Today, South Jersey Backflow was called out to Cherry Hill, NJ, to perform an annual backflow preventer test and service at a large office complex. The building is managed by a third-party property maintenance company, which contracts us each year to ensure compliance with Cherry Hill Water Department regulations.

The office complex has multiple water systems, but today we focused on the Wilkins 975XL2 Reduced Pressure Zone Assembly (RPZ), which protects the lawn irrigation system. Since fertilizers and pesticides are used on the landscaping, it’s critical that the backflow preventer functions properly to prevent contamination of the city’s potable water supply.

Initial Inspection and Testing

The 975XL2 RPZ was installed in a below-grade vault near the complex’s main entrance. Our initial inspection showed:

• Standing water in the vault, likely from recent rain.
• Minor rust on the shutoff valves but no active leaks.
• Debris buildup around the relief valve outlet.

We set up our test kit and conducted the backflow preventer test:

1. Check Valve #1 – Passed, holding at 2.9 PSI (above the minimum 2.0 PSI).
2. Check Valve #2 – Passed, maintaining 2.7 PSI.
3. Relief Valve – Failed, discharging water intermittently at 1.4 PSI (below the required 2.0 PSI).

Repair and Maintenance

Since the relief valve was not sealing properly, we performed the following maintenance:

• Drained the vault to allow for a clean work environment.
• Disassembled the relief valve and found a worn-out rubber diaphragm and debris lodged in the seat.
• Replaced the rubber diaphragm and cleaned the relief valve seat.
• Lubricated and tightened the shutoff valves to prevent future corrosion issues.

After reassembly, we retested the backflow preventer, and the relief valve now opened correctly at 2.2 PSI, passing inspection.

Final Steps and Certification

With the RPZ back in proper working order, we:

• Completed the compliance report for submission to Cherry Hill Water Department.
• Provided a maintenance report to the property management company.
• Scheduled next year’s test to ensure continued compliance.

Final Recommendations

Before leaving, we recommended:

1. Improving vault drainage to prevent excessive water accumulation, which can cause long-term damage.
2. Conducting quarterly visual checks to catch minor leaks before they become major issues.
3. Inspecting other backflow preventers on the property, as routine maintenance can extend their lifespan.

Another successful service call for South Jersey Backflow, ensuring Cherry Hill’s office complex remains compliant and its irrigation system operates safely!