Frequently Asked Questions
What do backflow valves do?
A backflow valve is a device that ensures that once water has moved through the valve it cannot travel back into the drinking water supply.
The council has an obligation to ensure when you turn on your tap at home only safe drinking water comes out. To make sure this is always the case whenever there is a high risk zone or fixture, such as a tap next to a grease trap, or a firehose reel in a chemical factory there are backflow prevention devices in place to ensure contaminated water does not re-enter the drinking supply. The valves must be tested and certified each year to ensure they are working effectively, and repaired if they fail.
What do TMV valves do?
TMV valves mix cold and hot water to provide safe warm water, importantly they feature a shut off system should the temperature spike.
TMV valves are often found in places servicing vulnerable people, such as nursing homes, disability bathrooms and child care facilities. This is because the people using these facilities may not notice a spike or change in temperature, or may not be physically able to move fast enough to save themselves. Considering the 60 degree water that comes out of a standard hot water system can cause 3rd degree burns in as little as 1 second, this device is imperative to keep the vulnerable members of society safe.
Do you service my area?
Our usual service area covers the greater Cairns region, including the Cassowary Coast, Tablelands and Port Douglas, we are happy to travel pretty much anywhere in Far North Queensland (FNQ).
If you are outside these areas and need a Backflow or TMV specialist, please get in contact, we are happy to provide a detailed quote for you.
What are my obligations if I have backflow valves onsite?
All valves must be registered with the local council and tested and certified each year to ensure they are operating correctly.
Once the device is registered with council they will contact you each year requesting each device’s form 9 and council fee’s, there are heavy fines if you do not keep up with your obligations. Once you have entrusted Tropical Backflow and TMV to manage your devices, we will contact you the month prior to arrange a date and time that suits your business, then attend site test, repair any faulty devices, and certify each valve. We will even pay your council fees on your behalf, leaving you to concentrate on your core business, doing what you do best.
Most commercial properties will have at least 1 valve on site. If you are unsure what devices are at your premises and your obligations, feel free contact us, we can provide a detailed report.
Have you just received a compliance reminder from council?
If you have just received a Compliance notice from the Cassowary Coast regional council, Cairns regional council, Tablelands regional council or Douglas shire council’s reminding you of your compliance obligations and are not sure what you need to do. Get in contact with us, we are happy to explain what needs to happen, even attend site if needed, and provide you with a detailed quote to ensure you meet your compliance obligations, we can even set up an annual plan to ensure you can focus on your core business.
Do you have an onsite wastewater treatment plant, or septic tank and there is a bad smell outside and/or overflowing overflow relief gully?
Contact our office and we can attend the site to find the source of the problem. There can be a variety of issues, we will endeavour to find the best solution as soon as possible. So you can enjoy your patch of paradise once again.
