Why Your Rental Property Needs A Backflow Prevention Device | Nexus Property Management® Franchise

STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE MANDATING THAT PROPERTY OWNERS TAKE ON RESPONSIBILITY AND COSTS OF PREVENTING BACKFLOW

Backflow prevention is one of the latest federal and state regulations that is giving commercial, industrial, and rental property owners headaches. The idea is pretty simple: municipalities want to safeguard against hazardous particulates entering the water supply. It makes sense that governments should be tasked with ensuring citizens have clean, healthy water to consume. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be a steep, expensive, uphill climb for cities, towns, and property owners.

 

 

WHAT IS BACKFLOW AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Backflow is when contaminated water reverses flow into clean water lines. It can occur at any cross connection of dirty and clean water lines and is typically caused by a significant change in water pressure. The most common cause is broken water mains. A perfect example for investors in the Phoenix area is when I-60 was closed in Tempe just over a year ago because of a break in the water line under the interstate that spilled out an estimated 8 million gallons of water. An event like this, where pipes are cracked, will lead to immediate loss of pressure in the entire grid and put residents (and businesses) at risk. According to watermainbreakclock.com, there are roughly 850 water main breaks daily in North America at an estimated cost of $50.7 billion annually. If those numbers are even close to accurate, they help explain why so many states and municipalities are seeking proactive solutions. Serious health concerns, namely the risk of hazardous materials like human waste, pesticides, or chemicals, entering the drinking water supply, and exorbitant costs as water infrastructure ages, justify the need for action.

 

LEARN MORE: WATER MAIN BREAK IN WATERBURY, CT CAUSES DISCOLORED WATER IN HOMES

 

BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES

Backflow prevention devices prevent contaminated water from entering potable water. They’re designed to keep water flowing in one direction regardless of impacts to the system elsewhere. These devices help to regulate clean water flow and ultimately protect people and reduce the costs and time needed for repairs. In a city where all buildings have backflow prevention devices, the impact of a water main break will be minimal.

 

Photo Credit: Castle Pines Metropolitan District

 

However, the cost to safeguard an area is high and will fall on property owners. You’ll need to hire a licensed  plumber to install the device and a certified tester to test and communicate with your municipality. The type and cost of the device will vary based on the size of your property, but $500 is a fair estimate for the device alone. Once installed, the devices will need to be checked regularly, which again, will bring added costs and responsibility to property owners.

 

LEARN MORE: MORE ON BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES

 

NEXT STEPS:

It’s Nexus Property Management’s goal and responsibility to help educate property owners and prospective property owners for the sake of improving investment opportunities for all. When it comes to backflow prevention mandates and regulations, you can expect to hear from the municipality where your property is located should you have an unmet responsibility. You’ll need to find a trusted and reliable plumber and checker and as has been noted in the past, finding a vendor, especially with any urgency, is more difficult than ever. For that reason, and many others, it pays to have a professional property manager on your side. Reach out to our teams if you have any questions about your responsibilities or any inquiries around property management.

 

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Mick Lefort is the Vice President of Operations for Nexus Property Management®. A National Property Management Franchise that manages all types of rental property from single family homes or condos to large apartment buildings and complexes.

 

 

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