Mount Pleasant Waterworks: Water Company & Public Water Utility in South Carolina - Residential Water Services - Pub Detail

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Attention Irrigation Customers!

On June 13, 2000, the S.C. Dept. of Health and Environmental Control required all new residential irrigation meters be protected with a backflow prevention assembly. The MPW Commission amended the Backflow Prevention Guidelines to also include meters installed before this date. If you have an irrigation system that is tied to the public water supply, your irrigation meter must have a backflow preventor to protect the MPW water system from potential contamination.*

* Under certain conditions, pesticides, herbicides, and other contaminates may enter your irrigation system, which if not properly isolated by a backflow assembly, could then enter the public water supply.

Installation Requirements

Only Reduced Pressure Principle (RP) backflow assemblies are allowed on irrigation systems.
Backflow assemblies must be installed 12 inches above ground.
Backflow assemblies must be located within 15 feet of the irrigation meter. Installations more than 15 feet must be approved by an MPW Inspector prior to installation.

Testing Requirements

Backflow assemblies must be tested upon installation, after any repairs, and once each year.
Backflow assemblies must be tested by a SCDHEC Certified Tester.
Copy of testing results must be sent to Mount Pleasant Waterworks.

Recommendations
Backflow assemblies should be protected from freezing. Installing an insulated enclosure over the assembly or turning the water off at the meter and draining the assembly in freezing weather is recommended. Wrapping the assembly with installation is not recommended because it will prevent access to test cocks, check valves and relief valve. There are several types of covers you can get from irrigation and landscape supply stores that will provide freezing weather protection.

ACTION STEPS to help get you started:

Installation — The backflow assembly may be installed by a South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) Certified Tester, irrigation contractor, or by the customer.
Testing — The backflow assembly must be tested by a SCDHEC Certified Tester. Your irrigation contractor may be a Certified Tester.
Submit Test Results to MPW — Send the test results to the attention of Backflow Prevention Manager Del Harbin at Mount Pleasant Waterworks, PO Box 330, Mount Pleasant, SC 29465-0330.

How much will it cost to install a backflow assembly?
Prices will vary depending on whom you choose to do the work. Cost can range from $150.00 to $400.00 You may want to get two or three estimates.

Typical Irrigation / Backflow Assembly Installation

If you have any questions, call Del Harbin at 327-3160 or email him at delharbin@mpwonline.com.