Purpose:
To inform contractors of the requirements for backflow protection within the City of Kelowna.

Tests Report Requirements For Assemblies:
All Test Reports for Backflow Assemblies are to be submitted within thirty days of the installation of the Assembly. The Test Reports are to be filled out clearly and completely and submitted to the address that is shown above. Please note that under “REMARKS” on the test report; record the repair work, what the assembly are protecting against and the location of the assembly.

Dental Chairs:
When installing potable water piping system to more than one dental chair, a Reduced Pressure Bacfklow Assembly (RPBA) will be required on the designated potable water line to the dental chairs. All the dental chairs will require a Dual Check Valve (DuC) installed at each chair. The designated potable water line to the chairs will be clearly marked “non-potable water”. When installing a potable water line to one dental chair, one RPBA is to be installed on the potable water line. Clearly mark the potable water line to the dental chair non-potable.

Permits for Hydrants:
Prior to the issuing of a Fire Hydrant permit the applicant must produce an approved copy of a Kelowna Joint Water Committee test report for the approved backflow assembly, as stated in Bulletin No: 99-01. If the backflow preventer is a rental then the rental company will give the contractor a copy of an approved test report for submitting to the appropriate water purveyor (districts). If the applicant has his own backflow preventer then they will have to show an approved copy of a Kelowna Joint Water Committee test report for the approved backflow assembly. All backflow assemblies must be tested annually by a certified tester.

Prior to the use of ANY hydrant, a hydrant permit must be obtained from the water purveyor. In addition a backflow prevention device must be installed on the hydrant before using the hydrant. At the time of hydrant use application a copy of the Kelowna Joint Water Committee test report for the approved backflow preventer must be produced. This test report will include all the information i.e.: type of backflow protection that will be used on the Hydrant, when it was last inspected, if an air gap is used or if an assembly; the date it was last tested.

Single Family Dwelling Irrigation Systems:
All single family dwelling irrigation systems that do not introduce a chemical to the system will require a DUAL CHECK VALVE installed on the system prior to connecting to the potable water system. A single family dwelling is either a single or duplex building. The duplex will have only two families residing in the duplex and one family in an individually attached building.
The water service to the building will be no larger than 1” in size.

Commercial Water Softeners:
Prior to the Installation of a commercial Water Softener a Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA) will be installed immediately upstream of the Water Softener.If an additive is added to the Water Softener then a Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA) will be required in place of the DCVA.

Water Filters on Commercial Applications:
Prior to the installation of a water filter system a Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA) will be installed on the Potable Water Line immediately upstream of the filtration system. If an additive is added to the filtration system then a Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA) will be installed in the place of the DCVA.

Swimming Pools:
When the swimming pool is directly connected to potable water piping systems, then a Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA) will be installed on the potable water piping to the swimming pool.

Water Cooled Equipment:
When connecting a potable water piping system to water cooled equipment a Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA) will be installed at the connection of the potable water piping to the water cooled equipment.

Steam Cleaning Units:
Before a steam cleaning unit can be connected to a potable water piping system a Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA) must be installed on the potable water piping connection to the steam cleaning unit.

Private Water Systems:
On a commercial property, if an Air Gap cannot be provided, then a Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA) shall be installed at the point of entry to the property of the potable water service. On a residential property, a Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA) will be installed on the water service at the point of entry to the property.

Commercial Heating and Cooling Systems:
When connecting a potable water system to any heating or cooling system within a commercial building, a Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA) shall be installed on the potable water supply piping to the mechanical equipment.

Residential Heating and Cooling Systems:
When connecting a heating or cooling system for a single family dwelling system to a potable water system that has no chemicals added to the heating system, then a Dual Check Valve with Atmospheric Port (DCAP) will be installed on the potable water piping to the heating equipment.

Glass Washers:
When connecting a Glass Washer to a potable water line a Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly will be required if the Glass Washer has a chemical-cleaning agent added to it. An Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB) can be installed providing there is no valves downstream of the AVB.

Purveyor Contact Numbers: