Most of us take safe drinking water for granted. That may be because the Kansas City, Missouri, Water Services Department delivers safe, high-quality water right to our homes. We want to keep it that way -- all the way into your glass.
That's why the KCMO Water Services Department is providing you information about possible backflow situations. Our goal is to protect the public health -- yours and that of families throughout the area.
Backflow Hints: How to avoid a problem
What goes wrong?
The problem is cross connections -- the points where home plumbing systems connect with possible household sources of contamination. When water pressure suddenly drops (during heavy usage, due to fire in an area or a water main break, for example), water may be pulled into your plumbing system from unprotected cross connections within your home.
The result of cross contamination is that chemicals, poisons, and bacteria may enter your home's plumbing system and the water you drink.
While using an herbicide or pesticide attachment on the garden hose, pressure changes may cause the herbicide or pesticide to be pulled back up the hose and into your pipes.
While filling a swimming pool with a garden hose that is immersed in the water, a drop in water pressure may cause a reverse flow of water, sucking dirt and chemicals into your water system.
Possible cross connections in your house: Where to look
- Bathrooms - handheld shower heads immersed in water
- Outdoors - faucets, swimming & wading pools, fountains, lawn watering systems.
- Other - boilers, fire protection systems, in-home water treatment systems, photo labs, solar heating, car washes, decorative ponds and soaking tubs in laundry areas.
Protecting yourself and your family
Consider asking a licensed plumber trained in cross training connection control to check out your home.
Never put the end of a hose in sinks, pools, chemical tanks, etc.; unless the water line is properly protected.
For more information, contact the KCMO Water Services Department Backflow Prevention Unit at 513-0273 or
E-mail us; we will be glad to answer your questions.
Does your home have the proper safeguards?
New & existing lawn irrigation systems must be protected with a backflow prevention device in accordance with ordinance #980004, effective Feb. `98.
A backflow device on toilets (usually included in the fixture).
An approved vacuum breaker attached to each outside faucet.
Backflow Resources
Be very cautious with garden hoses. They can pose special problems. Whenever a hose is submerged in a potentially harmful substance and there's a sudden drop in pressure, the harmful substance can be pulled into your hose, and possibly your home's plumbing system, unless protected. A hose bib vacuum breaker is a simple inexpensive device that can easily be installed on the faucet to prevent potentially dangerous substances from entering your plumbing. Contaminated surface water on your lawn can also be siphoned back into your plumbing system, unless a proper backflow device is attached to your sprinkler system.
Also be sure to visit our Backflow Resource Center to find out more about codes and procedures concerning backflow issues.
