Back Flow Prevention: Protecting Your Water Supply

Water safety matters for every Idaho household and commercial property. If you’re not following  state and city guidelines, you could be letting dangerous impurities into your water supply with detrimental health risks. In Boise, Meridian, Eagle, and throughout Idaho, backflow prevention guidelines require an annual inspection by a certified Backflow Assembly Tester (BAST) to ensure your drinking water remains pure while facilitating proper irrigation system operation. Idaho’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has also established cross-connection control programs to protect public health and public water systems. 

So, you may be asking, why does this matter to you? Idaho law indicates property owners are responsible for correctly installing and testing backflow prevention assemblies in accordance with their provider’s local programs. Incorrectly installing components related to backflow prevention can lead to non-potable water or other liquids finding their way into the potable water supply — which can be dangerous to you, your family, your neighbors, local wildlife, and your property’s plants, trees, grasses, and gardens.

At its most basic level, backflow occurs when water travels in the opposite direction from where it should go. Essentially, instead of clean water coming into your intake pipes, backflow allows dirty water from an irrigation system, outdoor hose, or other external access points to pull potentially hazardous impurities into your clean water line. A backflow situation is most likely to occur during a drop in pressure—most commonly, an unexpected drop in pressure from the main line.

Importantly, without irrigation cross-connection control, backflow occurs and contaminates your drinking water supply with pesticides, fertilizers, and other potentially harmful bacteria. In some cases you can immediately recognize the issue through sight and smell (think cloudiness, discoloration, or smells of sulfur or chlorine). In others, specific tests may need to be run to determine whether a particular smell or taste is actually harmful as opposed to objectionable (we know some folks who are very particular about the taste of their water) While backflow prevention issues can have serious consequences, annual testing and servicing of these systems is an inexpensive and proactive solution to keeping your drinking water safe for all types of household needs.

Back flow prevention devices are mechanical components designed to keep non-potable water from contaminating your clean water supply. These devices, which must be installed at key points in your water supply and irrigation system, include:

• Pressure Vacuum BreakerAssemblies (PVBA) – Prevents back siphonage by using a check valve and air inlet.

• Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow ) Assemblies (RPBA) – Provides the highest level of protection by creating a relief valve between check valves.

The right device for your system depends on factors such as the age of your home and its pipes, water pressure, irrigation system design, and local regulations.  Terravita’s team of certified professionals can provide assessments and recommendations that ensure your safety and accommodate your landscaping needs too.

Back flow prevention is not just about compliance— it’s about protecting your health and the integrity of your water supply. Here’s why it matters:

• Prevents Contaminants – Keeps harmful chemicals and bacteria from entering your drinking water.
• Meets Legal Requirements – Many local and state regulations mandate back flow prevention in irrigation systems.
• Protects Your Plumbing System – Prevents damage caused by pressure fluctuations and contamination.
• Ensures Safe Irrigation – Keeps your lawn, trees, shrubs, and garden well-watered without risk to your water supply.

 In Idaho, annual inspections by certified professionals are required to test your irrigation backflow devices and ensure the mechanical components continue to function properly. Terravita’s team also provides homeowners tips and best practices for visual inspections of sprinklers, irrigation systems, and plant and tree health, which may suggest the need to check your backflow prevention system.

At Terravita, we specialize in back flow prevention solutions tailored to your irrigation system. Our team provides:

Fast, reliable repairs and replacements as needed.

If you need expert back flow prevention services, we’re here to help! Contact us today to schedule an inspection or discuss your irrigation backflow needs.