Temporary Water Main and Cross Connections

[mflam]

Should an above ground temporary water main be considered a potential source of contamination?
Should it be isolated from the permanent system with backflow preventers?
What if it is looped into the permanent system at two points?
The loop configuration makes the system more robust and supplements fire flows but, of course, backflow prevention would at the points of connection would prevent the main from acting as a loop.

 

[bimr]

Seems like it would depend on what type of piping was installed. If you installed water main grade pipe for a temporary service, why would you need a back flow preventer?

On the other hand, if you jury rigged some piping or perhaps installed the piping in an area exposed to flooding, you may have some concerns.

 

[gerhardl]

What about the psychologists question: what do you think yourself?


In my opinion contamination could only occur by breakdown, puncture or lasking into the aboveground loop, or by increasing growth of existing bacteria (unclean/contaminated) pipeline installed by stillstand in the loop.

Any other points? What do the local authorities say?