What happens when the potable water pressure is lower than the wastewater pressure?

What happens when the potable water pressure is lower than the wastewater pressure?

• A. Back siphoning occurs
• B. Cross-contamination occurs
• C. The water purifies itself
• D. Wastewater is safely contained

Answer: (A)

When the potable water pressure is lower than the wastewater pressure, back siphoning occurs. This condition poses a significant risk to safe water supply, as it can cause contaminated water to be drawn back into the potable water system. Back siphoning happens due to a difference in pressure, where the higher pressure from the wastewater system can force water into the drinking water source if a pipe breaks or if there is a drop in the drinking water pressure, potentially leading to harmful contaminants entering the potable water supply. Understanding this principle is crucial for implementing proper preventative measures, such as cross-connection control and installing backflow preventers to ensure water safety. This emphasizes the need for maintaining adequate pressure in the potable water system to protect it from potential contamination.

When the potable water pressure is lower than the wastewater pressure, back siphoning occurs. This condition poses a significant risk to safe water supply, as it can cause contaminated water to be drawn back into the potable water system. Back siphoning happens due to a difference in pressure, where the higher pressure from the wastewater system can force water into the drinking water source if a pipe breaks or if there is a drop in the drinking water pressure, potentially leading to harmful contaminants entering the potable water supply.

Understanding this principle is crucial for implementing proper preventative measures, such as cross-connection control and installing backflow preventers to ensure water safety. This emphasizes the need for maintaining adequate pressure in the potable water system to protect it from potential contamination.