Backflow is the undesirable reversal of the flow of a possible source of contamination (water or mixture of water and other liquids, gases, or other substances) into the potable water system.  It can make for dangerous drinking water and should be tested annually. 

Backflow Preventers are mechanical plumbing devices installed in a plumbing system to prevent water from flowing backward in the system. A properly installed, tested and maintained backflow preventer at the service entrance to a building or property can reliably prevent the backflow of water of an unknown quality from flowing back into the community water system.

A cross-connection is any temporary or permanent connection between a public water system or consumer’s potable (drinking) water system and any source or system containing non-potable water or other substances. An example is the piping between a public water system or consumer’s potable water system and an auxiliary water system, cooling system, or irrigation system.

Yes, it is required for all commercial, industrial and irrigation customers and strongly recommended for everyone else! Cape Fear Public Utility Authority has compliance officers who are responsible for enforcing the CFPUA ordinance requiring backflow prevention assemblies for all commercial, industrial, and irrigation customers.  All backflow prevention assemblies are inspected and tested upon initial installation and are required to be re-tested annually.