City and Residents Must Work Together to Prevent Backflow

When you turn on an outdoor faucet, water flows out of your hose based on pressure in the water system. However, a sudden change in water pressure can make water flow in the opposite direction in a process called backflow. If a hose is submerged in a pool, bucket or other container of liquid, backflow can allow potential contaminants to enter the City’s water distribution system.

Virginia Beach Public Utilities is committed to providing safe and reliable drinking water. Since 2011, the department has run a Backflow Prevention Program that includes surveying, inspecting and tracking the testing of all backflow prevention assemblies within the City’s public water distribution system.

Residents also play an essential role in preventing backflow. A few simple ways to protect your drinking water include:

• Never leave a hose submerged in a bucket, pool, spa or tub. Always keep at least a 2-inch air gap between the end of the hose or nozzle and any substance.
• Install hose bib vacuum breakers on all outdoor threaded faucets. Breakers help ensure that no harmful materials are drawn back into the drinking water system. They are inexpensive, easy to install and available at most hardware stores.
• Make sure the water is turned off when the hose is not in use.
• Minimize the use of fertilizer or chemical sprayers that attach directly to a hose. Always disconnect the sprayer as soon as work is complete.

Visit VirginiaBeach.gov/Backflow for more information.

• Backflow Prevention
• Public Utilities

Virginia Beach Public Utilities is committed to helping Virginia Beach residents of all ages learn about the value of water and how to conserve it, how to keep drains clear, how to protect your pipes and more.