Water normally flows in 1 direction, from the public water system through the customer’s cold or hot water plumbing to a sink tap or other plumbing fixture. The plumbing fixture is the end of the potable water system and the start of the waste disposal system.
Under certain conditions water can flow in the reverse direction. This is known as backflow. Backflow occurs when a backsiphonage or backpressure condition is created in a water line.
Backsiphonage
Backsiphonage may occur due to a loss of pressure in the water distribution system during a high withdrawal of water for fire protection, a water main or plumbing system break, or a shutdown of a water main or plumbing system for repair. A reduction of pressure below atmospheric pressure creates a vacuum in the piping. If a hose faucet was open and the hose submerged in a wading pool during these conditions, the non-potable water in the pool would be siphoned into the house’s plumbing and back into the public water system.
Backpressure
Backpressure may be created when a source of pressure, such as a pump, creates a pressure greater than that supplied from the distribution system. If a pump supplied from a non-potable source, such as a landscape pond, was accidentally connected to the plumbing system, the non-potable water could be pumped into the potable water supply.