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Backflow Prevention Devices – What They Do and Why They Are Important Backflow prevention is essential in keeping our water safe. Most homes and businesses have backflow-prevention devices in place, to stop the chance of contaminating the community water supply via a building’s internal plumbing, or from water that has been released, for use, being drawn back into a building’s plumbing system. If there is a loss of pressure within a plumbing system, which has no backflow prevention device, water that has been released may be drawn (sucked) back into the plumbing and could contaminate water that is being held in the plumbing sys- tem. Consumption of this now contaminated water could result in severe illness. Once a plumbing system is contaminated, the contamination could be pulled back into the primary water system (community water system) and compromise water for many others. It is imperative for backflow-prevention devices, such as a pressure vacuum breaker (PBV/RPZ), to be checked by a certified backflow assembly tester. It is important to note that this certification is more than just a plumbing license. One location that these devices are required is on irrigation system plumbing. You may notice them alongside your home. The backflow-prevention device protects you by preventing water that has been released into your irrigation system and lawn from being drawn back into your home, where you could potentially consume it or somehow use the already ejected water should there be a loss of system pressure. In time, you will likely hear more from us on this topic, but we wanted to let you know how backflow- prevention devices are providing you and the entire community with water quality protection. All backflow-prevention devices are required by state plumbing code to be tested annually and rebuilt as needed. Annual inspection results for backflow devices must be reported to the public water supplier, as they are available for verification by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). *State of Minnesota Plumbing Code 4714.603.5.23 Stay tuned for ERMU’s PVB Inspection Program details; more information will be delivered to customers soon and information will be posted on our website. Where Does My Water Come From? Elk River Municipal Utilities’ wells are supplied from the Mt. Simon-Hinckley Aquifer. There are eight wells, four water towers, over 121 miles of water main, 1,267 fire hydrants, and just under 3,000 valves. In 2020, Elk River Municipal Utilities pumped over 872 million gal- lons of water. We are proud to serve over 5,400 water customers. Lead in Home Plumbing If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associ- ated with service lines and home plumbing. We are responsible for providing high-quality drinking water, but we cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drink- ing or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing meth- ods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. 58