Irrigation Systems that are connected directly to the City of Longview’s water supply are required to have a backflow prevention device that requires annual testing. This is for commercial and residential customers.
The garden hose is the most common cross-connection and potential hazard to our drinking water.
Ways a garden hose can cause contamination:
- forcing it into a clogged gutter, downspout, or sewer pipe to flush out the clog.
- connecting it directly to a hose-end sprayer to apply pesticide or fertilizer to your yard.
- connecting it to a soap-and-brush attachment to wash your car, boat, or siding.
- letting the end of the hose lie in a puddle or pool of water.
If backflow happens, your household’s water lines could be contaminated and could spread to the public drinking water system.
Ways to prevent garden hose cross-connection:
- Never submerge the end of your garden hose or connect it to a non-potable substance.
- Install a hose bibb vacuum breaker on each of your outside faucets. These inexpensive devices are designed to allow water to flow in only one direction. You can find them at most home supply stores and through plumbing suppliers. Before you use a hose-end sprayer, you should first install a hose bibb vacuum breaker at the faucet.