Backflow Incident at Swimming Pool

The Incident:

In Liddieville, Louisiana, a family’s improper method of filling their swimming pool led to cross-contamination of their home’s water system, resulting in health issues for the family.

What Happened:

The incident came to light when two children from the household fell ill with bacteriological infections. Concerned, their mother contacted the Louisiana Department of Health and Human Services to request water testing. Although the water system did not show recent positive coliform samples, the officials questioned her about her water usage and residence. The complainant noted that her water smelled like algae, and mentioned that a water system operator had flushed the line at her request months earlier.

The Cross Connection:

Further investigation revealed that the family filled their swimming pool using a garden hose, which was left submerged in the pool. The resident admitted to noticing the hose siphoning water back into the system. Additionally, she acknowledged that she did not consistently operate her pool’s chlorination system, increasing the risk of contamination. The Department of Health identified these practices as the source of the cross-connection problem, advising her to use an air gap when filling the pool to prevent contamination of the distribution system.

Consequences and Actions Taken:

In response to the incident, the Liddieville Water System initiated a system flush and issued a boil-water advisory for all 441 connections. Officials also launched a customer awareness program to educate residents on the dangers of cross-connections and the importance of proper backflow prevention measures.

Prevention Lesson:

This incident underscores the critical need for proper backflow prevention, particularly when filling pools or other similar uses. Consistently using an air gap can prevent dangerous cross-connections, safeguarding household and public water supplies from contamination and ensuring community health.

This story, originally written by Watts in "Backflow Case Histories and Solutions," has been summarized to highlight the key points and outcomes.