Since it was established in 2021, National Backflow Prevention Day has been observed every year on August 16. This day recognizes the technologies and professionals who help protect the safety and quality of our drinking water. Backflow prevention is about more than just meeting codes and regulations. It's about protecting communities, maintaining trust in public water systems, and helping to keep our water clean for future generations.
The importance of backflow prevention became tragically clear during the summer of 1933. That year, during the Chicago World’s Fair, two nearby hotels shared a water supply that had dangerous cross-connections in their plumbing systems. Without knowing it, they allowed amoebic dysentery to spread through the building and contaminate the water consumed by their guests. More than 200 people became seriously ill, and 98 lost their lives. This event remains one of the most devastating examples of backflow-related contamination in U.S. history and continues to influence the way we think about water safety today.
National Backflow Prevention Day honors the work being done to prevent another tragedy like that from happening. Every backflow preventer that is installed, every new feature that is developed, and every system that is tested represents a commitment to public health. This day is a reminder that clean water doesn't happen by accident—it takes careful planning, dedicated professionals, and ongoing innovation to keep it safe.
