Did you know that by attaching a liquid lawn fertilizer to your water hose you are creating a potential backflow hazard? Austin requires residents to install a hose-bib vacuum breaker for outside faucets. When backflow occurs, this safety breaker closes preventing contaminated water from entering the drinking water.
Hose Bib Vacuum Breaker
If you are a new homeowner these generally come installed, however older homes were built before this became mandatory. If you forget to unhook your fertilizer applicator and a water main or hydrant is opened downstream, the garden hose acts like a long straw and the chemical is sucked back into your drinking water.
