| Company / Technician Name | Contact Number |
|---|---|
| AJ's Backflow Testing | 970-352-3090 |
| Call Mike Plumbing and Heating | 970-443-8826 |
| Curtis-Straub Plumbing and Heating/Daniel Ertl | 970-586-1758 |
| Ertl Mechanical / Karl Ertl | 970-586-0265 |
| Estes Park Plumbers | 970-586-3698 |
| Estes Valley Cross Connection | 970-980-8626 |
| Everest Mechanical | 970-586-0970 |
| Fire Inspection Services | 303-432-8370 |
| Freedom Fire Protection, LLC | 303-827-2060 |
| JD's Service Company LLC | 970-586-4937 |
| Lind's Plumbing and Heating Inc | 970-221-1735 |
| Mountain Valley Plumbing | 970-586-1085 |
| Schwab Plumbing | 303-586-2810 |
| Total Fire protection West | 970-613-1370 |
- What is a cross-connection?
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A cross connection is a connection between a potable water supply and a non-potable source, where a contaminant potentially could enter the drinking water supply. Cross connections should be protected by a valve called a backflow prevention assembly (BPA).
- What is backflow?
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Backflow is the reverse flow of water, other liquids or gas into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply from any unintended source. An unfortunate example of backflow occurred in 1979 in Virginia when a routine visit by an extermination company connected highly toxic insecticide chemicals barrels up to the water lines in a homeowner’s residence. The local water company was working on a water main line break and flushed their hydrants to clear the repaired mainline. The chemicals were back siphoned into the house and into the city’s water main. Testing of the supply lines showed levels five times higher than safe for consumption for six days after the incident.
- What is a backflow prevention assembly (BPA)?
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A backflow prevention assembly is a device that allows the water to flow only in one direction and prevents a pipe or device connected to the water supply line to allow water to flow back into the municipal supply system.
- What types of BPA does the Town of Estes Park require?
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In general, the Town requires Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) type backflow prevention assemblies at all commercial, industrial, non-single-family-residential service connections and on irrigation lines. There are some exceptions to this requirement.
- What are the requirements for installing BPAs?
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The Town regulations require BPAs to be installed after the service connection (water meter) and before any plumbing branches. This is known as “containment” protection and protects the town’s water supply line from potential contaminants found in a commercial, industrial or multi-family residential facility.
- Who does the annual testing of the BPAs?
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BPAs must be tested by a certified backflow assembly testing technician, who holds a current certification from either the American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA) or the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE).
- What if the failed BPA is not repaired and retested or replaced?
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Failure to comply with this requirement could result in removing the cross-connection or suspending water service until compliance is achieved.
- I have an irrigation system, hot tub, or other potential hazard installed at my private residence, am I required by the Utilities Department to install a BPA?
- At this time, the CDPHE does not require the Town to monitor single-family residences. In most cases, residential hazards are protected upon installation by the plumbing code. If you know you have an unprotected hazard at your single-family residence, you are strongly encouraged to protect it with a BPA and keep it up to date with annual testing for your own protection within your private plumbing system.