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When building proposals are received from your clients the Water Corporation carries out an assessment of backflow risk based on the intended land use. The backflow risk will be deemed to be either a low, medium or high level.  Applicants will then have a property boundary backflow installation requirement appropriate to the level of risk as a condition of the building approval.

Developments of this type require backflow prevention devices internal to the property as well as on the property's water service connection. The provision of all these devices and specific maintenance of medium and high risk devices is a condition of connecting to the water supply system.

We recommend that you consult your clients before proceeding with detailed hydraulic design. They are advised of the assessed risk level for their property when applying for building services. If you or your client do not agree with the assessed risk level, a request to our Service Protection staff for review of that classification is possible. This is to be supported by a detailed submission by a person competent in the evaluation of backflow risk.

The following conditions should be noted:

• Containment backflow prevention devices are required to be installed (at the property boundary) as part of the plumbing system downstream of the property's water meter.
• Devices are to be adequately supported and no part of any fitting or containment device is to be installed closer than the greater measurement of five pipe diameters or 300 mm from the meter outlet, whichever is greater.
• No connections are permitted between the meter outlet and the containment device.
• If continuity of supply is critical to your client consideration should be given to connecting duplicate devices in parallel.
• If the property has more than one new water service you will need to install a device or devices at the connection point for each of those services. Fire services are to be fitted with a double-check valve detector assembly or a registered air gap / break tank.

The work is identified as plumbing work and is therefore covered by the Plumbing regulations. Compliance with the plumbing standards will therefore be monitored by the Plumbers Licensing Board and you are therefore required to notify that Board in the normal manner of your intention to carry out the work.

Only licensed plumbers who are qualified to install, test and certify backflow prevention devices are permitted to carry out such works.

The Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage By-laws 1981 ("the MWSS&D by-laws") and the Country Areas Water Supply By-laws 1957 ("the CAWS by-laws") require a copy of backflow prevention device test reports to be lodged with the Water Corporation not later than 5 working days after the test is carried out. Test reports are to be in accordance with AS2845.3 which covers the field testing and maintenance of backflow prevention devices.

When your clients apply for building services that require containment protection they are advised that medium and high risk rated backflow prevention devices are required to be tested on an annual basis to ensure that they remain functional. They are informed that you will be able to advise further on these requirements.

The Water Corporation will inspect properties to ensure ongoing compliance with its Backflow Prevention Policy.

	Backflow Prevention Devices

	Backflow Device Test Form Report