Spec-mark’s quick guide to FAQ about the industry
Frequently Asked Questions
Read below to find answers commonly asked in the backflow prevention, medical gas, and commercial plumbing industry.
If you’re unable to find an answer satisfactory to your needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us with the form found on this page.
A cross-connection links a potable water system (the water we drink) to potential sources of contamination such as liquids, gases, or solids.
Backflow refers to the undesirable reversal of water flow, caused by back siphonage or back pressure, which can allow contaminants to enter the drinkable water supply.
A backflow preventer is a device or assembly installed within a plumbing system at strategic points to stop backflow from occurring.
As per the Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA) and the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE), and highlighted in Chapter 7 of the Report of the Walkerton Inquiry, it’s vital for water providers to have active programs to detect and prevent cross-contamination. These programs collaborate with building inspectors and public health agencies to protect infrastructure and public health.
Water protection is a collective responsibility in Ontario, enforced through the Ontario Safe Drinking Water Act, the Ontario Building Code Act, and municipal by-laws. Responsibilities include managing and monitoring cross-connection control/backflow prevention programs, with varying requirements across different municipalities.
Owners of ICI and multi-residential properties are responsible for providing safe drinking water under all circumstances. This includes installing and maintaining appropriate backflow preventers, conducting annual testing, and ensuring all installations and repairs are done by qualified personnel as required by municipal backflow programs.
In Ontario, only journeyman plumbers and registered apprentices working under the supervision of a journeyman plumber are permitted to install plumbing, including backflow preventers. This is mandated by the Trades Qualification Act of Ontario.
OWWA and ASSE Accredited Cross Connection Control Specialists are the only professionals qualified to conduct backflow testing and cross-connection surveys in Ontario. These specialists are trained through programs maintained by the OWWA Cross Connection Control Committee and ASSE.
Liability for backflow incidents can fall on multiple parties, including the property owner, the plumbing contractor, the OWWA and ASSE Certified Cross Connection Control Specialist, and the municipal inspector. Property owners must demonstrate compliance with all relevant by-laws and legislation to mitigate liability.
Backflow prevention is our specialty at Spec-Mark Mechanical. We are qualified OWWA and ASSE accredited testers and experienced plumbers who stay updated with industry changes. Our comprehensive services include surveys, installations, testing, repairs, and client education, helping to safeguard your property against penalties and liabilities.
For detailed information on the processes involved in cross-connection surveys, backflow installations, testing, and repairs, please click on the links below to view specific service details.