I would like to welcome you to the first issue of our new web based electronic magazine Backflow Prevention Journal. I hope you enjoy your visit and encourage other members of the cross-connection control industry to visit us and to add their feedback to our site. Our industry has many stakeholders which include people from the water and waste water industries, the plumbing and mechanical industries, fire protection and irrigation people, code officials, code development groups, building owners, manufacturers, energy producers, governmental officials, and last but not least, consumers. The protection of our water supply is something we all need to take seriously and it is a continuous never-ending process. It is easy for people to simply assume that we have the necessary regulations in place to prevent all problems from occurring. However, those of us in the industry understand that in many cases a lack of regulation and or enforcement can result in serious issues and events. Consumer confidence has been shaken because of the problems that have taken place in Flint, Michigan, in Corpus Christi, and in other areas of the nation.

We hope that this new publication can become a discussion board where ideas and strategies can be introduced and improved. Where specific problems and remedies can be brought to light, and where solutions can be revealed and reviewed. It is our hope that trends and issues taking place in the one area of the country can be looked at from different perspectives in other areas where perhaps these problems have already been examined and solutions found. The work we do is too important to allow politics and egos to slow down or stop progress in improving our systems and providing the needed oversite and protection of both small and large water systems. From the source to the last free flowing tap, we need to ensure the quality and safety of our water.

Other parts of the site include a product spotlight area and a product listing directory, we hope to showcase the latest and greatest in products and services available in the cross-connection industry. Backflow incidents and new and updated regulations and policies will be an everchanging and frequently updated section of Backflow Prevention Journal.

As we move along in 2018 we will be looking for photos from our readers showing both good and bad installations. The individual sending in the top photo received and published in each new issue will receive a special gift from the IAPMO Backflow Prevention Institute. We also look for announcements for trade shows, educational seminars and conferences to get the word out to as many people as possible. We all know that education is a continuous process and that in a constantly changing industry such as ours, it is vital to stay current and aware of opportunities to expand our knowledge and our skill set. If you have a topic you would like to see address please let us know and if you would like to submit and article or announcement we will welcome the submission.

After you have reviewed Backflow Prevention Journal please feel free to let me know what you think. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for reading and for your work and dedication to the Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Industry.

Sean Cleary

Technical Editor

sean.cleary@iapmo.org

About the Author

Sean is a 40 year member of the United Association Local 524 Scranton Pa. He has worked in all phases of the plumbing and mechanical industry and is a licensed master plumber. Sean is a Past President of the American Society of Sanitary Engineering. Sean is also the member of the ASSE Cross-Connection Control, Technical Committee. Sean is employed by IAPMO as the Vice President of Operations for the IAPMO Backflow Prevention Institute.