Suggestions and notes to the AIRAH Backflow Special Interest Group Meeting - 8 September 2006

Summary of notes from Peter Wenning

Thankyou for the invitation to join the committee. I hope that I can make a valuable contribution.

Subject AHSCA: I understand that Ross Weight from Hydrautech will speak at our 4th October meeting at the Beau Monde Hotel. Like myself, Ross is a technical contributor to Plumbing Connection Magazine. His main contribution is as an Engineer designing systems for water and wastewater treatment, water filtration and sustainable solutions.

Some areas that he might be able to cover are; a) The determination of water quality and compliance procedures to guarantee drinking water quality in small stormwater harvesting and recycled water systems. b) Recycled water systems and the need for backflow prevention c) His perspectives on the determination of risk and the need for different types of backflow prevention d) Methods to address lack of provision for drainage beneath RPZ valves e) Designing for adequate access for testing and maintenance


Subject Newsletter: I have made several contributions, but they have not made it into the newsletter due to other priorities...

Involvement outside AIRAH: I have been involved in backflow prevention at Melbourne Water, South East Water and Yarra Valley Water over the past 16 years. My most recent contribution is an article titled, “Backflow to the future”. You can find it on page 40 of this Spring issue of Plumbing Connection Magazine. The purpose is to raise awareness of the wholistic management approach to backflow prevention at water companies. I believe that there should be a lot more stories about interesting installations, standards, regulations and the work going on in different regions.

Subject - Movement towards involvement in the Australian Standards Backflow Committee WS - 023: I believe that the Backflow special interest group should be retitled to “Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection Control Group” or something shorter / similar. The name should inspire confidence above being “interested” or “special”.

WS-023 - Committee Constitution
· ACT Planning and Land Authority
· AUSTAP
· Association of Consulting Engineers Australia
· Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
· Australian Industry Group
· Business New Zealand
· CSIRO Manufacturing & MaterialsTechnology
· Certification Interests (Australia)
· Department of Local Government,Planning, Sport and Recreation (Queensland)
· Local Government New Zealand
· Master Plumbers Association of NSW
· Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers New Zealand
· NSW Health Department
· Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia
· Queensland Brassware Industry Advisory Panel
· South Australian Water Corporation
· Sydney Water Corporation
· Water Services Association of Australia

Our Group should be involved in the WS-023 Committee because it is a stakeholder. Decisions made by the WS-023 committee and implemented into Australian Standards affect the work practices and efficient operation of our member businesses.

We should recognise that the existing Committee Constitution is relevant but lacks workface experience. Our group consists of educators, manufacturers, plumbing contractors and consultants. As a group we are qualified, focussed and capable of addressing anomalies in Australian Standards, and in improving testing, maintenance and registration procedures and safe work practices.

Our group would add value to the WS-023 Committee through raising and highlighting issues not only in relation to backflow prevention devices but in the important link and relevance to plumbing installation standards and liaisons with WS-014 Technical Committee.

Subject Yarra Valley Water: I understand that Yarra Valley Water is not continuing in full with it's backflow program. I would be happy to draft a letter on this and perhaps Emma Dowling could connect me with someone that has more detail.

Subject Group Structure: I have suggested that the group be better structured not only by region but also different categories. Eg Manufacturers, Testers, Consultants etc. This would enable anyone seeking a specific service to easily contact the appropriate people.

Subject Involvement with Water Utilities: Following the above structuring, perhaps the group could introduce itself to the Water Services Association of Australia or similar. If for nothing else, to provide a source of contacts for information on backflow prevention to any water utility developing backflow policies. Don’t forget that water utilities have done more for backflow than any other. Maintenance of contact with all water utilities is vital. This should lead to a greater membership of our group.

I look forward to any comments from members.