IQP/RPZ Backflow Prevention

Your water supply relies on pressure pushing water one way. When that pressure drops — a main breaks, a hydrant opens, a pump kicks in — water can be drawn backwards out of a property and into the public supply, taking whatever it was connected to with it. Chemicals, irrigation water, bore water, or worse.

A backflow prevention device stops that happening. On higher-risk properties it isn't optional: it's a condition of your water connection, and the device has to be tested and certified to prove it still works.

Backflow protection is generally required where a property presents a medium or high hazard to the water supply. That commonly includes:

• Commercial and industrial premises
• Properties with an alternative water supply, such as a bore or tank, connected alongside mains water
• Irrigation systems
• Fire protection systems
• Premises using or storing chemicals
• Food production and processing sites
• Medical and dental facilities

If you're unsure where your property sits, we can assess it and tell you what's required.

All high and medium risk properties must ensure devices on their property are tested annually by an approved IQP technician. We can test devices for you.

Backflow preventers are a specified system, so on a building with a Building Warrant of Fitness the annual test forms part of your compliance schedule. A device that hasn't been tested puts the WOF at risk, and the test is the only way to know a valve is still doing its job — they fail quietly, with no outward sign.

We test, certify and provide the documentation you need, and can put your devices on an annual reminder so the date doesn't creep up on you.

Do you have a valve which has failed and needs replacement? We can test it, tell you whether it's repairable, and arrange a replacement or service. RPZ devices in particular have serviceable parts, and a rebuild is often more economical than full replacement.

Backflow is a live issue across Canterbury, where irrigation is widespread and many properties run a bore or tank alongside their mains connection. Any point where those two supplies could meet is a cross-connection, and it needs protecting properly.

We install and test backflow protection as part of tank, bore and irrigation work, so the connection is compliant from the outset rather than being picked up at an inspection later.