under BASIX in
New South Wales and 5 Star in Victoria.
The company states that the unit is ideal for installation alongside existing water mains supply
systems as an upgrade. Alternatively, the RainBank ® can be installed as an addition to any water
system built into new structures.
Minimal energy is required for the device, as it does not require mains water to be repressurised and
uses no energy even in stand-by mode. The unit is an automatic means of providing water stores for
the toilet and laundry when supplies are available. If water supplies are low or in the case of power
failure the unit reverts automatically to the mains supply.
Developments have also been made with the standards regulating the product and others like it. Until
recently, standards on combining rain and mains water were set by each state individually, inevitably
resulting in some confusion. A revised, nationally consistent code of practice, ‘The Plumbing Code of
Australia’, has now been issued by the Victorian Plumbing Industry Commision and is being reviewed
by state governments. This is expected to make metropolitan harvesting of rainwater more popular
and accessible.

The units have been certified to adhere to AS/NZ3500.1.2003 Plumbing and drainage, ATS 5200.466
Technical specification for plumbing and drainage products and AS4020 Testing of products for use
in contact with drinking water, and have received Water Mark approval with licence IPC 20009.
For more information, visit www.davey.com.au/rainbank

Please fax this form to back to AIRAH on 9614 8949
Name: ...........................................................
Company: .....................................................
Address:.......................................................
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1. Would you like to participate in our special interest group
(backflow) meetings yes no
2. Are you interested in attending an end of year backflow
Dinner with a guest speaker yes no
3. Are you interested in becoming a backflow committee
member yes no