Backflow Prevention Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the Backflow Prevention Exam with comprehensive flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question aids understanding with detailed hints and explanations. Excel in your exam with confidence!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What can cause non-potable water to mix with potable water?

Backpressure
Filtration
Gravity feed
Heat exchange

The correct answer is: Backpressure

Backpressure is a significant concern in water systems that can lead to non-potable water mixing with potable water. This condition occurs when the pressure in a non-potable system exceeds the pressure in the potable water system, causing a flow of water from the non-potable side into the potable side. For example, if there is a cross-connection between a non-potable water source (such as irrigation water or industrial water) and a potable water system, and the non-potable system experiences an increase in pressure—possibly due to a pump or flowing water—it can force contaminants back into the drinking water supply. This can potentially lead to serious health hazards, as the potable water may become contaminated with harmful substances. Understanding how backpressure functions is crucial for implementing effective backflow prevention measures, such as the use of air gaps, check valves, and backflow preventers, which are designed specifically to protect the potable water supply from this kind of contamination.