Ontario, Calif. — The Backflow Prevention Manufacturers Association (BPMA), in conjunction with the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials Backflow Prevention Institute, has created a program called Backflow Assist to help individuals and entities that do not have the resources to install needed and necessary backflow assemblies. The program installs backflow preventers, which are devices installed in a plumbing system to prevent wastewater from flowing back into the public drinking water supply. These devices need to be periodically tested to ensure they are working properly. At this time the program is limited to testable assemblies two inches and less in size.

Both Associations are committed to assisting the people in our communities who choose to help those in need. Working together as an industry and members of the community we can better protect our water supply. IAPMO is pleased to announce the first installation of a proper backflow device through the Backflow Assist program, to be installed at St. Phillips Lutheran Church and School in Milwaukee, Wis. A backflow protection device will be installed on the church’s boiler and mop sink. Plumbing will be tagged to show what is safe and unsafe in the water lines. These improvements will bring the church up to plumbing code for the city of Milwaukee.

“The whole process was very easy. All I had to do was fill out a short application and everything was done via email,” said Barb Allard, spokesperson for St. Phillips Church. “This will benefit the church greatly; who knows what something like this would have cost. We are a small non profit organization, so to be able to get this service done free of charge, with no hassle, was really a blessing.”

For more information on the Backflow Assistance Program, email assist@bpma.cc.