Today, South Jersey Backflow was in Evesham, NJ, providing backflow preventer inspection and maintenance at a popular retail store with an outdoor garden. The store has a landscape irrigation system that helps maintain the aesthetic appeal of the property, which is important for drawing customers in. The irrigation system utilizes water treatment chemicals for maintaining plants and garden features, so ensuring the backflow preventer is working properly is crucial to protect the public water supply. The Watts 009M2 RPZ model was installed here, offering excellent protection against backflow while being compact enough for commercial properties.

Initial Inspection and Testing

The Watts 009M2 RPZ was located in an outdoor utility enclosure, which was easily accessible. During the visual inspection, we found:

• No cracks or leaks in the assembly.
• Slight wear on the shutoff valves and valve stems, likely due to frequent exposure to outdoor elements.
• Mineral buildup around the relief valve, indicating heavy use of the irrigation system.

We proceeded with the full backflow preventer test:

1. Check Valve #1 – Passed, holding at 4.0 PSI.
2. Check Valve #2 – Passed, maintaining 3.9 PSI.
3. Relief Valve – Passed, opening at 2.5 PSI.

Preventive Maintenance

Since the system passed all tests, we proceeded with routine maintenance:

• Flushed the relief valve to clear out any mineral buildup from the irrigation system.
• Cleaned the check valve seats to ensure proper sealing and to prevent future leaks.
• Lubricated the shutoff valve stems to prevent rust and ensure smooth operation, especially during the high-use season.

Final Steps and Certification

After completing the inspection and maintenance, we:

• Filed the compliance report with the Evesham Water Department.
• Provided the store manager with the completed test results and a summary of services performed.
• Scheduled the next annual inspection to maintain compliance with water safety regulations.

Final Recommendations

Before leaving, we advised the retail store manager to:

1. Inspect the backflow preventer regularly, especially when transitioning between seasons, as the irrigation system will be used more frequently.
2. Monitor the irrigation water quality to avoid additional mineral buildup that could affect the system.
3. Keep the utility area clear of any debris, as the outdoor conditions could cause contamination around the backflow preventer.

Another successful service by South Jersey Backflow, keeping Evesham’s retail store compliant with water safety and environmental protection!