North Avendor, Massachusetts —The second annual National Backflow Prevention Day returns on Aug 16. The day is dedicated to recognizing the importance of backflow prevention, cross-connection control and those who install, maintain and test backflow preventers.
Watts Water Technologies launched National Backflow Prevention Day in 2021, and this year’s event will feature a live stream event that focuses on backflow prevention sustainability.
“Backflow preventers and those who test, install, and maintain them are the unsung heroes of water safety. They often go unnoticed, and yet they play a crucial role in keeping water supplies clean and safe all over the world,” said Danielle Swanson, marketing manager at Watts. “This national day reminds us to recognize the importance of the backflow preventer and those involved in water safety.”
National Backflow Prevention Day aims to acknowledge the importance of backflow prevention, educate the public on how this life-saving technology is used, and recognize the water quality professionals responsible for installing and maintaining backflow preventers.
Aug. 16 is a significant date as it represents the 1933 Chicago hotel incident, which saw 98 deaths and 2,000 illnesses due to poor plumbing practices, contaminated water mains, and sewage systems in two hotels.
As one of the first documented backflow incidents, it resulted in the founding of the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research, as well as new safe plumbing regulations for backflow assemblies.
To celebrate, social media users can use “#BackFlowDay” to join in on the conversation. Watts also encourages people to thank their local plumbers or water quality professionals and to locate and share images of backflow preventers in their community or their own backflow and cross-connection installs.