Don’t Let Your Sprinklers Spoil Your Sip
Could your sprinkler system actually be putting your drinking water at risk? And why do most cities make backflow prevention the law before you can even turn on a single zone?
In this post, you’ll learn what backflow prevention irrigation is, the types of devices used, how testing works, and how Simmons Landscape & Irrigation handles it across Northwest Ohio.
By the end, you’ll know exactly what protects your water, what your local rules require, and what to ask any contractor before they touch your system.
What Is Backflow Prevention for Irrigation Systems?
Backflow prevention for irrigation systems stops contaminated water in your sprinkler lines from reversing direction and entering your drinking water.
It works through a mechanical backflow prevention device installed on the irrigation supply line, which allows water to flow in only one direction.
Without it, fertilizers, pesticides, bacteria, and debris from your lawn can end up in your potable water system.
Here’s what a working backflow device does for your home:
- Keeps non-potable water out of your home’s drinking water.
- Stops contaminants from sprinkler heads and soil from reaching the potable water supply.
- Keeps your irrigation system in line with local plumbing codes.
- Meets the law before your water authority will activate service.
Simmons Landscape & Irrigation installs backflow protection on every irrigation system in the Bowling Green and Findlay areas, and the owner is currently pursuing State of Ohio certification to conduct testing in-house.
Types of Backflow Preventers Used on Irrigation Systems
Not every backflow device fits every yard.
The right choice depends on your system pressure, your contamination risk, and what your local water authority allows.
Below are the four types of backflow preventers you’ll see on residential and commercial irrigation jobs.
Anti-Siphon Valve (ASV) and Atmospheric Vacuum Breakers
Anti-siphon valves and atmospheric vacuum breakers are the simplest form of backflow protection.
They’re often used on hose bibs and very small lawn sprinkler systems.
These devices only protect against back siphonage, meaning they can’t prevent backflow when downstream pressure exceeds supply pressure.
That makes them a partial fix at best for any real irrigation setup.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB)
A pressure vacuum breaker is one of the most common backflow preventers for home sprinkler systems.
It must be installed above grade in a vertical position, at least 12 inches above the highest sprinkler head and no more than 4 feet above grade.
A pressure vacuum breaker (PVB) is less expensive than a reduced pressure assembly, but not every city allows it.
Some areas around Findlay and Wood County require a different device based on the perceived health hazard of the connection.
Double Check Valve Assembly
The double-check valve assembly is the most common backflow device used in residential irrigation in the United States.
It uses two independent check valves working together, which is why it’s sometimes called dual check valves.
Double check valves protect against both back siphonage and back pressure, making them a reliable pick for medium-risk lawn systems.
This device is the standard for low- to medium-risk residential cross-connection control.
Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ)
The reduced-pressure zone assembly is the highest level of backflow protection available for irrigation.
It has two check valves plus a relief valve that discharges water anytime pressure conditions become unsafe.
A reduced-pressure zone (RPZ) is required for high-hazard applications such as commercial irrigation, athletic fields, and systems that inject fertilizer or chemicals into the line.
Installation requires above-grade clearance with 12 inches of space below the atmospheric vent; it can sit in a basement if a drain is nearby.
Local code dictates the device, not personal preference, which is why Simmons always confirms the requirement with your municipality before installing anything.
Annual Backflow Testing and What It Involves
Most states, including Ohio, require backflow preventers to be tested once a year by a certified tester.
The test simulates backflow conditions to ensure the device responds as expected under negative or back pressure.
After the test, paperwork has to be filed with the local water authority on time.
In most of the areas Simmons services, annual testing is on the books but loosely enforced.
Findlay is the exception.
The city of Findlay treats backflow testing as mandatory and enforces it aggressively.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- Findlay properties run a separate water meter dedicated to irrigation.
- Only licensed contractors can perform the testing in town.
- If your annual paperwork isn’t filed on time, the city physically removes your irrigation water meter.
- Getting service restored takes new paperwork and a city inspection.
That’s why Simmons treats Findlay differently from the rest of Northwest Ohio.
The goal is simple: no homeowner should lose their irrigation water meter because their contractor missed a deadline.
Simmons Landscape & Irrigation is completing the State of Ohio backflow certification, which requires a written exam and a hands-on test at the state capitol. While that certification is being finalized, we have partnered with a licensed plumber to ensure our clients remain compliant and protected throughout the current spring season.
Why Irrigation Systems Need Backflow Prevention
Every irrigation system creates what’s called a cross connection.
That’s a permanent link between your home’s clean drinking water and the non-potable water sitting in your sprinkler lines and soil.
When pressure in the water main drops, water from your irrigation lines can get pulled backward through that cross connection.
