Rick Cantrell
11-15-2011, 07:43 AM
These are 2 documents I wrote for my backflow testing service.
If you would, proof read them and offer suggestions and advice.
I wanted you (HIs from IN) to proof read them because many of you (myself included) are so anal (not an insult).
Thank you
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), and the Columbus Water Works require backflow prevention assemblies be serviced and maintained in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. To insure that backflow prevention assemblies are performing to the manufactures standards, the water consumer is required to have backflow prevention assemblies tested annually by a Georgia state certified Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT). Backflow prevention assemblies not performing to the minimum standards of the manufacture must be serviced or repaired as needed. After any service or repair is made to a backflow prevention assembly, the assembly must be re-tested and a report of the service or repairs made including test results, filed with the water authority by the tester.
The backflow prevention assembly listed below did not meet minimum standards as required by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division and the Columbus Water Works.
Test results and a description of the service or repair that is likely needed is provided for your benefit.
Location; .
Manufacturer; Model; , Size; , Serial #; , Date of test;
Check valve #1,
Check valve #2,
Other,
The backflow assembly needs to be disassembled, cleaned, and examined to determine if any parts need to be replaced.
Dissolved minerals in the water will build up on internal parts of the assembly. Over time this buildup will cause the internal seals to “Foul” or leak. When these seals leak, the assembly will not function properly.
Often, just disassembling and cleaning of the backflow assembly will restore the assembly to acceptable standards. Fouling of the seals is the most common reason that a backflow assembly fails the annual test.
Disassembling and cleaning the backflow assembly is a fairly straightforward task, and can be performed by most maintenance staff in about 2 hours. If you do not have a maintenance person you can use an ordinary plumber.
You do not need a certification to service or make repairs to a backflow assembly, only for testing.
I will be happy to provide your maintenance person with instructions and advice on how to perform the service, at no charge. After the service has been performed, I will retest the assembly, again at no charge.
Thank you
Rick Cantrell
Backflow Testing of Columbus
912 42nd st
Columbus GA 31904
706 221 1495
Why do I need to test the backflow assembly?
Yearly testing assures that all backflow assembles are performing to standards that help protect everyone connected to the municipal water supply. Without backflow prevention and regular testing, your neighbor could be polluting your drinking water.
Clean water, like clean air, is something we can live with.
My plumber said he can test my backflow assembly, and if it needs service, he can do that also. Why should I use your service?
It is a conflict of interest for the backflow tester to also make repairs to the backflow assembly. There is a financial incentive to find backflow assemblies that “need to be repaired”. To make matters even worse, the person that made the repairs then certifies that the repairs they made, were performed correctly.
There is a better way. Use an independent 3rd party tester that does not do repairs. When service is needed, use the same 3rd party tester to test the backflow assembly after service is performed. This is not only the best method, but the only way to insure you are not spending money on unnecessary repairs and the repairs were properly performed.
I perform backflow testing. I do not perform backflow repairs. I have no reason to report that repairs are needed if they are not in fact needed. When service is needed, you choose who does the service. I then retest the backflow assembly to certify that the assembly is functioning properly. There may be a small trip charge, but there is no charge for the second test.
If you would, proof read them and offer suggestions and advice.
I wanted you (HIs from IN) to proof read them because many of you (myself included) are so anal (not an insult).
Thank you
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), and the Columbus Water Works require backflow prevention assemblies be serviced and maintained in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. To insure that backflow prevention assemblies are performing to the manufactures standards, the water consumer is required to have backflow prevention assemblies tested annually by a Georgia state certified Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT). Backflow prevention assemblies not performing to the minimum standards of the manufacture must be serviced or repaired as needed. After any service or repair is made to a backflow prevention assembly, the assembly must be re-tested and a report of the service or repairs made including test results, filed with the water authority by the tester.
The backflow prevention assembly listed below did not meet minimum standards as required by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division and the Columbus Water Works.
Test results and a description of the service or repair that is likely needed is provided for your benefit.
Location; .
Manufacturer; Model; , Size; , Serial #; , Date of test;
Check valve #1,
Check valve #2,
Other,
The backflow assembly needs to be disassembled, cleaned, and examined to determine if any parts need to be replaced.
Dissolved minerals in the water will build up on internal parts of the assembly. Over time this buildup will cause the internal seals to “Foul” or leak. When these seals leak, the assembly will not function properly.
Often, just disassembling and cleaning of the backflow assembly will restore the assembly to acceptable standards. Fouling of the seals is the most common reason that a backflow assembly fails the annual test.
Disassembling and cleaning the backflow assembly is a fairly straightforward task, and can be performed by most maintenance staff in about 2 hours. If you do not have a maintenance person you can use an ordinary plumber.
You do not need a certification to service or make repairs to a backflow assembly, only for testing.
I will be happy to provide your maintenance person with instructions and advice on how to perform the service, at no charge. After the service has been performed, I will retest the assembly, again at no charge.
Thank you
Rick Cantrell
Backflow Testing of Columbus
912 42nd st
Columbus GA 31904
706 221 1495
Why do I need to test the backflow assembly?
Yearly testing assures that all backflow assembles are performing to standards that help protect everyone connected to the municipal water supply. Without backflow prevention and regular testing, your neighbor could be polluting your drinking water.
Clean water, like clean air, is something we can live with.
My plumber said he can test my backflow assembly, and if it needs service, he can do that also. Why should I use your service?
It is a conflict of interest for the backflow tester to also make repairs to the backflow assembly. There is a financial incentive to find backflow assemblies that “need to be repaired”. To make matters even worse, the person that made the repairs then certifies that the repairs they made, were performed correctly.
There is a better way. Use an independent 3rd party tester that does not do repairs. When service is needed, use the same 3rd party tester to test the backflow assembly after service is performed. This is not only the best method, but the only way to insure you are not spending money on unnecessary repairs and the repairs were properly performed.
I perform backflow testing. I do not perform backflow repairs. I have no reason to report that repairs are needed if they are not in fact needed. When service is needed, you choose who does the service. I then retest the backflow assembly to certify that the assembly is functioning properly. There may be a small trip charge, but there is no charge for the second test.