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ABOUT THE ABPA
ABPA INTRODUCTION: Back to Top
The American Backflow Prevention Association is an organization whose members
have a common interest in protecting drinking water from contamination through
cross-connections. ABPA is an organization dedicated to education and technical
assistance. Through its network of regions and chapters, local needs and
interests are supported with the resources of the national organization. ABPA is
committed to advancing all aspects of backflow prevention for the continued
protection of all water users.
What is Backflow?
Water distribution systems are designed with the intention of the water flowing
in a certain direction-- from the distribution system to the consumer. However,
hydraulic conditions within the system may deviate from the "normal" conditions,
causing water to flow in the opposite direction. Therefore, it is possible (and
common) for the water to flow in the opposite direction in unprotected systems.
This is called backflow.
What is a Cross-Connection?
A cross-connection is an unprotected actual or potential connection between a
potable water system used to supply water for drinking purposes and any source
or system containing unapproved water or a substance that is not or cannot be
approved as safe, wholesome, and potable. By-pass arrangements, jumper
connections, removable sections, swivel or changeover devices, or other devices
through which backflow could occur, shall be considered to be cross-connections.
What is Back Siphonage?
Back-siphonage is caused by mainline piping failures or drafting due to high
demands. For example, it is a condition that can occur when the drinking water
system pressure drops below that of the fire protection system, drawing the fire
protection system water back into the drinking water system.
Who belongs to the American Backflow Prevention Association?
Membership is open to anyone with an interest in cross-connection control and
maintaining water quality standards. ABPA is for the professional who seeks
continuing knowledge and up-to-date information in this constantly changing
field. The ABPA is composed of experts in cross-connection control and those
just entering this dynamic field. All levels of professionals can belong to and
benefit from the ABPA: From legislators who write the laws, to the federal,
state and local authorities who enforce the laws; from educators who provide
training, to the plumbing and water works personnel who carry this training into
the field; from engineers and architects who design the systems, to the
manufacturers who produce the equipment used in the systems.
What can the American Backflow Prevention Association do for me?
Besides the obvious benefits of meeting other professionals with common
interests, as a Member you'll receive:
- Education - local seminars and training; extensive library of
materials available through national office.
ABPA NEWS, the only membership publication devoted exclusively to
cross-connection control.
Reduced registration rates for conferences, training programs and
seminars.
Technical Assistance with cross-connection control programs.
Membership in regional, state, and local chapters.
An opportunity to serve on, or benefit from, national committees
that are working to solve problems and address important
cross-connection control issues.
Full voting privileges and an opportunity to serve as an association
leader, gaining national recognition for your work in the field of
cross-connection control.
No matter how tough your cross-connection problems are, you can
count on help from the association. Members are committed to
providing information and assistance.
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MISSION STATEMENT: Back to Top
The American Backflow Prevention Association, an international organization, was
founded in 1984 to involve all people in protecting public health by protecting
the drinking water through cross-connection control and backflow prevention.
The American Backflow Prevention Association, through its regions and local
chapters, is committed to providing educational programs, technical assistance,
and public awareness in the field of backflow prevention to all water consumers
today, and into the 21st Century and beyond.
ABPA POSITION STATEMENTS: Back to Top
Position Statement Concerning CROSS-CONNECTIONS
In pursuit of the stated goals of the American Backflow Prevention Association
of protecting the integrity of the drinking water being delivered to the public
for consumption, the Board of Directors feel that a "Policy Statement" regarding
cross-connections is necessary.
A cross-connection has been defined as any unprotected actual or potential
connection or physical arrangement between a public or a consumer's potable
water system and any other source or system through which it is possible to
introduce into any part of the potable system any used water, industrial fluid,
gas, or substance other than the intended potable water with which the system is
supplied. Where a physical connection between a potable water system and a
nonpotable environment exists, there is an opportunity to introduce contaminants
into the potable system due to a backflow occurrence.
Therefore, in order to assure the continuing integrity of the drinking water
served to the public, it will be the policy of the American Backflow Prevention
Association that all cross connections either be eliminated or provided with the
appropriate means of protection commensurate with the degree of hazard.
APPROVED: April 28, 1996
REAPPROVED: May 25, 2011 San Antonio, Texas
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Position Statement Concerning WET CHARGED FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS
In pursuit of the stated goals of the American Backflow Prevention Association
of protecting the quality and the integrity of the drinking water being
delivered to the public for consumption, the Board of Directors feel that a
Position Statement regarding wet-charged fire suppression system backflow
protection is necessary.
