Backflow Hub

Join us 8/16 to recognize backflow preventers and the professionals who install, test, and service them.

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Download Backflow e-book Series

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The Who, the What, and the Wye

A simple, yet effective device designed to filter out sediment, particulates, and foreign matter in your plumbing or piping system large enough to clog or damage your equipment if left unchecked.
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Backflow Incidents That Could Have Been Prevented

It is our responsibility as water professionals to maintain standards and continue to provide communities with safe, potable water.
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Top 10 Considerations for Specifying Backflow

A poor choice of backflow preventer can have disastrous consequences for your community, environment, and potentially, your bottom line.
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Backflow Basics

It’s critical that we, as knowledgeable and trusted professionals, stay up-to-date on the changing demands of our plumbing systems and do all we can to ensure that our water systems stay safe.
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Featured Backflow Innovations

LF909_setup-sensor_syncta

LF909-FS/909RPDA-FS

Real-time alerts when potential flood conditions are detected.
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LF009-FS

Get alerted of potential flood conditions in your facility.
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Ames Backflow Valve in red with flood sensor attached.

Ames Fire Tamper Switch

Save on labor with integrated fire tamper detection.
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backflow part getting coated in armor Tek

ArmorTek™

Field-proven protection against microbial-induced corrosion (MIC)
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a backflow training module that is showing  man who is working on a back flow preventer

Backflow Training

Catch up on best practices in backflow and water safety anytime, anywhere with eLearning courses and CEU webinars designed to fit your busy schedule.

CEU Webinars Watts Works Online

Examples of Backflow

Backflow Basics

Child drinking water from a glass at a table

What is Backflow?

Backflow describes the undesirable reversal of the flow of water from its intended direction in any pipeline or plumbing system. Caused by cross-connections that can potentially allow contaminants into the drinking water system, backflow incidents occur when wastewater or other hazardous materials enter a potable water supply.
Two Type Backflow

Two Types of Backflow

The two types of backflow are known as backpressure and backsiphonage. Backpressure is defined as pressure higher than the supply pressure, caused by a pump, elevated tank, boiler, or any other means that may cause backflow. Backsiphonage describes backflow caused by negative or reduced pressure in the supply piping, often caused by a sudden drop in supply pressure.
A man checking on a backflow preventer

How Can Backflow Be Prevented?

Backflow prevention isn't just critical – it's mandated. All major plumbing code bodies address protection against backflow. Plumbing professionals ensure our communities are safe from the dangers of backflow by identifying cross-connections, specifying and installing the appropriate backflow preventers, and inspecting them to ensure they operate correctly and are up to code.

Backflow Preventers Frequently Asked Questions

Complete List of Backflow FAQs

Backflow Resources

Catalog
Manual
Specification
LF909 Video Title screen
Deringer Video Title screen
LF860 Video Title screen

The Watts Family of Brands

For nearly 150 years, Watts has been trusted to innovate solutions on behalf of our customers. Our brands offer a variety of high-quality backflow prevention technologies that protect our potable water supply. Our solutions help our customers prioritize safety, durability, and compliance.

 

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