National Backflow Prevention Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Plumbing

National Backflow Prevention Day is celebrated annually on August 16. The purpose of the holiday is to recognise and honour backflow preventers, who ensure that our water supply is free from toxins, refuse, and other contaminants. The holiday also seeks to raise awareness of the significance of backflow prevention and the technology’s application. The first observance of the day occurred on August 16, 2021, to commemorate the catastrophic backflow incident that occurred at the Chicago World’s Fair on the same date in 1933.

The background of National Backflow Prevention Day

Backflow refers to the undesirable flow of water in the opposite direction. Cross-connections that allow contaminants to enter the potable water supply are to blame. Backflow poses grave health hazards associated with potable water contamination. Consequently, safety standards exist in all nations to prevent backflow. To prevent contamination, ‘backflow preventers’ are utilised. Professionals, such as plumbers, ensure backflow prevention to the greatest extent feasible.

Watts Water Technologies declared the first National Backflow Prevention Day in March 2021 to honour backflow prevention and cross-connection control. National Backflow Prevention Day was celebrated on August 16, 2021 for the “unsung heroes” who assure the prevention of backflow through backflow prevention technologies.

Watts Water Technologies chose the holiday to commemorate one of the most catastrophic backflow incidents that occurred in the United States nearly a century ago. The 1933 Chicago World’s Fair attracted tens of thousands of visitors to the city. Several of them chose to remain at two popular hotels that shared a water source on the roof. This cross-connection regrettably contaminated the hotels’ water supply with dysentery. This contamination caused over 2,000 people to become unwell and approximately 98 deaths.

5 fascinating facts about plumbing

In 3000 B.C., the Indus Valley Civilization in South Asia produced the earliest evidence of infrastructure.

In 1596, John Harrington invented the first flushing commode in England.

The term ‘plumbing’ is derived from the Latin word ‘plumbum,’ which means ‘lead.’

Al Moen, an American inventor, developed the single-handle tap in 1939.

Sir William Congreve, an English soldier, publisher, inventor, and rocket artillery pioneer, devised the world’s first fire sprinkler system.

NATIONAL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DAY DATES