Today, South Jersey Backflow was in Atlantic City, NJ, servicing the backflow preventer for a casino resort that has an expansive pool area and landscaped grounds. The resort uses treated public water for both the pool and outdoor landscaping irrigation, making it essential to ensure that the backflow preventer is working properly to protect the city’s water supply from any potential contamination. The resort’s Febco 765 RPZ assembly is known for its high efficiency and durability in handling large-scale commercial operations, making it ideal for this type of environment.

Initial Inspection and Testing

The Febco 765 RPZ was located in a maintenance room adjacent to the resort’s pool filtration system. During the visual inspection, we observed:

• No visible cracks or leaks in the assembly.
• Some rusting around the shutoff valve handles, which is typical in environments with exposure to high moisture levels from the pool and irrigation system.
• Mineral buildup on the relief valve, likely due to the chemicals used in the pool and irrigation systems.

We proceeded with the full backflow preventer test:

1. Check Valve #1 – Passed, holding at 5.2 PSI.
2. Check Valve #2 – Passed, maintaining 5.1 PSI.
3. Relief Valve – Passed, opening at 3.3 PSI.

Preventive Maintenance

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

• Flushed the relief valve to remove any mineral buildup and prevent any potential blockage that could affect the system’s performance.
• Cleaned the check valve seats to ensure proper sealing and avoid future leaks.
• Lubricated the shutoff valve stems to prevent rust and corrosion from affecting valve function.

Final Steps and Certification

After completing the inspection and maintenance, we:

• Filed the compliance report with the Atlantic City Water Department.
• Provided the resort’s facilities manager with the completed test results and a summary of services performed.
• Scheduled the next annual inspection to ensure the backflow preventer remains in optimal condition and continues to protect the water supply.

Final Recommendations

Before leaving, we advised the facilities manager to:

1. Inspect the backflow preventer regularly, particularly before the pool is opened for the season and the irrigation system is used more frequently.
2. Monitor the quality of water in the pool and irrigation systems to prevent mineral and chemical buildup that could interfere with the backflow preventer’s operation.
3. Ensure the maintenance room stays organized and free of debris, preventing any interference with the backflow preventer’s components.

Another successful service by South Jersey Backflow, keeping Atlantic City’s casino resort compliant and ensuring public water safety!