What causes backflow of nonpotable materials into a potable water system?

What causes backflow of nonpotable materials into a potable water system?

• A. Backpressure
• B. Backsiphonage
• C. Both backpressure and backsiphonage
• D. Inadequate filtration

Answer: (C)

Backflow of nonpotable materials into a potable water system can occur primarily due to two mechanisms: backpressure and backsiphonage. Backpressure happens when the pressure in the nonpotable system exceeds that of the potable water system. This could occur in situations where a pressurized system (like a boiler or irrigation system) forces water back into the potable water supply, thereby contaminating it. On the other hand, backsiphonage occurs when there is a negative pressure in the potable water system, typically due to events like main water line breaks or high demand that creates a vacuum. This change in pressure can suck nonpotable water into the system, leading to harmful contamination. Both phenomena can seriously compromise the safety of the potable water supply, making it essential to implement proper cross-connection control and backflow prevention measures in water supply systems. Therefore, the correct answer encompasses the reality that both backpressure and backsiphonage are capable of causing this dangerous condition, supporting the importance of addressing these risks in water system management.

Backflow of nonpotable materials into a potable water system can occur primarily due to two mechanisms: backpressure and backsiphonage.

Backpressure happens when the pressure in the nonpotable system exceeds that of the potable water system. This could occur in situations where a pressurized system (like a boiler or irrigation system) forces water back into the potable water supply, thereby contaminating it. On the other hand, backsiphonage occurs when there is a negative pressure in the potable water system, typically due to events like main water line breaks or high demand that creates a vacuum. This change in pressure can suck nonpotable water into the system, leading to harmful contamination.

Both phenomena can seriously compromise the safety of the potable water supply, making it essential to implement proper cross-connection control and backflow prevention measures in water supply systems. Therefore, the correct answer encompasses the reality that both backpressure and backsiphonage are capable of causing this dangerous condition, supporting the importance of addressing these risks in water system management.