Backflow Prevention Services in Ontario

What Is Backflow and Why Is It Dangerous?

Backflow is the reversed flow of water from its intended direction. When water pressure changes unexpectedly, contaminated water can flow backward into your potable (drinking) water supply. This is called a cross-connection — any physical link between a clean water source and a potential source of contamination.

Irrigation systems are one of the most common residential cross-connections. Fertilizers, pesticides, and soil bacteria sitting in your sprinkler lines can be pulled back into your drinking water if backflow occurs.

Back-siphonage occurs when a sudden drop in water pressure creates a vacuum that pulls contaminated water into the clean supply — caused by water main breaks, high firefighting demand, or undersized piping.

Worth knowing

Backpressure occurs when downstream pressure exceeds the supply pressure, pushing contaminated water backward into the potable system. Booster pumps, elevated piping, boilers, and irrigation systems with pumps can all create backpressure conditions.

Both scenarios are preventable with a properly installed and tested backflow prevention device.

Do you need to be home on test day?

It depends on where your device is located.

PVB — Pressure Vacuum Breaker

A single-body device with one check valve and an air inlet. Installed outdoors, above your highest sprinkler head.

• Protects against back-siphonage only (not backpressure)
• Installed at least 12 inches above the highest sprinkler head
• Common in residential irrigation systems

DCVA — Double Check Valve Assembly

Two check valves in series, two shut-off valves, four test cocks. Installed in your basement, inline on the water supply line.

• Protects against both backpressure and back-siphonage
• Used for moderate-hazard applications
• Most common device for residential irrigation

RP — Reduced Pressure Principle Assembly

The highest level of protection available. Two independent check valves plus a relief valve — if both checks fail, the relief valve discharges water rather than letting contamination through.

• Protects against both backpressure and back-siphonage
• Required for severe-hazard applications
• Standard for commercial and institutional sites

Assess & select

We review your system, hazard classification, and municipal requirements, then recommend the right testable device.

Install or test

We install your device to code, or connect a calibrated gauge for your annual test and record the readings.

Repair if needed

If a device fails, we repair worn seats, springs, or valves on-site whenever possible, then re-test to confirm it passes.

Document & file

We email your results and submit a copy directly to your municipality, then track your schedule so you never miss a deadline.

Who needs a device?

You likely need one if your property has any of:

• An irrigation or sprinkler system
• A pool or hot tub with a direct water connection
• A booster pump or fire sprinkler system
• Solar heating tied to the water supply
• Chemical injection or any auxiliary water source

Municipal requirements

Many cities have annual testing procedures in place. Blue Jay recommends confirming the current requirements with your municipality and using a certified backflow tester through the OWWA.

Certified tester requirements

Ontario municipalities require testers to hold:

• Current OWWA certification (5 yrs) or ASSE (3 yrs)
• Municipal registration where required
• Appropriate test equipment, trade certification, and insurance

Several members of our team are OWWA-certified testers.

OWWA-certified testers

Several members of the Blue Jay team are OWWA-certified backflow prevention device testers.

40+ years of experience

Backflow prevention is a core part of what we do, not an add-on service.

We handle the paperwork

After every test, we email your results and file them directly with your municipality.

Complete service

Installation, annual testing, and repairs — all from one company.

Residential to municipal

We service homeowners, commercial property managers, and municipal clients across Ontario.