Frequently Asked Questions

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Backflow is a plumbing term that refers to the pollution of a clean water line by contaminated water flowing in the reverse direction. Backflow occurs in cross-connections, such as in dishwashers and reverse osmosis systems, between potable and non-potable water lines and results in water that is unsafe to consume. For example, dirty dish water can intermingle with your clean water line and dirty your drinking water. One of two types of changes in water pressure, back pressure and back siphonage, are the primary causes of backflow.

If you have a device on your home in Gladden Farms or Rancho Marana look on the side of the house where the water line enters the house. There you will find the device. If you live in a home that has been built in the last 10-12 years you most likely do not have a device. If you are not connected to the community irrigation water for your landscape, you do not have a device. 

When the first homes in Gladden Farms were being built, they felt there might be a risk of back siphonage from the irrigation system and the regular water systems. The way that backflows work this would not be an issue with any home but they were still put on the homes. By regulations once they are on the home they must be tested once a year. The only way to get out of testing is to be removed from the community irrigation system and then you can remove the backflow. There is a special procedure for removal that involves the HOA and Marana Water. 

Yes, there are Reduce Pressure assemblies, Double Check assemblies, Pressure Vacuum Breaker assemblies, and Air gap assemblies. Only the Reduce Pressure assemblies are allowed on the homes that  required to have them in Gladden Farms and Rancho Marana. 

The short answer is yes you can remove them if you follow the procedure from Marana Water and the HOA requirements. 

I can complete a backflow test at home in less than 2 minutes but there is still about 10 minutes associated with each backflow to input the testing data to both Marana Water and my own database. 

I have one of the lowest rates for testing. For residential in the Gladden Farms and Rancho Marana I charge 25 dollars. For commercial backflow assemblies I charge 55 dollars. 

98 % of the time there is an issue with the relief valve or the #1 check valve. Sometimes with colder weather there could be an issue with the brass part of the device as well. A constant drip is an issue, a drip that only happens once in a while and goes away is not an issue. 

No we offer online billing and payments so no need for the client to be there. We also can send you a copy of the test report. 

Replacement cost will depend on the size and required backflow. Also, the current market price for the backflow. Price ranges can be from 500 to upwards of 2000 depending on size and situation.