Examples of Backflow Incidents That Can Occur Are:
- Lawn chemicals backflowing (backsiphoning) through a garden hose into indoor plumbing and potentially into the distribution system.
- Backsiphonage of "blue water" from a toilet into a building's water supply.
- Carbonated water from a restaurant's soda dispenser entering a water system due to back pressure.
- Backsiphonage of chemicals from industrial buildings into distribution system mains.
- Backflow of boiler corrosion control chemicals into an office building's water supply.
For more information on cross connection control and backflow prevention please contact:
- Water Department
Certified Backflow Testers and Cross Connection Surveyors
Phone: 978-692-5529
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Otavio DePaula-Santos contact by phone at 617-556-1085
Paul Niman contact by phone at 617-556-1166
For additional information view the Massachusetts DEP website
Chemical Dispensers
Chemical dispensers, commonly used to dispense cleaning agents are frequently connected to the public water system. These devices need backflow protection. View the
Guidelines for Public Water Systems (PDF) for Massachusetts DEP requirements for chemical dispenser.