Water / Wastewater

Water/Wastewater

Water/
Wastewater

Backflow Prevention

What is Backflow?

Backflow is a flow of water from a source of possible contamination back into the drinking water system. This can happen when a pressure reversal occurs in a cross connection between the drinking water system and consumer water supply piping.

Why should I be concerned?

Backflow can be a health hazard for your family or other consumers if contaminated water enters your water supply plumbing system and is used for drinking, cooking or bathing. Chemical burns, fires, explosions, poisonings, illness and death have all been caused by backflow through cross connections.

As a consumer, you are legally responsible for protecting your water supply plumbing from backflow that may contaminate drinking water. This includes complying with plumbing code and not creating cross connections.

What can I do to prevent backflow?

First, take a look at the Environmental Protection Agency’s short pamphlet on Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control for the most common questions and fastest information:

Next, ask yourself these questions:

Do you presently have a backflow device?
Do you have a pool or hot tub?
Do you have an irrigation system?
Do you have a chemically treated heating system (such as a boiler)?
Do you have a secondary water system (such as a well or lake)?
Do you have a water-operated sump pump?
Do you fill a yard sprayer with an outside faucet to mix fertilizer, herbicides, or pesticides?
Do you have a booster pump to increase house water pressure?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you must get in contact with the Knox County Water office at (740) 397-7041 to schedule an in-person evaluation of your system.

17602 Coshocton Road
Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050
Phone: (740) 397-7041
Fax: (740) 397-5010

Office Hours
Monday – Friday
7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed weekends and holidays

Superintendent

Jeff Pickrell

Office Manager

Patty Giakoumas

Billing Clerk

Kathy Henwood