Customer Service
MWA Backflow Prevention Program
The water that runs through the pipes of the Macon Water Authority's (MWA) distribution system is meant to run in one direction. When water attempts to run in the opposite direction in the system, it is called backflow. Backflow can be one of the greatest threats to the safety and integrity of a local water system. For that reason, the Macon Water Authority (MWA) has implemented a Backflow Prevention Program (BPP) to ensure the prevention of potentially hazardous crossconnections to the public water system.
Backflow issues can be caused by construction damage to existing water mains, sudden interruptions in the operation of water production facilities, natural disasters, or numerous other emergency situations. Backflow from commercial, industrial, and institutional customers can contaminate the local water supply.
Currently, the Authority requires all new commercial and/or industrial facilities to have an approved backflow prevention device installed on the customer side of the meter, with the goal of preventing a cross-connection to the public water system. The goal of the BPP is to retrofit the meters of commercial, industrial, and institutional customers of the Authority.
The MWA program is modeled after the Georgia Rules for Safe Drinking Water, which requires suppliers of public water, including the MWA, to implement a BPP that will ensure the prevention of potentially hazardous material contaminating the public water system through cross-connections.
The MWA program began in earnest after a September 2003 industry audit revealed that only 3% of businesses had adequate backflow protection. Since the backflow program's inception, that number has risen to 46%. Following the audit, the MWA created a Backflow Prevention Manual, which was approved by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) in March of 2004.
As part of that program, all new businesses must install backflow prevention devices as part of their new construction. The Macon Planning and Zoning Department also requires all existing structures to obtain approval from the MWA prior to the issuance of any permits. This approval ensures that all existing structures have an operable Backflow Prevention Device installed behind the existing water meter. Older businesses that do not have the devices must have them installed to meet current and future code requirements.
All businesses that have existing backflow prevention device(s) already installed also are required to have them tested by a "Certified Backflow Prevention Tester."
Read the MWA Backflow Prevention Manual.
View a list of Certified Backflow Testers in the Macon area
For more information on the MWA's Backflow Prevention Program, please contact Rick Hayes, Backflow Prevention Coordinator at (478)464-5647 or email him at rhayes@maconwater.org