Backflow Prevention

We work hard to ensure that the drinking water delivered to your home or business is safe at all times. One way we do this is by reducing the risk of drinking water contamination from backflow.

Backflow occurs when a change in water pressure allows the normal flow of water to reverse direction. This creates a safety issue if that flow reversal - backflow - pulls contaminated water from an unprotected cross-connection into the drinking water supply.

Backflow prevention devices stop potential contaminants from entering the water system by maintaining one-way water flow. In compliance with Ohio EPA  regulations, we require backflow prevention devices to be installed on all commercial water service connections and on residential connections that have irrigation systems, fire sprinkler systems, and swimming pools and hot tubs with automatic fill valves. A certified plumber must test these devices every year. Customers are notified via mail when their device requires testing.

Plumbers are required to submit the results of these tests to Cleveland Water. Cleveland Water contracts with Backflow Solutions Inc. (BSI) to track all of the backflow testing data from our customers to ensure that owners have a working backflow device on their property. Plumbers must submit their test results through BSI Online.