Today, South Jersey Backflow was in Middletown, NJ, performing an annual backflow preventer test at a residential property in a quiet suburban neighborhood. The homeowner has a large automatic lawn irrigation system that requires a backflow preventer to protect against contamination from fertilizers and pesticides that could enter the municipal water supply.

The backflow preventer in use was an Apollo 4A-200 Reduced Pressure Zone Assembly (RPZ), installed on the property’s main irrigation line near the meter.

Initial Inspection and Testing

The Apollo 4A-200 RPZ was housed in an above-ground protective enclosure near the front lawn. Our visual inspection found:

• No leaks or corrosion on the valve body.
• A small amount of dirt and grass debris near the relief valve vent.
• Slightly stiff shutoff valves, likely due to seasonal inactivity.

We then conducted a full backflow preventer test:

1. Check Valve #1 – Passed, holding at 3.1 PSI.
2. Check Valve #2 – Passed, maintaining 2.9 PSI.
3. Relief Valve – Passed, opening at 2.2 PSI.

Preventive Maintenance

To ensure the system continues working properly, we performed routine maintenance:

• Flushed the relief valve to clear out any debris.
• Cleaned and inspected the check valve seats to ensure proper sealing.
• Lubricated shutoff valve stems to allow for easier operation.

Final Steps and Certification

After confirming the system’s compliance, we:

• Filed the test report with the Middletown Water Department.
• Provided a copy of the results to the homeowner.
• Scheduled the next annual inspection to keep the system in compliance.

Final Recommendations

Before leaving, we advised the homeowner to:

1. Check the backflow preventer enclosure monthly, ensuring it remains free of leaves, grass, and dirt.
2. Operate the shutoff valves periodically, preventing them from seizing up between seasons.
3. Winterize the system properly before freezing temperatures return, avoiding potential damage.

Another successful residential service by South Jersey Backflow, ensuring Middletown homeowners maintain safe and compliant irrigation systems!