Today, South Jersey Backflow was in Bordentown, NJ, providing backflow preventer services at a residential property with a pool and irrigation system. The homeowner uses both treated water for the garden and pool maintenance, so it’s crucial to ensure that the backflow preventer is functioning properly to prevent any contaminants from entering the public water supply. The installed model, the Zurn Wilkins 375 RPZ, is known for its durability and high performance in protecting residential systems from backflow incidents.

Initial Inspection and Testing

The Wilkins 375 RPZ was located in the basement, near the main water supply. During the visual inspection, we found:

• No visible cracks or leaks in the assembly.
• Some corrosion around the valve handles, likely from the proximity to the outdoor pool area.
• Slight mineral buildup around the relief valve from frequent irrigation and pool maintenance.

We proceeded with the full backflow preventer test:

1. Check Valve #1 – Passed, holding at 4.5 PSI.
2. Check Valve #2 – Passed, maintaining 4.4 PSI.
3. Relief Valve – Passed, opening at 2.2 PSI.

Preventive Maintenance

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

• Flushed the relief valve to clear out the mineral buildup and ensure smooth operation.
• Cleaned the check valve seats to maintain proper sealing and prevent potential leaks.
• Lubricated the shutoff valve stems to reduce the risk of rust and ensure smooth valve operation in the future.

Final Steps and Certification

After completing the inspection and maintenance, we:

• Filed the compliance report with the Bordentown Water Department.
• Provided the homeowner with the completed test results and a summary of services performed.
• Scheduled the next annual inspection to ensure continued compliance and proper function of the backflow preventer.

Final Recommendations

Before leaving, we advised the homeowner to:

1. Inspect the backflow preventer regularly, especially before the pool and irrigation systems are used heavily during the summer.
2. Monitor the quality of water used in both the irrigation system and pool to prevent any additional mineral buildup.
3. Ensure the area around the backflow preventer stays clean, as any debris or dirt could interfere with the valves.

Another successful service by South Jersey Backflow, keeping Bordentown’s residential property safe and compliant with water safety standards!