Backflow Prevention: What Port Stephens Homeowners Need to Know
Backflow prevention isn't the most exciting topic, but for homes near the water at Soldiers Point, Corlette, Salamander Bay, Tanilba Bay and Lemon Tree Passage, it's one of the more important ones. Here's what it actually means and why it matters.
What Backflow Actually Is
Backflow happens when water flows the wrong way through your plumbing, potentially pulling contaminated water back into the clean drinking water supply. It's usually caused by a drop in mains pressure combined with a cross connection somewhere on the property, like an irrigation system, pool, or boat washdown point.
Why It Matters More Near the Water
Waterfront properties around Soldiers Point and Tanilba Bay often have extra connections that create cross connection risks, think jetty washdown taps, boat cleaning points, and irrigation drawing from tanks or bores. Each one is a potential path for contamination if there's no backflow prevention device in place.
What the Standards Require
AS/NZS 3500.1 sets out backflow prevention requirements based on the level of risk a connection poses. Higher risk connections, like irrigation systems or anything connected to bore or tank water, generally need a testable backflow prevention device that gets checked annually to confirm it's still working.
Common Spots We Find Missing Protection
Irrigation and garden reticulation systems
Pool and spa top-up connections
Boat washdown and jetty taps
Rainwater tanks with a mains water backup connection
Not Sure If Your Property Is Covered?
If you've got an irrigation system, tank, or waterfront connection and you're not sure whether it's protected, it's worth getting checked. Wilkins Plumbing Works services Soldiers Point, Corlette, Salamander Bay, Tanilba Bay, Lemon Tree Passage and right across Port Stephens. Call Joel on 0427 533 643.
Wilkins Plumbing Works is a licensed plumbing and gas fitting business (Licence No. 227350C) servicing Port Stephens and surrounding suburbs. This article is general information and doesn't replace an on-site assessment from a licensed plumber.
