If you are requesting a backflow test, please fill out the below Testing Request form and Chris will contact you within 24 hours. Please email or call with any other questions.


Local, High-Quality and Always Available

Aquarian Backflow is a local-owner operated backflow testing company that has served the greater Santa Barbara area since 2004. Chris Otanez provides backflow services to the Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria and Montecito areas. Aquarian Backflow provide the best services in backflow testing, repair and installation and Chris is available 24 hours a day. Feel free to give Chris a call or fill out the Testing Request form on this page to get started today.

Services include:

  • backflow device testing
  • backflow device repairs
  • backflow device installations

Areas served:

  • Goleta
  • Santa Barbara
  • Montecito
  • Carpinteria

Pricing

Licensed, Bonded and Insured

Landscaping Contractor C-27 License #790229

California-Nevada American Water Works Association License #11155

Other Links:

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Call 805-452-1527


Testing Service Request


Cross-Connection Controls

Backflow

The reversal of the flow of water or a mixture of water and other substance into the potable water supply distribution pipes.

Force applied uniformly over a surface, measured as the amount of force per unit area.  For water pressure this is typically measured in psi or pounds per square inch.

One type of backflow caused by reduction in pressure where the pressure in the water system is lower than atmospheric pressure.

An elevation in pressure in the downstream water system above the supply pressure at the point of measurement which could cause a reversal of the normal flow direction.  This can be caused by pump, elevation of piping, steam pressure, air pressure, etc.

Classification based on the assessment of the materials that may come in contact with the water system through a cross connection.  Can be classified as either a contaminant or a pollutant.

A pollutant is any substance that affects the odor of color of the water supply, but would not cause a health hazard.

A contaminant that causes illness or death if ingested is considered a health hazard.

Radioactive material and sewage are considered lethal hazards.  This is due to the high level of danger associated with radioactive material and the epidemic possibilities associated with sewage.

A potential or actual connection or structural arrangement between a potable water system and any potential system or source from which there is a possibility to introduce a pollutant or contaminant.  Potential pollutants or contaminants include used water, industrial fluid, gas or any other substance other than the potable water for which the system is designed.  Cross connections can include or be caused by bypass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or change over devices and any other device which can cause or allow backflow to occur.

A direct cross-connection is one which is subject to both backpressure and backsiphonage.

An indirect cross connection is on which is subject only to backsiphonage.

Types of Backflow Preventers

Air Gap

A physical separation between the free-flowing potable water discharge of a supply pipeline and an on open or non-pressure receiving vessel.

An “approved air gap” is required to be at least two times the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the overflow rim of the receiving vessel.  In no case is this to be less than 1 inch.

Consists of an air inlet valve, a check seat and one or more air inlet ports. Water flowing into the valve body causes the air inlet valve to close the air inlet ports.  When the water flow stops, the air inlet valve falls and forms a check valve to prevent backsiphonage. The air inlet ports open at the same time to allow air to enter and satisfy the vacuum. There must not be any shutoff valves or obstructions downstream, but a shutoff valve immediately upstream may be an integral part of the assembly. The assembly must not be subject to operating pressure for more than twelve hours in any twenty-four-hour period.  Also known as the non-pressure type vacuum breaker.

This type of device is designed to protect in a backsiphonage condition only against a non-health hazard (pollutant) or a health hazard (contaminant).

Consists of an internally loaded check valve and an independently operating loaded air inlet valve on the discharge side of the check valve. Required to have properly located resilient seated test cocks and tightly closing resilient seated shutoff valves at each end of the assembly.

This type of device is designed to protect in a backsiphonage condition only against a non-health hazard (pollutant) or a health hazard (contaminant).

Consists of an internally loaded check valve and independently operating loaded air inlet valve on the discharge side of the check valve. The assembly must be equipped with a properly located resilient seated test cock and bleed/vent port as well as tightly closing resilient seated shutoff valves at each end of the assembly.

This type of device is designed to protect in a backsiphonage condition only against a non-health hazard (pollutant) or a health hazard (contaminant).

Consists of two independently acting check valves with tightly closing resilient seated shutoff valves attached at each end of the assembly. Must be fitted with properly located resilient seated test cocks.

This type of device is designed to protect against a non-health hazard (pollutant) only.

Consists of a line-size approved double check valve assembly with a bypass containing a water meter and double check valve assembly. The meter must register accurately for rates of flow up to 2 gallons per minute and must show a registration for all rates of flow.

This type of device is designed to protect against a non-health hazard (pollutant) only and is primarily used on fire sprinkler systems.

Consists of two independently acting check valves and a hydraulically operating, mechanically independent pressure differential relief valve located between the check valves and below the first check valve. Must include resilient seated test cocks and tightly closing resilient seated shutoff valves at each end.

This type of device is designed to protect against a non-health hazard (pollutant) or a health hazard (contaminant).

Must not be used for backflow protection of sewage or reclaimed water.

Consists of a line-size approved reduced pressure principle assembly with a bypass containing a water meter and reduced pressure principle assembly. The meter must register accurately for rates of flow up to 2 gallons per minute and must show a registration for all rates of flow.

This type of device is designed to protect against a non-health hazard (pollutant) or a health hazard (contaminant) and is primarily used on fire sprinkler systems.