Does your house or commercial building have a fire suppression system, an irrigation system or a large boiler? If so, you may need a backflow device, also known as a Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) valve, to ensure that your drinking water is protected from contaminants.

The Risks

If you have any one of the above systems, there’s a possibility, given the right circumstances, that you could have dangerous chemicals or bacteria get into your drinking water. With a lawn irrigation system, there’s always the risk that fertilizers or pesticides with getting into the system. With boilers and fire-protection systems, the water does not circulate or move and can accumulate bacteria or mineral buildup.

If there’s a reduction in the pressure to your water delivery system, whether from a leak inside your home or at the city water main, or even if a nearby fire hydrant is used, the water pressure to your home can drop below the level of the pressure in the boiler, fire-suppression system or irrigation system. When that happens, water can be displaced into your drinking water supply.

How an RPZ Valve Protects You

When you install a backflow device (RPZ valve), you will be protected from contamination of your water supply, as the RPZ valve will open anytime city water pressure or pressure to your home or commercial building drops. When the valve opens, it will dump the water out before it reaches your water supply.

Public Service Plumbers
5610 Dyer Street
Dallas, Texas 75206
(214) 753-4633

We offer plumbing installation and repair services to individuals and businesses throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including Highland Park, University Park, Preston Hollow, Lakewood, Lake Highlands, Richardson, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Coppell, Garland, Mesquite, Addison, Kessler Park, Farmers Branch, Grapevine, Southlake, Flower Mound and Lewisville.