LAWN (TURF) IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

For the protection of the water purveyors

distribution system, all irrigation systems
must have an approved backflow prevention
assembly that is commensurate with the
degree of hazard. Irrigation systems are
categorized as high health hazard or
moderate health hazard as defined below.

However, an approved PVBA does not

provide adequate protection if it is
subjected
to
flooding,
backpressure,
elevated piping, or if compressed air is used
to winterize the irrigation systems. In these
situations, an approved DCVA should be
required as a minimum level of protection.

APPROVED BACKFLOW ASSEMBLIES

Any irrigation system that contains pumps
or injectors for the addition of chemicals
and/or fertilizers is considered a high
hazard. This risk assessment is also based
on the additional hazard posed by bacterial
contaminants found on lawns, and on the
possibility of changes being made to the
irrigation system by the customer. An
approved
reduced
pressure
backflow
assembly (RPBA), or an approved air gap
separation, should be required in all cases
where chemicals or herbicides may be
injected into the irrigation system, or where
an auxiliary water supply is also provided
for irrigation water.
All irrigation systems that are not classified
as high health hazard are considered to be
moderate health hazards. This risk
assessment is based on the hazard posed by
bacterial and chemical contaminants found
on lawns, and on the possibility of changes
being made to the irrigation system by the
customer. An approved double check valve
assembly (DCVA), or pressure vacuum
breaker assembly (PVBA), should be
required.

LAWN
IRRIGATION
SYSTEMS
AND
BACKFLOW
PREVENTION

The water purveyor relies on approved

backflow prevention assemblies to protect
the public water system. Approved
assemblies are manufactured with isolation
valves and test cocks to permit fieldtesting to demonstrate that the assemblies
are properly functioning to prevent
backflow.
In addition to the above assemblies,
plumbing codes also allow the use of
atmospheric vacuum breakers (AVB) on
lawn irrigation systems without chemical
addition. Because an atmospheric vacuum
breaker is not designed to be tested, some
water purveyors require the installation of
approved, testable assemblies. Contact
your water purveyor regarding the
requirements for isolation of your lawn
irrigation system.

NOTE:
All irrigation piping should be considered
as a non-potable water system due to an
actual or potential health hazard.

A me r i c a n W a t e r W o r k s A s s o c i a t i o n
PACIFIC NORTHWE ST SECTION
Oregon Washington - Idaho

2001
R 9/30/02 [Brochure #3]
This brochure ma y b e copied unalt ered for
distribution
to
the
public
free
of
charge.
In f o r m a t i o n p r o v i d e d s h o u l d b e c o n s i d e r e d g e n e r a l
g u i d a n c e o n l y . C o n s u l t y o u r wa t e r p u r v e y o r f o r
specific requirements.

REDUCED PRESSURE BACKFLOW

ASSEMBLY FOR ISOLATION OF
LAWN IRRIGATION SYSTEM

DOUBLE CHECK VALVE

ASSEMBLY FOR ISOLATION OF
LAWN IRRI GATION SYSTEM

PRESSURE VACUUM BREAKER

ASSEMBLY FOR ISOLATION OF
LAWN IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

The reduced pressure backflow assembl y

(RPBA) shall be installed to isolate
irrigation systems using inj ectors or
pumps to appl y fer tilizer and other
agricultural chemicals .

The double check val ve assembl y

(DCVA) may be installed to isolate all
irrigation systems that do not use
inj ectors or pumps t o apply fertilizer
and other agricultural chemicals.

The pressure vacuum breaker assembl y

(PVBA) may be installed to isolate all
irrigation systems that do not use
inj ectors or pumps t o apply fertilizer
and other agricultural chemicals.

The RPBA must be installed above

ground to prevent the relief valve
opening from becoming s ubmer ged.

The PVBA shall be installed at least 12

inches above the hi ghest point in the
irrigation piping.

The RPBA should be installed in an

insulated enclosure to provide freeze
protection.

The DCVA may be installed in a below

ground enclosure provided the assembl y
test cocks are plugged; the test cocks are
pointed up; adequate space is provided
for maintenance and testing, and any
compressed air connections are installed
only downstream of the DCVA.

The RPBA shall be tested by a certified

backflow
assembl y
tester
upon
installation, after repair of relocation,
and at least annuall y.

The DCVA shall be tested by a certified

backflow
assembl y
tester
upon
installation, after repair of relocation,
and at least annuall y.

Re du ce d Pr es s ure ba c kflow A ss e mb l y
in A bove- Gro u n d En cl osu re

Do u bl e C he c k Va lv e As se mb ly
in B elo w - Gro u nd B o x
F o r f u r t h e r i nf o r ma t i o n c o nt a c t y o u r l o c a l
w at e r p u r v e y o r o r t he P N WS / A W W A C r o s s C o n n e c t i o n C o n t r ol C o m mi t t e e t hr o ug h t h e
P N WS of f i c e at ( 8 7 7 ) 7 6 7 - 2 9 9 2 .

The PVBA shall be tested by a certified

backflow
assembl y
tester
upon
installation, after repair of relocation,
and at least annuall y.

Pre ss ur e Va cu u m B r ea ker A s se mb ly