Backflow Prevention in the USA

Toward a Common Goal

For more than a century Zurn Engineered Water Solutions® has established itself as an innovator and leading manufacturer of highly engineered water product solutions.

About Zurn

Update to Rules and Regulations

• AWWA M14 revisions – Has more plumbing

perspective - more devices referenced for non-testable applications.

– Emphasis on conducting surveys

– Presents both perspectives on on-site surveys and containment.

• Expected Publication January 2015

Update to Rules and Regulations • State of Colorado Health Department Containment

by isolation

– Water purveyor is currently responsible for the valve at the property line - containment

– Shifting away from containment to isolation (inside the building

– Executed by Survey • On-site visit every two or three years

• Off years would do mail-in survey

– Issues • Water utility under resourced to perform site survey

• Mail-in survey adds cost and is subject to deceit

– Graduated compliance schedule with full implementation by 2020

Product Innovation

• Challenge – Backflow Theft

• Solution - Camouflage

Product Innovation

• Challenge – Corrosion Resistance

• Solution – Stainless Steel Backflow

Product Innovation • Challenge – Lower Life Cycle Costs

• Solution – Simple designs and fewer parts

• Relief Valve parts from 23 to 22 to 13 parts over three generations

Technology

• On-Line Testing Management – Testers input and pay fee to use the software

– Water utilities charge the testers a per test fee • Cost is transferred to end user

– Administration will be 100% electronic eventually • Safeguard to prevent false positive tests, bad data and drive-

by testing.

• Include meter reading and water pressure on test forms for veracity

• Smartform will geotag location on mobile app

• Backflow theft website

Breakthroughs in Data

Breakthroughs in Data Collection

• Centers for Disease Control 2009-2010 Drinking Water-associated Outbreak Surveillance Report

Top three issues faced by Backflow Program Managers

1. Lack of support for their programs by Senior Management – Need a pioneer, driver, leader, visionary, zealot – Not enough resources to accomplish everything they need to do to have a

perfect program • Programs get impacted by a lack of funding

– Not enough people, not enough tools

• Enforcement is weak

2. Lack of awareness of backflow by their customers – Listen to the wrong voice

• Unmindful of unscrupulous that don’t do the work • Private testers that shortcut the work - drive bys, self anointed inspectors, lack of

credentialed trainers

– Inability to teach their customers, don’t force feed

3. No clear vision of revenue stream to finance programs – Seen as a cost, rather than a risk – Backflow incident is an accident – can happen, how can we minimize, use

analogy of a car – safety equipment, laws, education, enforcement

Threats/Challenges • Lack of enforcement consistency - inconsistent

tools, training, expectations, collaboration. • Lack of uniformity of programs – testing and

maintenance • Lack of knowledge on key backflow concepts

drive programs backwards – House Bill in Michigan

• Proposing to have testing move from annual recommendation to every three years

• Straight party-line vote – Why

• Started from threat "if you don't test it, I will shut off your water”

• Should have educated instead of mandated

Threats/Challenges • Graying of the workforce • Dumbing-down of the standards for work to

meet the workforce skills –Systems are more complex

• Ground source heat pumps, grey water reclaimed water systems

–Need safeguards in place to protect –Gap with capability of inspection vs.

growing need for inspection • Backflow thefts

– Educate recyclers

Opportunities

• Cost reduction of the testing process from start to finish

• Education

– Educate testers and program specialist on how to educate the business/home owners on the need for backflow.

– Municipal and governmental officials

– AWWA videos on YouTube

Working towards a Common Goal

• Water suppliers are collaborating with health agencies and plumbing professionals – Webinar is helping to expand awareness – Curious about how backflow works – Growing slowly

• Moving to a micro view of water supplier company – Shift in fundamental operating practices from central control to local

focus – Developing regional specialists – Every person is a soldier

• Report if they see anything unusual changers in the system • Installation of pipe after backflow has been stolen

• Backflow Prevention Manufacturers Association subsidizing backflow program growth at the State level

• Need harmonization of standards to drive more innovation

Working towards a Common Goal

Working towards a Common Goal

Working towards a Common Goal

Lastly – Advice on How to Win 1. Build a business case

– Cost of not providing versus the cost of providing a strong backflow program

– Get help from your friends in the legal profession

2. Refine your vision – Craft, practice and give your elevator speech – Lead tirelessly, build your cross-functional team, build future

leaders

3. Educate your customer – Be considerate, use facts, stick to the rules, be empathetic, be

firm

4. Utilize Innovation to improve – Labor savers, more economical parts, more reliable designs