The drinking water system purveyor is charged with the responsibility of
providing the public with safe drinking water. Several water quality studies
have shown that the wet-charged fire suppression system piping (non-approved for
potable use) leaches heavy metals (Lead, Copper, Zinc, Manganese, etc.) in such
quantities that the water contained within the wet-charged fire suppression
systems does not meet the drinking water quality standards set by the
Environmental Protection Agency. Therefore, backflow prevention is needed in
order to protect the drinking water system from possible contamination from the
water contained in wet-charged fire suppression systems.
In order to assure the continuing integrity of the drinking water served to the
public, it will be the policy of the American Backflow Prevention Association
that all wet-charged fire suppression systems (both existing and those currently
under construction) which have utilized non potable piping material and are fed
by a public drinking water system, shall be protected from backflow with a
properly installed, approved, testable backflow prevention assembly commensurate
with the degree of hazard established by the local authority in conjunction with
applicable laws, regulations, rules, codes and policies. A single check valve or
fire alarm check valve, regardless of its listings or approvals, will not be
construed to be an adequate backflow prevention technique.
APPROVED: January 12, 1992
REAPPROVED: May 19, 2010 New Orleans, Louisiana
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Position Statement Concerning CROSS-CONNECTIONS AND APPROPRIATE BACKFLOW
PROTECTION
In pursuit of the stated goals of the American Backflow Prevention Association
in protecting the quality and integrity of the drinking water delivered to the
public for consumption, the Board of Directors feel that a Position Statement
regarding Cross-Connections and the appropriate level of backflow protection is
necessary.
A Cross-Connection has been defined as any unprotected actual or potential
connection or physical arrangement between a potable water system and any other
source or system through which it is possible to introduce into any part of the
potable system any used water, industrial fluid, gas, or substance other than
the intended potable water with which the system is supplied. Where a physical
connection between a potable water system and a non-potable environment exists,
there is an opportunity to introduce contaminants into the potable system due to
a backflow occurrence.
Two classifications of Cross-Connections are universally accepted:
Non-Health or Low Hazards
Health or High Hazards
A licensed or regulated water utility must have the autonomy to enact and
enforce rules, ordinances, standards, etc. as it deems necessary. This includes
the requirement of backflow protection on all actual or potential
Cross-Connections in order to protect the public health and well being of its
customers, regardless of the nature of the hazard, as the utility deems
appropriate in order to protect water quality for their customers; and so long
as they are held legally liable/responsible for water quality under local, state
or federal jurisdiction.
Licensed or regulated water utilities should not be prohibited by any local,
state or federal law or legislation which removes the ability for that licensed
or regulated utility to protect the integrity of their public distribution
system and the implementation of a viable Cross-Connection Control Program or to
require conformance to Internationally-recognized Plumbing Codes.
Therefore, in order to ensure the continuing integrity of the drinking water
served to the public, it will be the position of the American Backflow
Prevention Association that all Cross-Connections either be eliminated or
protected with the appropriate means of protection commensurate with the actual
or potential degree of hazard and as required by the authority having
jurisdiction.
APPROVED May 8, 2005 Orlando, Florida
AMENDED & REAPPROVED May 18, 2010 New Orleans, Louisiana
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Position Statement Concerning BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLIES FOR
IRRIGATION SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
In pursuit of the stated goals of the American Backflow Prevention Association
of protecting the quality and the integrity of the drinking water being
delivered to the public for consumption, the Board of Directors feel that a
Position Statement regarding backflow prevention assemblies for irrigation
sprinkler systems is needed.
Currently, the recognized national standards and national model codes
acknowledge irrigation sprinkler systems as a high hazard and require, as a
minimum level of protection, a Reduced Pressure Principle backflow prevention
assembly; a Pressure Vacuum Breaker or an Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker.
The American Backflow Prevention Association concurs with the high (health)
hazard designation for irrigation sprinkler systems. The actual assembly
requirement must be commensurate with the high hazard designation and should be
determined by the local jurisdiction having authority.
Further, it is understood that a irrigation sprinkler system for residential
applications and for commercial application is the same basic piping with the
same type of pop-up irrigation heads. As backsiphonage is the primary concern
for most irrigation sprinkler systems, the installation of an approved backflow
prevention assembly commensurate with that degree of hazard remains the same for
both commercial and residential applications.
Therefore, in order to ensure the water distribution system is not compromised,
it will be the position of the American Backflow Prevention Association that
existing code-specified backflow prevention assemblies are installed and
maintained on any irrigation sprinkler system or those assemblies accepted or
required by the authority having jurisdiction.
APPROVED: April 12, 2006
REAPPROVED: May 19, 2010 New Orleans, Louisiana
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Position Statement Concerning BACKFLOW PREVENTION OF CONTAMINATION AT THE
CUSTOMER'S SERVICE CONNECTION
In pursuit of the stated goals of the American Backflow Prevention Association
of protecting the quality and the integrity of the drinking water being
delivered to the public for consumption, the Board of Directors feel that a
"Statement of Position" concerning backflow prevention at the customer's service
connection to prevent water quality degradation or contamination from privately
owned plumbing systems is needed.
