Today, South Jersey Backflow was in Rahway, NJ, conducting a backflow preventer inspection at a townhouse located in a suburban neighborhood. This property features a lawn irrigation system, which requires backflow protection to prevent water from the sprinklers, potentially contaminated with fertilizers and pesticides, from flowing back into the potable water supply. The Apollo 4A-100 RPZ is a great choice for residential applications, providing reliable protection for smaller irrigation systems.

Initial Inspection and Testing

The Apollo 4A-100 RPZ was located in the utility closet in the homeowner’s garage. Our visual inspection revealed:

• No visible leaks or cracks on the backflow preventer.
• A small amount of dirt and grass debris around the relief valve, which is typical for an outdoor irrigation system.
• Shutoff valves operating properly, but there was slight corrosion around the valve stems, which we addressed during maintenance.

We proceeded with the 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 2.0 PSI.

Preventive Maintenance

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

• Flushed the relief valve to clear out any dirt or debris from the system.
• Cleaned the check valve seats to prevent any blockages or leaks.
• Lubricated the shutoff valve stems to ensure easy operation in the future.

Final Steps and Certification

After completing the inspection and maintenance, we:

• Filed the compliance report with the Rahway Water Department.
• Provided the homeowner with the results and answered any questions they had about backflow prevention.
• Scheduled the next annual test to ensure continued system functionality.

Final Recommendations

Before leaving, we advised the homeowner to:

1. Inspect the backflow preventer quarterly for any debris buildup, especially after the irrigation system is in use.
2. Monitor the irrigation system for any signs of leaks or pressure changes that could affect the performance of the backflow preventer.
3. Ensure the area around the backflow preventer remains clear of plant growth or other obstructions that could affect valve operation.

Another successful service by South Jersey Backflow, helping Rahway homeowners protect their water supply and keep their irrigation systems in compliance!