Mandatory Water Restrictions - Hydrant Update September 2007 and Update November 2007                                                                             (As of Monday, Nov. 5, companies with permitted hydrant access may not use Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities' water outside its service area until further notice.)

General Information about Backflow Prevention

People often think water travels in only one direction through the distribution system, but under certain pressure conditions, water can actually travel backwards. If a customer's water supply line is connected to a substance not fit for drinking and the line is unprotected, then the unfit substance could travel backwards through the water distribution system. This is known as backflow.

Consider a hose submerged in a bucket of garden chemicals. If the water pressure in your area becomes lower than normal, the chemicals in the bucket can flow backwards through the hose and into your drinking water supply.

The key to protecting your safety is having proper backflow measures in place.

BackflowBrochure (pdf 792k)

List of Approved Testers (pdf) - updated weekly

DOWNLOAD Documents, Information & Requirements (AutoCAD Downloads included)

Backflow Prevention Devices
All industrial, commercial, and irrigation customers are required by city ordinance to install and maintain backflow prevention devices at every service connection to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities.

• Residential customers with irrigation systems
• Industrial and commercial construction projects - This link connects to Land Use & Environmental Services Agency.  Other links within LUESA include code enforcement, reference desk, and Plans Submittal Requirements - Commercial
• Fire hydrant program for temporary water service - The backflow prevention program issues permits for customers to obtain water for non-drinking use from a public fire hydrant safely and legally.
• meter dismantlement application

For more information about backflow prevention, contact us by email or call 704/399-2426 and ask for someone in Backflow.