The Environmental Protection Agency, in implementing the Lead/Copper Rule,
requires first draw sampling at the consumer's tap to determine the extent of
lead and copper in the drinking water. The results of this sampling could
initiate corrosion control studies and possible implementation of corrosion
control treatment within the distribution system, thereby injecting even more
chemicals into the drinking water and creating an even more complex drinking
water system.
The drinking water system purveyor has control of the quality of the source of
supply of the drinking water and the components of the system's distribution
system. The drinking water system purveyor, however, has no control or authority
over the materials used in the privately owned plumbing systems, which have the
potential of adding both lead and copper and contaminating or degrading the
quality of the drinking water within the distribution system.
Should the results of the tap sampling show that the elevated levels of lead and
copper are coming solely from the privately owned plumbing systems; then we feel
that a backflow prevention program, initiated by the water purveyor and
utilizing commonly accepted and approved backflow prevention assemblies and test
procedures, in conjunction with the Public Education program already required by
the Lead/Copper Rule, should be considered by EPA as a condition of an EPA/state
variance with regard to the installation of corrosion control within the public
drinking water system.
Therefore, it is the position of the American Backflow Prevention Association
that, if the results of the required sampling for lead and/or copper exceeds the
action level of either, and the elevated levels can be shown to be solely due to
the privately owned plumbing systems, then the drinking water system purveyor
should be allowed to initiate a system wide backflow prevention program at the
customer's connection utilizing commonly accepted and approved backflow
prevention assemblies and test procedures, which would then continually protect
the public drinking water system from contamination by any privately owned
plumbing system. The American Backflow Prevention Association feels that the
intent of the Lead/Copper Rule, as published by the Environmental Protection
Agency would be met, and that further treatment of the drinking water contained
in the distribution system (required corrosion control) would then be redundant
and unnecessary.
APPROVED: May 27, 1992
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Position Statement Concerning DENTAL WATERLINE PROTECTION
In pursuit of the stated goals and objectives of the American Backflow
Prevention Association of protecting the quality of drinking water being
delivered to the public for consumption, the board of directors believes that a
Position Statement regarding backflow prevention and the Dental Office is
necessary.
To prevent contamination from entering the public potable water system, all
actual or potential cross connections must be either protected or eliminated. A
cross connection has been defined as any unprotected actual or potential
connection or structural arrangement between a public or a consumers potable
water system and any other source or system through which it is possible to
introduce into any part of the potable system any used water industrial fluid
gas, or substance other than the intended potable water with which the system is
supplied. Backflow prevention is exactly what it implies, that is the prevention
of backflow due to a cross connection whether potential or actual before a
problem exist in the water system.
It is the opinion of the American Backflow Prevention Association that
unprotected cross connections may be present in Dental offices. Therefore, to
assure the continued safety of the water delivered to the public it is our
position that all cross connections should be eliminated or protected with the
appropriate means of backflow prevention commensurate with the degree of hazard.
APPROVED: April 29, 1998
REAPPROVED: May 19, 2010 New Orleans, Louisiana
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Position Statement Concerning BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY TESTERS
In pursuit of the stated goals of the American Backflow Prevention Association
of protecting the quality and the integrity of the drinking water being
delivered to the public for consumption, the Board of Directors feel that a
Position Statement regarding the qualifications of backflow prevention assembly
testers is needed.
Several types of mechanical assemblies have been developed and approved as
acceptable means of protecting the potable water supplies from contamination
introduced as a result of backflow conditions. To ensure these assemblies
continue to operate as intended, individuals who are knowledgeable in the design
and operation of the assemblies must test them periodically. The reports of
these inspections must be completed accurately and submitted in timely fashion
to the appropriate authorities.
Therefore, in order to ensure the necessary testing of backflow prevention
assemblies and the accurate reporting of these tests, it will be the position of
the American Backflow Prevention Association that all individuals involved in
this testing be adequately trained and meet the requirements of a recognized
backflow prevention assembly tester certification program such as the ABPA
voluntary certification program, or one approved by the authority having
jurisdiction.
APPROVED: April 29, 1998
REAPPROVED: May 19, 2010 New Orleans, Louisiana
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Position Statement Concerning
FIELD TESTING OF BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLIES
In pursuit of the stated goals of the American Backflow Prevention Association
of protecting the quality and the integrity of the drinking water being
delivered to the public for consumption, the Board of Directors feel that a
Position Statement regarding the field testing of backflow prevention assemblies
is needed.
