Today’s backflow preventer service brought us to Edison, NJ, where we were called in for an emergency repair at a large shopping center. The property management company overseeing the plaza had received a notification from the Edison Township Water Department that their annual backflow test was overdue, and when they scheduled an inspection with us, we discovered a serious issue: their Febco 825Y Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) assembly was actively leaking.

This RPZ is installed on the property’s domestic water supply line, meaning a failure could lead to contamination risks for multiple businesses, including restaurants, retail stores, and offices. The urgency of the situation meant we needed to act fast.

Initial Inspection and Testing

Upon arrival, we located the Febco 825Y, installed in a mechanical room at the rear of the shopping center. Water was pooling around the base of the unit, a clear sign that the relief valve was discharging excessively.

After setting up our test kit, we performed a full backflow test:

1. Check Valve #1 – Passed, maintaining 3.1 PSI.
2. Check Valve #2 – Passed, holding at 2.9 PSI.
3. Relief Valve – Failed; it continuously discharged, unable to hold pressure.

Repair and Maintenance

Since the issue was with the relief valve, we needed to disassemble and rebuild the internal components. This involved:

• Shutting down the water supply to safely remove the relief valve assembly.
• Cleaning the internal parts, which had significant mineral buildup and debris.
• Replacing the rubber diaphragm and seating gasket, which had worn out over time.
• Reassembling the relief valve and ensuring proper alignment.

Retesting and Compliance

After reassembling the unit, we retested the RPZ:

• The relief valve held steady and only discharged under the correct conditions.
• The overall system passed all required tests.

We then completed the necessary paperwork and submitted the test report to the Edison Township Water Department to confirm compliance.

Final Recommendations

Before leaving, we advised the property manager to:

1. Schedule quarterly inspections to prevent another emergency failure.
2. Consider installing a drainage system in the mechanical room to handle minor discharges more effectively.
3. Ensure annual testing is scheduled in advance to avoid future compliance issues.

Thanks to our quick response, the shopping center avoided any disruption to its businesses, and the backflow preventer is now fully operational. Another job well done for South Jersey Backflow!