Today, South Jersey Backflow was in Hopewell, NJ, conducting a backflow preventer inspection at a local public school district. This district has multiple school buildings, each requiring backflow protection to ensure that contaminants do not enter the water supply, especially in areas like kitchens and laboratories where the potential for hazardous backflow is higher. The backflow preventer in place is a Febco 825Y Reduced Pressure Zone Assembly (RPZ), which is ideal for use in high-risk environments such as schools and other public buildings.

Initial Inspection and Testing

The Febco 825Y RPZ was located in a well-ventilated mechanical room within one of the larger school buildings. During our visual inspection, we found:

• No leaks or visible damage to the assembly.
• Minimal corrosion around the relief valve, likely due to the building’s older piping system.
• Shutoff valves in good condition, although some minor stiffness was noted in the valve handles, which will need to be addressed.

We conducted the full backflow preventer test:

1. Check Valve #1 – Passed, holding at 3.6 PSI.
2. Check Valve #2 – Passed, maintaining 3.3 PSI.
3. Relief Valve – Passed, opening at 2.2 PSI.

Preventive Maintenance

Since the backflow preventer was performing well, we proceeded with routine maintenance:

• Flushed the relief valve to remove any debris and prevent blockage.
• Cleaned the check valve seats to keep them from becoming obstructed over time.
• Lubricated the shutoff valve stems to ensure smooth operation and prevent stiffness in the future.

Final Steps and Certification

Once testing and maintenance were complete, we:

• Filed the compliance report with the Hopewell Water Department.
• Provided a copy of the results to the school district’s facilities team.
• Scheduled the next annual inspection to maintain compliance with local regulations.

Final Recommendations

Before leaving, we advised the facilities team to:

1. Inspect the backflow preventer every six months to prevent buildup of debris and ensure continued performance.
2. Monitor the plumbing system for any pressure fluctuations or leaks that could affect the backflow preventer’s efficiency.
3. Keep the mechanical room around the backflow preventer clean and dry to prevent rust or other issues from developing over time.

Another successful service by South Jersey Backflow, ensuring Hopewell’s school district stays compliant and its water supply is protected!