Tennessee Backflow Prevention Association

10/01/2025

10/01/2025

The TBPA recently held our Annual Conference in Gatlinburg. We had some very interesting speakers and a good turn out of our members. We would like to thank all of our speakers and attendees who came out and joined us. And look forward to seeing 👀 everyone again next October in Gatlinburg at the same Embassy Suites hotel.

01/13/2025

I found this post on LinkedIn and thought it would be a great read for all of us involved to protect the public water supply.

Post info courtesy of Darryl Schwindt - Transparent Backflow Services Licensed plumber specializing in backflow testing, repairs, installations and surveys in Southern Ontario, Canada

⚠️ Check out this story of a backflow incident at a medical center.

The Incident:

In 1982, a tragic backflow incident occurred at a large medical center, leading to the contamination of dialysis machines with ethylene glycol (antifreeze). This contamination resulted in the deaths of two patients. Despite having a backflow prevention program in place, a cross-connection involving the hospital’s air conditioning system allowed a glycol/water mixture to enter the hospital’s potable water supply, causing severe contamination.

What Happened:

The problem started when a manually operated valve in the hospital’s cooling system was left slightly open, permitting a glycol-laden water mixture from a holding tank used for air conditioning to flow into the hospital’s water supply. This tank was designed to keep the glycol mixture ready during cold weather to prevent freezing. When the valve was left partially open, and system pressures equalized, the contaminated mixture backflowed into the main water lines due to backpressure. A drop in water pressure from regular use, like a faucet or toilet, further allowed this contaminated water to reach the dialysis machines. The hospital’s water purification system, designed to handle trace chemicals, could not remove the high levels of glycol, exposing patients to the toxic substance.

The Cross Connection:

The cross-connection occurred because the cooling system’s holding tank, containing the glycol mixture, was connected to the hospital’s potable water supply through a manually operated valve. This valve was inadvertently left open, creating a direct pathway for the toxic mixture to enter the water system when pressure conditions changed.

Consequences and Actions Taken:

Several patients experienced symptoms such as drowsiness, confusion, and unconsciousness. Despite emergency treatment, two of the six affected patients succumbed to the contamination—one the following day and the other 16 days later. This incident highlighted significant flaws in the medical center’s cross-connection control practices.

Prevention Lesson:

This incident underscores the vital need for stringent cross-connection control in medical facilities, where even minor lapses can lead to catastrophic outcomes. Proper measures, such as installing an air gap or a Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Preventer (RPZ), would have prevented the glycol from entering the hospital’s potable water supply. Medical centres, especially those using sensitive equipment like dialysis machines, must prioritize the installation, maintenance, and regular inspection of backflow prevention devices to safeguard against hazardous cross-connections.

09/23/2024

Let's give a shout out to USC Foundation for Cross Connection Control on their 80th Anniversary of the program.

For 80 years, the USC Foundation has been a leader in ensuring safe drinking water in the U.S. They develop the standards, testing, and training that ensure ...

08/15/2024

Today is National Backflow Prevention Day. Let's celebrate and thank all of you who help protect our drinking water for all of those to use and enjoy.

Thank you.

06/12/2024

A great story about how Safe Drinking Water Act came about 50 yrs ago. And a vital part of that is backflow prevention in the USA. And the TBPA appreciates all of you who are responsible to keep our water safe with backflow prevention.

Every time you turn on your tap and drink some fresh, delicious water, you can thank the Safe Drinking Water Act! For 50 years, this landmark federal legisl...

04/24/2024

The final day of the ABPA annual conference is underway.

04/23/2024

2024 celebrates 50 years of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974. The act was the beginning of cross connection/ backflow control in the US.

04/23/2024

The TBPA received another ABPA PACE award for chapter excellence. We have some of our current members here that accepted the award for the chapter.

04/23/2024

Day 2 from the 2024 ABPA Annual Conference in Charlotte, NC

04/22/2024

Day 1 of the ABPA 39th Annual Conference is underway in Charlotte, NC.
The TBPA has several members in attendance.

01/12/2024

Hello members,
We added some photos from our 2023 TBPA Annual Conference in Gatlinburg of some of the topics and awards given out this year.