State Specific Question About: PENNSYLVANIA (PA)

Anyone else getting these letters from Pennsylvania American Water...that you HAVE to install Back Flow Valves on your rentals? Or is this just another way for Allegheney county to get more $$ from us turnips?

We have 4 properties and we have estimates from $3000 to $2000....and every year they have to be inspected for a mear $125.00 or more each!

Residential properties are exempt, just properties with 2 or more apts. I even called the water company and asked if they had discounts or payment plans or something help with the cost....of course not...but if you dont have it done by the 19th of this month...NO WATER...so sorry charlie.

OSHA is behind this nice little expense!

On the other hand I can see why we need it....but come on...only rentals?

This must be on the sewage outflow line. Such devices on supply lines should not cost nearly that much. But health considerations are more important for the supply lines to prevent cross-contamination.

This must be on the sewage outflow line. Such devices on supply lines should not cost nearly that much. But health considerations are more important for the supply lines to prevent cross-contamination.

Your right...I talked to a guy at the water dept. and he told me he saw what is needed at Lowes for about $120.00. But, they are 14-16 in long, so if the line up to the meter is shorter, they have to cut,reroute and monkey it up a bit to make it fit...

In MA some W&S departments require them on commercial properties & residential properties with 4 or more units. They are suppose to be tested by an independent firm every year. I have had a few for many years. As I recall after the first couple of years the city stopped asking about the yearly test & I stopped having them tested. In theory if you had a hose sitting in contaminated or gray water it would be possible for low pressure in the street mains to suck the bad water back into the system.

Depending upon the size of your water supply the valves & related fittings can cost a few hundred up to several thousand dollars. Most competent plumbers should be able to install the entire system in 2 or 3 hours.

There are federal and state regs for drinking water BFPDs. There are no federal regs on sewer BFPDs, so it's not an OSHA thing.

The drinking water regs allow three different types of backflow devices. If you have a low hazard (like an apartment building) you can use a nontestable double check device. Since it's nontestable, you don't have to get the yearly test.

That's what all our local water companies use.

I have considered getting my BFPD license. it's $350 every two years, but you can test LOTS of BFPDs per hour at pretty good money.

Noel,

I have this problem with my commercial building in Allegheny... but the backflow preventer was already installed. I do have to pay $100 a year for the plumber that works across the street to walk in and go "Yep, it still works.".

Hi Jon, back in Dec. I received a call from Pennsylvania American Water, to confirm our property addresses. Then a letter followed, that informed me of why it was needed and just what I needed. It was different for the duplex then it is for more units in a bldg. And a form for the plumber to fill out stating what he had done and then a form for the tester to fill out.

This has to be done by April 19 or they will shut the water off...Im in Crafton so, they may not have gotten to everyone yet...all I know its going to be expensive!

Beware that installing such a device will also make your property a "closed system" and therefore a pressure-reducing-valve and expansion tank must be installed to avoid pipe breaks in your system due to hot water expansion. Seems like the utility should provide this at the meter at their own cost, if they are so concerned. It does not seem fair to require owners to install this with such short notice and threatening to stop service if you are not compliant. I question if this is even legal. Are you working with your local landlord association?