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FPUD to replace backflow prevention devices

When the Fallbrook Public Utility District approved FPUD’s 2020-2021 budget $500,000 was appropriated for the district’s valve replacement program. The July 27 FPUD board meeting reallocated some of that amount for the purchase of backflow prevention devices.

“It’s just a project to maintain and upgrade some of the backflow devices,” Jack Bebee, general manager of FPUD, said.

The specific 5-0 board vote was to approve the purchase of 260 backflow prevention devices totaling $109,892.93 including sales tax. The plan is to reallocate $200,000 from the valve replacement program to the backflow prevention device replacement and upgrades with the remaining $90,107.07 being used for labor and for additional devices.

“It just seems to make sense,” Dave Baxter, a board member who chairs FPUD’s Engineering and Operations Committee, said.

Backflow devices protect the district’s distribution system from potential contamination, so they are installed on properties with wells.

“The typical residential customer doesn’t need a backflow device,” Bebee said.

FPUD owns and maintains the backflow devices, which are installed at service connections. The district is working with the state’s Division of Drinking Water to improve FPUD’s backflow prevention program; FPUD has begun a comprehensive audit of properties and the district’s staff has recognized the need to rehabilitate a significant number of aging backflow prevention devices.

The coronavirus precautions merited the reallocation of the funding from valves to backflow devices. Installing a new backflow device can be performed by a single FPUD staff member. Valve replacements require crews.

“We’re going to focus on getting some of these projects completed,” Bebee said.

All of the devices will be RP 975 XL2 lead-free backflow devices made by Wilkins. “RP” stands for Reduced Pressure Principle Assembly, and the RP 975 XL2 is the standard for FPUD’s engineering drawings. FPUD has previously installed the RP 975 XL2 devices, so the order will allow the district to refine the backflow repair parts FPUD has in stock. The order approved July 27 will purchase 140 one-inch devices, 60 devices 1 1/2-inches in diameter, forty 3/4-inch devices and 20 two-inch devices from Ferguson Waterworks.

Joe Naiman can be reached by email at [email protected].

Author Bio

Joe Naiman, Writer

Joe Naiman has been writing for the Village News since 2001

 

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