Today, South Jersey Backflow was in Hamilton Township, NJ, performing backflow preventer maintenance at a public park with an extensive irrigation system. The park is home to several large playgrounds, gardens, and sports fields that rely on an irrigation system to keep the grounds lush and green throughout the year. With the increasing demand on the irrigation system, which uses treated water for the gardens and turf, the park needs to ensure its backflow preventer is working properly to protect the public water supply from potential contamination. The Apollo 70-200 RPZ was selected for this installation due to its reliability and robustness in municipal applications.

Initial Inspection and Testing

The Apollo 70-200 RPZ was located in an outdoor maintenance shed near the park’s central irrigation control station. During our visual inspection, we found:

• No visible damage or leaks in the assembly.
• Light rust on the shutoff valves, likely due to the damp environment of the irrigation system and rain.
• Some mineral buildup around the relief valve, which is typical for systems that use treated water.

We proceeded with the full backflow preventer test:

1. Check Valve #1 – Passed, holding at 5.0 PSI.
2. Check Valve #2 – Passed, maintaining 4.9 PSI.
3. Relief Valve – Passed, opening at 3.1 PSI.

Preventive Maintenance

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

• Flushed the relief valve to clear out any mineral deposits that had accumulated.
• Cleaned the check valve seats to ensure proper sealing and to prevent future leaks.
• Lubricated the shutoff valve stems to reduce the risk of corrosion and ensure smooth operation throughout the year.

Final Steps and Certification

After completing the inspection and maintenance, we:

• Filed the compliance report with the Hamilton Township Water Department.
• Provided the park’s facilities manager with the completed test results and a summary of services performed.
• Scheduled the next annual inspection to ensure continued compliance with water safety regulations.

Final Recommendations

Before leaving, we advised the facilities manager to:

1. Inspect the backflow preventer regularly, especially before the irrigation system is turned on in the spring to ensure all systems are functioning correctly.
2. Monitor the quality of the irrigation water to prevent any mineral buildup from affecting the backflow preventer.
3. Ensure the utility area remains clean and free of debris to avoid any interference with the valves and backflow preventer components.

Another successful service by South Jersey Backflow, helping Hamilton Township’s public park remain compliant and protect the water supply!