That’s how backflow contamination ends up inside the potable water system you cook and bathe with.
Irrigation creates a higher contamination risk than most other plumbing connections for a few reasons:
- Sprinkler heads sit at or below ground level and can sit in puddles.
- Fertilizer, pesticides, and pet waste collect in the water pooled around the heads.
- Underground water pipes hold non-potable water between watering cycles.
- Drip irrigation lines run directly through mulch, soil, and root zones.
The legal backbone for all of this is the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1973, which established protections against cross-connections and back-siphonage.
Most water authorities won’t even activate irrigation service without an approved backflow prevention device in place first.
It’s not just smart, it’s the law in nearly every municipality.
How Backflow Actually Happens
Backflow comes from one of two pressure problems.
Knowing which one your system is most at risk for helps you pick the right backflow device.
Both can occur on the same property at different times of the year.
Back-Siphonage
Back siphonage is by far the most common cause of backflow in residential irrigation.
It happens when the supply line pressure suddenly drops and creates a vacuum that pulls water backward.
A few common triggers cause that pressure drop:
- A water main break in your neighborhood.
- Fire hydrant use during a nearby emergency.
- Peak summer demand when lawns, pools, and public spaces all draw at once.
When that vacuum forms, contaminated water at the sprinkler heads gets sucked backward through the supply line and into the drinking water.
Back-Pressure
Back pressure occurs when the downstream pressure in your irrigation system exceeds the incoming water supply pressure.
That forces water backward against the direction of normal flow.
A few setups make back pressure backflow more likely:
- Properties where the irrigation zones sit higher than the backflow device.
- Systems with a booster pump connected to the irrigation line.
- Pressurized components like injectors or specialty heads.
Hilly lots and waterfront homes near Marblehead, Put-in-Bay, or Johnson’s Island see this more often than flat suburban yards.
That’s part of why device selection isn’t one-size-fits-all.
How Simmons Handles Backflow as Part of Irrigation Service
At Simmons Landscape & Irrigation, backflow protection isn’t an add-on you have to request.
It’s built into how every irrigation system gets installed and serviced.
The device gets matched to your local water authority’s requirements, not to whatever’s cheapest that week.
Here’s how backflow fits into the overall service:
- Backflow protection is included on every new irrigation installation.
- Inspection of the backflow device is part of the spring start-up visit.
- Winterization protects the device itself from freeze damage every fall.
- In Findlay, we coordinate with the city’s separate irrigation meter system and file your compliance paperwork.
Simmons Landscape & Irrigation winterizes irrigation systems before late October by blowing out the lines with compressed air at 55 to 65 PSI, which protects the backflow preventer from freeze damage every fall. Our seasonal maintenance package is $637 per year and includes a spring inspection, a mid-season checkup, and fall-winterization, with individual visits available for approximately $249.
What Homeowners Should Know About Local Compliance
Backflow rules vary from one zip code to the next.
Local regulations dictate which device is allowed, who’s licensed to install it, and how often it needs to be tested.
Some cities require a licensed plumber for installation, while others allow any qualified contractor to install, provided a certified inspector signs off.
Here’s how it shakes out across Simmons’s service area:
- Bowling Green and most of Wood County have testing on the books, but loose enforcement.
- Toledo-area suburbs vary block by block on what they actually check.
- Lakeside communities like Marblehead, Put-in-Bay, and Johnson’s Island lean toward higher hazard ratings because of elevation and pump use.
- Findlay is the strictest in the entire Northwest Ohio service area, with active enforcement and meter removal for non-compliance.
The homeowner is always the one on the hook if paperwork isn’t filed correctly.
That stays true even if a contractor handled the install and promised to take care of the rest.
Before you hire anyone to install or test your backflow prevention device, ask two questions:
- Are you certified by the State of Ohio to test backflow devices?
- Do you file the annual paperwork with my city on my behalf?
If the answer to either question is “no” or “kind of,” keep looking.
A good irrigation contractor protects your water quality, your meter, and your relationship with the city, not just your lawn.
Simmons Landscape & Irrigation services the Findlay market, where backflow testing is required by the city, and only licensed contractors can legally perform the work. We file the required compliance paperwork with the city so our clients don’t lose their separate irrigation water meter due to a missed deadline.
The Smartest Move You’ll Make This Season Is Calling Simmons Landscape & Irrigation
Backflow protection is built into every irrigation install and seasonal service at Simmons Landscape & Irrigation, with the right device matched to your municipality’s specific requirements.
From annual testing coordination to fall winterization that keeps your backflow preventer safe through Northwest Ohio winters, we handle the full picture so you never lose your water meter to a missed deadline.
Ready to make sure your irrigation system protects your drinking water all season long?
Fill out our contact form today or give us a call.