It is understood that any and all mechanical devices are subject to failure due
to age, wear, damage, corrosive water, and manufacturing flaws. The American
Backflow Prevention Association supports regular field testing and maintenance
of backflow prevention assemblies to ensure their proper operation, to protect
the public water supply and the financial investment of the consumer by
extending the life of the assembly. The actual frequency of field testing of
each assembly must be determined by the local jurisdiction having authority.
However, the American Backflow Prevention Association concurs with the various
manufacturers’ recommended practice of field testing all backflow prevention
assemblies after initial installation, after repairs of any kind are made to the
assembly and at least once annually. This is also consistent with the prevailing
Building and Plumbing Codes utilized in the United States and Canada. The
Association advocates using test equipment and procedures that will accurately
reflect the internal working condition of the assembly.
Therefore, in order to ensure the continued proper operation of all backflow
prevention assemblies, it will be the position of the American Backflow
Prevention Association that they be tested by individuals properly trained and
certified with the appropriate equipment using the American Backflow Prevention
Association adopted field test procedures or those procedures accepted or
required by the authority having jurisdiction.
APPROVED: MAY 9, 2004
REAPPROVED: May 18, 2010 New Orleans, Louisiana
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Position Statement Concerning ENFORCEMENT OF CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL
PROGRAMS
In pursuit of the stated goals of the American Backflow Prevention
Association of protecting the quality and the integrity of the drinking water
being delivered for consumption, the Board of Directors feel that a “Statement
of Position” concerning the enforcement of cross-connection control programs
required at all levels of jurisdictions having authority regarding potable water
is necessary.
Provisions that the current cross-connection and backflow rules administered by
all authorities, should include, but not be limited to: ordinances, tariffs,
required conditions of service, plans, or other regulatory programs established
under that authority shall continue but must be amended to the extent necessary
to conform and be enforced by the requirements of the existing legislation.
The authority having jurisdiction is charged with the responsibility of
providing safe drinking water. Therefore, it is the position of the American
Backflow Prevention Association that the authorities with jurisdiction where
potable water is made available have an active cross-connection control program.
APPROVED: May 25, 2011 San Antonio, Texas
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Position Statement Concerning THE PUBLIC HEALTH SECURITY AND
BIOTERRORISM PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE ACT OF 2002
In pursuit of the stated goals of the American Backflow Prevention
Association of protecting the quality and integrity of safe drinking water
delivered for consumption, the Board of Directors feel that a “Statement of
Position” to improve the ability of the United States of America to prevent,
prepare for, and respond to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies is
essential.
The Bioterrorism Act of 2002 defines terrorism as an “attach or other
intentional acts intended to substantially disrupt the ability of the system to
provide a safe and reliable supply of drinking water; or otherwise present
significant public health concerns.”
Therefore, the American Backflow Prevention Association, in support of the Safe
Drinking Water Act (Amended Sec. 1434, titled Contaminant Prevention, Detection,
and Response) will assist in providing notice to operators of Public Water
Systems, and individuals served by such systems, of water borne contaminants and
the possible effect of such introduction on public health and the safety of
drinking water. Also provide methods and means for developing educational and
awareness programs for all water systems.
APPROVED: May 25, 2011 San Antonio, Texas
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Position Statement Concerning WATER-OPERATED BACKUP SUMP PUMPS
The water-operated backup sump pumps pose a potential backflow hazard by way
of the cross-connection between the drinking water supply and the contaminated
water in the sump pit. This potential hazard is increased during flooding
conditions. The main sump pump offers a potential of imposing backpressure
against the water supply line to the water-operated backup sump pump if the
discharge lines are combined. A pressure vacuum breaker assembly is not designed
to provide the level of protection necessary if a backpressure situation occurs.
ABPA believes that no person shall install or maintain a water service
connection to any premises where actual or potential cross-connections may exist
unless such actual or potential cross-connections are abated to the satisfaction
of the authority having jurisdiction of the installed backup sump pump.
The authority having jurisdiction should determine the degree of hazard at each
premises and abate any hazard found via an approved cross connection control
assembly. The authority having jurisdiction should offer technical guidance
regarding compliance with the cross connection control requirements.
Therefore, it is the position of the American Backflow Prevention Association
that the main sump pump and water-operated backup should have completely
separate discharge piping in which a water-operated backup should have
completely separate discharge piping in which a water-operated sump pump is
installed. The water-operated sump pump poses a potential backflow hazard by way
of the cross-connection between the drinking water supply and the contaminated
water in the sump pit and this potential hazard should be protected by the
appropriate means of backflow assembly commensurate with the degree of hazard.
APPROVED: May 25, 2011 San Antonio, Texas
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