Backflow

The MAWC is required to implement and enforce a backflow prevention program in accordance with Pennsylvania’s Safe Drinking Water Act. Specifically, 25 PA Code Chapter 109 mandates that:

No person may introduce contaminants into a public water supply through a service connection of a public water system.

  1. It shall be the responsibility of the customer to eliminate cross connection or provide backflow devices to prevent contamination of the distribution system from both backsiphonage and backpressure. Individual backflow preventers shall be acceptable to the public water supplier.
  2. If the customer fails to comply with paragraph (1) within a reasonable period of time, the water supplier shall discontinue service after reasonable notice has been made to the customer.

This regulation applies to all customer types including industrial, commercial and residential users. Over the past several years, the MAWC has made significant progress towards ensuring that all industrial and commercial customers within its service area installed and continue to maintain backflow prevention devices. Maintaining a safe drinking water supply is everyone’s responsibility.

ALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY TEST & MAINTENANCE FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO MAWC.  EACH TEST REQUIRES A $17.00 SUBMISSION FEE. TO PAY BY CREDIT CARD PLEASE CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE @ 724-755-5800, OR SUBMIT BY MAIL TO PO BOX 730, GREENSBURG, PA 15601 AND INCLUDE THE $17.00 SUBMISSION FEE BY CHECK.  PLEASE MARK THE OUTSIDE OF THE ENVELOPE “BACKFLOW”.  FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT OUR BACKFLOW DEPARTMENT AT 724-755-5808, OR EMAIL backflow@mawc.org.

    RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS: Installation of a dual check valve for backflow prevention is required by the Safe Drinking Water Act. This will create a closed system within your home and may require the installation of an overflow tank on your hot water tank, or the installation of a thermal expansion relief valve. Please consider this when you are preparing your plumbing for municipal water.

    All assemblies and/or devices should be horizontal. Other positions as approved by the Water Authority. Follow Authority guidelines for location of backflow preventer and any valving required.

    Please click on the following links for more information on cross-connection and backflow protection. The excerpts are from the EPA's Cross Connection Control Manual

    General Information -- Definitions

    • Backflow - A hydraulic condition caused by a difference in pressures, in which nonpotable water or fluid flow into a potable water system.
    • Backpressure - A condition in which a pump, boiler, or other equipment produces a pressure greater than the water supply pressure.
    • Backsiphonage - A condition in which the pressure in the distribution system is less than atmospheric pressure, which allows contamination to enter a water system through cross connection.
    • Cross Connection - Any arrangement of pipes, fittings, fixtures, or devices that connects a nonpotable system to a potable water system.
    • Potable - Relating to water that does not contain objectionable pollution, contamination, minerals, or infective agents and is considered satisfactory for domestic consumption.