Backflow Theft Update!

Just mere days after the string of backflow preventer theft hit Oakland Park, the same situation occurred in Coral Springs. On the evening of May 10th, ten backflow systems were broken and stolen.

 

This was the situation at one location in Coral Springs. You can see the pipes were smashed open in the same fashion as the Oakland Park thefts. Water was flowing freely, creating a small river in the grass and running up water bills for local residents.

Once we were able to get the water flow under control, this temporary fix was put into place while waiting for new parts to arrive. 

For more information on backflow preventer systems and all your plumbing needs, visit our website or call us today!

Backflow Preventer Theft Hits Oakland Park, Fl.

Late at night on Friday May 6th, thieves ran rampant in Oakland Park, Florida with the intent of stealing the brass pipes from backflow preventers in the area. With brass selling at roughly $2 per pound, a person can easily make about $30 selling the heavy brass pipes from these systems. 

It appears the pipes were smashed out of place with a hammer or similar device leaving water gushing uncontrollably from the broken system. This was the situation at local businesses and residential areas alike, leaving residents with a high water bill and no protection from contamination in their water supply. 

Unfortunately until the city finds a safer way to contain the backflow preventer systems, city officials believe this won't be the end of the theft. 

Greenteam Plumbing recently completed a blackflow preventer project for a Kidney Dialysis Center in Davie, Florida that underwent the same type of theft. Check out our previous blog post for more information on what we did to install a new system and protect it from theft! 

For more information on the recent string of theft in Oakland Park visit the Sun Sentinel online. 

Source: Sun Sentinel

Backflow Preventer Project!

A backflow preventer is a machine used to protect water from contamination. Water is normally provided to the pipes in our homes and buildings at a significant pressure. If extreme conditions occur and water pressure drops significantly the pressure in the pipe will be reduced, possibly allowing polluted water from the ground to enter our water supply. This is where the backflow preventer comes in handy, preventing this type of contamination. You can see what an important device this is for our buildings and water supply!

Recently, there has been an increase in backflow preventer theft. They are being stolen from properties and being sold as scrap metal. We have come across such an incident at a Kidney Dialysis facility in Davie, Fl. When we arrived at the location, this is what we found:

We got to work immediately, installing a new backflow preventer for the facility. 

Here you can see the foundation and basic installation of the backflow preventer. 

As an added precaution, we installed a safety cage so the system cannot be disturbed. 

The cage is bolted down with special bolts to ensure this system can't be stolen. 

And finally, we included a strong lock so that only those who are supposed to have access can get to it. 

This is a project Greenteam Plumbing is definitely proud of!