Today, South Jersey Backflow was in Medford, NJ, providing backflow inspection and maintenance services at a multi-tenant office complex. The office complex houses several businesses and a shared irrigation system that keeps the landscaping and parking lot green and well-maintained. Given the commercial nature of the property, it’s essential that the backflow preventer is functioning correctly to ensure no contaminants are entering the public water supply. The backflow preventer in use is the Zurn Wilkins 375 RPZ, a reliable model designed to protect against contamination in high-traffic commercial buildings.

Initial Inspection and Testing

The Zurn Wilkins 375 RPZ was located in the maintenance room of the office complex, which was easily accessible for our team. During the visual inspection, we found:

• No visible cracks or leaks in the assembly.
• Minimal mineral buildup around the relief valve, likely due to the frequent irrigation cycles in the landscaping system.
• Shutoff valves in good condition, with no signs of corrosion or malfunction.

We proceeded with the full backflow preventer test:

1. Check Valve #1 – Passed, holding at 4.2 PSI.
2. Check Valve #2 – Passed, maintaining 4.0 PSI.
3. Relief Valve – Passed, opening at 2.6 PSI.

Preventive Maintenance

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

• Flushed the relief valve to remove mineral deposits from the irrigation system’s water.
• Cleaned the check valve seats to ensure they maintain a proper seal and prevent future leaks.
• Lubricated the shutoff valve stems to protect them from corrosion and ensure proper operation.

Final Steps and Certification

Once the inspection and maintenance were completed, we:

• Filed the compliance report with the Medford Water Department.
• Provided the office complex’s property manager with the completed test results and a summary of services performed.
• Scheduled the next annual inspection to ensure the system remains compliant with water safety regulations.

Final Recommendations

Before leaving, we advised the property manager to:

1. Inspect the backflow preventer periodically, especially after heavy rainstorms, as the irrigation system’s water usage might fluctuate.
2. Monitor the water pressure in the office complex to make sure the backflow preventer continues to operate correctly under varying conditions.
3. Keep the maintenance area clean to avoid debris buildup around the backflow preventer that could affect performance.

Another successful service by South Jersey Backflow, ensuring Medford’s office complex is protected and compliant with water safety regulations!